BackgroundAnxiety during the preoperative period is the most common problem with a number of postoperative complications such as an increase in postoperative pain, delay of healing and prolong the hospital stay. Further, patients with a high level of preoperative anxiety require higher doses of anesthetic agents and recover poorly. Despite its serious health complications, its magnitude and associated factors have been poorly explored in Ethiopia particularly in the selected study areas.ObjectiveTo assess preoperative anxiety and associated factors among adult surgical patients in Debre Markos and Felege Hiwot Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodAn institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 353 patients scheduled for surgery using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using the state version of the state-trait anxiety inventory scale. All collected data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 software. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsOverall, 61% (95%CI (55.5–65.7)) patients had significant high level of preoperative anxiety. The most common reported factor responsible for preoperative anxiety was fear of complications 187(52.4%). There was a statistically significant high level of pre-operative anxiety among female patients [AOR 2.19 (95%CI (1.29–3.71))] and patients who lack preoperative information [AOR 2.03(95%CI (1.22–3.39))].ConclusionThe prevalence of preoperative anxiety was high. The level of preoperative anxiety significantly associated with sex, preoperative information provision, and previous surgical experience. Preoperative psychosocial assessment should be incorporated into a routine nursing practice and every patient should be provided with preoperative information before surgery.

BackgroundProper feeding practices during early childhood is fundamental for optimal child growth and development. However, scientific evidences on the determinants of dietary diversity are scanty. Particularly, the impact of fasting on children`s dietary diversity is not explored in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months, whose mothers/care-givers were Orthodox Christians during the fasting season (Lent), in Dejen District, North West Ethiopia, 2016.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted during the fasting season from March to April, 2016. The study sample were children aged 6–23 months, whose mothers/care-givers were Orthodox Christians. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 967 children proportionally from all selected kebeles. Data was entered using Epi data and statistical analysis were done using logistic regression. P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was taken as statistically significant.ResultsOnly 13.6% of children surveyed met the minimum requirement for dietary diversity. Unsatisfactory exposure to media [AOR = 5.22] and low household monthly income [AOR = 2.20] were negatively associated with dietary diversity. As compared to economic related reasons, mothers/caregivers who do not feed diet of animal origin to their children due to fear of utensil contamination for family food preparation were 1.5 times [AOR=1.5; 95% CI (1.05 – 2.53)] less likely to feed the recommended dietary diversity.ConclusionsThe findings of this study revealed that the diet of children in the study area lacked diversity. Promoting mass media and socioeconomic empowerment of women have positive contribution to optimal child feeding practice. Sustained nutrition education to mothers regarding proper infant and young child feeding practice in collaboration with the respective religious leaders is highly recommended.

Objective In most of sub-Saharan African countries the significance of delivering in health institution and threats of death is still little known. This study is to assess utilization of institutional delivery and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months prior to the study in rural community of Pawe Woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz, northwest Ethiopia, 2018. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 623 mothers. Results Overall deliveries 60.5% were assisted at health facilities. Multivariable logistic regression showed that Mothers educational status, Antenatal Care visit during their recent pregnancy, delivery plan of recent pregnancy, maternal knowledge on benefit of institutional, decision power about place of delivery and distance to reach the nearby facility on were significantly associated with utilization of institutional delivery. The utilization of institutional delivery services among rural women in Pawe Woreda had improvements but still low. Intensifying women education, up taking Antenatal Care potential services, address health education for mothers about benefit of institutional birth and counseling danger sign of labor and delivery, involving couples decision power of facility birth and expanding health facilities in the community are recommended interventions.

BackgroundNeonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite implementing of different preventive interventions, the burden of neonatal sepsis is reporting in different areas of Ethiopia. For further interventions, identifying its determinants is found to be crucial.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify determinants of neonatal sepsis in the Northwest part of Ethiopia.MethodsUnmatched case-control study was conducted among 246 neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit, Northwest Ethiopia. Study participants were selected from February 1st to March 30th 2018. Data was collected through face to face interview and review of neonates’ medical records using pretested structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Epi Data version 4.2.0.0 and further transferred to SPSS statistical software version 25 for analysis. All independent variables with p-value < 0.25 in Bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered as determinants of neonatal sepsis.ResultsA total of 82 cases and 164 controls were included in this study. Neonates with gestational age < 37 weeks [AOR = 6.90; 95% CI (2.76, 17.28)], premature rupture of membrane [AOR = 2.81; 95% CI (1.01, 7.79)], not crying immediately at birth and have received resuscitation at birth [AOR = 2.85; 95% CI (1.09, 7.47)] were found to be predictors of neonatal sepsis.Conclusions and recommendationsPremature rupture of membrane was found to be obstetric-related determinant of neonatal sepsis. Gestational age < 37 weeks, not crying immediately at birth, and have received resuscitation at birth were found to be neonatal-related risk factors of neonatal sepsis. Infection prevention strategies need to be strengthening and/or implementing by providing especial attention for the specified determinants.

