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Background: Anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiency disorders affecting pregnant women; its prevalence in developed countries is 14% and in developing countries 51%. It is therefore important to understand the prevalence and associated factors of anemia in our study area. This will encourage antenatal caregivers to identify and treat anemia early in pregnancy. Objective: Therefore, the study's goal was to determine the prevalence of anemia and its contributing factors among pregnant women receiving prenatal care. Methods: Between April 2021 and May 2021, 295 pregnant women attending prenatal care participated in a cross-sectional facility-based study. Epidata software was used to enter the data, which were then exported to SPSS software for Windows version 23 for analysis. To determine the factors contributing to anemia in pregnant women, descriptive statistics collected with the study were performed together with bivariable logistic regression and the log-binomial model. Results: Among the 295 study participants, 24.7% were anemic. Out of these, most were mild types 78.1%. Illiterate pregnant women (ARR 2.89; 95% CI: 1.76-6.43, p value = 0.037), with no iron-containing food intake per day (ARR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.59-1.95, p value = 0.01), and infected with malaria (ARR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.76-2.53, p value = 0.03) had higher odds of being anemic, compared to their counterpart. Gestational age of the first (ARR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.03-0.98, p value = 0.01), and second (ARR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.43-0.96, p value = 0.013) trimester has lower odds of being anemic compared to their counterpart. Conclusion: Anemia in pregnant women is found to be a moderate public health issue in the research location. It is strongly and independently impacted by malaria infection and iron-containing meal consumption. Reducing the prevalence of anemia is made possible by improved iron-containing meal consumption. In addition, it is strongly advised that pregnant women receive education and should take iron supplements during pregnancy visits., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne et al.)

Background: Different results were found in earlier research on pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection and past abortions. The current meta-analysis's objective was to investigate the connection between previous abortion and hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women., Methods: In January 2023, the following databases were searched: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A total of 9 articles that were published in English from 2012 to 2022 were included. Egger's test and the funnel plot's asymmetry were employed to look for publication bias. JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies and case-control studies were used. Using the random effect model; the combined odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were obtained., Results: There were 212 pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection among the 3582 participants in nine (9) investigations. Comparing pregnant women who had prior abortions to pregnant women who had not had prior abortions, the combined effect size (OR) for hepatitis B virus infection was 3.43 (95% CI 1.66-7.10, p = 0.0009, I 2  = 77%). Significant heterogeneity was present (Q = 34.33, I 2  = 77%, p 0.00001). There was no evidence of publication bias (Egger's test: p = 0.495; Begg's test: p = 0.532). In all, 3582 (17.39%) pregnant women had previously had abortions, and 5.91% of pregnant women had Hepatitis B virus infection., Conclusions: Prior abortions elevated a pregnant woman's risk of contracting the hepatitis B virus. However, as a result of this study, we recommend to healthcare professionals to prevent unsafe abortions in order to enhance maternal health by lowering hepatitis B virus infection. Unsafe abortion can be prevented through: good sexuality education; prevention of unintended pregnancy through use of effective contraception, including emergency contraception; and provision of safe, legal abortion. In addition, deaths and disability from unsafe abortion can be reduced through the timely provision of emergency treatment of complications. ., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Anemia is a condition in which the number of healthy red blood cells/ hemoglobin (Hgb) level (and consequently their oxygen-carrying capacity) is insufficient to meet the body's physiologic needs. Thus, the current study is aimed to assess the spatial distribution and determinant factors of anemia among women aged 15-49 in Burkina Faso., Methods: A secondary data analysis was done based on 2021 Burkina Faso; Demographic and Health Surveys. Total weighted samples of 5655 women's were included. Data processing and analysis were performed using STATA 14; ArcGIS 10.1 and SaTScan 9.6 software., Result: The spatial distribution of anemia in Burkina Faso among women aged 15-49.was found to be clustered (Global Moran's I = 0.25, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable mixed-effect ordinal regression analysis; Age 25-29 years [AOR = 1.31 ; 95% CI: 1.06 1.61], rich wealth status [AOR = 1.32 ; 95% CI: 1.08 1.62], regions Cascades [AOR = 1.62 ; 95% CI: 1.16 2.25],Hauts-bassis [AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.06 1.84], Plateau central [AOR = 0.72 ; 95% CI: -0.54 0.96 and Sahel[AOR = 0.42 ; 95% CI: 0.28 0.63], were significant predictors of anemia among women aged 15-49., Conclusions: A significant clustering of anemia among women aged 15-49 were found in Burkina Faso. Age, wealth index, regions Cascades, Hauts-bassins, Plateau central, and Sahel were significant predictors of anemia., Competing Interests: All authors declare no conflicts of interest., (©2024 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)

