Background: Good-quality antenatal care improves maternal health in the least developed countries. This study was aimed at assessing the quality of antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women attending hospitals in the Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 February to 30 April 2020 among 372 pregnant women. A two-stage sampling technique—the first stage, selection of health facilities; the second stage, selection of respondents—was used. Trained data collectors administered exit interviews. Data were entered into EPI Info 7 and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Quality of care was assessed using a validated questionnaire containing 68 attributes of quality. Good quality of care was determined by the proportion of respondents who scored ⩾80% of 68 variables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used in the analysis. The outputs were presented using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Results: This study revealed that 41.2% (95% confidence interval: 36.2%–46.2%) of pregnant women had received good-quality antenatal care. Increased odds of the utilization of quality antenatal care were observed among women who lived in urban areas (adjusted odds ratio = 4.32, 95% confidence interval: 2.58–7.21), attained primary education and more (adjusted odds ratio = 2.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.60–4.48), earned a monthly income >3000 Ethiopia Birr (US$93.3) (adjusted odds ratio = 3.86, 95% confidence interval: 2.28–6.51), and visited hospitals for antenatal care ⩾4 times (adjusted odds ratio = 3.68, 95% confidence interval: 2.21–6.10). Conclusions: The proportion of women who received good-quality antenatal care was low. Good quality care was associated with residence, education status, income level, and frequency of antenatal care visits. Training care providers, strengthening counseling, and promoting women’s economic empowerment to improve the utilization of quality antenatal care are recommended.

Background Rural health extension workers (HEWs) are essential for the implementation of the promotion and prevention-based health care policy of Ethiopia. Job satisfaction is believed to be one of the key factors that influence their performance. Information regarding job satisfaction and associated factors are limited in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing job satisfaction level and associated factors among rural Health Extension Workers of Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 341 rural HEWs from 1 March to 30 April 2021. Data was collected using trained data collectors using pre-tested and self-administered questionnaires. SPSS version-25 was used for data analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regressions were used to observe the association between the outcome variable and associated factors. The outputs are presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Result This study revealed that 36.6% (95% CI: 31.6%-41.6%) of the rural HEWs were satisfied with their job. Increased odds of satisfaction were observed among rural HEWs who got training opportunities (AOR: 3.74, 95% CI: 2.01, 6.98), education opportunities (AOR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.56, 7.46), management support (AOR: 4.59, 95% CI: 2.44, 8.67), supervisor support (AOR: 7.40, 95% CI: 3.84, 14.26), and a better salary/payment (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.19, 7.88) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion and Recommendation The job satisfaction level among rural HEWs in the study area was low. Strategies to stimulate and strengthen recognition of management, supportive supervision, performance-based regular salary increment, and career developments are recommended.

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and children. Nevertheless, information regarding the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant in the study area is limited. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in Adare General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2020, to December 15, 2020, among 340 pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years who came for focused antenatal care follow-up. Trained data collectors administered questionnaires, and collected capillary blood and stool samples. Data were coded and entered into EPI Info 7 and the analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. Factors associated with anemia were assessed using binary logistic regression. Those variables that had a P-value less than .25 on bi-variable regression analysis were considered for multi-variable regression analysis. Statistical significance was declared with P < .05. Result: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 24.1% (95% CI: 19.55%-28.69%). The majority of anemia cases were mildly anemic (62.2.0%). Increased odds of anemia was found among pregnant women with household monthly income ⩽2550 Ethiopian Birr (⩽69.67 United States Dollar) (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.76), not attended formal education (AOR = 3.86; 95% CI: 1.42, 10.54), not using iron tablets (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.33, 5.27) and infected with Plasmodium vivax (AOR = 7.58; 95% CI: 3.11, 18.47). Conclusions: Anemia had moderate public health significance in the study. Low monthly family income, educational status, iron tablet consumption during pregnancy and Plasmodium vivax infection were found to be independent predictors for anemia in pregnancy. The burden of anemia should be alleviated through enhancing maternal socio-economic status, prevention of illnesses targeting pregnant women, and strengthening the expansion of prenatal iron-folate supplementation.

Background: Utilization of family planning services improves women’s reproductive health outcomes. Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARCs) methods, in particular, prevent unwanted pregnancy and significantly reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. In Ethiopia utilization of LARCs was very low. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the utilization of LARCs and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Wondo Genet District, Southern Ethiopia. Method: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 May to 15 August 2020 among reproductive-age women. A systematic sampling method was applied to recruit 376 women and the sample size was allocated to health centers proportionally. Data collection was conducted by trained collectors using pretested and structured questionnaires. Data coded and entered into EPI Info 7 and the analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were done. Statistical significance was declared with P < 0.05. Result: The utilization of LARCs was 37.8% (95% CI: 32.9-42.7). The multivariable analysis showed that odds of the utilization of LARCs were increased among reproductive-aged ≥25 years (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.41), gave birth to ≥3 live births (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.04), employed (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.14), earned high monthly income (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.26) and discussed contraceptive methods with their husbands (AOR = 2.87, CI: 1.68, 4.89]. Conclusions: Utilization of LARCs was low. The odds of the utilization of LARCs were increased in women aged ≥25 years, gave birth to 3 or more children, earned high monthly income, and discussed with their husbands about contraception methods.

Background: Previous studies conducted in Ethiopia revealed anemia as a severe public health problem among under-5 children but failed to associate with parasite infection. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection (IP) and its association with anemia among children aged 6 to 59 months in Yirgalem General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Method: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 367 children aged 6 to 59 months. Trained data collectors administered the questionnaire. Blood was collected and analyzed for hemoglobin using the HemoCue 301. The stool samples were collected and analyzed. Association between IP and anemia was measured using multivariable analysis. The outputs are presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of anemia was 48.8% (95% CI: 43.7, 53.9). Anemia was of mild, moderate, and severe type in 24.5%, 21.5%, and 2.8% of the children respectively. The prevalence of IP was 43.3% (95% CI: 38.2, 48.3). The odds of anemia were higher among children infected with IP (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.97, 5.17), large family size (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.59), low-income level (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.35), and MUAC < 11 cm (AOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.85, 5.81). Conclusions: The prevalence of IP was high. Anemia has severe public health significance. IP infection, income level, family size, and MUAC level were associated with anemia in children. Strengthening existing programs to prevent childhood anemia, and IP recommended.