Background Short Birth Interval negatively affects the health of both mothers and children in developing nations, like, Ethiopia. However, studies conducted to date in Ethiopia upon short birth interval were inconclusive and they did not show the extent and determinants of short birth interval in developing (Afar, Somali, Gambella, and Benishangul-Gumuz) regions of the country. Thus, this study was intended to assess the short birth interval and its determinants in the four developing regions of the country. Methods Data were retrieved from the Demographic and Health Survey program official database website (http://dhsprogram.com). A sample of 2683 women of childbearing age group (15-49) who had at least two alive consecutive children in the four developing regions of Ethiopia was included in this study. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the independent predictors of short birth interval and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was used during the model selection procedure. Results In this study, the prevalence of short birth interval was 46% [95% CI; 43.7%, 47.9%]. The multilevel multivariable logistic regression model showed women living in rural area [

Introduction: Women’s decision-making autonomy has a positive effect on the scale-up of contraceptive use. In Ethiopia, evidence regarding women’s decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use and associated factors is limited and inconclusive. Therefore, this study was intended to assess married women’s decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use and associated factors in Ethiopia using a multilevel logistic regression model. Methods: The study used data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey that comprised of a weighted sample of 3668 married reproductive age women (15–49 years) currently using contraceptives. A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors affecting married women’s decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use. Akaike’s information criterion was used to select the best-fitted model. Results: Overall, 21.6% (95% confidence interval = 20.3%–22.9%) of women had decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use. Community exposure to family planning messages (adjusted odds ratio = 2.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.67–3.05), media exposure (adjusted odds ratio = 2.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.52–3.23), age from 35 to 49 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval = 1.36–4.69), living in the richer households (adjusted odds ratio = 1.67, 95% confidence interval = 1.32–3.11), and visiting health facility (adjusted odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.34–3.87) were positively associated with women’s decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use. On the contrary, being Muslim (adjusted odds ratio = 0.53, 95% confidence interval = 0.29–0.95), being married before the age of 18 years (adjusted odds ratio = 0.33, 95% confidence interval = 0.12–0.92), and residing in rural residence (adjusted odds ratio = 0.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.23–0.87) were negatively associated with women’s independent decision on contraceptive use. Conclusion: Less than one-fourth of married reproductive age women in Ethiopia had the decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use. Media exposure, women’s age, household wealth, religion, age at marriage, visiting health facilities, community exposure to family planning messages, and residence were the factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy on contraceptive use. The government should promote women’s autonomy on contraceptive use as an essential component of sexual and reproductive health rights through mass media, with particular attention for adolescent women, women living in households with poor wealth, and those residing in rural settings.

BackgroundThe care given to newborns immediately within the first few hours of birth is critical for their survival. However, their survival depends on the health professional’s knowledge and skills to deliver appropriate newborn care interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of immediate newborn care among nurses and midwives in public health facilities of Afar Regional State, Northeast Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study design was employed on 357 nurses and midwives working in 48 public health facilities (45 health centers and 3 hospitals) during April 2018. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation checklist. Then, data were entered into Epi-info version 7.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to estimate odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. A p-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsOverall, 53.8% [95% CI: (48.6, 59.0%)] and 62.7% [(95% CI: (57.7, 67.8%))] of the health professionals (midwives and nurses) had adequate knowledge and good practice on immediate newborn care, respectively. Working in hospital [AOR: 4.62; 95% CI (1.76, 12.10)], being a female [AOR: 0.59; 95% CI (0.39, 0.98)] and interested in providing newborn care [AOR: 0.29; 95% CI (0.13, 0.68)] were positively associated with having adequate knowledge on immediate newborn care. On the other hand, having work experience of < 5 years [AOR: 0.33; 95% CI (0.14, 0.78)], inadequate knowledge [AOR: 0.39; 95% CI (0.25, 0.64)], having work load [AOR: 2.09; 95% CI (1.17, 3.73)], being not interested to provide immediate newborn care [AOR: 0.35; 95% CI (0.16, 0.74)] and working in health center [AOR: 8.56; 95% CI (2.39, 30.63)] were negatively associated with good immediate newborn care practices.ConclusionsA significant number of nurses and midwives had inadequate knowledge and poor practice on immediate newborn care. Therefore, providing a comprehensive newborn care training and creating an opportunity for nurses and midwives working at health centers to share experience from those hired in hospitals are very crucial to improve their knowledge and skills on newborn care.

Background. There was a fast improvement of twin’s birth outcomes in the past decade, but it was average in developing countries. Stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth asphyxia are the major contributors to poor twin birth outcomes. This study was crucial to address the gaps and clarify the outcome of twin delivery. Objectives. To assess the birth outcome of twin delivery and associated factors among newborns who were delivered in Dessie Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. Institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed among 385 maternal records from Nov 10/2013 to Dec 10/2019. Data were selected by using a random sampling technique. Frequencies, proportion, and summary statics were used to describe the study population. The data were entered into Epi Info and exported in the SPSS version 20 for analysis. All variables with p   value < 0.20 in bivariable logistic regression analysis were considered for multivariable logistic regression analysis; adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the association variable with p   value < 0.05 which was statistically significant. Results. This finding showed that the prevalence of twin birth outcome accounts 23.4% (95 % CI, 19.2–27.5). Low birth weight 9.1%, stillbirth 4.2%, Apgar score < 7 9.1%, and neonatal death 1 % were accounted. Hypertension disorder (95% CI, 6.01(2.43–14.87)), rural residence (95% CI 2.46(1.39–4.37)), PROM (95% CI 6.39(2.52–16.16)), and no ANC follow-up (95% CI, 13.47(2.49–72.85)) were significantly associated with adverse twin birth. Conclusions and Recommendations. Magnitude of twins’ adverse birth outcome was 23.4%. Hypertension disorder, rural residence, PROM, and no ANC follow-up were significant variables for twins’ adverse birth outcome. Therefore, all healthcare providers should give sustainable educations and instructions about the importance of sticking with the recommended ANC follow-up.

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