Background: The world is in a dramatic expansion of population that resulted from the continued high birth rates in developing countries. At present, only a handful of countries have reduced fertility rates. That is enough to make gains as a result of reduced fertility or to ensure that their population will stabilize unforeseeable future. Ethiopia is the second largest country by population in Africa, but contraceptive use in Ethiopia is still low., Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice and associated factors towards implant use among married reproductive age group women., Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to collect the data from 272 married reproductive age group women attending the family planning clinic at Ejere Health Center from October 9, 2021 to November 24, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select and approach the study subjects. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS window version 21, and bi variable, multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between independent and dependent variables. A P value of less than 0.05 and 95% CI was considered to be statistically significant. Finally, the result was presented using tables and graphs., Result: The finding shows that most of the respondents know implant (87.6%). Concerning the practice of implants, the overall prevalence of implants was 51 (20.6%), and in attitude towards implant utilization among study clients, most of them wrongly believed that using implant can result in irregular uterine bleeding and cause pain during insertion and removal. Mothers who attended primary school 2.580 times (AOR = 2.580, 95% CI: 1.255-5.305, P value =0.01) had more positive attitudes than those who could not read and write. Mothers having positive attitude were 2.066 times (AOR = 2.066, 95% CI: 1.185-3.600, P value =0.01) knowledgeable about implant than those with negative attitudes., Conclusion: Even if most of the respondents were knowledgeable, practice and attitude towards implant utilization were low. To overcome this gap, we recommended adequate early counseling, on possible side effects, and creating awareness on implant contraceptive services and refresher courses for health workers regarding implant contraception should be given regularly regarding reproductive issues., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest stated by the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne et al.)

Background: Institutional delivery is Giving birth in medical institution under the care and Supervision of trained health care providers which promotes newborn survival and reduces maternal mortality. The objective of the study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards institutional delivery among mothers of child bearing age who have one or more child and visit MCH clinic Adaba health center, West Arsi zone, South East Ethiopia., Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study design was conducted. The study was conducted starting from May 1-30, 2021 at Adaba health center, West Arsi zone, South East Ethiopia. Our study sample size is 250 mothers who have at least one birth and visiting MCH at Adaba health center. Systematic random sampling was used to select mothers, Data was collected by using structured questionnaire. Finally, data was analyzed by SPSS version 21., Results: Out of 250 women during our data collection time 246 (98.4%) were our respondents and 4 (1.6%) were non respondents. Among 246 women 213 (86.6%) had good knowledge and 33 (13.4%) had poor knowledge. While 212 (86.2%) had good attitude and 34(13.8%) had poor attitude and 179 (72.8%) had good practice but 67 (27.2%) had poor practice., Conclusion: Increasing knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers towards institutional delivery plays a key role in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. However, the prevailing level of KAP towards institutional delivery is not satisfactory. Increasing utilization of institutional delivery by increasing awareness of each community through health information dissemination on importance of institutional delivery is needed., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interests stated by the authors., (©2023 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has become the leading cause of morbidity and death in humans worldwide. Thus, genetic variability of the host plays a major role in human susceptibility to the pathogen, among others. Therefore, the objective of this finding was to assess the association of genetic polymorphisms of cytokines with tuberculosis infection., Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2018. Five ml of whole blood was collected and extracted the genomic DNA through simple salting out method. The patterns of genetic polymorphism were determined by amplification refractory method PCR using specific primers. Finally, the PCR run on electrophoresis of agarose gel and the band was visualized under UV light. A logistical regression model has been adapted to assess the association of genetic polymorphisms with tubercular infection. In order to determine the association between the explanatory and outcome variable, the odds ratio with 95% CI was calculated. P < 0.05 is a statistically significant value., Result: In present study, the frequency of TNF-α -308 G allele and GG genotype OR (95% CI)= 0.20 (0.11-0.37), and OR (95% CI)= 0.29 (0.18-0.46)), respectively) and IFN-γ +874 A allele and AA genotype OR (95% CI)= 3.80 (2.11-6.86) and (OR (95% CI)= 1.61(1.13-2.28), respectively) were significantly associated with tuberculosis incidence. In contrast, there is no significant correlation between IL-10 -1082 A and AA of allele and genotype, respectively in tuberculosis patients (p > 0.05) was evident., Conclusion: From our finding, the genetic variability of TNF-α -308 A and IFN-γ +874 alleles are the potent host genetic risk factors associated with tuberculosis infection.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a lethal disease if left untreated. Current treatments produce variable rates of treatment failure and toxicity without sterile cure, rendering treatment efficacy monitoring essential. To avoid repeated invasive tissue aspirates as well as empirical treatment, there is a need for new tools that allow a less-invasive and early assessment of treatment efficacy in the field. Cross-sectional studies have suggested levels of cytokines/chemokines after whole blood stimulation as good markers of cure, but longitudinal studies are lacking. In this study, we followed 13 active VL cases in an endemic area in Ethiopia by measuring the production of IFN- γ , TNF- α , IP-10, IL-2, IL-10, MCP-1, and MIG before, during, and at the end of treatment. After 24 hours of stimulation of whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen, we observed an early, robust, and incremental increase of IFN- γ , TNF- α , and IP-10 levels in all patients during treatment. Moreover, based on the IFN- γ levels that showed an average 13-fold increase from the time of diagnosis until the end of treatment, we could almost perfectly discriminate active from cured status. Similar concentrations and patterns were found in stimulation assays with the two main Leishmania species. The levels of IFN- γ , IP-10, or TNF- α also seemed to be inversely associated with the parasite load at baseline. Despite a 1/10 drop in concentrations, similar patterns were observed in IFN- γ and IP-10 levels when dried plasma spots were stored at 4°C for an average of 225 days. All the above evidence suggests a detectable restoration of cell-mediated immunity in VL and its association with parasite clearance. With a potential application in rural settings by means of dried plasma spots, we recommend to further explore the early diagnostic value of such assays for treatment efficacy monitoring in large cohort studies including treatment failure cases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Yetemwork Aleka et al.)