ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for preterm birth in public hospitals of the central zone, Tigray, Ethiopia 2017/2018.ResultA total of 88 neonates who born preterm (cases) and 176 neonates who born term (controls) with their index mothers were included making a response rate of 100%. About 84/88 (95.5%) mothers in cases and 173/176 (98.3%) in control had antenatal care follow up. Among them, 33 (39.3%) cases and 102 (58%) controls were had antenatal care follow up four times and above. In multiple logistic regression at P-value < 0.05, mothers with ANC follow up less than four [AOR 95% CI 2.15 (1.19, 3.85)], mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR 3.245; 95% CI (1.58, 6.67)], multiple pregnancy [AOR 2.47; 95% CI (1.14, 5.33)], fetal distress [AOR 4.0; 95% CI (1.9, 8.2)] and birth defect [AOR 3.19; 95% CI (1.22, 8.34)] were independent risk factors of preterm delivery.

BackgroundPre-lacteal feeding has continued as a deep-rooted nutritional malpractice in developing countries. Pre-lacteal feeding is a barrier to the implementation of optimal breastfeeding practices and increases the risk of neonatal early-life diseases and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess pre-lacteal feeding practice and associated factors among mothers having children less than 2 years of age in Aksum town, central Tigray, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to interview 477 mother-child pairs by systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Data were coded, entered, cleaned and edited using EPIDATA version 3.1 and export to SPSS Version 22.0 for analysis. To identify the significant variables binary logistic regression were employed. Variables with p-value < 0.05 at 95% CI in multivariate logistic regression were considered statistically significant.ResultThe prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding in Aksum town was 10.1% (95% CI: 7.3%, 13%). Mothers with no previous birth (AOR: 2.93(95% CI:1.21,7.09)), birth spacing less than 24 (AOR: 2.88(95% CI: 1.15,7.25)), colostrum discarding (AOR: 6.72 (95% CI: 2.49,18.12)), less than four anti natal care follow up (AOR: 10.55 (95% CI: 4.78,23.40)), those who underwent cesarean section (AOR: 4.38 (95% CI:1.72,11.12)) and maternal believe on purported advantage of pre-lacteal feeding (AOR: 3.36 (95%CI: 1.62,6.96)) were more likely to practice pre-lacteal feeding to their infants.ConclusionsPre-lacteal feeding is still practiced in the study area. Childbirth spacing, colostrum discarding, antenatal Care follow up, maternal belief in pre-lacteal feeding was contributing factors for practicing of pre-lacteal feeding. Coordination and sustaining the existing strategies and approaches are recommended to give emphasis on the nutritional value of colostrum and anti-natal care follow up.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the immediate newborn care of knowledge, practice and associated factors among healthcare providers in Northwestern Zonal health facilities Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018. Results Among the total healthcare providers, who participated in this study, 64.8% had good knowledge and 59.8% of the respondents had a good level of essential newborn care practice. Unavailability of adequate materials (like guidelines, drug, etc.) and training status were significant variables with knowledge and practice of newborn care.

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections and associated factors among primary school children of Medebay Zana wereda, a northwestern zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia from March to April 2017.ResultThe prevalence of intestinal helminths was 12.7%. The highest prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was observed in the age group of 11–14 years old and the most prevalent helminths species were Schistosoma mansoni. Mothers’ level of education [AOR = 0.27 [0.13–0.58]], place of defecation [AOR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.14–6.02]], hand wash before meals [AOR = 9.0, 95% CI 3.72–21.74]], hand wash after defecation [AOR = 5.77 [1.78–18.63]] and eating unwashed vegetables [AOR = 5.67 [2.19–14.73]] were associated with higher risk of having intestinal helminths detected in stool. In the study area the risk of detecting intestinal helminths in their stool were more associated the improper personal hygiene of the children.