<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Back pain is a very common public health problem in the manufacturing industry and a major cause of disability that affects work performance and wellbeing. Currently, manufacturing sectors in Ethiopia, including automotive manufacturing is growing well but there is poor culture of work place safety. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of back pain and disability status at Bishoftu automotive industry workers.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross sectional study was conducted among 412 workers in a period of February to May 2018. Simple random sampling technique was applied to select participants. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using standard Nordic and Oswestry back pain disability index tools. Analysis was done by using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Prevalence of work related back pain among automotive production factory workers during last 12 months and last seven days were 51.7% and 25% respectively and related disability was 87%. The risk factors of the work related back pain that were identified include; work experience (11-15 years) AOR: 0.02, 95% CI (0.001-0.46), tasks that involve bending and twisting AOR: 2.03, 95% CI (1.19-3.45) and lifting of heavy loads AOR: 4.89, 95% CI (2.83-8.47).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> High prevalence of back pain among automotive industry workers was seen. Furthermore, this study verified workers with back pain and more specifically those working in tasks that involve with the identified associated risk factors were suffer from disability. The problem should need more attention to promote the health and safety of workers.</p>

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Globally the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections are a common problem of pregnant women where the complications are transmitted to their new born infants. These infections, often silent and without symptoms, can result in serious and fatal health consequences.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 pregnant women attending Dessie referral hospital from February to April 2019 by using convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected by assigned nurses with face to face interview using a pre-tested questionnaire. Samples were screened by rapid serological tests for HIV and <em>T. pallidum </em>antibodies as well as HBsAg. Data was analysed using SPSS. Logistic regression was used to see the association between dependent and independent variables. P values &lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The overall seroprevalence rates of HIV, HBsAg, syphilis and HIV/HBV coinfections were 6.5%, 4.7% and 0.8%, and 0.5% respectively. The history of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), multiple partners and using sharp materials were significantly associated to HIV with an adjusted odd ratio (AOR) of 8.35, 9.6 and 3.097 respectively. Likewise, the habit of ear/nose piercing and partner’s STIs exposure were associated with hepatitis B infection with an AOR 8.24 and 14.11 respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> HIV and HBV infections are still critical public health concerns among pregnant women in the study area. History of multiple sexual partners, sharing of sharp materials, history of STIs exposure, habits of ear/nose piercing were significantly associated with infections.</p>

Background: An intrauterine contraceptive device is suitable for women of all reproductive age groups for preventing unwanted pregnancies. Immediate postpartum family planning (PPFP) services need to be emphasized when the woman leaves the hospital. Despite the accepted demand for PPFP, many women do not access the services. Therefore, this study aimed to assess acceptability and factors associated with immediate postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device use among women who gave birth at government hospitals of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to 30, 2019 with 452 participants studied using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire from March 1 to 30, 2019. The data were coded, cleaned and entered into Epi-data manager version 4.2.2.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for advanced analysis. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors of immediate PPIUCD acceptability. Results: This study revealed that about 161 (35.6%) in 95% CI (31.0, 39.6) of the study participants accepted immediate PPIUCD. Multiparty (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI, (1.29, 4.20)), completed antenatal follow up (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI, (2.22, 5.99)), counselling (AOR= 8.38, 95% CI, (4.85, 14.48)) and prior discussion (AOR=2.57, 95% CI, (1.51, 4.36)) were statistically significant. Conclusion and Recommendation:Even though 58% of the mothers were counselled about PPIUCD during the important cascade of pregnancy and 53% of the mothers completed antenatal service, efforts need to improve antenatal care services and integrate counselling services through the whole cascade of pregnancy.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Maternal near miss is one of the related concepts to maternal mortality where women survive merely by chance, luck, or by good hospital care. The present study was aimed to fill the prevailing knowledge gap on maternal near miss ratio and events and identify factors associated with near miss in selected health facilities of berak woreda. To determine associated factors of maternal near miss in selected health facilities of Berak woreda, Oromia national regional state, Ethiopia.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Institutional based case control study was conducted in selected health facilities of barek woreda to asses determinant factors of maternal near miss among delivered women. Data of 1272 (344 cases and 928 controls) women were included in the analysis registered from 11 September 2014 to 30 March 2018. Cases were women due to severe acute maternal morbidity while controls were women for normal labor. Simple random sampling technique was used in the delivery unit. The data were collected using WHO standard tool. Data were entered using epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSSV.20 for data analysis.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Majority of cases were due to obstructed labor 270 (78.8%) followed by hemorrhage 33 (9.6%), preeclampsia 29 (8.14%), abortion 6 (1.74%), anemia 3 (0.87%), congenital heart disease 2 (0.58%) and gestational infection 1 (0.29%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Independent variables residence, duration of labor, ANC utilization, past obstetrics complication and number of live births were statistically significant with the outcome variable near miss. Maternal health policy needs to be concerned preventing major cause of near miss.</p><strong id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " dir="ltr"><em></em></strong>

No abstract