Introduction. One of the major public health issues across the whole world these days is teenage pregnancy which is defined as being pregnant in the age ranging from 13–19 years. About 11% of all births which occurred worldwide accounted for girls aged 15 to 19 years. From these, 95% teenage deliveries occur in low- and middle-income countries. World health 2014 statistics show that complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally. The aim of this study was to determine adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy among deliveries at Lemlem Karl General Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018. Result. This study result showed that 17.5% of the teenagers and 6.8% of the adults deliver low birth weight neonates. From the total teenage mothers, about thirty-five (11.3%) of them had developed pregnancy-induced hypertension, whereas about thirteen (4.2%) of adults develop pregnancy-induced hypertension. Regarding cesarean delivery, forty (12.9%) of those teenage mothers deliver by a cesarean section while 58 (18%) of the adult mothers deliver by cesarean delivery. Teenage pregnancy was significantly associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, a cesarean delivery (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.90), episiotomy (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI, 1.25–3.39), and low birth weight (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI, 1.13–4.36), and premature delivery were 2.87 (1.49–5.52). This study shows that adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes were significantly associated with teenagers than adult mothers. Therefore, giving health education on focused ANC is very important to bring change to the teenager at this study area.

BackgroundWorld health organization defined herbal medicines as the practice of herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products. Globally women are the primary utilizer of herbal medicine and even they consume it during their pregnancy period. The World health organization reported that the majority of the global population used traditional medicine. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinant factors of herbal medicine utilization among pregnant mothers attending their antenatal care at public health institutions in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia.MethodologyInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant mothers who attended their antenatal care at public health institutions in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia from 12 February 2021 to 12 April 2021. A systematic random sampling method was used to get selected pregnant mothers. Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. P-value ≤0.05 was used as a cut point of statistical significance in multivariable binary logistic regression.ResultsA total of 422 pregnant mothers were included with a 100% response rate and 277 (65.6%) of them used an herbal medicine during their current pregnancy. Educational level up to primary school [AOR 2.21, 95% CI: 1.17 – 4.18], monthly family income of <2,800 ETB [AOR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.01–2.92], and lack of awareness of the complication of herbal medicine utilization [AOR 10.3, 95% CI: 6.27–16.92] were determinant factors of herbal medicine utilization.ConclusionThe utilization of herbal medicine among pregnant mothers in this study is high and almost all of them did not disclose their utilization of herbal medicine to their healthcare providers. The ministry of health should integrate traditional medicine with conventional medicines. Midwives and obstetricians should openly discuss regarding benefits and complications of herbal medicine utilization for those pregnant mothers during their antenatal care counseling sessions as routine care.

BackgroundThe postpartum period is known as a high-risk period for the onset of different maternal mental health problems. Globally, 10–20% of postnatal mothers suffer from depressive symptoms. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinant factors of postpartum depression among mothers attending their postnatal and vaccination services at public health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodologyHealth institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 461 postnatal mothers attending public health institutions in Addis Ababa from 15 May 2021 to 15 July 2021. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the public health institutions and a systematic random sampling method was used to get selected, postnatal mothers. Epidata version 3.1 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. P-value ≤ 0.05 was used as a cut point of statistical significance in multivariable binary logistic regression.ResultsFrom total postnatal mothers 91(19.7%) of them had postpartum depression. Occupational status [AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.04, 8.15], marital status [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI =1.33, 5.45], income management [AOR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.53, 8.21], sex of baby [AOR = 5.07, 95% CI: 1.24, 20.69], history of child death [AOR = 6.93, 95% CI: 2.67, 15.79], unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.65, 7.93], negative life event [AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.39], substance use during pregnancy [AOR = 6.23, 95% CI: 2.72, 20.05], history of depression [AOR = 5.08, 95% CI: 1.79, 14.39], and marriage satisfaction [AOR = 6.37, 95% CI: 2.63, 14.29] were determinant factors of postpartum depression.ConclusionThe prevalence of postpartum depression in this study is high compared to national findings. Occupational status, marital status, income management, sex of baby, history of child death, unplanned pregnancy, negative life event, substance use during pregnancy, history of depression, and marital satisfaction were determinant factors of postpartum depression. The ministry of health should integrate mental health services with existing maternal health care services. It would be better if all healthcare professionals working in the maternal and child health unit will routinely screen postpartum depressive symptoms and link them to mental health services.

