Background: Globally, perinatal asphyxia is a significant contributing factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors with perinatal asphyxia among newborns in Dilla University referral hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among newborns in Dilla University referral hospital, Ethiopia from February to April 2017. Systematic random sampling techniques were used to enroll a total of 262 study subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the perinatal asphyxia among newborns. Result: Of the newborns, 32.8% had perinatal asphyxia, and factors associated significantly were anemia during pregnancy (adjusted OR=2.99, 95%CI: 1.07–8.35), chronic hypertension (adjusted OR=4.89, 95%CI: 1.16–20.72), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (adjusted OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.74–7.42), and low birth weight newborns (adjusted OR=3.31, 95%CI: 1.308–8.37). Conclusion: Maternal anemia during pregnancy, chronic hypertension, meconium stained amniotic fluid, and low birth weight were significantly associated with perinatal asphyxia. Therefore, early screening and appropriate intervention during pregnancy, and intrapartum might reduce perinatal asphyxia among newborns.

BackgroundGender-based violence is a natural outgrowth of the stigma and discrimination experienced by commercial sex workers (CSWs) across the globe. In light of this, the current study aimed to describe the prevalence and character of sexual violence, as well as any risk factors for violence, experienced by CSWs in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Mekelle City in April 2013. 250 CSWs were selected for participation using simple random sampling. Data were collected via a questionnaire instrument. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 20 for Windows.ResultsThe overall prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs was 75.6 %. Basic literacy [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.15–25.20)], completion of only elementary school [AOR = 6.9, 95 % of CI (1.55–31.25)], completion of only high school [AOR = 7.9, 95 % of CI (1.65–38.16)], being married [(AOR = 3.8, 95 % CI (1.34–11.09)], engaging in sex work for 1–4 years [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % CI(1.7–16.2)] and drug use [AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.78–16.21)] were all significant risk factors for sexual violence. CSWs with lower monthly income were also more likely to experience sexual violence; monthly income of 51.2–101.9 USD yielded AOR = 2.4 (95 % CI 1.12–5.37) and monthly income of 102.2–153.1 USD yielded AOR = 7.9 (95 % CI 2.46–25.58), compared to CSWs earning 153.2 USD or more.ConclusionThe prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs is high. Lower educational attainment, being married, lower monthly income, drug use, and shorter duration of sex work are all risk factors for sexual violence.

Background Mothers in low socio-economic conditions frequently have low birth weight infants. Inaddition Physically demanding work during pregnancy also contributes to poor fetal growth. During gestation a woman needs balanced nutrition for a healthy outcome. Women with inadequate nutritional status at conception are at greater risk of aquiring disease; their health usually depends on the availability and consumption of balanced diet, and therefore they are unlikely to be able to resist with their high nutrient needs during pregnancy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess the maternal risk factors associated low birth weight in public hospitals of Mekelle city, Tigray North Ethiopia, 2017/2018. Methods Un-matched case-control study design was conducted among women who delivered in public hospitals of Mekelle city. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire through interview, direct physical assessment and medical record review of mothers. Sample size was calculated by Epi-info version 7.0 to get a final sample size of 381(cases = 127 and controls = 254). SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the independent variables on birth weight. Presence of significant association was determined using OR with its 95%CI. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Table, graphs and texts were used to present the data. Result Most of the mothers (70.1% cases and 43.7% controls) were housewives. This study showed that maternal age ≤ 20 years (AOR = 6.42(95% CI = (1.93–21.42)), ANC follow up (AOR = 3.73(95%CI (1.5–9.24)), History of medical illness (AOR = 14.56(95% CI (3.69–57.45), Iron folate intake (AOR = 21.56(95%CI (6.54–71.14)), Maternal height less than 150 cm (AOR = 9.27(95%CI 3.45–24.89)) and Pregnancy weight gain (AOR = 4.93(95%CI = 1.8–13.48) were significant predictors of low birth weight. Conclusion The study suggests that inadequate ANC follow-up, preterm birth and history of chronic medical illness, maternal height, pregnancy weight gain, and Iron intake were. Were significant predictors of low birth weight. Health professionals should screen and consulate pregnant mothers who are at risk of having infants with LBW and ensure that women have access to essential health information on the causes of low birth weight.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of late initiation of antenatal care visit and associated factors among antenatal care follow up women in Tselemte district health facilities. The data were obtained at health facilities level in a single survey within 1 month and there is no continuation part of this study or previously published part elsewhere.Results60.5% of women were late to initiate the first antenatal care visit. Time constraint with household activity (24.4%), distance to health center (17.2%) and fear of long waiting time in health facility (19.5%) were among the reasons mentioned for late initiation of antenatal care visit. Monthly income ≤ $21(400 ETB) (AOR = 4.54, 95% CI 1.07, 19.33), women who accompanied by their husband during antenatal care visit (AOR = 6.99, 95% CI 2.82, 17.31), who had information access on antenatal care (AOR = 4.85, 95% CI 1.88, 12.50) and distance from home to health center (AOR = 5.44, 95% CI 1.54, 19.25) were significantly associated factors with late initiation of antenatal care visit. This study illustrated that large number of pregnant women still late for first antenatal care visit. Husband involvement and health education about the timing of antenatal care initiation should be encouraged in all aspects of maternal care.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3653-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ObjectiveTo assess the health care seeking behavior of mothers on diarrheal disease of under five children and associated factors in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia.ResultThis study revealed that 72.5% (n = 58) of the mothers who reported their children had diarrhea had sought health care facilities. Three quarter, (75.9%) of them was seeking health in the public health care facility. Majority, 89.3% of those children who had severe diarrhea sought at health care facilities. In the multivariable analysis, severity of diarrhea (P = 0.04) and blood in stool) were the significantly associated factors with health seeking behavior of mothers for childhood diarrhea.