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Introduction More than two-thirds of the pregnant women in Africa have at least one antenatal care contact with a health care provider. However, to achieve the full life-saving potential that antenatal care promises for women and babies, four visits providing essential evidence-based interventions – a package often called focused antenatal care are required. Hence, identifying the factors associated with dropout of maternal health care utilization would have meaningful implications. The study aimed to assess antenatal care dropout and associated factors among mothers delivering in the public health facilities of Dire Dawa town, Ethiopia. Methods Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to 30, 2020. Proportionate sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 230 women. Data were collected using a structured and pretested interview administered questionnaire during delivery. The data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. A binary logistic regression model with a 95 % confidence interval was used to analyze the results. Bivariable analysis (COR [crude odds ratio]) and multivariable analysis (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]) was used to analyze the results. From the bivariable analysis, variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into the multivariable logistic regression analysis. From the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a significance level of p-value < 0.05 were taken as factors independently associated with ANC dropout. Result The proportion of antenatal care dropouts was 86 (37.4 %) (95 % CI: 31.3–43.9). In logistic regression analyses, those who had no past antenatal care follow up were more likely to have ANC dropout (AOR = 7.89; 95 % CI: 2.109–29.498) and those who had no professional advice were more likely to have antenatal care dropout (AOR = 4.64 95 % CI: 1.246–17.254). Conclusions This study indicates that a high number of women had antenatal care dropout. Having no past ANC follow-up and professional advice were the major factors of ANC service utilization dropout. Hence, giving more information during the ANC visit is important to reduce the dropout rate from the maternity continuum of care.

Moringa stenopetala is a medicinal plant that has been used in Ethiopian traditional medicine as a remedy for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and stomach pain. The study is aimed at assessing the toxicity of the methanol extracts of the seeds of Moringa stenopetala on the developing embryo and fetuses of rats. The seeds of Moringa were extracted by maceration using 80% methanol. The extract (250–1000 mg/kg) was orally administered to pregnant Swiss albino rats from days 6 to12 of gestation. Embryos and fetuses were recovered by laparotomy on gestational day 12 and day 20, respectively, and were assessed for developmental anomalies. On day 20, significant prenatal growth retardation such as reduced litter weight and crown-rump length were observed in near term fetuses of 1000 mg/kg treated rats. Litter weight in 1000 mg/kg and pair-fed control groups was 2.41   g ± 0.108 and 3.08   g ± 0.093 , respectively. Delay in the development of an otic, optic, and olfactory system, as well as a reduction in a number of branchial bars, occurred on day 12 embryos of 1000 mg/kg treated rats. The rate of fetal resorption in 1000 mg/kg and pair-fed control groups was 1.6 ± 0.55 and 0.42 ± 0.52 , respectively. There was also a high incidence of fetal death in the 1000 mg/kg treated group but it was not statistically significant. The offspring’s of Moringa-treated rats did not show gross external malformations at all doses. These findings suggest that the methanol seed extract of Moringa stenopetala is not safe to rat embryos and fetuses. Its toxic effects were evidenced by a significant delay in embryonic and fetal development and an increase in fetal resorptions and fetal death.

Introduction Estimation of gestational age is a key for the identification of a given low birth weight neonate is either preterm or growth retarded. Objective To estimate gestational age from neonatal anatomical anthropometric parameters in Dessie Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed in Dessie Referral Hospital from October 2019 to April 2020, with 424 consecutively live-born of 28–42 weeks of gestation. After considering the inclusion criteria, neonatal anthropometric parameters were measured within 3 days of birth. Foot length, hand length, mid-upper arm circumference, head circumference, crown-heel length, intermammary distance, umbilical nipple distance, and birth weight were measured and summarized using descriptive statistics, and the power of association was evaluated using correlation analysis. Regression equations of gestational age (GA) in completed weeks with anthropometric parameters were formulated using simple and multiple linear regression analysis. Results Except for hand length, all other neonatal anthropometric measurements were positively correlated with GA in completed weeks at p< 0.05. Anthropometric parameters individually, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and BW (birth weight) were correlated well with GA at correlation coefficient ( r ) of 0.406 and 0.334, respectively. Regression formula was formulated as GA (weeks) = 26.12+ [1.11×MUAC (cm)] and GA (Weeks) = 33.19 + [1.53×BW (kg)]. Multiple regression contributed correlation with GA and used for prediction of GA as GA (weeks) = 28.12 – [0.393×HL (cm)] + [1.07×BW (kg)] + [0.87×MUAC (cm)] (r = 0.458). Conclusion The overall relative better correlation for prediction of GA, alone and in combination, is found by combined parameters (HL, MUAC, and BW). The relatively better individual anthropometric parameter for GA assessment is MUAC. Hence, using this neonatal parameter as a prediction of gestational age, the death of neonate due to preterm can be minimized.

