Self-care practices during pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant mothers who attended and underwent follow-up at public health facilities in Jimma Town, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2023

Background:Self-care practice is the activity that a hypertensive patient undertakes intending to improve their health. Poor self-care practice leads to uncontrolled hypertension. Therefore, strategies designed to prevent and control hypertension-related death, disability, and morbidity should consider the level of the patient’s self-care practice and risk factors. This study assessed self-care practice and associated factors among hypertensive patients in public health facilities of Harar Town in eastern Ethiopia.Method:An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 randomly selected hypertensive patients from 25 March 2019 to 16 April 2019. Pretested structured questionnaires adapted from validated tools were used to collect data from participants using electronic Open Data Kit software through face-to-face exit interview. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 24. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with self-care practice. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to report association and the significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.Results:Level of good self-care practice was 29.9% (95% confidence interval: 25.3% and 34.7%). Age ⩾ 60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 and 9.3), formal education (adjusted odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.3 and 4.2), absence of comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 and 3.1), adequate knowledge about hypertension (adjusted odds ratio = 4.7, 95% confidence interval: 2.5 and 8.8), good social support (adjusted odds ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.6 and 4.7), and being khat abstainer (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 and 3.5) were significantly associated with good self-care practice.Conclusion:The prevalence of good self-care practice was low. In this study, good self-care practice was significantly associated with age, formal education, comorbidities, knowledge about hypertension, social support, and current khat chewing condition. Regular check-up and follow-up of patients’ compliance with self-management protocol, and more emphasis should be given to identify factors that potentially impeding patients’ adherence to hypertension self-management protocol.

Background:Perinatal death, which includes stillbirth and early neonatal death, represents a profoundly distressing experience for mothers, particularly in low-resource environments where formal bereavement support is frequently inadequate. Despite the significant occurrence of perinatal loss in southwest Ethiopia, there is a lack of evidence regarding maternal coping mechanisms and the factors that influence them.Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies of perinatally bereaved mothers in public health facilities in Southwest Ethiopia, 2025.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study based in facilities was carried out from January to June 2025, involving 417 mothers with a history of perinatal death who were receiving maternal health services at public health facilities in Ilubabor and Buno Bedele Zones. Data collection was performed via the culturally adapted Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory through face-to-face interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the predictors of coping strategies via statistical software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24 version) with a 95% confidence interval and a p < 0.05.Results:The prevalence of positive coping strategies among participants was 55.4% (95% confidence interval: 50.6%–60.2%). Significant factors of positive coping included sufficient social support (adjusted odds ratio = 4.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.91–8.81), maternal education at the secondary level or higher (adjusted odds ratio = 2.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.12–5.21), attendance at antenatal care (adjusted odds ratio = 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.05–5.33), high levels of religious involvement (adjusted odds ratio = 2.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–4.72), and access to bereavement counselling (adjusted odds ratio = 3.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.38–7.39). Negative coping strategies are often associated with stigma, low educational attainment, and inadequate access to healthcare.Conclusion:More than 44% of mothers resorted to negative coping strategies, highlighting a significant deficiency in bereavement support. Improving social, educational, and health system interventions—especially by incorporating bereavement counselling into public maternal health services—has the potential to enhance maternal mental health outcomes.

Background: Glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of blindness in South Africa. Early detection, effective treatment and strict compliance with treatment are instrumental to prevent further damage to the optic nerve and thus preserve vision.Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and self-care practices of patients with glaucoma in KwaZulu-Natal.Setting: The study was conducted in the ophthalmology outpatient department of a public hospital and a private ophthalmology practice in the uThungulu district.Methods: This was an observational, analytic, cross-sectional study. Structured questionnaires assessing knowledge, attitudes and self-care practices were administered to patients presenting for follow-up glaucoma management.Results: The median age of the 384 patients in this study was 60 (interquartile range [IQR] 48.5–69.5) and 59 years (IQR 49.0–66.5) for males and females, respectively (p &gt; 0.05). Two hundred and thirty-eight (62.0%) patients had good knowledge of glaucoma. Age, gender and duration of glaucoma diagnosis were significantly associated with good knowledge of glaucoma. Three hundred and forty-four (89.6%) patients reported having good self-care practices. Patients over the age of 65 years were significantly less likely to have good self-care practices compared to patients aged 26–45 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.2, confidence interval [CI]: 0.1–0.6, p = 0.01). Good knowledge of glaucoma was significantly associated with good self-care practices of glaucoma (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Elderly patients do not have sufficient knowledge of glaucoma and have poor self-care glaucoma practices. It is important to involve family members of these patients in the education and counselling of glaucoma to facilitate improved disease management.

