ObjectivePostnatal care (PNC) is essential for preventing maternal and newborn deaths; however, it still remains less well recognised in low-income and middle-income countries. This study was aimed to explore geographical patterns and identify the determinants of PNC usage among women aged 15–49 years in Ethiopia.MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data. A total of 7193 women were included in this analysis. We employed spatial scan statistics to detect spatial inequalities of PNC usage among women. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women’s PNC.ResultsThe prevalence of PNC usage among women was 6.9% (95% CI 6.3% to 7.5%). The SaTScan spatial analysis identified three most likely clusters with low rates of PNC use namely southwestern Ethiopia (log likelihood ratio (LLR)=18.07, p<0.0001), southeast Ethiopia (LLR=14.29, p<0.001) and eastern Ethiopia (LLR=10.18, p=0.024). Women with no education (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR)=0.55, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.84) and in the poorest wealth quantile (AOR=0.55, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.78) were less likely to use PNC, while women aged 35–49 years (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.04) and with at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.71 to 3.29) were more likely to use PNC.ConclusionPNC usage remains a public health problem and has spatial variations at regional levels in the country. Low prevalence of PNC was detected in the Somali, Oromia, Gambella and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) regions. Women with low educational status, old age, being in poorest wealth quantile and history of ANC visits were significantly associated with PNC usage. Hence, it is better to strengthen maternal health programmes that give special emphasis on health promotion with a continuum of care during pregnancy.

BackgroundTreatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis is often more complex and toxic with longer treatment time and poor treatment outcomes including treatment failure or death. Monitoring drug-resistant tuberculosis therapy including early identification of prognostic factors and close monitoring of body weight in resource-limited settings is crucial to ensure successful treatment. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess time to poor treatment outcome which is defined as the proportion of all patients who died or failed treatment and its predictors among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients on second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment in Amhara region, Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients who started drug-resistant tuberculosis therapy from September 1, 2010 through December 31, 2017, at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Boru-Meda Hospital, and Debre-Markos Referral Hospital in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Data were entered using Epi-data Version 3.1 and analyzed using R version 3.41 software. The survival time was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the survival time between different categorical variables were compared using the log rank test. Event time ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value less than 0.05 were used to measure the strength of association and to declare statistically significant predictors respectively.ResultsA total of 508 patients with a median age of 28.5 [IQR: 22–40] years were included in this study. The overall cumulative survival probability of patients at the end of 24 months was 79% [95% CI,75,84%]. Rate of body weight change [Adjusted time ratio (ATR) = 5; 95% CI: 3.2, 7.7], secondary and above level of education [ATR = 2.3;95% CI:1.2,2.9], being non-anemic [ATR = 2.8,95% CI:1.2,3.8], being non-diabetic [ATR = 3.4;95% CI:1.3,8.8], without clinical complications [ATR = 7.6;95% CI:4.2,13.9], HIV negative [ATR = 1. 94:95% CI:1.35,2.35] and residing in rural [ATR = 0.51,95% CI:0.30,0.86] were predictors of time to poor treatment outcomes.ConclusionThe survival rate of tuberculosis patients was higher at end of follow up relative to other studies. However, poor treatment outcome was higher in early phase of therapy. Educational level, rural residence, HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, previous treatment, clinical complication, rate of body weight change and smoking history were significant predictors of time to poor treatment outcome. Therefore, intervention programs should focus on the identified factors to improve survival time of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients.

The incidence of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is increasing over the previous decade with an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the increasing incidence of DFU, there is limited information about the problem in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the incidence of DFU and its predictors among newly diagnosed DM patients who were on follow-up at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital. Methods: Institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital among newly diagnosed DM patients from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. A simple random sampling method was used to select 401 study participants from a total of 723 eligible population. Data was entered using Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The incidence rate was estimated using person-years of observation and Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard function, showing the cumulative probability of diabetic foot ulcer, was done. The best model (Gompertz) was selected using the AIC and log-likelihood method. Hazard ratio (HR) with its 95% confidence interval was computed and variables having a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable model were considered to be significantly associated with DFU. Results: A total of 387 patients were followed retrospectively for a median follow-up time of 95 months. Out of all, 66 (17.05%) patients developed DFU with an incidence rate of 4 cases per 100 person-years of observation. Diabetic nephropathy (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.33-54.24), diabetic retinopathy (AHR = 5.56, 95% CI: 2.64-11.74), and increased body mass index (AHR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27) were found to increase the hazard of DFU. Conclusion: The incidence of DFU was relatively high. Diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and body mass index were its significant predictors. Therefore, close monitoring of patients with co-morbidities and increased body mass index should be considered to reduce DFU.

BackgroundObstetric fistula is a maternal morbidity creating devastating health problems for the women. Continuous and uncontrollable leaking of urine or faeces from vagina can lead to life changing stigmatization for women in third world countries. The underlying factors and consequences of this problem are not yet fully identified and adequately documented in Ethiopia.MethodsThis study is based on the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data (EDHS, 2005). The survey collected information on a total of 14,070 women who were interviewed face to face on their background characteristics as well as reproductive health issues, out of which 3178 women had complete measurements and were considered in this study. Descriptive and binary logistic regressions techniques were used using demographic, socio-economic, health and environmental related variables as explanatory variables and status of obstetric fistula as a response variable.ResultsThe results showed that geographical region, place of residence, educational status, age at first birth, age at first marriage, employment status, place of delivery and follow up of antenatal care during pregnancy were significant determinant factors of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia.ConclusionThe study showed that demographic, socio-economic, environmental and health related variables have an import ant effect on determinants of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia.

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