Background: Indigenous herbal medicine use during pregnancy is a common phenomenon worldwide, particularly in low resource countries like Ethiopia, mainly due to their cost, perceived efficiency in treatment, and ease of access. But so far, studies across Ethiopia are variable and inconsistent and in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing indigenous herbal medicine use and its associated factors among pregnant women. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public health facilities in the Dire Dawa Administration, eastern Ethiopia, from October 10 to November 10, 2022, among pregnant women selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and data were entered and cleaned by Epi DATA (Version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS (Version 22). A P-value < 0.25 at bivariate to select variables for multivariate and ≤ 0.05 at multivariate with 95% confidence intervals was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 628 participants were included, yielding a response rate of 95.15 %. During their current pregnancy, 47.8% (95% CI: 43.8–51.6%) pregnant women used indigenous herbal medicine(IHMs). The predictors were education level: no formal education (AOR: 5.47, 95%CI: 2.40-12.46), primary level (AOR: 4.74, 95%CI: 2.15-10.44), rural residence (AOR: 2.54, 95%CI: 1.71-3.77), being a housewife (AOR: 4.15, 95%CI: 1.83-9.37), number of antenatal care visits (AOR: 2.58, 95%CI: 1.27-5.25), and knowledge of IHMs (AOR: 4.58, 95% CI: 3.02-6.97). Conclusion: The use of indigenous herbal medicine during pregnancy was as common and widespread as other research done in different areas. The predictors were residence, education level, occupation, number of antenatal care visits, and knowledge. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Lepidium sativum, Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Linum usitatissimum, Zingiber officinale, Eucalyptusglobulus, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. The most common indications were related to gastro-intestinal problems: intestinal parasites, nausea and vomiting, constipation, stomach aches, indigestion, and abdominal cramps. It was recommended that, considering their residence and education level, pregnant women during their ANC visits be made aware of the potential benefits and risks of indigenous herbal medicine, and that more research be conducted to confirm their efficacy and safety during pregnancy.

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a family of severe acute respiratory infection first detected in 2019 in China. It has made high morbidity and mortality across the world. Currently, most countries including Ethiopia have taken preventive measures including vaccine. However, there is still limited evidence in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and perceived barriers among some subgroups like university students. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess it and fill the information gap to enable intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 01 to 30 2022 at Dire Dawa university and 337 students were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured, self-administered questionnaire, entered and cleaned by Epi DATA (Version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS (Version 22). A p&lt;0.2 at Bivarate to select variables for multivariable and &lt;0.05 at multivariable with 95% CI was considered as statistical significance.  </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 26.7% (95% CI: 22-31.5%). Urban resident (AOR: 3.13, CI: 1.61-6.10), mothers’ education (AOR: 3.48, CI: 1.44-8.43), knowledge (AOR: 2.23, CI: 1.21-4.11) and favorable intention towards COVID-19 prevention (AOR: 2.21, CI: 1.11-4.38) were independent factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was lower than national average in Ethiopia. The predictors were residence, mothers’ education, knowledge and intention towards COVID-19 prevention. Major barriers were misconceptions, uncertainty on effectiveness, concern on side effects and a need to know more about the vaccine. Integrated health education campaign on vaccine’s misconception was recommended. </p>

Background: Anemia is the decrease ability of red blood cells to provide adequate oxygen to body tissue. Postpartum period is a critical time where most maternal complications including death occurs and immediate postpartum anemia is one of the risk factors. But it lacks studies both at national level and study area too. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess magnitude and factors associated with immediate postpartum anemia at public hospitals in Dire Dawa administration, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on May 2022 among 476 study participants selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interview by pre-tested structured questionnaire and medical card review. The data were entered in to EPI DATA (Version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS (Version 22) software. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios with 95% CI also was carried out to see the effect of each independent variable on the dependent variable. A P-value (< 0.25 at bivariate and < 0.05 at multivariable) was considered as statistical significance. Results: A total of 476 postpartum women were included in the study and the overall magnitude of immediate postpartum anemia was 26.9% (95% CI: 22.9-31.1%). Immediate postpartum anemia was significantly associated with no formal education (AOR=3.01, 95%CI: 1.12-8.08), unemployment (AOR= 2.72, 95%CI:1.02-7.21), < 4 ANC visits (AOR=2.40,95%CI: 1.32-4.30), instrumental assisted vaginal delivery(IAVD) (AOR=3.70,95%CI: 1.952-6.86), pre-delivery anemia (AOR=2.96,95%CI: 1.48-5.91), GIT parasites (AOR=3.23,95%CI: 1.37-7.59), low dietary diversity (AOR=3.10,95%CI:1.65-5.79) and no IFA supplementation (AOR=2.69,95%CI:1.10-6.58) during pregnancy. Conclusion: Immediate postpartum anemia is a high public health problem comparing to other previous studies in Ethiopia. Coordinated efforts in promoting antenatal care visits and awareness about risk factors of immediate postpartum anemia were recommended to studied hospitals and other stalk holders.