Tanzania has shown some improvements in the adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) systems in public health facilities; however, the rate of utilization of data generated from EMRs among health managers is not well documented. This study aims to assess the use of electronic medical record systems data in decision-making among health managers at public primary health facilities in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania. A facility-based quantitative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 308 randomly selected health managers. A self-administered questionnaire supplemented with documentary review was used. Descriptive summary statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses (crude and adjusted odds ratios) were used. A P-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistically significant associations. Overall, more than a third (40.6%) of the health managers, that is 174 of the 308 included in the study, reported using data generated by EMR systems in decision-making. One-third (33.4%) of the health managers were adequately using data generated by EMR systems, of which 39.3% used data to support continuous quality improvement initiatives. Among the facilities visited, only nine (30%) had good documented EMR systems data use. Access to computers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65, 13.48, p-value (p) = 0.004] and discussions on EMRs during meetings (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.01, 7.58, p = 0.047) were independent predictors of EMR system data use. Those who reported having EMR systems in all working areas were seven times more likely to use EMR system data (AOR = 7.23, 95% CI: 3.15, 16.59, p = 0.001). The respondents with good perceived EMR system information quality were more likely to use EMR system data (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.39, p = 0.001) than those with poor perception. Furthermore, health managers who had excellent knowledge of computers and data use had higher odds of using EMR system data (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 3.38, 10.13, p = 0.001) compared with their counterparts. The findings of this study indicate that utilization of EMR system data in decision-making among health managers was optimal. It was found that training in itself is insufficient to improve use of EMR, which points to more organizational aspects of work routine as a challenge. Hence, a comprehensive approach that addresses these factors is essential for maximizing EMR system data use in decision-making.

BackgroundDiabetes is a huge growing problem, and causes high and escalating costs to society. Self- care practice for adults with diabetes is not well addressed in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. To prevent serious morbidity and mortality, diabetes treatment requires a commitment to demanding self-care practice. This study aimed to assess self- care practices and its associated factors among adults with diabetes in Dire Dawa public hospitals of Eastern, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 adults with diabetes. The study participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected from February 1st to March 1st, 2018. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression with crude and adjusted odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval was computed and interpreted accordingly. Good self-care was defined based on mean calculation; a result above the mean value had a good self-care practice, and a P-value of < 0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant.ResultThe result of the study showed that 55.9%, (95% CI: 51.4, 60.3) of participants had good self-care practices. Good self-care practice was associated with having family support, treatment satisfaction, diabetes education, having glucometer, higher educational status, duration of the disease, high economic status, and having good knowledge. Self-care practice was significantly associated with good diabetes knowledge (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.35), family support system (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI:1.56, 4.62), treatment satisfaction (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.18, 3.62), diabetes education (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.63), high economic status (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.48), having glucometer,(AOR = 2.69, 95% CI:1.57, 4.63),higher educational status (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.31, 5.49), and duration of disease greater than 10 years AOR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.26).ConclusionIn this study, a large number of adults had poor self-care practices which are very significant in controlling diabetes. Providing diabetes education, about self-care practices to the respondents and their families should be considerable.

