Background Low birth weight is the leading cause of infant and child mortality and contributes to several poor health outcomes. Proper knowledge of risk factors of low birth weight is important for identifying those mothers at risk and thereby for planning and taking appropriate actions. This study investigates factors predicting occurrence of low birth weight among deliveries at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Methods Facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among deliveries that took place at Debreberhan Referral Hospital. Birth records and mothers' ANC files were reviewed from April to June 2016. The study participants were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of low birth weight. Result A total of 147 birth records of babies with low birth weight (cases) and 294 birth records of babies with normal birth weight (controls) were reviewed. The birth weight of low birth weight babies (cases) ranged from 1000 grams to 2400 grams with median (±IQR) of 2200 grams (±300 grams), whereas it ranged from 2500 grams to 4500 grams with median (±IQR) of 3100 grams (±525 grams) among controls. Preterm birth (AOR = 5.32; CI = 2.959–9.567), history of any physical trauma experienced during pregnancy (AOR = 13.714; CI = 2.382–78.941), and history of any pregnancy complication (AOR = 2.708; CI = 1.634–4.487) were predictors of low birth weight. On the other hand, cesarean delivery (AOR = 0.415; CI = 0.183–0.941) and instrumental (AOR = 0.574; CI = 0.333–0.987) modes of delivery as well as maternal history of chronic diabetes (AOR = 0.275; CI = 0.090–0.836) had preventive effect of low birth weight. Conclusion Preterm birth, history of experiencing any physical trauma during pregnancy, and history of any pregnancy complication were predictors of low birth weight, whereas cesarean and instrumental delivery had positive effect to preventing low birth weight.

Vaccine preventable diseases are the major global health problem which contributes to morbidity and mortality of less than 5 years child population. But, the immunization coverage worldwide is below the target. Therefore, the study was aimed at immunization coverage of 12 to 23 months old children in Areka Town, Sothern Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study conducted from 10 th March to 19 th June 19, 2016 in Areka Town, Sothern Ethiopia. Data on 173 children aged 12 to 23 months from 173 households selected using a systematic random sampling. Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20. The result presented in the all tables and figures. The study showed that, 130(75.4%) fully vaccinated and 93(53.6%) vaccinated during immunization campaigns. The sources of information for 39(22.5%) were radio and television. 22(12.9%) missed vaccine appointment day and 13(7.7%) interrupted vaccine program. Of the vaccinated children, 166(96.2%) vaccinated for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), 138(80%) vaccinated for oral polio vaccine (OPV) 0, 172 (99.2%) OPV 1 , Penta 1 and PCV 1 , 165(95.4%) vaccinated for OPV 2 , Penta 2 and PCV 2 , 161(92.9%) vaccinated for OPV 3 , Penta 3 and PCV 3 , and 158(91.5%) vaccinated for measles. The dropout rate from BCG to measles was 4.7%.Therefore, continuous support and health education at the community level is recommended.