Introduction Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices (PP-IUCD) are one type of post-partum family planning method, which can be provided to a post-partum woman starting from the placental delivery time (within 10 minutes), or within the first 48 hours of postpartum period. In most developing countries, delivery time is the primary opportunity for women to access post-partum family planning methods, especially for those living in remote areas. Hence, this study assesses providers’ knowledge on postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device service provision. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Amhara region health center and hospitals. Health providers surveyed included obstetricians, gynecologists, general practitioners, emergency surgical officers, health officers, midwives and nurses from September 18, 2015 to December18, 2016. Simple random sampling was used to select 864 subjects. Data were collected by using a structured self-administered questionnaire and observing the facility. Multilevel analysis was done to see factors associated with outcome. Results A total of 197 health facilities and 864 providers are included in the final analysis. Of the total providers 524 (60.6%) were from a health center. The mean age (±SD) of participants was 27.8 years (±5.4). The number of providers with good knowledge accounted for 253 of those surveyed (29.3%). The proportion of good knowledge among trained PP-IUCD providers was 35.7% (those who scored above average), and 27.9% was untrained about PP-IUCD. A considerable heterogeneity was observed between health facilities for each indicator of provider’s knowledge. Gender differences were observed as the mean knowledge score deference on PP-IUCD by 0.4 points (β = -0.41; -0.72, -0.10) when the participant was female. Having experience of regular counseling of pregnant women increases PP-IUCD knowledge score by 0.97. ( β = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.47). Where the health facility requested clients to purchase the IUCD themselves, the mean knowledge score decreased by 0.47 points compared with free of charge at the facility level (β = -0.47; 95%CI: -0.87, -0.07). Conclusion Our findings showed that providers’ knowledge about postpartum IUCD was low in the Amhara region public health facility. The lowest knowledge score was noted among nurses, health Officers, midwives, and general practice professionals. Factors associated with providers’ knowledge on PP-IUCD are the status of health facility, female sex, training on PP-IUCD, regular counseling of pregnant women, and unavailability of IUCD service.

ObjectiveThe study aims to determine discontinuation among long-acting reversible contraceptive users at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after initiation and its associated factors among new long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) users.DesignA facility-based multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted with a sample size of 1766 women.SettingThe study was conducted in five large cities of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Gondar, Mekelle, Jimma and Harar) between March 2017 and December 2018. Various referral hospitals and health centres that are found in those cities are included in the study.ParticipantsThe study population was all women who were new users of LARCs and initiated LARCs in our selected public health facilities during the enrolment period.InterventionsA pretested structured questionnaire was administered at enrolment and at 6 and 12 months to determine discontinuation proportion and factors associated with discontinuation.ResultFrom the total of 1766 women sampled for the study only 1596 (90.4%) participants completed all the questionnaires including the 12-month follow-up study. The overall proportion of discontinuation of LARCs at 12 months was 21.8% (95% CI 19.8 to 23.9). The overall discontinuation proportions at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 2.94%, 8.53%, 3.94% and 6.36%, respectively. Location of method initiation (adjusted HR (aHR)=5.77; (95% CI 1.16 to 28.69)) and dissatisfaction with the method (aHR=0.09; (95% CI 0.03 to 0.21)) were found to be the predictors of discontinuation among intrauterine contraceptive device users. Being satisfied with the method (aHR=0.21; (95% CI 0.15 to 0.27)), initiation after post abortion (aHR=0.48; (95% CI: 0.26, 0.89)) and joint decision with partner for method initiation (aHR=0.67; (95% CI: 0.50, 0.90)) were inversely associated with implant discontinuation.ConclusionThe majority of LARC users discontinue the method in the first 6 months after insertion and dissatisfaction with the method increased the likelihood of removal during the first year of LARC use.

BACKGROUND፡ Operative vaginal delivery refers to the use of measures to accomplish vaginal delivery through the use of instruments, mainly obstetric forceps and vacuum cups. In developed countries, the rate of cesarean section is increasing for fear of vaginal delivery complications, including instrumental delivery. This study was done to explore trends of operative vaginal deliveries and their characteristicsMETHODS: A cross-sectional, facility-based retrospective study was conducted over a period of five years July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2016, using data collected from the labor ward logbook, patient charts. Data were coded, entered, using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe and analyze the data into graphs and tables. RESULTS: The rates of operative vaginal delivery and cesarean section over the five-year study period were 11.9% and 30.4%, respectively. The trend in the operative vaginal delivery rate declined from 15.8% in July 2011 to 9.9% in June 2016, while it shows a noticeable rise in cesarean section rate 25.4% to 33.8%. The trend in the use of vacuum has shown a sharp decrease from 58% in the 1st year to 10.5% in the fifth year of the study period. There is a rise in the use of forceps from 42% of all operative vaginal delivery in the first year to 89.5% in the fifth yearCONCLUSION: This study shows that the rate of operative vaginal delivery has declined. The use of vacuum-assisted delivery has especially decreased compared to that of forceps-assisted delivery.