Introduction Introduction: Pregnancy-related anxiety has negatively affected maternal, fetal, neonatal, and child health. It increases the risk of maternal antenatal depression, preeclampsia/eclampsia, prolonged labor, preterm birth, low birth weight, and unplanned cesarean section. Globally, it is one of the most public mental health problems among pregnant mothers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of pregnancy-related anxiety and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at Gondar city public health facilities, northwest Ethiopia. Methods Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Gondar city, at 8 public health facilities, northwest Ethiopia, on February 15-30, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select pregnant mothers to participate in this study. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data were entered with Epi-data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 25. Both bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify significantly associated variables with pregnancy-related anxiety. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤0.05 was used to claim statistical association Results Result: About 416 respondents out of 422 pregnant women were interviewed making a response rate of 98.6 %. The prevalence and determinants of pregnancy-related anxiety was found to be 33.7% (95% CI [29.3, 38.5%]). Gestational age ≤28 weeks (AOR=2.27, 95% CI: [1.46, 3.55], P=0.000), Primgravida (AOR=1.70, 95% CI: [1.03, 2.81], p=0.04), and had a history of mental illness (AOR=3.13, 95% CI [1.10, 8.91] ,P=0.03) was significantly associated with pregnancy-related anxiety. Conclusions Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of pregnancy-related anxiety was high. The healthcare providers who work in the ANC outpatient department need mental health screening in their routine ANC services, giving interventions to pregnant mothers who had a history of early pregnancy and mothers with prim gravida.

Objectives:The main aim of this study was to assess health care providers’ attitudes toward safe abortion services and its associated factors in public health facilities of Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods:Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 411 health care providers who were working at public health facilities in Harari regional state, in eastern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, and collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 26 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were carried out to compute the prevalence of the outcome variables and to identify factors associated with the outcome variable, respectively. Adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was used to declare a significant association.Results:More than half (58.4%, 95% confidence interval: 53.8–63.2) of the health care providers had a favorable attitude toward safe abortion care. Being male (adjusted odds ratio = 2.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.80–4.65), ever trained on safe abortion (adjusted odds ratio = 2.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.39–4.66), familiarity with the current abortion law of Ethiopia (adjusted odds ratio = 2.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.40–4.05), preference of unrestricted abortion law (adjusted odds ratio = 1.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.15–3.02), and being medical doctors or health officers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–3.41) were the factors significantly associated with health care providers’ favorable attitude toward safe abortion care.Conclusion:Approximately three in five of the health care providers working at public health facilities had a favorable attitude toward safe abortion care in eastern Ethiopia. We suggest giving pre-service or in-service training on safe abortion care and supporting health care providers to be familiar with the country’s abortion laws are crucial to improve health care providers’ attitudes toward safe abortion service in Ethiopia.

ABSTRACTBackground:Mothers who attend antenatal care (ANC) late miss the opportunity to receive health information, early interventions, and timely referrals, which leads to problems complicating pregnancy and contributes to maternal mortality.Objective:This study was conducted to assess early initiation of ANC visit and its associated factors in public health facilities at Ambo town administration, Oromiya regional state, Central Ethiopia, 2018.Methods:A total sample of 344 pregnant women who attended their first natal care visit were chosen using a systematic random selection procedure for facility-based cross-sectional research. Data were entered into EpiData Version 3.1. “The EpiData Association” Odense, Denmark (In Danish: EpiData foreningen) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 21 - International Business Machines Corporation, (Armonk, New York). Descriptive statistics were applied to describe the magnitude of the variable, and binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with the early initiation of ANC visits. Statistically significant association was declared at a 95% confidence interval and P value (<0.05).Results:The study revealed that only 30.5% of the study respondents started their first ANC timely. Initiation of early ANC booking was affected by factors like having good knowledge of ANC follow-up (Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.78), primigravida (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.20,5.32), planned pregnancy (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.05, 7.81), partners whose occupation were merchant (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.15, 10.46), know the available service on ANC service (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.88), and having advice from health professionals (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.89); all these factors had shown significant association with timing of first ANC.Conclusion:Early initiation of first ANC was relatively low in the study area. Planned pregnancy, number of pregnancies, knowledge of ANC follow-up, partner’s occupation, knowing the available service on ANC service, and having advice from health professionals were factors associated with it. To improve the situation, it is important to provide continuous public health education on the importance of early initiation of ANC at public health facilities.

