Introduction: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the presence of bacteria in significant quantity in the absence of signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI). ASB, if it occurs during pregnancy, can cause serious complications both among fetus and pregnant women. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ASB, its associated factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2019 among 290 pregnant women at

Childhood pneumonia is common in developing countries, with significant morbidity and mortality. Taking the significance of the problem and variability of risk factors into account, a study was needed to identify the potential determinants of pneumonia in under-five children. A facility-based unmatched case–control study was conducted among 435 children (145 cases and 290 controls) aged 2–59 months at public health facilities in Worabe town from December 28, 2016, to January 30, 2017. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 22. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to determine association between dependant and independent variables. Among the factors assessed, stunting [AOR = 3.6,95% CI: 1.9–6.9], carrying the child on the back during cooking [AOR = 2.0,95% CI: 1.2–3.2], absence of chimney in the cooking room [AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.7], having a history of asthma [AOR = 5.0,95% CI: 2–12], and a previous acute upper respiratory tract infection [AOR = 3.7,95% CI:2.3–6.1] were significantly associated with pneumonia.

Background: Syphilis and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) share similar modes of transmission. Their occurrence during pregnancy has an adverse effect both on the fetus and pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of syphilis and HBV among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken from July to September 2019 in 290 pregnant women at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Gestational and socioeconomic data were collected using a questionnaire. Chromatographic kits were used to detect the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody against syphilis infection from the serum of study participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. Bivariate and multivariable analysis was employed to identify factors associated with seroprevalence of syphilis and HBV. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered as cut point to determine a significant association. Results: Seroprevalence of HBV and syphilis infection were found to be 4.5% and 2.4 % respectively. Having multiple sexual partner [AOR=3.99, 95%Cl= 1.20-13.38, p=0.025] was significantly associated with HBV infection. Conclusion: In the study the seroprevalence of HBV and syphilis is moderate; having multiple sexual partners was found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of HBV infection.

Background: There is high incidence of neonatal death in Ethiopia. There are various factors that contribute to neonatal death. Low birth weight (LBW) contributes for about half of infant death. Identification of modifiable determinants of LBW for potential interventions has received little attention in southern parts of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of LBW among mothers delivered at hospitals in Silte Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted in all public hospitals of Silte Zone. In the study, the number of mothers, cases and controls from each hospital was recruited using probability proportion to population size. Baby born with weight less than 2500gm were taken as a case where as a preceding three baby with birth weight of more than or equal to 2500gm was taken as control during study time in consecutive manner. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaire, and by anthropometric measurements. Data was entered in to Epi Info 3.5.4 and exported to SPSS Version 20 software. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression model were used to calculate Odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals to estimate the association between the dependent and independent variables. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Result: The mean ± SD of birth weight of was 2174.47gm ±266.2for cases and 3370.48gm ±446.48for controls. After using multivariate logistic regression analysis, mothers who did not receive iron folate during pregnancy [AOR=2.84(1.15,7.03)], mothers who had anemia (hemoglobin <11mg/dl) during pregnancy [AOR=1.03(1.12, 6.24)], mothers who did not take additional meal [AOR =3.25(1.64,6.44)], mothers who did not receive nutritional counseling during the current pregnancy [AOR =6.93(4.80,11.76)], maternal under nutrition [AOR= 3.62(2.64, 6.47)], hypertensive disorder related to pregnancy [AOR= 2.76(1.34,5.71)] and inadequate Minimum Dietary Diversity Assessment(MDD-W) [AOR=6.65(2.31, 10.16)] were found as an independent and significant predictors of low birth weight. Conclusions: Maternal under nutrition, mothers not receiving iron folate during pregnancy, mother who had anemia, lack of target nutritional counseling, mothers who did not receive additional food during pregnancy, hypertensive disorder related to pregnancy and inadequate MDD-W were significant determinants of LBW. The importance of nutritional counseling with iron folate supplements, adherence during pregnancy and maternal under nutrition screening needs to be strengthened effort to reduce incidence of LBW infants.