IntroductionAntenatal care (ANC), health facility birth and postnatal care services are proved to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, even though antenatal care coverage is good, still home birth is high. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of home birth among women who were booked for ANC in public hospitals in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia.MethodsA cohort study was conducted from February to May 2017 among 554 third trimester pregnant mothers who visited public hospitals of Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia for ANC service. All women were interviewed twice: the first interview was done face-to-face in the health facility in which they were having ANC follow up to gather information about basic socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics; the second interview was done via telephone after they gave birth to get information about the place of birth. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used for data entry and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 68 (13.5%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 10.5%-16.6%) women who were booked for ANC gave birth at home. Being uneducated (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI: [1.10–5.10]), starting ANC visit late (>16weeks) (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: [1.14–4.50]), time taken to reach at health facility for ANC service (>30minutes) (AOR = 8.94, 95% CI: [4.50–17.72]), waiting time of greater than 30 minutes for ANC in health facilities (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: [1.06–2.30]) and lack of knowledge about danger signs of pregnancy (AOR = 4.18, 95%CI: [1.80–9.70]) were significantly associated with home birth.ConclusionsHome birth among ANC booked women is low compared to other studies. Yet, giving attention to women with no education and those coming from far areas while providing advice on birth preparedness and pregnancy danger signs may be useful to further reduce the rate of home birth. Advising mothers to start ANC early and trying to reduce ANC waiting time could also be of importance.

Background: Prepregnancy health care is vital to alleviate and prevent maternal and neonatal disability and death. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to measure the levels of knowledge and attitude on preconception care and their determinants among women who delivered at government hospitals in a rural setting in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross sectional study was done from January 01 to February 30, 2017 on a sample of 370 women who delivered at government hospitals in Wolayita zone. The mothers were selected using systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using structured and pretested interviewer administered questionnaires at the postnatal ward of each hospital. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable techniques. Results: The result showed that 53% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.8%, 58.1%) of mothers who delivered at public hospitals had adequate level of knowledge on preconception care, whereas 54.3% (95% CI: 49.2%, 59.5%) possessed positive attitude to preconception care. Mothers who have radio, planned pregnancy and have participated in community meetings related to preconception care had a meaningfully higher odds of good level of knowledge to preconception care. Ordinal regression showed that women who own mobile phone had at least three times significantly higher odds of positive attitude to preconception care, whereas women who have participated community meetings had lower odds of positive attitude on preconception care. Conclusions: The results revealed that the levels of mothers’ knowledge and positive attitude on preconception care are low relative to other studies. Using transistor radio and mobile phone have significant effect in improving the knowledge and attitude of reproductive age women on preconception care. Hence, providing community health education based on radio and/or mobile phone messaging could be useful in positively influencing the knowledge and attitude of women on preconception care.

Introduction: Preconception care is vital for reducing and preventing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the levels and correlates of knowledge and attitude of preconception care among mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Wolayita zone, South Ethiopia. Methodology:A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted from January 01-February 30, 2017 on a sample of 370 mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Wolayita zone. The mothers were selected using systematic random sampling and interviewed using pretested structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable techniques. Results:In this study 53% (95%CI: 47.8, 58.1) of mothers who gave birth at public hospitals had a good level of knowledge on preconception care, whereas 54.3% (95%CI: 49.2, 59.5) possessed positive attitude on preconception care. Women who have radio, planned pregnancy, and have participated in community meetings related to preconception care had significantly associated with good level of knowledge on preconception care. Ordinal regression showed that women have mobile phone had significantly higher odds of positive attitude on preconception care, whereas women have participated community meetings were decreased attitude on preconception care. Conclusion:The finding of this study showed that level of women's knowledge and positive attitude towards preconception care is low compared to other studies. The hospitals shall be strengthened and supported community meeting. It would be beneficial if the local, regional and national health authorities work towards improving the knowledge and attitude of mothers towards preconception care as well as routine provision of preconception care within the mainstream health care system.

Background: Painful menstruation, known as dysmenorrhea, is a common gynecologic incident that affects mainly reproductive-age females with significant social, academic, and psychological negative impacts. Young females are one of the productive age who become future leaders and hope for the country as well as the community. Any problem which affects this age group will have a tremendous economic and psychological burden on the country and community. This study aims to assess the prevalence, associated risk factors of dysmenorrhea, pain intensity, and its effects on academic activities among Hawassa university students from April 1–30/2021Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among Hawassa University students. Standardized self-administered questionnaires were used to get 348 individuals selected by systematic random sampling technique. A verbal multidimensional scoring system and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) tools were used to the assessment of dysmenorrhea and the extent of pain severity. Data entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Pearson chi-square test was used to check the presence of an association between independent and outcome variables. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used for further assessment of the strength. The significance level was obtained using an odds ratio of 95%and CI a with p-value < 0. 05.Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 80% (277). Of these,39.7 % (110) have reported that daily activity was affected; analgesics were required and gave sufficient relief, and 12.6% (35) reported that analgesia has no effect and their daily activities are inhibited. It hurt academic activities such as loss of class concentration, study time, sleep disturbances, personal relationships, and absenteeism. Factors associated are being sexually active, family history of dysmenorrhea, and presence of depression Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is prevalent in this study and has a significant impact on academic activities. Family history of dysmenorrhea, being sexually active, and presence of depression are associated factors.