BackgroundHypertension self-care practice is essential for blood pressure control and reduction of hypertension complications. Nevertheless, we know little concerning hypertension self-care practice in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to assess hypertension self-care practice and associated factors among patients in public health facilities in Dessie town, Ethiopia.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 309 hypertensive patients (mean age 58.8 years, 53.4% women) completed the interviewer-administered questionnaire in Amharic language. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 22.ResultThe mean score for hypertension self-care was 37.7 ± 8.2 and 51% scored below the mean. Divorced participants (AOR = 0.115, 95% CI = 0.026, 0.508, p-value < 0.01) and those who lack source of information (AOR = 0.084, 95% CI = 0.022, 0.322, p-value < 0.01) were less likely to have good self-care practice. But, participants who had convenient place for exercise (AOR = 2.968, 95% CI = 1.826, 4.825, p-value < 0.01), who had good social support (AOR = 2.204, 95% CI = 1.272, 3.821, p-value < 0.01), who had traditional clergy-based teaching (AOR = 2.209, 95% CI = 1.064, 4.584, p-value < 0.05), and who had good self-care agency (AOR = 1.222, 2.956, p-value < 0.05) were more likely to have good self-care practice.ConclusionMost of the study participants reported poor self-care practices. Factors associated with hypertension self-care practice are marital status, education, source of self-care information, place for exercise, social support, and self-care agency. Targeted interventions are needed to improve hypertension self-care practice.

Determinants of repeated pregnancy among HIV-positive women on anti retroviral treatments at the public health facilities, in Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia: Unmatched case-control study

PurposeSelf-care practices in diabetes patients are crucial to keep the illness under managed and prevent complications. Despite this, relatively little information is available regarding the level of self-care practice and associated factors among individuals with diabetes mellitus in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess self-care practice and its associated factors among individuals with diabetes mellitus in Deber Berhan referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.Patients and MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 diabetes mellitus patients from May 1 to June 30, 2020. The data were collected using a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-data manager version 4.4.1.0 and finally exported into SPSS-24 software for analysis. To identify the predictor of self-care practice, binary logistic regression analysis was done. The result of the analysis was presented in a crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. All tests were two-sided, and P ˂ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAbout 181 (44.7%) of participants had good self-care practice. On a multivariate logistic regression analysis, educational status of the participants (with no formal education (AOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03–0.42), can read and write (AOR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.07–0.75), and secondary school (AOR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.88)), type 1 DM (AOR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.09–0.79), family history of DM (AOR=3.71, 95% CI: 1.37–10.07), and treatment satisfaction (AOR=4.41, 95% CI: 1.52–8.59) were significantly associated with self-care practice.ConclusionMore than half of the respondents had poor self-care practices. Educational status, types of DM, family history of DM, and treatment satisfaction were the predictors of self-care practices among individuals with DM.

ObjectivesThe study assessed the level of self-care practice and its predictors among hypertensive patients in the health centers of Bole Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA multi-Center-based cross-sectional study that employed 370 hypertensive participants at the conveniently selected Health Centers in Bole Sub-City; from August 01–30, 2020. The researchers selected the participants based on a simple random sampling method after applying for a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and secured for informed consent. All the statistical analyses were SPSS 22.0 software based. The authors used binary logistics regression to identify the presence and strength of association; with its respective 95%CI and p-value less than five percent as a significant level.ResultsThe overall level of good self-care practice among hypertensive patients was 53.0% (95% CI: 47.2–58.8%) whereas 61.4%, 63.8%, 92.7%, 82.7%, and 18% of the study participants were adherent to medication, good weight management, non-smokers, alcohol abstainers and physical activity consecutively. Being illiterate had 2.347 and 2.084 times higher odds of having had good self-care practice compared to secondary school and a diploma or above consecutively. Being a merchant, civil, and retired were associated with good self-care practice than being unemployed.Conclusion and recommendationThe study reported a lower level of self-care practice in the study settings. Educational level and occupation were factors identified for self-care practice. The authors recommended policymakers, healthcare workers, and researchers work on the identified factors of self-care practice of hypertensive participants in the study settings.