Introduction Achyranthes aspera is one of the medicinal plants widely used for fertility control in the local health system of Ethiopia. Objective Assessment of developmental toxicity of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Achyranthes aspera in rat embryos and fetuses . Methods Fresh leaves were extracted by mixing the grinded powder with 70% ethanol. Then, the extract was given orally to gravid Wistar rats at doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg from day 6–12 of gestation. On gestational days 12 and 20, embryos and fetuses were examined for developmental and gross malformations. Results On day 12 embryos, the number of implantation sites and somites in 1000 mg/kg treated rats were significantly reduced. The number of implantation sites in pair-fed control and 1000 mg/kg groups was 11.2±0.86 and 8.34±0.65, respectively. Retarded development of hindlimb, forelimb, optic and olfactory systems was detected at a high dose. In addition, the number of branchial bar was significantly reduced in 1000 mg/kg dose. In near-term fetuses, significant reduction of litter weight and crown–rump length was seen at 1000 mg/kg dose. Crown–rump length in pair-fed control and 1000 mg/kg treated groups was 2.82±0.17 cm and 2.31±0.11 cm, respectively. Fetal resorptions and deaths in 1000 mg/kg were 1.45±0.65 and 0.81±0.67, respectively. However, external anomalies were not detected for all offspring at all doses. Conclusion The finding suggests that ethanolic leaf extracts of A. aspera have detrimental effects on the development of rat embryos and fetuses at a higher dose. The possible teratogenic effects were indicated with the substantial retardation in embryonic and fetal development, decrease in number of implantation sites and rise in fetal resorptions and death. Moreover, it resulted in significant reduction in litter weight and crown–rump length at a higher dose.

Introduction The knowledge of basic medical science could help to remember a fact and be used to understand causal mechanisms of disease process that improve the accuracy of diagnostic formulations. Objective To assess the perception and attitude of medical students towards basic medical science subjects along with retention rate and clinical relevance in Wollo University. Methods Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed in Wollo University from September, 2020 to October, 2020. A pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. All opinions were rated using a positive-point Likert scale, which ranges from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results A total of 153 students participated with a 100% response rate. Among them, 45 (29.4%), 38 (24.8%), 39 (25.5%), and 31 (20.3%) were PC-II, C-I, C-II, and Intern students, respectively. Ninety-six (62.7%) of medical students were very much interested in basic medical science subjects. But, 113 (73.9%) of them did not have plans to join the subjects as a future career. The main reasons in more than half 85 (55.7%) of the respondents were less financial growth followed by less chance of promotion 31 (20.3%). There were 66.7% of the students who considered anatomy as clinically relevant, whereas 53.6% and 47.1% considered physiology and biochemistry, respectively, to be clinically relevant. The number of students who could recall anatomy and physiology during relevant clinical discussions was 102 (66.7%) and 85 (55.6%), respectively. This percentage was relatively less for biochemistry (26.8%). Conclusion In conclusion, medical students have a positive attitude towards basic medical science subjects. However, they are hesitant to join the field because it offers them less financial growth and few chances of promotion. Moreover, anatomy and physiology were highly relevant subjects during clinical practice. But, the retention rate of basic medical science knowledge during their clinical year was low.

Introduction: Formaldehyde is the most frequently used chemical for the preservation of a cadaver. However, its toxicity in the dissection hall is frequently ignored. Objective: To assess the acute adverse effects of formaldehyde treated cadaver on preclinical new innovative medical students and anatomy staff members in the dissection hall at Wollo University, Ethiopia. Methods: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January 20 to February 25, 2020. A total of 88 study participants were surveyed at the department of Human Anatomy, Wollo University, Ethiopia. The participants were those who were exposed to formaldehyde vapors during the dissection of a cadaver in the dissection hall. A selfadministered questionnaire which contains the clinical symptoms observed after formaldehyde exposure was used to collect data. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.2 and then exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Finally, the data were expressed in texts, tables, and figures. Results: The study comprised 84 (95.5%) male and 4 (4.5%) female. In this study, the top three most common acute adverse effects of formaldehyde during dissection of a cadaver in the cadaver room were unpleasant smells, Tiredness/dizziness, and watering of eyes (lacrimation), each accounted for 64 (72.7%), 39 (44.3%) and 35 (39.8%), respectively. The other acute adverse effects were running nose with tingling sensation 27 (30.7%) followed by lack of concentration 24 (27.3%) and headache 22 (25%). Conclusion:In dissection hall, preclinical medical students and instructors are at high risk to develop various acute adverse symptoms of formaldehyde. Therefore, a free-aldehyde preservation solution should be assumed to prevent its toxicity.

BackgroundPeople living with HIV/AIDS have a higher rate of depression/depressive symptoms and this highly affects antiretroviral medication adherence. Therefore, much stronger evidence weighing the burden of depressive symptoms/major depression is warranted.MethodsWe investigated PubMed, Scopus, Psych-Info, and Embase databases for systematic review studies. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to show the search process. We also used the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist scores. A narrative review and statistical pooling were accompanied to compute the pooled effect size of outcome variables.ResultsOverall, 8 systematic review studies addressing 265 primary studies, 4 systematic review studies addressing 48 primary studies, and six systematic review studies addressing 442 primary studies were included for depressive symptoms, major depression, and their effect on medication non-adherence, respectively. Globally, the average depressive symptoms prevalence using the random effect model was 34.17% (24.97, 43.37). In addition, the average prevalence of major depressive disorder was obtained to be 13.42% (10.53, 16.31). All of the 6 included systematic review studies reported a negative association between depressive symptoms and antiretroviral medication non-adherence. The pooled odds ratio of antiretroviral medication adherence among patients with depressive symptoms was 0.54 (0.36, 0.72) (I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.487).ConclusionGlobally, the prevalence of depressive symptoms and major depression is high. There existed a high degree of association between depressive symptoms and antiretroviral medication non-adherence. So, focused intervention modalities should be developed and implemented.