Background:The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus which emerged in Wuhan. Recently this virus has rapidly spread throughout Ethiopia. The current preventive measure practices and knowledge have gaps. Therefore this study aimed to assess COVID-19 preventive measure practices and knowledge of pregnant women in Guraghe Zone hospitals. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 27-August 27, 2020 among pregnant women in Guraghe zone hospitals. Systematic random sampling technique were employed to select 403 participants. Data were checked manually for completeness, cleaned, and stored in Epi Data and exported to SPSS for further analysis. Variables which have a P-value less than 0.25 on bivariate analysis were taken to multivariate analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 and 95% confidence level was used as a cut-off point for presence of association in multivariate analysis. Results: COVID-19 preventive measure practice and knowledge of pregnant women visiting Guraghe Zone hospitals was 76.2% and 54.84%, respectively. Those aged 20-24 (AOR=1.22, 95% CI=1.15-22.24), 25-29 (AOR=1.32, 95% CI=1.20-20.25), and 30-34 (AOR=2.57, 95% CI-2.32-43.38) were more likely to practice COVID-19 preventive measures. Those residing in urban area (AOR=2.16, 95% CI=1.24-3.77) and perceiving that COVID-19 is worst for people with chronic disease (AOR=5.12, 95% CI=1.73-15.17) were more likely to practice COVID-19 preventive measures. Conclusion: COVID-19 preventive measure practices and knowledge were low. Age, residence, and perception of COVID-19 on chronic disease were independent factors associated with preventive measure practices. Pregnant women aged ≥35 need to be counseled on practices of preventing COVID-19 by their healthcare providers.

Background Postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUCD) utilization remains very low in Ethiopia beside high levels of unmet need for postpartum family planning even if nongovernmental organizations efforts to promote its use. This study investigates immediate PPIUCD utilization and influencing factors. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on public hospitals of Addis Ababa city. All public hospitals which have PPIUCD service were included and systematic random sampling technique was used to select 286 participants. Data were entered using Epi Data and exported to SPSS for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of independent variables on immediate PPIUCD utilization. Variables which have P-value< 0.2 on bivariate analysis were candidate for multivariate analysis. Variables which have P-value ≤0.05 on multivariate analysis was considered as statistically significant. Results Utilization of immediate PPIUCD among participants who gave birth in Addis Ababa public hospitals was 26.6% (95%CI: 21.3, 31.8). Eighty one percent respondents occupation was housewife were (AOR = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.06, 0.67) less likely to utilize PPIUCD compared to those who have personal job. In the other hand respondents who have discuss about PPFP with their partner were 1.21times (AOR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.14, 25.67) more likely to utilize PPIUCD compared to those who never discuss. Contrarily 81% of respondents who need partner approval were (AOR = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.79) less likely to utilize PPIUCD compared to those who doesn’t need approval. Respondents who have been counseled about PPIUCD were 1.13 times (AOR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.21) more likely to utilize PPIUCD compared to those who were not counseled. Similarly respondents who have good knowledge about PPIUCD were 7.50 times (AOR = 7.50, 95%CI: 4.06, 9.31) more likely to utilize PPIUCD compared to those who have poor knowledge. Conclusion This study verifies that immediate PPIUCD utilization is high compared to other studies. Having a housewife occupation and necessity of partner approval to utilize PPIUCD have negative influences, whereas spousal discussion about PPIUCD, counseled during pregnancy and having good knowledge have positive influences on PPIUCD utilization. Therefor empowering women by the government and other organizations working on maternal health will advance immediate PPIUCD utilization.

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Background Newborn morbidity and mortality are forecasted using the Apgar scores. Obstetricians worldwide have used the Apgar score for more than half a century for the assessment of immediate newborn conditions. It is a simple and convenient evaluation system that offers a standardized and effective assessment of newborn infants. Neonatal morbidity and mortality can be reduced if high-risk neonates are identified and managed adequately. This study aimed to assess the determinants of 5th minute low Apgar score among newborns at Public hospitals in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted at Public Hospitals in Hawassa city. Data were collected from 134 cases and 267 controls using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by observing, interviewing, and reviewing patient cards. Newborns who delivered with a 5th minute Apgar score < 7 were considered as cases; whereas a similar group of newborns with a 5th minute Apgar score of ≥ 7 were categorized as controls. A consecutive sampling technique was employed to recruit cases, while a simple random sampling technique was used to select controls. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Data version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 respectively. Binary and multivariable analyses with a 95 % confidence level were performed. In the final model, variables with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results After controlling for possible confounding factors, the results showed that lack of physical and emotional support during labor and delivery [AOR = 3.5, 95 %CI:1.82–6.76], rural residence [AOR = 4, 95 %CI: 2.21–7.34], lack of antenatal care follow up [AOR = 3.5, 95 % CI: 1.91–6.33], anemia during pregnancy [AOR = 2.3,95 %CI: 1.10–4.71] and low birth weight [AOR = 6.2, 95 %CI: 2.78–14.03] were determinant factors of low Apgar scores. The area under the Apgar score ROC curve was 87.4 %. Conclusions Lack of physical and emotional support, rural residence, lack of ANC follow-up, low birth weight, and anemia during pregnancy were determinant factors of a low Apgar score. `Effective health education during preconception about anemia during pregnancy and ANC will help in detecting high-risk pregnancies that lead to a low Apgar score. In addition to the standard care of using electronic fetal monitoring, increasing access to compassion ships during labor and delivery is recommended.

Background: Stigma refers to attitudes and beliefs that lead people to reject, avoid, or fear those they perceive as being different. It identifies people as criminals, slaves, or traitors to be shunned. Globally 30-80% of people living with HIV experience stigma during their lifetime. There is a paucity of research in identifying determinants of stigma on HIV positive patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to assess magnitude and factors associated with stigma among HIV positive adults attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics at public health facilities of Butajira town. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at public health facilities of Butajira town. A total of 403 study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by using pre-tested interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with stigma. The strength of association was assessed by crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio for bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, respectively. Statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05 and 95% CI. Results: The magnitude of stigma among HIV positive patient was 28.9%. Discussing about safer sex (AOR: 2; 95% CI: (1.14,3.18), disclosing HIV positive status (AOR: 6;95% CI: (2.3,14.9), being a female (AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: (1.41,4.12) and age >34 years (AOR: 4; 95% CI: (1.46,12.9) were the independent factors associated with stigma in HIV positive patients. Conclusion: The magnitude of stigma in ART patient is still unresolved problem. Discussing about safer sex, disclosing HIV positive status, being a female and age were the independent factors associated with stigma in HIV positive patients.