Background. Early booking of antenatal care (ANC) is regarded as a cornerstone of maternal and neonatal health care. However, existing evidence from developing countries indicate that lots of pregnant woman begin ANC booking lately. Objective. It was aimed to assess timing of ANC booking and associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC clinic at University of Gondar Hospital, 2013. Methods. An institution based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data with a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify associated factors for early ANC visit using SPSS version 20. Results. From total women (N = 369) interviewed, 47.4% were timely booked. Mothers with younger age (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.89, 10.53), formal education (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03, −7.61), previous early ANC visit (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 2.23, 9.86), and perceived ANC visit per pregnancy of four and greater were significantly associated with early ANC visit. Conclusions. Although late booking is a problem in this study, previous early utilization of ANC visit favors current timely booking. This indicates that the importance of early booking was appropriately addressed from previous visits. Counseling of timely booking during ANC visit should be strengthened. Moreover, empowering through education is also recommended.

Background. Although blood ordering is a common practice in surgical field, the average requirement for a particular procedure is usually based on subjective anticipation of blood loss rather than on evidence based estimates. Overordering with minimal utilization squanders technical time, reagent and imposes extra expenses on patients. This study was conducted to assess blood utilization practices. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar Hospital. Five-month data were collected from all discharged surgical patients and blood bank registries. Blood utilization was calculated using crossmatch to transfusion ratio (C/T), transfusion probability (%T), and transfusion index (TI) indices. Results. A total of 982 patients were requested to prepare 1,072 crossmatched units. Of these, 468 units were transfused for 286 patients. The overall ratios of C/T, %T, and TI index were 2.3, 47%, and 0.77, respectively. Blood transfusion from the units crossmatched was 43.6%. Moreover, the highest C/T ratio was observed in elective surgical patients. Conclusions. The overall blood utilization was encouraging, but excessive crossmatching with minimal transfusion practice was observed in elective surgical patients. Blood ordering pattern for elective procedures needs to be revised and overordering of blood should be minimized. Moreover, the hospital with blood transfusion committee should formulate maximum surgical blood ordering policies for elective surgical procedures and conduct regular auditing.

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Background: Pain management is one part of management in the postoperative period. The prevalence of moderate to severe postoperative pain and its functional interference is high in Ethiopian patients. In this study we aimed (1) to assess nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding post-operative pain management; (2) to identify the factors of nurses' knowledge and attitudes. Method: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted. All nurses working in Amhara region referral hospitals were involved in the study. The Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP) was used to measure the nurses' pain management knowledge and attitudes. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitude. Results: A total of 433 nurses were included. Of the total respondents, 90.6% of them had a bachelor's degree with work experience of between 1 to 5 years (58.5%). Only 76 (19.2%) participants got access to read journals and 66 (16.7%) had taken training regarding postoperative pain management. The results showed that 56.5% [95% CI= (51.6-61.3)] respondents had adequate knowledge and 8.9% [95% CI= (6.1-11.6)] of them had positive attitudes towards POP management. Higher level of education [AOR=8.2; CI= (2.51-26.83)], getting access to read journals [AOR =1.83; CI= (1.01-3.30)], and taking POP management training [AOR=8.63; CI= (3.67-20.28)] were statistically associated with adequate knowledge. Similarly, positive attitude towards postoperative pain management was associated with taking POP management training, available of pain management course in the curriculum, and getting access to read. Conclusion: Although more than half of nurses in the study area had adequate knowledge towards POP management, only a small number had a positive attitude. Taking POP management training and getting access to read journals were significantly associated with good knowledge and attitude towards POP management; therefore, regular in-service training and getting accessing reading materials (such as journals or articles) are recommended to enhance quality service to patients.

Background: Hypothermia (i.e., temperature <36°C) is a common incident in the immediate postoperative period. However, it is usually diagnosed and treated infrequently. Maintaining normal body temperature will reduce hospital stay, surgical site infection, postoperative blood transfusions, pressure ulcers, subjective discomfort and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify magnitude and factors associated with postoperative hypothermia. Methods:Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted at University of Gondar Hospital. All consecutive postoperative (N= 384) patients that underwent scheduled or emergency surgery were included. Tympanic membrane temperature was measured before surgery and on arrival at recovery room via clinical nurses. Analysis was done using version 20 SPSS and binary logistic regression was utilized to identify associated factors.Result: The incidence of postoperative hypothermia at Recovery Room was 30.72%. Of these, 30 (27.96%) and 43 (34.44%) were mild and moderate respectively, with no severe hypothermia. Surgical patient operated under general anesthesia was more likely to develop postoperative hypothermia than spinal anesthesia (AOR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.17; 3.24). Additionally, those with higher ASA physical status were at higher risk of postoperative hypothermia (AOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.16; 3.44). Temperature was not routinely taken by health care providers in the preoperative and intraoperative period. Conclusion and recommendation:Incidence of postoperative hypothermia at Recovery Room was high. Patient with high ASA physical status and operated under general anesthesia were significant factors for the development of postoperative hypothermia. Anesthesia providers along with perioperative surgical team should participate to reduce the occurrence of postoperative hypothermia with early prediction and diagnosis, especially in high risk groups.