Background: More than 90% of congenital anomalies occur in low and middle-income countries because of different risk factors. This study aimed to assess pregnant mothers' knowledge level and its determinant factors towards preventable risk factors of congenital anomalies among mothers attended health institutions for antenatal care in Dessie town, Ethiopia. Methods: Health institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 404 pregnant mothers in Dessie town, Ethiopia from 12 January 2020 to 12 March 2020. A systematic random sampling method was used to get selected mothers. Epidata version 3.1 and, and SPSS version 20 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Results: A total of 404 pregnant mothers were included with a 100% response rate. The overall good knowledge of pregnant mothers towards preventable risk factors of congenital anomalies was 211(52%).Four or more antenatal care visits [adjusted OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.696-5.072,P-value <0.001], urban residence [ adjusted OR = 5.97, 95% CI: 2.95-12.078,P-value <0.001], monthly family income of more than 4500 ETB [adjusted OR = 5.52, 95% CI: 1.616-18.861,P-value <0.006] and secondary school and above [adjusted OR = 4.29, 95%CI: 2.464-7.467, P-value < 0.001] were significant associated factors with pregnant mothers knowledge. Conclusion: More than half of pregnant mothers had good knowledge of preventable risk factors of congenital malformation. Governmental and non-governmental health institutions should create a conducive environment for health care providers to create awareness regarding preventable risk factors of congenital malformation for all couples, pregnant mothers, and the community as a whole.

BackgroundAccording to the World health organization, neonatal mortality is defined as the death of babies within the first 28 days of their lives. The newborn period is the most vulnerable period for a child's survival, with the bulk of neonatal deaths occurring on the first day and week. According to a recent study, about a third of all newborn deaths occur within the first day of life, and nearly three-quarters occur within the first week. This study aimed to assess the determinants of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Dessie comprehensive and specialized hospital, northeast Ethiopia.MethodologyHealth institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among neonates admitted to Dessie comprehensive and specialized hospital, Ethiopia from February 01 up to March 30, 2020. After keeping cases and controls in separate frames, study participants were chosen using a simple random sampling procedure until the sample size was met. Epi data version 7.0 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. P ≤ 0.05 was used as a cut point of statistical significance in multivariable binary logistic regression.ResultsA total of 698 (233 cases and 465 controls) participated in the study. Pregnancy induced hypertension (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI; 1.47–6.17), public hospital delivery (AOR = 3.44; 95% CI; 1.84–6.42), prematurity (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI; 1.43–2.96), being referred (AOR = 4.71; 95% CI; 3.01–7.39), and hypothermia (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI; 1.56–3.82) were determinant factors of neonatal mortality.ConclusionPregnancy-induced hypertension, public hospital delivery, prematurity, referral, and hypothermia were found to be the determinant factors of neonatal mortality. It would be important to give due attention to neonates delivered from mothers with a history of hypertensive disorder. Besides better to give due attention to neonates delivered in public health institutions, prematurely delivered, referred, and hypothermic neonates. Lastly, further research should be conducted to investigate the additional determinants of neonatal mortality.

