Background. Mismanagement of healthcare waste (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic can facilitate the transmission of coronavirus. Regarding this problem, there is gap of evidence in Ethiopia, and this study aimed to assess the HCW generation rate and management in Tepi General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional and case studies were conducted. The total amount of waste generated and its type among various case teams were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the total numbers of patients and the total amount of HCW generated. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed with Open Code version 4.02 software, and content analysis was followed. Results. The total mean weight (±SD) of waste generation rate in all service units of the hospital was 492.5 ± 11.5 kg/day. The higher proportion (61.9%) of the total HCW produced was general waste and the remaining (38.1%) was hazardous waste. There was a statistically significant (X2 = 82.1, p < 0.001 ) difference in daily HCW generation rate among different case teams. Similarly, the hospital waste generation amount and total patient flow had a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.7, p = 0.032 ). COVID-19-related medical wastes were not properly handled, segregated, stored, and disposed. There was a scarcity of resources needed to manage HCW, and available resources were utilized poorly. Overall, healthcare wastes were managed as usual (pre-COVID-19). Conclusion. The mean HCW generation rate in Tepi General Hospital was high. Overall, wastes were mismanaged, and COVID-19-related HCWs have been managed as usual. Availing of important resources and training the concerned bodies should be considered during the crisis of COVID-19.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the length of stay in health facilities after childbirth and associated maternal and neonatal factors in Ethiopia.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingEthiopia.Participants2260 mothers who participated in the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were included in the study.OutcomeLength of stay in health facilities after childbirth was the outcome variable of the study.ResultIn Ethiopia, the mean duration of postpartum stay for mothers in health facilities was 21.96 (19.97–23.94) hours. Nine hundred and sixty-eight (34.80%) women remained in health institutions for ≥24 hours after delivery. Gestational age, birth weight and mode of delivery were significantly associated with length of stay. Gestational age was found to be inversely associated with length of stay. Mothers who had a vaginal delivery were 8.89% (adjusted HR (AHR) 8.89, 95% CI (4.28 to 18.46), p<0.001) more likely to discharge earlier from health facilities after delivery, compared with those who had a caesarian section. Women with larger size neonates during birth were 19% (AHR=0.81, 95% CI (0.67 to 0.96), p=0.019) more likely to stay longer in health facilities than women with average size neonates. Women with a smaller size neonate during birth were 16% (AHR=0.84, 95% CI (0.70 to 0.99), p=0.040) more likely to stay longer at a health facility, compared with those with an average size neonate.ConclusionA small percentage of Ethiopian mothers stayed in health facilities for 24 hours or more after delivery. Encouraging mothers to stay in health facilities for the recommended period after childbirth can play a significant role in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.

Introduction Medical students are among the potential risky population for the transmission of COVID 19 infections; their willingness to receive COVID 19 vaccine is not well studied. Thus, this study assessed Predictors of Unwillingness to receive COVID -19 vaccines among Ethiopian Medical students. Methods From the 25th of May, 2020 to the 26th of June, 2021, an institution-based cross-sectional study was done at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital,On 313 medical students from each department and batch were chosen using a multistage sampling approach. A bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were done to identify the predictors of Unwillingness to receive COVID -19 vaccines. Figures, tables, and graphs were used to present the findings. The adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were provided. Results In this study 124 (40.7%) 95% CI (35.1,46.4) medical students were not willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. And also increased in the age of the student[AOR 0.43, 95% CI; (.29,.63)], Knowledge status about COVID 19 infection transmission, risk factors and control behavior[AOR 1.45, 95% CI; (1.14, 1.85)], perceived susceptibility to COVID 19 infection [AOR 1.70 (1.15, 2.51)], perceived severity of COVID 19 infection[AOR 1.26 (1.01, 1.57)], perceived benefit of COVID 19 vaccine [AOR .58(.38, .88)], positive attitude towards COVID 19 vaccines [AOR .46(.35, .62)], and confidence in safety and efficacy of the vaccine and public authorities decissin in the best interest of the community [AOR 1.93(1.24, 2.99)] were predictors of non-willingness to receive COVID 19 vaccine. Conclusion Non-willingness to accept the COVID 19 vaccine was predicted by student age, elements in the Health belief model such as anticipated susceptibility, severity, and benefit, and a positive attitude and trust in the vaccine.

Objective: Pregnancy and child birth is the most critical period in the health of women and children and the objective of this study was to explore traditional practices among mothers during pregnancy and delivery in Shey Bench District, South West Ethiopia, and we hope the evidence generated could benefit decision-makers and concerned bodies who are interested in this important public health issue. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study, which is an ideal approach when an uncomplicated description is desired that focuses on the details of what, where, when, and why of an event or experience, was conducted from March to May 2019 in Shey Bench District and a purposively selected 43 women have participated in the study. In-depth interviews and key informant interviews were conducted and data were analyzed by Open code 4.2 software and summarized following content analysis approach. Findings were narrated based on the major categories and study participants’ words were used as quotes. Results: In this study, it was found that mothers have experience of traditional practices mainly of abdominal massage, use of herbs, prohibition of some food types, and strenuous physical exercise during pregnancy and childbirth. As of the reasons; mothers reported as traditional practices help them to make the labor easy and fast, alleviate discomforts, and avoid unwanted big size of the fetus. Experience of health problem following practice of traditional practices like vaginal bleeding and child death were also reported. However, some study participants indicated as community members are changing their mind because of getting advice from health professionals. Conclusion: Although traditional practices were found to be exercised by mothers believing to get benefits, there were reports of health side effects on mothers and the fetus from applying abdominal massage, herbal medicine, food prohibition, and strenuous physical exercise during their pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, concerned working bodies shall design and implement necessary interventions, particularly health education programs to bring a better a change against harmful traditional practices.

Introduction Morbidity and mortality from female cancers is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. More than three quarters of women visiting health facilities are diagnosed with late-stage cervical and breast cancer. Evidence reveals that misconception affects timely health seeking behavior which could have averted expensive treatment and poor survival. This study aimed to explore misconceptions about female cancers that may have contributed to late presentation of the problem to health facilities in Sidama region, Ethiopia. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was carried out in June 2021. Nine focus group discussions (six with women and three with men) and 14 key informants were conducted. Data were collected using interview guide until all information get saturated. Data were inductively coded and qualitative content analysis was applied. Results A total of 63 (24 men and 39 women) people participated in this study. Nearly all (12) key informant interviewees have awareness about cervical and breast cancer, yet reported that their community members clearly lack awareness and they are working to improve misconceptions regarding cervical and breast cancer. The focus group discussion participants (15 men and 36 women) reported lack of detailed information related to cervical and breast cancer. Women believe that cervical and breast cancer mainly resulted from poor hygiene, trauma, having multiple sexual partners, early marriage, breast exposure to heat, not breast feeding, birth complication, urinating in the sun, hereditary, devil’s intrusion and God’s punishment. Conclusion There were misconceptions among the community on what cervical and breast cancer mean, how they could happen, what the symptoms are, why and when to screen, when to seek health care and how to use modern treatment options. Therefore, we recommended the design of social and behavioral change strategies to address the misconceptions among different population groups.

Background Food poisoning is a food borne disease, mainly resulting from ingestion of food that contains a toxin, chemical or infectious microorganisms like bacteria, virus, parasite, or prion. On the other hand, avoiding food contamination during preparing and feeding is a key factor for reducing the prevalence of food poisoning. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, self-reported practice and food poisoning associated factors among parents in the selected health centers of Bench-Sheko Zone in Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 408 systematically selected parents in Bench-Sheko zone, Ethiopia. The data were collected through face to face interview using a structured questionnaire. Results The median knowledge score was 8.0 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 8.0–10.0. The median attitude score was 9.0 with an IQR of 6.0–9.0. The median practice score was 12.0 with an IQR of 10.0–13.0. A positive correlation was seen between knowledge and attitudes of parents with food poisoning (r= 0.321, P < 0.026), between knowledge and practices of parents towards food poisoning (r= 0.312, P < 0.001) and between attitude and practices result towards food poisoning (r= 0.224, p < 0.031). The parents with a higher education level, employed and who live in a city were the factors significantly associated with higher knowledge scores ( p < 0.05). The improved attitude was seen as educational level increased ( p <0.05). The parents with female gender, employed and who live in a city were significantly associated with higher hygienic practices towards the prevention of food poisoning ( p <0.05). Conclusion The knowledge, attitude, and self-reported practices of parents regarding food poisoning prevention are associated with each other and are affected by socio-demographic variables. Therefore, adequate emphasis should be given by health sectors to designing strong strategies which address the specific contributing factors for the problem.

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of harmful traditional practices during pregnancy and associated factors in Southwest Ethiopia.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study.SettingSouthwest Ethiopia.Participants667 women who were pregnant at the time of the study or gave birth 2 years prior to the study have participated.Outcome of the studyHarmful traditional practices during pregnancy (yes/no). Harmful traditional practices during pregnancy include abdominal massage, herbal intake or food taboos done on/by pregnant women without health professionals’ instruction.ResultsThe prevalence of harmful traditional practices in the study area was 37%, 95% CI (33.4% to 40.8%). The most commonly practised activities were abdominal massage (72.9%), intake of herbs (63.9%) and food taboos (48.6%). Monthly income (AOR=3.13, 95% CI (1.83 to 5.37), p<0.001), having had no history of child death (AOR=2.74, 95% CI (1.75 to 4.29), p<0.001), women with no formal education (AOR=4.81, 95% CI (2.50 to 9.23), p<0.001), women who had antenatal care (ANC) visits during their last pregnancy (AOR=0.24, 95% CI (0.10 to 0.59), p=0.002) and being multipara (AOR=0.47, 95% CI (0.27 to 0.80), p=0.003) were significantly associated with harmful traditional practices during pregnancy.ConclusionOur study showed that more than one-third of women in Southwest Ethiopia practised harmful traditional practices while they were pregnant. The practices were more common among primiparas, women who had lower educational and financial status, women with no ANC visits, and women with no history of child death. Health education should be given to the community about the complications of harmful traditional practices during pregnancy.

Background: Although the existing evidence suggests that the implementation of the health, developmental army (HDA) brought promising successes towards the delivery of Health Extension Programs (HEPs), pieces of evidence have shown that there are problems related to its functionality. Therefore, this study explored barriers to the functionality of HDAs. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted from March 11 to April 7, 2019, in the Debre Libanos District, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study participants were purposively recruited from six kebeles. They were recently delivered mothers, pregnant women, other reproductive age group community members, health workers, kebele chairman, HDA team leaders, and religious leaders. Five in-depth interviews, seven key informant interviews, and four focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 52 participants. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated. The inductive thematic analysis approach was used and the data were coded, categorized, and themes were developed using Atlas ti.7.1. software package. Results:The barriers to the functionality of HDAs were organized into four major themes. First, it was affected by structure, monitoring, or supervision-related challenges. Second, communityrelated barriers such as perceptions and attitudes towards HDAs, and the need for incentives or compensation from the HDAs affected the functionality. Third, it was affected by the lack of multisectoral collaboration to strengthen, monitor, or supervise the HDAs. Lastly, behavior, residence, or shortage of health extension workers affected its implementation. In addition, the study found that, as a result of poor functionality of HDAs, service utilization was decreased, especially antenatal care, postnatal care, sick newborn treatment, etc. Conclusion:The functionality of HDAs was affected by a variety of barriers. Therefore, there is a need to develop different strategies and take action to address the explored barriers to improve their capacity and implementation status for increasing health care service utilization.