Objective The main objective of this study was to assess survival status and predictors of mortality among preterm neonates admitted to Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 568 randomly selected neonates. All preterm neonates admitted in NICU from May 9, 2016 to December 30, 2019 were the source population. Data were extracted from medical chart and entered to EpiData version 4.4.2.1 and analyzed by STATA version 14. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable analyses were done in a Cox regression model. Variables with P -value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant in predicting the preterm mortality. Results Out of 568 preterm neonates, 199 (35%) died with an incidence rate of 62.15 (54.09–71.41) deaths per 1000 person-day-observations with median survival time of 15 days. Vaginal mode of delivery (adjusted hazard ratio, AHR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.05–3.08), non-cephalic presentation (AHR:1.8, 95%CI: 1.04–3.06), born from mothers with no ANC follow-up (AHR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.29–3.01), fifth minute APGAR score <7 (AHR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.31–2.68), RDS (AHR: 1.74, 95%CI: 1.28–2.36), did not receive KMC (AHR: 1.45, (95%CI: 1.06–1.98), did not cry immediately after birth (AHR: 2.81, 95%CI: 2.03–3.93)), VLBW (AHR: 2.67, 95%CI: 1.29–5.53), low birth weight (AHR: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.15–4.39), and hypothermia (AHR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1–1.84) were significantly associated with preterm mortality. Conclusion Preterm neonatal mortality was high and the predictors were almost all preventable and treatable. Therefore, emphasis should be given toward prevention and early anticipation, and management of these predictors.

Background The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the primary causative agent of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination against human papillomavirus is more effective against cervical cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes toward the human papillomavirus vaccines among female high-school students. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among female high-school students in Jimma town, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Self-administered interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.5, exported and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21. The Chi-squared (χ2) test was performed to determine the statistical significance between the outcome variable and independent variables. Results A total of 366 students participated in this study with a response rate of 94.8%. Only half (52.7%) and nearly one-third (31.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination, respectively. The predictors that included parents’ educational status (χ2 = 1.479, P = .003), students participating in school mini-media (χ2 = 1.519, P = .036), students who had a smartphone (χ2 = 2.118, P = .008), availability of radio or television (TV) at home (χ2 = 2.163, P = .049), and students who received information from social-media (χ2 = 2.15, P = .025) were significantly associated with knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Conclusion Overall knowledge and attitude toward HPV vaccination were low. All concerned bodies should work jointly to enhance the knowledge and attitudes of female students toward Human Papilloma Virus vaccination.

Aims The timing of the first bath is an important variable in newborn care despite variations from setting to setting. Early first bath can affect the newborn’s temperature, blood sugar levels, bonding with his/her mother, comfort, and security. Thus, timing affects several aspects of newborn care and is still a major concern. However, in Ethiopia, there is insufficient evidence regarding newborn bath timing. Therefore, this study aimed to assess early newborn bath practice and its associated factors in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021. Materials and Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2021 on 388 postpartum women who came for newborn immunization. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data 4.4.2.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for cleaning and analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between explanatory and response variables. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression. Results This study revealed 126 (32.5%) of mothers were practicing early newborn bathing. Vaginal mode of delivery (AOR: 3.84 (95% CI: 1.96–7.52)), poor knowledge about danger signs (AOR: 6.78 (95% CI: 3.77–12.19), poor knowledge about hypothermia (AOR: 0.35 (95% CI: 0.20–0.58) and educational level of women (AOR: 0.33 (95% CI: 0.15–0.73) were variables significantly associated with early newborn bathing practice. Conclusion Early neonatal bathing practice in this study is high and needs priority as it results in neonatal hypothermia and its complications. Therefore, Education for women and their families on delayed bathing of their newborns could begin in antenatal care visit, on admission into the labor and delivery unit and again on the postpartum unit.

Background Due to unsanitary cord care practices, cord infections are more common and prevalent in developing countries. In settings where mortality is low, dry and clean cord care is recommended for newborns delivered in health facilities or at home. Cord care practices would directly contribute to infection in newborns, accounting for a large proportion of millions of annual neonatal deaths. This study aimed to assess the cord care practices of mothers and to identify areas for intervention. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of neonates who gave birth in the last six months. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to include women who visited pediatric OPD and immunization clinics. Epi data version 3.1 was used to enter the data and then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. The association between the outcome and independent variables was examined using binary logistic regression. The strength of the association was measured using odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and p-value. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value <0.05. Results Four hundred twenty-two mothers were participated in the study. More than half (59.2%) of the respondents had good cord care practices, while nearly half (45.3%) mothers added nothing to the cord. Factors significantly associated with good cord care practices were educational status (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.34, 7.59), ANC follow-up (AOR = 3.58; 95% CI = 1.24, 10.32), initiation of breastfeeding (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.77), and apply anything to the cord (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI = 1.92, 4.95). Conclusion The proportion of mothers with good cord care practices was inadequate. For such a high cause of neonatal death, prevention should be the priority intervention, and improving its implementation requires further effort.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the morbidity and mortality patterns of preterm neonates with low birth weight admitted in the Amhara region referral hospitals in Ethiopia.DesignHospital-based retrospective follow-up study.SettingAmhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia.ParticipantsA total of 291 preterm neonates low birth weight that were admitted to referral hospitals in the Amhara region between 1 January 2017 and 30 December 2018 were reviewed. Data were entered into Epi-data V.4.4.2.1 and exported to STATA V.14 for analysis, and variables with a p value of <0.05 at 95% confidence level in multivariable logistic regression model analysis were declared as statistically significant associated factors of mortality.Primary outcomeMorbidity and mortality patterns in preterm low birthweight neonates.ResultsThis study revealed that 37.8% (95% CI 32.4% to 43.5%) of preterm low birthweight neonates died. The most common morbidities found were 219 (75.26%) hypothermia, followed by 201 (69.07%), 145 (49.83%), 39 (13.4%) and 24 (8.25%) with sepsis, respiratory distress, jaundice and congenital anomalies, respectively. Sepsis (AOR: 2.0; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.89), respiratory distress (AOR: 4.6; 95% CI 2.51 to 8.40), hypoglycaemia (AOR 3.91; 95% CI 1.09 to 10.52), APGAR score at fifth minute <7 (AOR 0.39; 95% CI (0.18 to 0.82) and duration of hospital stay below mean (<9.82 days) (AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.33) were associated with mortality.ConclusionThe mortality rate of preterm low birthweight neonates was high, indicating that this is a public health issue. Hypothermia, sepsis, respiratory distress, jaundice and congenital anomalies were the common morbidities. Sepsis, respiratory distress, hypoglycaemia, Apgar score at fifth minute <7 and duration of hospital stay below the mean were independent factors of mortality. However, these need to be further investigated in future research and appropriately addressed using prospective follow-up.