Background: Severe acute malnutrition is one of the major public health problems in developing countries having a devastating effect on the lives of many children under 5 years of age. In Ethiopia, there has been isolated studies conducted on malnutrition with no study attempting to identify the determinants of severe acute malnutrition in the rural district of Enebsie Sarmidr.This study intends to identify the determinants of severe acute malnutrition in rural district located in North West Ethiopia. Methods: A Community based un matched case -control study was carried on 311 (64 cases and 247 controls) children aged between birth-59 months with their respective mothers or care takers from March 1-30/ 2016. Odds Ratio along with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify determinants of severe acute malnutrition using the multivariable logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 97.8%. Severe acute malnutrition was significantly associated with age groups birth-24 months (AOR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.17-5.95), late initiation of breast feeding greater than an hour after birth (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI 1.74-10.42), nonexclusive breast feeding (AOR =5.81, 95% CI 1.80-18.79), diarrheal disease in the preceding 2 weeks before SAM (AOR = 7.98, 95% CI 2.57-24.74), febrile illnesses preceding 2 weeks before SAM (AOR = 2.87 95% CI 1.13-7.63), decreased or maintained mealing of the mother compared to the regular during pregnancy or lactation (AOR = 8.15, 95% CI 3.70-17.98) and birth interval less than 2 years (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI 1.55-7.20) after controlling other variables effect. Conclusion: A child's age, late initiation of breast feeding, nonexclusive breast feeding, diarrheal diseases and febrile illnesses preceding 2 weeks before SAM, decreased or maintained mealing compared to the regular during pregnancy and lactating of the mother and narrow birth interval were identified as determinants of SAM. Therefore, collaborative efforts are needed to improve promotion of better child caring practices specifically, child and maternal feeding practices and prevention and treatment of acute illnesses.

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Background: The current number of sero-positive HIV patients in Ethiopia is about 700,000 with overall estimated prevalence of 1.5%. The introduction of combination ART including protease inhibitors has resulted in striking reductions in HIV-related mortality. Numerous reports have documented that the key to the success of the new HAART is the ability and willingness of HIV-positive individuals to adhere to complex ART regimens, and at least 95% adherence is required for ART regimens to be fully effective. Objectives:The main aim of this study was to assess level of adherence to ART and associated factors among HIV sero-positive adult on HAART.Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 participants selected by systematic sampling technique. A pre-tasted structured questionnaire was used by employing interview to collect necessary data. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 version. Significance level was set at 95% CI and p-value of <0.05. Results:The adherence rate of the study participants was 88.6%. Monthly family income [(AOR 0.3, 95%CI 0.13, 0.69)], delayed in taking ART drugs AIDS [(AOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.16,0.88)], fitness of daily treatment schedule [(AOR 9.7, 95% CI 4.6,28)] and consistently taking of ART drugs [(AOR 5.7,95%CI, 2.6,25.3)] were significantly associated with ART adherence.

Introductionin Ethiopia, 20,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth with much more maternal morbidity occurring for each maternal death. Good knowledge of women related with direct causes of maternal mortality is important in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge of direct obstetric causes of maternal mortality and associated factors among reproductive age of women in Aneded woreda, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using multi-stage sampling followed by simple random sampling technique. The study was conducted in Aneded woreda, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 844 reproductive age women were included in the study. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews by 12 data collectors. Data was cleaned, coded and entered into Epi-data, then exported and analyzed using SPSS software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were computed to identify factors related to knowledge of obstetric causes of maternal mortality. The crude and adjusted odds ratios together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. A P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsThis study found that almost half (49.6%) of respondents have good knowledge level towards obstetric causes of maternal mortality. Significant variables associated with knowledge towards obstetric causes of maternal mortality were; being government employee (AOR=3.6, 95% CI=1.4-8.9), respondents who had additional monthly income from family members (AOR=1.54, 95% CI=1.04-2.27), respondents who attended primary school and above (AOR=1.6, 95% CI=1.13-2.25), distance of health facility in which the time it took less than 20 minutes (AOR=2.25, 95% CI(1.24-4.09), 20-39minutes (AOR=3.06, 95% CI=1.66-5.64), 40-60 minutes (AOR=2.38, 95% CI=1.52-5.26), and previous history of prolonged labor (AOR=1.4, 95% CI=1.04 -2.03) were the significant variables.ConclusionThis study indicated that the reproductive age women in the study area had poor knowledge towards about obstetric causes of maternal mortality. Therefore, to improve maternal knowledge and thereby reduce maternal death, the identified significant factors should be addressed through maternal and child health services. Designing appropriate strategies including the provision of targeted information, education, and communication is important.