Neonatal sepsis is a clinical illness characterized by infection-related signs and symptoms in the first month of life, with or without bacteremia. Septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and urinary tract infections are all examples of systemic illnesses that can affect newborns. Hence, the main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal sepsis among newborns in Woldia and Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, northeast Ethiopia, from January 1 to July 30, 2021. Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to July 30, 2021, on 344 randomly selected neonates who visited the hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select samples, and data were collected using a pre-tested standardized questionnaire. For data entry and analysis, Epi Data version 4.1 and SPSS version 24 applications were used, respectively. The goodness-of-fit was tested by the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic test. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors at a 95% confidence interval. Significance was considered at p-value <0.05. Results: In this study, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 79.4% (95% CI: 75.2-83.6%). Maternal UTI/STI history [AOR: 3.1; 95% CI (1.5-7.1)], gestational age <37 weeks [AOR: 4.4; 95% CI (1.0-8.9)], PROM [AOR: 4.9; 95% CI (2.5-6.8)], and new-born resuscitation history [AOR: 2.3; 95% CI (1.5-4.3)] were all significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. Conclusion:This study indicates that the proportion of neonatal sepsis is high. A history of maternal PROM, being a preterm neonate, a history of maternal UTI/STIs, and having received resuscitation at birth were identified as risk factors for neonatal sepsis.

Introduction. Integrated use of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices with delivery service during the immediate postpartum period is ideal for both women and health-care providers. However, utilization of intrauterine contraceptive devices during the postpartum period was rare and in Ethiopia, with information regarding uptake of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices limited. Objective. Identify determinants of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices uptake among women delivering in public hospitals of South Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. An unmatched case-control study was conducted in public hospitals of South Gondar, Ethiopia, from August 1, 2019, to November 10, 2019. A total of 140 cases and 280 controls have actively participated in the study. Five hospitals were selected by simple random sampling. Cases were selected consecutively, whereas two controls for each case were recruited by the lottery method. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect data and it was entered into Epidata version 4.4.2. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the use of outcome and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the association between independent and outcome variables. Results. Completing secondary education (AOR = 4.5, 95%CI 2.3–8.85), having a total number of children of 3–4 (AOR = 3.6, 95%CI 1.25–10.2), having  ≥ 5 (AOR = 4.7, 95%CI 1.5–15.3), attending 3 antenatal care (AOR = 2.8, 95%CI 1.44–5.6), ever hearing about postpartum IUCD (AOR = 6.6, 95%CI 2.7–16.1), and having counseling from health-care provider about a postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (AOR = 6.2, 95%CI 2.99–12.8) were significantly associated with uptake of the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive. Conclusion and Recommendation. Completing secondary education, having 3–4 and ≥5 children, attending three antenatal care, ever hearing about postpartum IUCD, and having counseling from health-care providers about the postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device among women were significantly associated with uptake of an intrauterine contraceptive device after birth. Therefore, it is better to advise women to strictly follow their antenatal care, access to information, and provide counseling.

Background:The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women should receive a vaccine against COVID-19. However, COVID-19 vaccine hesitance was one of the barriers to delivering the vaccine, and this issue was not well addressed in Ethiopia. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination acceptability and the factors that influence it among pregnant women in Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A mixed-methods approach comprising both qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey was conducted from January 1-30, 2022. For the quantitative part, a multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants (n=702). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using pretested and structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed. The statistical difference was considered at P-0.05, and the strength of association was assessed by the odds ratio and respective 95% confidence intervals. For the qualitative part, 18 participants were selected purposively for in-depth interviews, an interviewer guide was used for data collection and thematic content analysis was performed. Results: In this study, a total of 702 pregnant women were included with the response rate of 100%.

Background: Globally, hyperemesis gravidarum affects 0.3 to 3.6% of pregnant women. The etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum is unclear. In Ethiopia, limited studies have been conducted on the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum. Therefore this study is aim to identify the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women in public hospitals of Mekelle city, North Ethiopia. Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted from May to October 2019, with the ratio of 1:2(109 cases and 218 controls). Cases were women with hyperemesis gravidarum and controls were women who had no hyperemesis gravidarum. Cases were enrolled using consecutive sampling techniques and controls were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by interview using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical significance was considered at p- 0.05, and the strength of association was assessed by odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Result: Being housewife (AOR=2.43; 95% CI; 1.27, 4.62), unplanned pregnancy (AOR=2.58; 95% CI; 1.27, 5.24), had family history of hyperemesis gravidarum (AOR=3.85; 95% CI; 1.69, 8.75). H. pylori infection (AOR=3.50; 95% CI; 1.92, 6.39), high perceived stress (AOR=7.01; 95% CI; 2.56, 19.18) and being in the first and second trimester (AOR=6.01; 95% CI; 1.87, 19.26), and (AOR=4.73; 95% CI; 1.59, 14.00) were determinant of hyperemesis gravidarum. Conclusion and Recommendations: In this study; being a housewife, unplanned pregnancy, had a family history of hyperemesis gravidarum, H. pylori infection, high perceived stress, and being in the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy were found to be the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum. We recommend stress should be minimized through psychological support during follow up of pregnancy. Screening for H. Pylori should be taken as routine investigations for pregnant women who complain of nausea and vomiting.

Bactrocera invadens, the Asian fruit fly, was first reported in Kenya in 2003, and it spread fast to most tropical countries in Africa. To our knowledge, there is no detailed data on the fruit damage and status of fruit flies in Arba Minch and elsewhere in Ethiopia. Hence, information on the species composition and pest status of the fruit fly species is urgent to plan management strategies in the area. Fruit flies were captured using male parapheromone-baited traps. Matured mango (Mangifera indica) fruits were collected from randomly selected mango trees and incubated individually in cages (15 by 15 by 15 cm) with sandy soil. B. invadens was the predominant (96%; 952 of 992) captured species and the only fruit fly species emerging from mango fruits incubated in the laboratory. The mean number of adult B. invadens emerging per mango fruit was 35.25, indicating that the species is the most devastating mango fruit fly in the area. The loss due to this species would be serious if no management strategies are implemented.