ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the use of institutional delivery services and associated factors among Delgi District mothers of childbearing age.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study design.SettingAt five Kebeles in Delgi District, Northwest Ethiopia.ParticipantsThe study was performed on 403 childbearing age mothers using a structured questionnaire and a face-to-face interview. We used a systematic random sampling method to select the study participants.MethodsThe data were analysed using descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analysis.OutcomeInstitutional delivery service utilisation.ResultsIn the present study, 75.9% (95% CI: 71.7% to 80.1%) of respondents used health facilities for their last delivery. After adjusting for covariates, diploma holders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=5.63; 95% CI: 3.77 to 8.39), maternal age at 23–27 years (AOR=6.47; 95% CI: 2.74 to 15.32), divorced women (AOR=0.30; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.75), husband’s primary education (AOR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.82), the distance required above 10 km to reach the health facility (AOR=0.17; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.72) and the time required above 4 hours to reach the health facility (AOR=0.30; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.73) were significantly associated with institutional delivery service utilisation.ConclusionsThe majority of respondents utilised institutional delivery services in this study. High-level maternal education, younger maternal age, divorce marital status, low-level husband education, long distances to reach a health facility and prolonged time to reach a health facility were all independently linked to the use of institutional delivery services. One of the foundations for increasing institutional delivery service use is improving mother-waiting centres for delivery services, infrastructure and transportation services and awareness about institutional delivery services. Providing counselling services for mothers during antenatal care visits or house-to-house health education on institutional delivery services for rural residents will improve institutional delivery service use even more.

Background: Congenital anomaly is a partial or complete structural and/or functional defect during intrauterine life. Globally, major congenital anomalies account for 6% of all newborns among which about 94% of cases occurred in developing countries. In spite of its public health importance, very limited studies are reported in Ethiopia, and hardly any study in Arsi Zone.Objectives: To determine the predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals, Southeast Ethiopia.Methods: A multi-center institutional-based case-control study was conducted in 418 (105 cases and 313 controls) of newborns in Arsi Zone Public Hospitals. Descriptive analysis, binary and multivariable logistic regressions were implemented.Results: In this study, women who have been drinking alcohol during pregnancy were 3.48 times more prone to have newborns with congenital anomalies than their counterparts (AOR=3.48; 95% CI: 1.38, 8.74). The likelihood of having a newborn with congenital anomalies was six and four times higher for women who had a maternal illness (AOR=6.10; 95%CI: 2.39, 15.57) and chewing khat during pregnancy (AOR=4; 95%CI: 1.49, 10.65), respectively. Moreover, the lack of folic acid supplementation and pesticides during pregnancy were 3.25 and 4.76 times more likely to experience a newborn with congenital anomalies, respectively. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking, maternal illness, khat chewing, and chemical exposure during pregnancy had a significant association with the occurrence of congenital anomalies. While, taking folic acid supplements had a protective effect. Health experts and the community should take these factors into consideration and act accordingly.