Background: A long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method is a birth control method, which provides effective contraception for an extended period of time without requiring user action. The most common methods of these contraceptives are non-hormonal copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) and implantable contraceptive which are safe, effective, convenient and less expensive for the users. Ethiopia is one of the Sub-Saharan African countries with highest maternal mortality rate with 673 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. The prevalence of family planning in Ethiopia among married women is 29% of these 2% and 3.4% are using IUCD and implant, respectively. There are many factors related to the use of long-acting methods. Despite this, the use of long acting reversible contraceptives is still low in Africa, especially Ethiopia. There is no study that documented use of long acting reversible contraceptive and its predictors in the study area. This study was carried out to fill the gap in information about the practice of long-acting contraceptives use in Jimma Town. Moreover, the study will help the policy makers to design appropriate strategies for encouraging greater use of long-acting contraceptives thereby ensuring further declines in fertility and better reproductive health of couples. Objective: This study was to assess predictors of long acting reversible contraceptives use among married women visiting health facilities in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was employed from February to March 2012among married women visiting public health facilities in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 422 married women were selected using systematic sampling methods. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire and focus group discussion guides, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to isolate an independent effect of predictors. Results: A total of 418 married women were interviewed giving a response rate of 99.1%. The overall prevalence of long acting reversible contraception use was 16%.Out of 39.8% who intended to use long acting reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), 82.1% preferred to use implant while 17.9% preferred. The main reasons mentioned by the majority of married women for not using LARCs were: rumor (48.1%), husband’s opposition (47.6%), fear of side effects (36.80%), and religious prohibition (34.80%). On multivariable logistic regression analyses, couples discussion, husband’s attitude/ feeling about long acting contraceptives, provider’s discussion with client, myths and beliefs (misconception) and religious prohibition were significant independent predictors of long acting reversible contraceptives use. Conclusions: There is low utilization of LARCs in the study area. The results imply the need for designing appropriate behavior change communication about family planning, especially about LARCs using Health Extension Workers and women’s development army to encourage informed choice and use of long acting reversible contraceptives as a method mix.

Comparison of incidence of catastrophic health expenditure among tuberculosis patients in public and private health facilities in Kaduna State, North-Western Nigeria, 2016

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with adverse patient outcomes. However, data on the prevalence of anemia in CKD patients is sparse, particularly in resource-limited settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and its predictors among patients with CKD admitted to the Jimma medical center, southwest Ethiopia. A hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1 to November 30, 2020. All adult patients with CKD aged ≥18 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited into the study. Data were entered into the Epi data manager version 4.4.1 and then exported to SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) for analysis. The predictors of anemia were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. A total of 150 patients were included in this study. Of these, 64.67% were male, 56.67% had stage 5 CKD, 78% had a CKD duration of less than 1 year, and 74% had proteinuria. Hypertension (40.7%) and diabetes (14.7%) were the common causes of CKD. The prevalence of anemia was 85.33%. Of the patients, 28.67%, 40.67%, and 16% had mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. On multivariate logistic regression, stage 4 CKD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.2, confidence interval [CI]: 1.78-12.91, P = .025), stage 5 CKD (AOR 4.03, CI: 1.17-13.73, P = .016), and CKD duration of less than 1 year (AOR 3, CI: 1.19-9.11, P = .007) were significantly associated with anemia. The prevalence of anemia among stage 3 to 5 CKD patients was very high. Anemia was significantly associated with the severity and duration of CKD. Therefore, serial follow-up of patients with a long duration and advanced stages of CKD may help prevent anemia and its adverse consequences.