Background In developing countries, home delivery without a skilled birth attendant is a common practice. It has been evidenced that unattended birth is linked with serious life-threatening complications for both the women and the newborn. Institutional delivery with a skilled birth assistance could reduce 20–30% of neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess traditional birth attendants’ (TBAs) utilization and associated factors for women who gave birth in the last two years in Angolella Tara District, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 416 women who gave birth in the last two years at rural Angolella Tara District. Study participants were recruited by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epi Data 4.6 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women’s utilization of traditional birth attendants. The level of significance in the last model was determined at a p-value of <0.05. Result Overall, 131 (31.5%) participants were used traditional birth attendants in their recent birth. Unmarried marital status (AOR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.97), age at first marriage (AOR 2.31; 95%CI: 1.30, 4.09), time to reach health facility (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.94, 6.17), know danger sign of pregnancy and childbirth (AOR = 5.59, 95% CI; 2.89, 10.81), positive attitude towards traditional birth attendants (AOR = 2.56 95% CI; 1.21,5.52), had antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 0.11 95% CI 0.058, 0.21), and listening radio (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.99) were significantly associated factors with the use of traditional birth attendants. Conclusion Nearly one-third of women used traditional birth attendant services for their recent birth. TBAs availability and accessibility in the community, and respect for culture and tradition, problems regarding infrastructure, delay or unavailability of ambulance upon call, and some participants knowing only TBAs for birth assistance were reasons for preference of TBAs. Therefore, effort should be made by care providers and policymakers to ensure that modern health care services are accessible for women in a friendly and culturally sensitive manner. In addition, advocacy through mass media about the importance of maternal health service utilization, particularly antenatal care would be important.

BackgroundPost-abortion contraceptive utilization is the initiation and use of family planning methods at the time of management of abortion or before fertility returns. A significant discrepancy was reported regarding the prevalence and its associated factors of post-abortion contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of post-abortion contraceptive utilization and its associated factors in Ethiopia.MethodsPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline was used. The databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Cochrane library, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and additional searches by using direct Google search, libraries, and preprint were searched. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal.ResultsA total of 17 studies with 13,075 individuals were included. Of these, 14 studies with 5,719 individuals were used to estimate the prevalence. The pooled prevalence of post-abortion contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia was 63.64% (95% CI: 57.75–69.53). The subgroup analysis reported the highest prevalence of post-abortion contraceptive utilization in a study conducted in Addis Ababa (77.40%), a study published in 2015–2021 (66.15%), and among studies with a sample size &gt;400 (66.84%). The pooled odds ratio (OR) of post-abortion contraceptive utilization for the mothers who had post-abortion family planning counseling was 4.15 (95% CI = 1.30, 13.2), and history of family planning utilization was 4.28 (95% CI = 2.66, 6.89).ConclusionsThe pooled prevalence of utilization of post-abortion contraceptives in this meta-analysis remains low. Post-abortion family planning counseling and the history of the utilization of modern family planning methods were significantly associated with the practice of post-abortion contraceptives. The Ministry of Health should encourage post-abortion family planning utilization, making more efforts on post-abortion contraceptive counseling. Health facilities should work hard to strengthen the family planning counseling service, especially focusing on those who had no previous family planning utilization.

BackgroundGlobal maternal deaths have either increased or stagnated tragically. Obstetric hemorrhage (OH) remains the major cause of maternal deaths. Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) has several positive results in the management of obstetric hemorrhage in resource-limited settings where getting definitive treatments are difficult and limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proportion and factors associated with the utilization of NASG for the management of obstetric hemorrhage among healthcare providers in the North Shewa zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at health facilities of the north Shewa zone, Ethiopia from June 10th-30th/2021. A simple random sampling (SRS) technique was employed among 360 healthcare providers. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. EpiData version 4.6 and SPSS 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors with the outcome variable. The level of significance was decided at a value of p of &lt;0.05.ResultsThe utilization of NASG for the management of obstetric hemorrhage among healthcare providers was 39% (95%CI: 34–45). Healthcare providers who received training on NASG (AOR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.46−7.48), availability of NASG in the health facility (AOR = 9.17; 95%CI: 5.10–16.46), diploma (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI: 1.39–3.68), bachelor degree (AOR = 7.89; 95%CI: 3.1–16.29) and those healthcare providers who have a positive attitude toward utilization of NASG (AOR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.14–2.82) were variables positively associated with the utilization of NASG.ConclusionIn this study, almost two-fifths of healthcare providers used NASG for the management of obstetrics hemorrhage. Arranging educational opportunities and continuous professional development training for healthcare providers, providing in-service and refresher training, and making it available at health facilities may help healthcare providers to effectively use the device, thereby reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.