Introduction: Birth asphyxia is defined by the World Health Organization as not initiating and maintaining default breathing at birth. Approximately 24% of neonatal deaths occurred annually worldwide due to birth asphyxia. About 3% of the 120 million neonates born each year acquire asphyxia in third world countries. Long-term survivors may experience cerebral palsy, delay in growth, vision, hearing and intellectual deficiency, epilepsy, difficulties with communication and behavior. Thus, this study aims to determine the risk factors of birth asphyxia among neonates who were delivered at public hospitals of Tigray, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was implemented on 390 samples from January to February 2018. Data were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire and checklist. The collected data were coded and entered using EpiData version 3.1 statistical software and transported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 software for analysis. Cross-tabulation and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were computed. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were done. Multicollinearity was checked. Goodness of fit was checked by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results: A total of 260 controls and 130 cases were enrolled in the study. Multivariable logistic regression showed that Primi-parity [AOR 5.5 (CI: 2.5,12.3)], pre-eclamcia/pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR12.4 (CI: 4.17, 37.15)], post-term pregnancy [AOR 2.73 (CI: 1.00, 7.55)] meconium-stained liquor [AOR 29.2 (CI: 12.0, 71.1)], cord entangled [AOR 5.67 (CI: 1.66,19.3)] and non-vertex presentation [AOR 5.49 (CI: 2.20,13.7)] were found to be risk factors for perinatal birth asphyxia. Conclusion and Recommendations: Intrapartum factors and neonatal factors in the index pregnancy have an association with perinatal birth asphyxia. The research finding suggests effective antenatal care follow-up and follow-up of labor progress using partograph after labor initiation.

Background Neck pain is a major public health problem among sewing machine operators working in textile factories. Even though the textile industries are growing in number in Ethiopia, but there is a dearth of published studies on the prevalence of neck pain. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among sewing machine operators of garment factories in Mekelle city. Method An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among 297 sewing machine operators' working in garment factories in Mekelle city. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Finally, variables with 95% confidence interval (CI): p < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were significantly declared. Results Two hundred ninety-seven sewing machine operators were enrolled, with 98.7% response rates. In this study, the 12-month prevalence rate of neck pain was found to be 42.3% (95% CI: 36.6%–47.9%), and variables like such as break time [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.888, 95% CI: (2.775–12.493)], working hours per day [AOR: 6.495, 95% CI: (2.216–19.038)], static posture [AOR: 4.487, 95% CI (1.640–12.275)], and repetitive activity [AOR: 4.519, 95% CI:(2.057–9.924)] were associated with neck pain. Conclusion In this study, neck pain is a major public health problem. Continuous work without break time, working greater than 8 hours per day, sitting in the same position for greater than 2 hours, and high repetitive activities were found significantly associated with neck pain. Owners and governmental bodies need to focus on developing preventive strategies and safety guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: A peripartum near-miss event occurs when a woman nearly dies, but survives a complication that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. As maternal deaths are rare occurrences, near-miss cases can be used instead to elucidate the events leading to complications and the obstacles that must be overcome to treat complications, hence providing valuable information on obstetric care. This study aimed to assess maternal near miss at Ayder Referral Hospital (ARH). METHODS: Our study was a retrospective chart review of near miss cases seen at ARH between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. WHO near miss criteria was used to select cases. RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 3,899 deliveries, 236 near miss, and 13 maternal deaths at ARH. The leading causes of near miss were hemorrhage (41.9%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (41.1%), sepsis (9.3%), labor abnormality (4.6%), and medical disorders of pregnancy (3.6%). In terms of timing of near miss diagnosis, 37.7% occurred antenatally, 25% intrapartum, 32% postpartum, and 5.1% post abortion. 86% of cases were referred from other health facilities. Majority of the patients (80%) arrived to our hospital in critical condition. Ninety percent of the near miss cases had antenatal care (ANC) at health center. CONCLUSION: Near miss is substantial problem in North Ethiopia. Most referred patients arrived in critical condition, suggesting support and transportation from referring institutions should be improved. Additional research is need to assess the quality ANC given that 90% of the near miss cases had ANC.