Objective Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of neonatal hospitalization in developing countries. It is also a major cause of mortality in the world affecting both developed and developing countries. Diagnosis and management of sepsis are a great challenge facing neonatologists in neonatal intensive care units due to nonspecific signs and symptoms. This study, therefore, was aimed to determine proportion and risk factors of neonatal sepsis at university of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia. Result The proportion of neonatal sepsis was 11.7%. Factors significantly associated with neonatal sepsis were: Neonatal related factors were: Premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 2.74; 95% Cl (1.39, 5.38), congenital anomaly (AOR = 3.14; 95% CI (1.09, 10.28), and low Apgar score (AOR = 2.69; 95% Cl (1.37, 5.26). Maternal factors were: foul-smelling vaginal discharge (AOR = 2.75; 95% Cl (1.40, 5.38), and Intrapartum fever (AOR = 3.35; 95% Cl (1.7, 6.62). In this finding proportion of Neonatal sepsis was low as compared to previous studies. Measures targeting the prevention of premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score need to be taken, like strengthening maternal birth preparedness and complication readiness plans. Also, identification of congenital anomalies earlier in pregnancy and taking measures to avoid birth injury may decrease neonatal sepsis.

Introduction: Maternity continuum of care is the continuity of maternity health care services that a woman uses antenatal care, skill birth attendant, and postnatal care. This Continuum of care in maternal health has become one of the government concern and program for planning and evaluating strategies within currently existing maternal health system of Ethiopia. It is an important intervention in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, there is no clear information on the proportion of dropout from maternity continuum of care in Ethiopia. Objective:The aim of this study was to assess proportion and associated factors of dropout from maternity continuum of care among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Debre Markos town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study with cluster sampling technique was conducted among 605 mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Debre Markos town. The data were collected from August 1-30/ 2018 by face to face interview through pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regressions (Bivariable and Multivariable) logistic regression model were done. In multivariable analysis variables with P-value < 0.05 in 95% confidence interval for Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to determine factors associated with dropout from maternity continuum of care. Results:The proportion of drop out from maternity continuum of care was found to be 32.2 %( 95%CI: 28.4-36.2). Have not exposure to media (AOR= 2.62, CI: 1.465-4.675), women who heard about PNC (AOR= 0.07, 95%CI: 0.035-0.154), unplanned pregnancy (AOR= 3.40, CI: 1.114-10.389), and having<4 ANC follow up (AOR = 3.0 3, CI: 1.963-4.685) were statistically significant variable with the dropout from maternity continuum of care. Conclusion and recommendationsIn this study, the proportion of dropout from maternity continuum of care is found to be high. The greatest gap and predictors for dropout was observed at postnatal care level, to reduce this drop out interventions on specified associated factors need to be implemented.

BackgroundOver 90% of the children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are infected through the mother to child transmission process according to literatures. Preventing unintended pregnancy by using contraceptive methods is crucial for reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Here we set out to assess the prevalence and associated factors of modern contraceptive utilization among sexually active reproductive age women attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy clinics in Amhara Region referral hospitals in 2016.MethodsAn institution based cross sectional study was carried out from April to July 2016 surveying women of reproductive age attending the Anti-Retroviral Therapy clinics in the five Amhara Region referral hospitals. A pretested and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. EpiInfo7 and SPSS version 20 soft wares were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Significant associations were identified on the basis of the adjusted odds ratio, with 95% Confidence Interval, and p value ≤0.05, was taken as statistically significant.ResultThe proportion of women utilizing modern contraceptives was 47.7% with (95% CI: 43, 52.5%), the male condom being the most (64.2%) utilized method. The use of the contraceptive methods was most prevalent among women 15–24 years of age (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI: 2–10) and age of 25–34 (AOR = 3, 95% CI: 1.6–5.5), having an urban residence (AOR = 0.095, 95% CI: 0.03–0.28), having discussed contraceptives with partner (AOR = 7, 95% CI: 5.3–11.9), receiving counseling from health care providers (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.8–7), previous history of contraceptive utilization (AOR = 5.6, 95% CI: 2.6–8.3), and with CD4 count >500mm3/dl (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3–4.3).ConclusionThe proportion of women utilizing contraceptive has been low in Amhara Region referral hospitals. Encouraging patients to discuss about contraception with partners and repeated counseling by health care providers may strengthen contraceptive utilization.

Background. Giving childbirth is a natural reward for human beings to replace themselves to exist in the world. Despite all the efforts made to improve maternal health, maternal morbidity and mortality continue during childbirth. Hence, this study aimed to determine the proportion of maternal birth outcomes and identify their predictors among mothers who gave birth in hospitals. Method. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 9 to June 7, 2016, among 384 postnatal mothers in Debre Tabor Hospital. Randomly selected mothers were interviewed by trained data collectors. Data were checked for completeness, entered using Epi Info version 7, and analyzed using STATA 14 software. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to control confounders and identify predictors of maternal birth outcomes. Statistical significance was declared by adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p value ≤0.05. Result. About 77% (95% CI: 72.9, 81.3) of the mothers had good maternal birth outcomes. Antenatal care utilization (AOR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.83); BPCR practice (AOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.96); self-preference of health institution (AOR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.50); and mode of delivery: caesarean (AOR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.87), assisted breech (AOR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.69), and instrumental (AOR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.79) were associated with good maternal birth outcome. Conclusion. In this study, the maternal birth outcome among postnatal mothers was good in more than three-fourth of the cases. Hence, encouraging mothers to utilize health-care services and counseling and supporting them on BPCR practice are recommended.

Objective Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes for neonatal hospitalization in developing countries. It is also a major cause of mortality in the world affecting both developed and developing countries. Diagnosis and management of sepsis are a great challenge facing neonatologists in neonatal intensive care units due to nonspecific signs and symptoms. This study, therefore, was aimed to determine proportion and risk factors of neonatal sepsis at university of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia. Result Proportion of neonatal sepsis was 11.7%. Factors significantly associated with neonatal sepsis were: Neonatal related factors were: Premature rupture of membrane (AOR=2.74; 95%Cl (1.39, 5.38), congenital anomaly (AOR=3.14; 95%CI (1.09, 10.28), and low Apgar score (AOR=2.69; 95%Cl (1.37, 5.26). Maternal factors were: foul smelling vaginal discharge (AOR=2.75; 95%Cl (1.40, 5.38), and Intrapartum fever (AOR=3.35; 95%Cl(1.7, 6.62). In this finding proportion of Neonatal sepsis was low. Measures targeting the prevention of premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score need to be taken, like strengthening maternal birth preparedness and complication readiness plans. Also, identification of congenital anomalies earlier in pregnancy may decrease neonatal sepsis.