Background: In Ethiopia, there are different pocket studies that assessed adolescent undernutrition which came up with inconsistent and inconclusive findings. Therefore, estimating the pooled prevalence and associated factors of the adolescent undernutrition using meta-analysis is crucial in Ethiopia. Methods: A systematic review of eligible articles was conducted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive searching of the literature was made in Pub Med, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and CINAHL. The quality of the articles included in the review was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for non-randomized studies in meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence and odds ratio of the associated factors with their 95% confidence interval was computed using STATA version 14 software. Results: Twenty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 17,854 adolescents. Using the random-effects model analysis, the pooled prevalence of stunting and underweight was 20.7% (95% CI: 16.08, 25.33) and 27.5% (95% CI: 17.9, 57.14), respectively. Rural residence, having family size≥5, households with an unprotected water source for drinking and food-insecure household were significant associated factors for adolescent stunting. Early adolescent age (10-14 years), family size≥5, food-insecure household, lack of latrine, WHO diet diversity score < 4, mother educational status (with no formal education) were significant associated factors for adolescent underweight. Conclusion: Adolescent undernutrition remains one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia. Almost a quarter of Ethiopian adolescents were affected by stunting and underweight. Large family size, rural residence and unprotected source of drinking water were the associated factors for adolescent stunting. Similarly, large family size, early age of adolescent, lack of latrine, low dietary diversity score, mother illiteracy, and food insecure household were the associated factors for adolescent underweight. It would be good to give high emphasis on adolescent undernutrition and it is important to address the above mentioned associated factors during adolescent nutritional interventions in Ethiopia.

Background: Pre-term and post-term births are major determinants of neonatal mortality, including short-and long-term morbidity. In developing countries, where pre-term and post-term births are disproportionately common, the magnitude and underlying causes are not well understood, and evidence is required to design appropriate interventions. This study measured the incidence and identified risk factors of pre-term birth and post-term births in Ethiopia. In addition, it examined the effects of pre-term and post-term birth on neonatal mortality. Method: This study is a portion of prospective cohort study conducted on 1152 live births born between April and July 2014 in seven hospitals in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Neonatal mortality and birth outcomes were considered as dependent variables. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and weekly neonatal follow up directed at midwives. Data were described using frequency, percentage, ratio of relative risk (RRR), and 95 % confidence interval (CI). We used multinomial and binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of birth outcome and neonatal mortality respectively. Result: The prevalence of pre-term and post term births was 8.1 % and 6.0 % respectively. Underweight maternal body mass index (RRR: 0.47, CI: 0.22-0.99), medium reported income (RRR: 0.26, CI: 0.12-0.5), length of neonate (RRR: 0.05, CI: 0.01-0.41), and multiple births (RRR: 2.86, CI: 1.4-5.650) were associated with pre-term birth. Predictors for post-term birth were overweight maternal body mass index (RRR: 3.88, CI: 1.01-15.05), high reported income mothers (RRR: 2.17, CI:1.1-4.3), as well as unmarried, widowed and divorced marital status (RRR:2.43, CI:1.02-5.80). With regards to binary logistic regression, pre-term birth (RR: 2.45, CI: 1.45-4.04) was an independent predictor for neonatal mortality, but this was not true for post-term births (RR: 0.45, CI: 0.07-2.96). Conclusion: Socioeconomic and proximate factors are important predictors for pre-term and post-term births. Empowering women in terms of income status and controlling body mass index within the normal range are recommended. In addition, early detection and close antenatal follow-ups for mothers, who are at risk before and during pregnancy, are necessary to prevent both pre-term and post-term births.

Background: Of an estimated 210 million pregnancies that occur in the world each year, 38% are unplanned, out of which 22% end in abortion. In Ethiopia, the estimates of unintended pregnancy indicate that it is one of the major reproductive health problems with all its adverse outcomes.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its associated factors among pregnant women in Welkaite district, Tigray region, northwest Ethiopia.Methods: Acommunity based cross sectional study was conducted from 24/09/2012 to 18/10/2012 among pregnant women. The study includes 626 pregnant women found in Welkaite district selected from the study population using cluster sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Adjusted Odds Ratio was used to assess the strength of association and declare significance of the associations.Results: Unintended pregnancy was reported by 26% (166/626) of the study subjects. Out of which, 75.9% were mistimed and 24.1% were unwanted pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy was associated with ante natal visit (AOR=3.434;95%CI:2.136,5.520), awareness of contraceptive (AOR=2.830;95% CI: 1.527,5.244)., husband communication about pregnancy (AOR=2. 245; 95% CI: 1.430,3.524) , awareness of the concept of unintended pregnancy is preventable (AOR=2. 563 ; 95% CI: 1.580,4.158). Conclusions:In this study prevalence was high, and,women's decision to follow antenatal care, and antenatal care visit, ever heard contraceptive communication with husband were strong predictors of unintended pregnancy.Recommendation: Women's need to be, strength, communication with husband about pregnancy, antenatal care follow up, and women's information, education; communication programs and improvements in counseling about contraceptive is recommended to decrease unintended pregnancy Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health