Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and low birth weight (LBW) continue to be significant public health concerns in many low-income countries including Ethiopia. Yet the effect of maternal HIV infection on birth weight has not been thoroughly explored and the existing studies reported opposing findings. We examined the association between maternal HIV infection and LBW in a tertiary hospital in Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the medical records of 277 HIV-negative and 252 HIV-positive mothers who gave singleton live birth between September 2014 to August 2017 in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. The recodes were identified using systematic sampling approach and relevant information were extracted by using pretested extraction form. Multivariable binary logit model was fitted to examine the relationship between the exposure and outcome while adjusting for potential confounders. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) is used for summarizing the findings of the analysis. Results: The mean (± standard deviation) birth weight of infants born to HIV-negative women (3.1 ± 0.7 kg) was significantly higher than those born to HIV-positive counterparts (3.0 ± 0.6 kg) (p = 0.020). The prevalence of LBW was also significantly higher in the HIV-exposed group (22.2%) than the non-exposed group (13.7%) (p = 0.011). In the logit model adjusted for multiple covariates, HIV-positive women had four times increased odds than HIVnegative women to give birth to LBW infant(AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 2.01-8.06). Other significant predictors of LBW were rural place of residence (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16-3.60), prenatal anemia (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.71-5.90), chronic hypertension (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.10-12.46) and preeclampsia (AOR = 6.80, 95% CI: 3.00-15.38). Conclusion: Maternal HIV infection is associated with increased odds of LBW. HIV prevention activities are also likely to contribute for the reduction of LBW.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to assess the determinants of neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care units of public hospitals in Hawassa City Administration, Sidama Region, Ethiopia, in 2020.DesignInstitutional-based, unmatched, case–control study.SettingThe study was conducted in three public hospitals (Hawassa University Teaching Hospital, Adare General Hospital and Hawela Tula Primary Hospital) of Hawassa City, Ethiopia.ParticipantsA total of 331 (110 cases and 221 controls) neonates with their index mothers were included in the study from 1 August to 30 September 2020.Outcome measuresA pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and data extraction checklist were used to collect data. Data were coded and entered into EpiData V.3.1 before being exported to SPSS V.20 for analysis. The factors associated with neonatal sepsis were assessed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. P value of less than 0.05 was used to establish statistically significant association of variables.ResultsCaesarean section delivery (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.56, 95 % CI 1.3 to 5.00), maternal anaemia (AOR=2.58, 95 % CI 1.45 to 4.6) and lack of vaccination with tetanus toxoid (AOR=3.5, 95% CI 2.07 to 6.19) were all identified as factors significantly associated with neonatal sepsis.ConclusionsCaesarean section delivery, maternal history of anaemia and lack of vaccination with tetanus toxoid were found to be risk factors for neonatal sepsis. Establishing preconception care practice, strengthening the quality of antenatal care and standardising infection prevention practice are needed to improve neonatal health.

Background: There is growing evidence that shows phenomena of disrespect and abuse (D&A) occurs globally even though the degree and severity is different across countries. The problem is getting attention in recent years especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. However, there is a paucity of studies assessing the magnitude of disrespect and abuse. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and associated factors of disrespectful and abusive care during childbirth in health facilities of Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia.Methodology: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa city from February 8 - April 27, 2018. A total of 577 mothers from both public and private health facilities were randomly selected. Domains of D&A that were assessed were; physical abuse, verbal abuse, stigma and discrimination, failure to meet professional standards of care and poor rapport between women and providers. Multivariable binary logitmodel was used to examine the relationship between exposure and outcome variables. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) is used for summarizing the findings of the analysis.Result: The mean age of the respondents was 26.8 (SD± 4.4) years. Overall 46.9% [95% CI: (42.8-51)] reported experiencing three or more forms of disrespect and abusive care during childbirth in health facilities. In the logit model; the adjusted odds of D&A among births in public health facility is 12.9 times higher than birth those in private facilities [AOR=12.94 (95% CI: 5.87, 28.50)],mothers who had total delivery four and above had 4.7 times increased odds of encountering D&A [AOR=4.67 95% CI: 1.69, 12.89)].In contrast to mothers who had spontaneous vaginal delivery mothers who had instrumental delivery had 2.6 times increased chance of encountering D&A [AOR =2.63 (95% CI: 1.05, 6.59)].Conclusion: The prevalence of disrespect and abusive care in Hawassa health facilities during labor and delivery is high. Factors associated with D&A include the type of health facility, mode of delivery and parity. Therefore, national health strategies and policies should focus on combating D&A during maternal care. It is also recommended to give intensive training focusing on respectful maternity care especially in public hospitals by involving more female health care providers.

The aim of this systemic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between iron with folic acid supplementation and low birth weight in Ethiopia Previous studies on iron with folic acid supplementation and low birth weight indicated different findings. We include 24 studies in different regions of Ethiopia. We have done this study focusing on iron with folic acid supplementation Materials and Methods The databases searched were PUBMED and Advanced Google Scholar. on reference manager software reporting iron with folic acid supplementation and low birth weight. Three researchers were carried out the data extraction and assessed independently the articles for inclusion in the review using risk-of-bias tool guided by PRISMA checklist. The combined adjusted Odds ratios (OR)) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effect model Results: Twenty-four observational studies involving 10 989 participants, 2348 newborns have low birth weight were included. The combined effect size (OR) for low birth weight r comparing women who have iron with folic acid supplementation versus women who did not have iron with folic acid supplementation was 0.37 (95%CI 0.25 to 0.55), p<0.00001, I 2 = 91 %). There was significant heterogeneity (Q = 264.75. I 2 =91 %). p<0.00001) No publication bias was observed (Egger's test: p = 0.621, Begg's test: p = 0.254). 71.11% (7815), women reported iron with folic acid supplementation during current pregnancy in all studies, the proportion of low birth weight among women reported iron with folic acid supplementation during current

Background: Anemia is the main cause of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women in developing countries with maternal and fetal consequences, which leads to premature births, low birth weight, fetal cognitive impairment and death. Objective: To establish association between anemia and birth weight among pregnant women attending ANC clinic at public hospitals of Sidama region, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods and Materials: a prospective cohort study design will be conducted from March 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022 in public hospitals of Sidama region. A total of 12 Midwives and 6 supervisors will be involved in the data collection process. Exposed (pregnant women having anemia) and non-exposed (pregnant women not having anemia) will be selected by using simple random sampling technique from the prior three months ANC register of each selected public hospital. The data will be entered into Epidata software and exported to SPSS software for windows version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics will be computed and both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression will be employed to assess effect of anemia on birth weight among pregnant women. The output will be presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI).