BackgroundEpilepsy is the world’s most common neurological disorder, affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide and contributed to different psychiatric illness. Depression is one of the most frequent co morbid psychiatric disorders that affects the life of the patients’. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among epileptic patients attending the outpatient department of the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014.MethodsInstitution based quantitative cross—sectional study was conducted among 405 individual with epilepsy. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Semistructured questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical data. Depression was measured using Beck’s Depression Inventory Binary logistic regression used for analysis.ResultsThe estimated, prevalence of depression was found to be 45.2 %. Out of these (29.6 %) were classified as mild, (14.8 %) as moderate and (0.8 %) were severely depressed. A lower educational status was associated with an increased prevalence of depression and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for the illiterate [can’t read and write] was 8.32 [95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 4.83, 14.29]. Perceived stress (AOR = 6.21, CI 3.69, 10.44), onset of illness <6 years (AOR = 5.29, CI 4.09, 15.89), seizure frequency of [1–11 per year (AOR = 1.34, CI 1.41, 4.36), ≥1 per month (AOR = 7.83, CI 3.52, 17.40)], poly-pharmacy (AOR = 7.63, CI 2.74, 21.26)] and difficulties of adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AOR = 4.80, CI 2.57, 8.96) were also found to be independently associated with depression.ConclusionOverall, the prevalence of depression was found to be high. Lower educational status, early onset of illness, seizure frequency, poly-pharmacy and difficulties of adherence to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were factors statistically associated with depression. Strengthening the educational status of the patients on the effect of early onset of the illness, frequent seizure occurrence and difficulty of adherence to AEDs as a contributing factors for other co-morbid psychiatric disorder are suggested in the clinical care setting.

BackgroundDespite the enormous benefits of family planning services, the contraceptive utilization still remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is regional variation in modern contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization and determinants in Dabat demographic and health surveillance system site, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA re-census was carried out in Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site from October to December 2014. Data of 8271 married women collected in the re-census was used. The outcome variable was current utilization of any modern contraceptive methods whereas socio demographic and economic variables were the potential determinants considered. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression along with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to describe the strength of association.ResultsPrevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among married women in Dabat DHSS site was found to be 32.5% (95%CI: 31.5, 33.5%). After adjusting for covariates; the odds of using modern contraceptive were 2.35 times, 1.91 times, and 1.39 times higher among women of secondary and above educational level, urban residents, and women having six and above living children, respectively.ConclusionModern contraceptive utilization was found to be very low. Effort has to be applied to improve women’s educational level that increases their understanding of reproductive health issues. It is also important to give special emphasis for rural residents, those aged 20–40 years, and those with six or more living children while serving for modern contraceptive methods.

BackgroundDelaying the start of breastfeeding and giving prelacteal feeding leads to a significant increase in neonatal and infant deaths, particularly in a resource limited countries, like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess early neonatal feeding practice and its determinants in Dabat HDSS site, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsThe census for the reconciliation of the surveillance of the Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site was conducted from October to December 2014. Data were entered into the Household Registration System (HRS) version 2.1 and analyzed using Stata version 14. A total of 6,761 mother-child pairs were included in the study. Sociodemographic factors, maternal health care and early neonatal feeding practices (early initiation of breastfeeding and prelacteal feeding) were collected by interviewing the mothers. The prevalence of early/timely initiation of breastfeeding was computed as the ratio of children put to the breast within one hour of delivery to the total number of children. Prelacteal feeding was defined as giving anything to drink other than breast milk in the first three days following birth. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify variables which were associated with the dependent variable. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.ResultsThe prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was 43.9% (95% CI, 41.6, 46.2). More than half (56%) of the mothers gave prelacteal feeds. An urban residence (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.25. 1.73) and antenatal care (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.24, 1.59) were correlated with early initiation of breastfeeding. Similarly, increased odds of timely initiation of breastfeeding were observed among mothers who didn’t give prelacteal feeds (AOR 5.72; 95% CI, 5.12, 6.40).ConclusionDelayed initiation of breastfeeding and prelacteal feeding still remain public health concerns in this community. The promotion of improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and the utilization of antenatal care services should be intensified.

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children globally. The aims of this study were to determine the mortality rate and to identify the predictors of mortality among TB/HIV co-infected children at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.MethodA retrospective follow-up study was conducted among TB/HIV co-infected children from February 2005 to March 2017. A Kaplan–Meier curve was used to estimate the median survival time. Bivariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to identify the predictors of mortality.ResultsA total of 271 TB/HIV co-infected children were included in the analysis. Of these, 38(14.02%) children were died during the follow-up period. This gives a total of 1167.67 child-years of observations. The overall mortality rate was 3.27(95%CI: 2.3–4.5) per 100 child-years. The independent predictors of time to death were age 1–5 years (as compared to age <1 year) (AHR = 0.3; 95%CI:0.09–0.98)), being anemic (AHR = 2.6; 95%CI:1.24–5.3), cotrimoxazole preventive therapy(CPT) non-users (AHR = 4.1; 95%CI:1.4–16.75), isoniazid preventive therapy(IPT) non-users (AHR = 2.95; 95%CI:1.16–7.5), having extra pulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB) (AHR = 2.43; 95%CI:1.1–5.3)) and fair or poor adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)(AHR = 3.5; 95%CI:1.7–7.5).ConclusionMortality rate among TB/HIV co-infected children was high at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Age, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, anemia, adherence, CPT and IPT were the independent predictors of mortality.

