Background Neonatal mortality is a public health issue in, Ethiopia. Unfortunately, the issue is noticeably under-reported and underestimated, so the true gravity of the situation cannot be acknowledged in developing regions of the country. Regrettably, there is no single study to show the rates and predictors of neonatal mortality for Afar region. Thus, this study aims to assess neonatal mortality and associated factors in Afar region, Ethiopia. Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from January 2015 to December 2019. Maternal and neonatal medical records were reviewed and audited using structured data extraction checklist. The data was collected by four trained nurses and midwives. The medical records were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. Adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were used to assess the association between neonatal mortality and the associated factors. Finally, the statistical significance level was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results In this study, 391 medical records of newborns were included with the data complete rate of 97.02%. The prevalence of neonatal mortality was 57 (14.6%) [95% CI 11.0%-18.4%]. A multivariable logistic regression showed that lack of antenatal care (ANC) follow up [AOR = 4.69: 95%CI (1.77, 12.47)], giving birth through cesarean section [AOR 3.59, 95%CI (1.22, 10.55)], having admission temperature less than 36.5°C [AOR 10.75, 95%CI (3.75, 30.80)], birth asphyxia [AOR 7.16, 95%CI (2.22, 23.10)], and having a length of stay greater than five days in the hospital [AOR 0.23, 95%CI (0.08, 0.66)] were significantly associated with neonatal mortality. Conclusion This study revealed that the rate of neonatal mortality is still high compared to the national data. Antenatal care, cesarean section delivery, length of stay in the hospital, low temperature at admission and birth asphyxia were factors associated with neonatal mortality. Thus, the health facilities should give due attention to improve antenatal care, intrapartum care and standardized care for admitted neonates. Furthermore, prospective studies are recommended.

Background Uncontrolled blood pressure is an important medical and public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improving the management of hypertension requires a better comprehension of the factors influencing blood pressure control and the application of interventions. But in clinical practice, blood pressure is still not adequately controlled. Thus, this study aimed to assess uncontrolled blood pressure and associated among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at public health facility ambulatory clinics in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 adult hypertensive patients who were on treatment and follow-up from April to May 31, 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and chart review. The Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) criteria was applied to define blood pressure control status. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between dependent and independent variables. An adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to measure the strength of the association. Finally, at a p-value < 0.05, statistical significance was proclaimed. Result Of the total study participants, 249(62.6%) were male. The mean age was 62.26 ± 11.55 years. The overall proportion of uncontrolled blood pressure was 58.8% (95% CI: 54–64). Salt intake (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.49–4.24), lack of physical activity (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.10–2.62), habitual coffee consumption (AOR = 4.52; 95% CI: 2.67–7.64), higher BMI (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49), and non-adherence to antihypertensive medications (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.3–3.89) were independent predictors of uncontrolled blood pressure. Conclusion More than half of the hypertensive patients in this study had uncontrolled blood pressure. Healthcare providers and other accountable stakeholders should urge patients to follow salt restriction, physical activity, and antihypertensive medication regimes. Reduced coffee consumption and weight maintenance are other crucial blood pressure control measures.

Introduction Cervical cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related mortality in the world, and it is one of the top 20 causes of mortality in Ethiopia. Even though cervical cancer is more common among women living with HIV, the utilization of cervical cancer screening services remains low in Ethiopia. Objectives This study aimed to assess cervical cancer screening service utilization and associated factors among women living with HIV receiving anti-retroviral therapy at Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 304 women living with HIV from 1st–30th June 2022. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to identify candidate variables at p < .25. Finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of cervical cancer screening service utilization at p < .05 with 95% confidence intervals. Results The magnitude of cervical cancer screening service utilization was 26.9% (95% CI: 22.0, 32.6). Being a government employee (AOR: 8.09, 95% CI: 1.5, 41.19), having a family history of cervical cancer (AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.02, 11.9), being aware of cervical cancer screening (AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 2.11, 14.7), having a history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.95, 10.2), and heard about cervical cancer (AOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.05, 6.41) were associated with cervical cancer screening service utilization. Conclusion The magnitude of cervical cancer screening service utilization was low. It was associated with occupation status, family history of cervical cancer, awareness about cervical cancer screening, history of STI, and ever heard about cervical cancer. Thus, to maximize utilization, health education programs and other multidisciplinary strategies had to be implemented.

Introduction Uncontrolled blood pressure is an important medical and public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improving the management of hypertension requires a better comprehension of the factors influencing blood pressure control and the application of interventions. But in clinical practice, blood pressure is still not adequately controlled. Thus, this study aimed to assess uncontrolled blood pressure and associated among adult hypertensive patients on follow-up at public health facility ambulatory clinics in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 adult hypertensive patients from April 1 to May 31, 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire and chart review. The collected data were entered into Epi-info version 7 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between dependent and independent variables. An adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to measure the strength of the association. Finally, the statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Result Of the total study participants, 249(62.6%) were male. The mean age was 62.26 ± 11.55 years. The overall proportion of uncontrolled blood pressure was 58.8% (95% CI: 54–64). Salt intake (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.49–4.24), lack of physical activity (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.20–9.62), habitual coffee consumption (AOR = 4.52; 95% CI: 2.67–7.64), higher BMI (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49), and non-adherence to antihypertensive medications (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.3–3.89) were independent predictors of uncontrolled blood pressure. Conclusion More than half of the hypertensive patients in this study had uncontrolled blood pressure. Healthcare providers and other accountable stakeholders should urge patients to follow salt restriction, physical activity, and antihypertensive medication regimes. Reduced coffee consumption and weight maintenance are other crucial blood pressure control measures.

Introduction Operative vaginal deliveries are a method of dealing with issues that arise during the second stage of labor with the use of vacuum device or forceps. The decision to use an instrument to deliver the fetus weighs the maternal, fetal, and neonatal consequences of the procedure against the alternative option of cesarean birth. However, evidence on operative vaginal delivery is limited in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. Objectives This study aimed to assess the magnitude, indications, and factors associated with operative vaginal delivery among mothers who gave birth at Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 440 mothers who gave birth from 1 to 30 June 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The data were entered into EPI INFO version 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify candidate variables at p < .25 and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of operative vaginal delivery at p < .05 with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The magnitude of operative vaginal delivery was 14.8% (95% CI: 10.8, 18.8). Rural residence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.09; 95% CI: 2.01, 7.41), maternal age 25–34 (AOR, 4.95; 95% CI: 1.62, 9.2), being primigravida (AOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.26, 9.98), gestational age ≥42 weeks (3.09; 95% CI: 1.38, 6.9), and antenatal care (ANC) follow-ups <4 times (AOR:3.9; 95% CI: 1.09, 9.45) were significantly associated with operative vaginal delivery. Conclusion The magnitude of operative vaginal delivery in the study area was relatively low. Rural residence, maternal age 25 to 34, primigravida, gestational age ≥42 weeks, and ANC follow-ups <4 times were independent determinants of operative vaginal delivery. Thus, health education programs and other multidisciplinary strategies are required to encourage mothers to have regular ANC follow-ups.