Search

Background: Childbirth self-efficacy has been identified as a significant indicator of a positive childbirth experience. It is, however, the most neglected aspect of maternal care, and evidence in this regard was lacking in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess perceived childbirth self-efficacy and its associated factors among pregnant women in the Gurage zone, southern Ethiopia.Methods: The current study was conducted from April to May 2022 using a facility-based cross-sectional study design. We used a systematic sampling technique and selected a total of 423 women. To collect the data, we utilized an interviewer-administered questionnaire containing a childbirth self-efficacy inventory scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to discover the factors influencing a woman's self-efficacy during childbirth.Results: The current study included 423 pregnant women in total. This study revealed that the overall mean score for perceived childbirth self-efficacy was 489.06 (SD = 65.77). Social support (β = 0.214, P< 0.001), psychological well-being (β = 0.254, P< 0.001), education status at the secondary level (β = 0.151, P< 0.001), no fundal pressure (β = 0.11, P = 0.010), and planned pregnancy (β = 0.10, P =0.013) were positively associated with childbirth self-efficacy. Fear of childbirth (β = 0.19, P< 0.001), Primipara women (β = 0.14, P< 0.001), women who had experienced discomfort during vaginal examination (β = 0.10, P = 0.009), and women who experienced the inability to push (β = 0.10, P = 0.013) were negatively associated with childbirth self-efficacy.Conclusion: The overall mean score for the perceived childbirth self-efficacy was high when compared to the previous studies conducted in Australia. Healthcare professionals should create multifaceted strategies to support childbirth self-efficacy, such as relaxation techniques, prenatal psycho-education to reduce childbirth fear, enhance psychological well-being and encourage social support, particularly partner support during pregnancy and childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus disease is a global acute and chronic communicable disease. Mother-to-child transmission is the reason for high carrier rates. Unvaccinated newborns infected through mother-to-child transmission are at >95% risk of developing chronic hepatitis B virus disease. Vaccination is the most effective measure to reduce the global incidence of hepatitis B virus disease. Despite the World Health Organization's target to achieve 90% of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose by 2030, little is known about the vaccination status of exposed newborns. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the timing of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in exposed newborns in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed on 422 systematically selected exposed newborns from April 2, 2022, to August 28, 2022. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered into Epi data 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were performed. Variables with a p -value <.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant. Results: The proportion of neonates who received their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine on time was 57 (42.5%) (95% CI: 38.3–46.1%). A higher likelihood of vaccinating their exposed newborns on time was associated with formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.01, 95% CI: 2.21–7.09), four or more ANC visits (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 2.05–6.21), and husband engagement (AOR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.03–6.34). Conclusion: The proportion of timely initiation of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in Southwest Ethiopia was low. Thus, strengthening health education on the hepatitis B vaccine, encouraging women to have at least four ANC visits, and encouraging male involvement help improve the timely administration of the hepatitis B vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary diversification is a sustainable and appealing strategy for pregnant women to ensure a balanced dietary intake. In Ethiopia, despite the implementation of various nutritional initiatives, inadequate dietary diversity remains a significant factor contributing to adverse birth outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to assess the dietary diversity and associated characteristics among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Eastern Ethiopia. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 28 to May 28, 2021. A total of 420 pregnant women were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. We used the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval to estimate the strength of the association. We used a p -value of 0.05 to declare statistical significance. Only 35.0% (95% CI: 30.5, 39.5) of the 420 pregnant women involved in this study received appropriate dietary diversity. Having an educational level of college and above (AOR 3.01, 95% CI: 1.19-7.5), being an urban dweller (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.68-7.52), eating three meals and above (AOR = 7.62, 95% CI: 2.88-9.03), and having ≤4 family sizes (AOR = 9.33, 95% CI: 4.06-10.4) were significantly associated with an adequate dietary diversity score among pregnant women. This study found that pregnant women had inadequate overall consumption of a diversified diet. Increasing meal frequency, enhancing women's education, raising awareness of dietary diversity among rural inhabitants, and offering counselling on family planning utilisation during ANC services are all beneficial in promoting dietary diversity among pregnant women., (© The Author(s) 2024.)