Introduction To assess knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breast feeding among mothers attending antenatal care and immunization clinic in Dabat Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. Methodology Institutional based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The data was collected by using pretested, structured interview based questionnaires. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result A total of 384 participants were included in the study with a response rate of 100%. The majority were in the age groups of 20–30 (66.9%) and the mean age was 27.65; 325 (84.6%) were Orthodox Christianity followers. Majority were of Amhara ethnicity 370 (96.4%). Based on knowledge score, 268 (69.8%) were grouped as having good knowledge and regarding attitudinal score, 92 (24%) of the study participants were categorized as having negative attitude towards exclusive breast feeding (EBF) and the remaining 292 (76%) were categorized as having positive attitude. Conclusion In this study, the knowledge of study participant mothers towards EBF is low which is less than three-fourths; however positive attitude towards EBF is more than three-fourths in this study. The authors recommend that health care workers who work in the areas of maternal and child health clinic should give appropriate information about EBF.

Background A Shortage or excessive intake of the nutrient is malnutrition; affecting every aspect of human beings. Malnutrition at childhood has long-lasting and multiple effects. In Ethiopia significant numbers of children were suffering from malnutrition that might be associated with parents’ food preference; the fact not yet investigated. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess parents’ food preferences and its implication for child malnutrition. Methods The study was conducted among 7150 mothers/caretakers in Dabat demographic and health surveillance site. Data were collected by experienced data collectors working for the surveillance centers after extensive training. A multinomial logistic regression model was fitted to determine the effect of factors on the dependent variable and model fitness was checked using a likelihood ratio test. Results About 62.55% of mothers/caretakers prefer to feed children with a family and 16.45% of them prefer to feed children with a specific type of food. Mothers/caretakers who introduce semisolid food after 6 months 2.34(1.50–3.96) were times more likely prefer to feed with family food for their children than a balanced diet. Regarding the specific type of food preference mothers who introduce semisolid food after 6 months and those obtain food from the market were 6.53(3.80–11.24) and 4.38(3.45–5.56) times more likely to prefer to feed specific types of than balanced diet respectively. Conclusion Food preference had contributed to the increased and persistent magnitude of child malnutrition as 62.55% of mothers prefer to feed children with family and only 21% of them prefer to feed a balanced diet for under-five children. Therefore we recommended integration of child dietary diversity, acceptability and safety counseling session for mothers visiting health institutions for child vaccination, ANC and PNC services. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12887-019-1692-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundIn the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, vertical HIV transmission has been decreased. This may increase fertility desire of HIV infected women and an increasing number of HIV exposed infants as a result. A high probability of mortality among HIV exposed infants was reported across different countries. However, few studies are found on mortality of HIV exposed infants, in particular, no study was conducted before in the current study area.MethodsInstitution based retrospective cohort study from July 2013 to December 2017 was conducted. A total of 408 HIV exposed children were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were extracted from registration book by using data extraction tool, which is adapted from the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health HIV exposed infant follow-up form. Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to show the probability of mortality rate. Bivariable and multivariable cox regression models were used to identify predictors of mortality.ResultsOverall mortality rate was found to be 8.88 (95% CI: 6.36–12.36) per 100 child-year. Infant with death of at least one parent (AHR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.503–7.32), non-exclusive breastfeeding (AHR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.037–0.302), growth failure (AHR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.09–8.09), presence of sign and symptom of HIV infection (AHR = 2.99; 95% CI: 1.33–6.74), and low birth weight (AHR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.007–6.78) were found to be predictors of infant mortality.ConclusionsMortality of HIV exposed infants was high in Ethiopia. Prevention of the occurrence of HIV infection symptom, growth failure, and low birth weight is essential and further treat early whenever they occurred. Still, behavioral change interventions on mother who practice non-exclusive breastfeeding are indicated. Especial care for orphan infants is required due to their nature of vulnerability to varieties of health problem.

Background Women's health and pregnancy outcomes are directly depends on the extent of ANC components received during their ANC visits. There are limited information about the components of ANC and associated factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of inadequate recipient of ANC components and associated factors in northwest Ethiopia. Methods This is a community based cross sectional survey conducted in Dabat Demographic and health survey from December 10/2020 to January 10/2021 among women who gave birth within two years before the survey. This study applied a census method to identify and select eligible pregnant women. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis purpose. Adjusted Odds Ratio at 95% confidence interval was used to show the association between dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. Results A total of 871 pregnant women were identified from the survey and included in this study. Overall, 96.67% (95% CI: 95.24, 97.67) had not get adequate (all components) ANC. The components of ANC services were increased from 3.35 to 32.34%, 2.52 to 46.33% 1.96 to 55.8%, 2.31 to 46.53%, 3.54 to 55.75%, 2.46 to 44.62%, 1.18 to 45.96%, and 2.45 to 54.6% for tetanus toxoid Vaccine, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, danger sign, place of delivery, deworming, iron folic acid, family planning, and breast feeding counseling, from first ANC visit to fourth ANC visit, respectively. Rural residence (AOR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.21, 19.86), and less than four number of ANC visit (AOR = 5.15, 95% CI: 2.06, 12.86) were significantly associated with inadequate uptake of ANC components. Conclusion Only three in hundred pregnant women were received adequate ANC components in the study area. Rural residence and less than four number of ANC visit were factors significantly associated with inadequate ANC uptake. Therefore, the district health department managers and program implementers need to train the health care providers about the components of ANC. As well, increasing community and facility awareness of WHO recommendations on ANC visits focusing on rural women is needed.