To assess the association between the maternal continuum of healthcare and child immunisation in East Africa using propensity score matching (PSM).
Cross-sectional study using Demographic and Health Survey data.
This study was conducted in East African countries.
This study included a weighted sample of 13 488 women with children aged 12–23 months.
Child immunisation was the outcome variable of this study.
The PSM estimates indicate that the average treatment effect on the treated for complete child immunisation was 0.0583, meaning that children of mothers who received a complete maternal continuum of care had a 5.83% higher probability of being fully immunised compared with children of mothers with incomplete care. Expressed relative to the treated group’s mean, this corresponds to a 7.48% increase. Additionally, our results indicated that the population average treatment effect was 0.0629. This means that, on average, a complete continuum of maternal healthcare increases the probability of full child immunisation by approximately 6.29% across the entire population.
The study highlights that children whose mothers receive comprehensive maternal healthcare are more likely to complete their childhood immunisations. This finding underscores the need to integrate immunisation services into maternal healthcare programmes to enhance vaccination coverage and promote better child health. To maximise this connection, improving access to maternal healthcare, especially in underserved regions, is crucial, along with ensuring that immunisation is a regular part of maternal care.
To assess how preoperative anaemia affects surgical outcomes in elderly patients within a resource-limited setting.
Prospective cohort study.
Two comprehensive specialised hospitals in Ethiopia.
Participants consisted of 224 patients aged 65 years and older who underwent surgery between 1 December 2024 and 29 March 2025.
Perioperative blood transfusions were the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) admission, risk of postoperative complications, prolonged hospitalisation, poor recovery quality and in-hospital mortality.
The anaemic group required transfusions of three or more units more frequently than the non-anaemic group (10.5% vs 2.6%; absolute risk difference 8.0%). Their perioperative transfusion rates were significantly higher (42.3% vs 18.4%; p
Preoperative anaemia significantly increases the risk of transfusion, poor recovery, ICU admission, prolonged hospitalisation and in-hospital mortality in older patients who underwent surgery. In resource-limited settings, improving perioperative outcomes should prioritise the early detection and treatment of anaemia.
Assess the magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes and associated factors among mothers who had operative vaginal delivery in Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, 2024.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 November 2024 to 20 February 2025.
Seven comprehensive specialised hospitals were included in the study.
The study was employed on 389 mothers who had operative vaginal delivery.
Systematic sampling was used. Data were collected via questionnaires, chart reviews and observation. Data were entered into Epi Data V.4.6 and analysed using V.25 statistical package of social sciences. Variables with p
Adverse pregnancy outcomes of operative vaginal delivery.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes of operative vaginal delivery were 42.2%. Among them, 46 (11.8%) had only maternal complications, 55 (14.1%) had only neonatal complications and 63 (16.2%) had both maternal and neonatal complications. Perineal tear 29 (7.5%) and episiotomy extension 31 (8%) were the most common maternal complications, while caput succedaneum 45 (11.6%) was the most neonatal complication. The most common indication of operative vaginal delivery was prolonged second stage 203 (52.2%). Vacuum-assisted delivery (AOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.96), two tractions (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.23 to 3.90), birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR 1.85; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.83) and mid fetal station (AOR 2.9; 95% CI 1.49 to 5.64) were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes following operative vaginal delivery were high. Type of instrumental vaginal delivery, number of tractions, fetal birth weight and fetal station were significantly increased risks. Therefore, operators should minimise traction attempts during operative vaginal delivery to reduce adverse outcomes.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of one or more pelvic organs through the vaginal canal, including the vagina, uterus, rectum, bladder, cervix, posthysterectomy vaginal cuff, and small or large bowel, which compromises a woman’s physical, mental and social well-being.
This study aimed to explore how women with POP experience their living and its impact on their quality of life (QoL).
This was a qualitative study using interpretive phenomenological analysis, following in-depth structured interviews. Analysis was undertaken to identify superordinate themes relating to how women are living with POP.
3 public hospitals and 3 woredas in Gurage zone, Central Regional State, Ethiopia.
A purposive sample of 12 women who were diagnosed with POP was recruited.
Five core themes with subthemes were identified; general health judgement, POP symptom, life situation related to POP, feeling about POP and limitation in daily life/activity. The majority of respondents expressed concern that the prolapse had negatively impacted their general health and voiced hope that pelvic floor reconstruction would improve their general well-being. The majority of the informants stated that disclosing to others might significantly lower their QoL and that having the condition was extremely embarrassing. The women were most affected by the actual physical symptoms of prolapse (bulge, back pain, heaviness, bowel problems, urinary incontinence) as well as by the impact prolapse has on their sexual function.
Women with POP should be offered psychosocial support, early care and counselling because they have physical, personal, emotional, social and sleep/energy problems. Healthcare providers should take the initiative in educating women regarding prolapse and to make them aware that it is a treatable condition which can improve their QoL.
To assess the incidence of delirium and its predictors among adult patients admitted to the intensive care units of comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia from 18 October 2024 to 20 February 2025.
A multicentre prospective observational study was conducted.
Four comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Amhara region of northwest Ethiopia, from 18 October 2024 to 20 February 2025.
A total of 351 patients were included in the final analysis during the study period.
The primary outcome measure of this study was the incidence of delirium. Additionally, the study investigated the factors associated with delirium incidence among adult patients admitted to intensive care units.
The incidence of delirium among adult patients in intensive care units was 42.17% (95% CI: 37.08 to 47.42). Pain (adjusted HR (AHR) = 4.74; 95% CI: 2.38 to 9.44), mechanical ventilation (AHR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.56 to 5.63), age 65 years or older (AHR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.48 to 3.21) and agitation (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) ≥1) (AHR = 3.26; 95% CI: 2.09 to 5.09) were statistically significant factors associated with delirium.
In the present study, more than one-third of patients developed delirium. Pain, mechanical ventilation, age 65 or older and agitation (RASS≥1) were significantly associated with delirium occurrence. To reduce the incidence of delirium, the current study recommends treating or preventing pain and agitation. Additionally, special attention should be given to patients receiving mechanical ventilation and those aged 65 or older during care.
This study aimed to assess high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (HPV 16/18) and its determinants among women in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study.
The study was conducted among 337 women screened for cervical cancer in two hospitals in East Gojjam Zone from February to April 2021 gregoriean calander.
The prevalence of HPV infection was 14.2% (95% CI: 10.7% to 18.1%). The mean age of the respondents was 36.7±9.1 years. Women in the age group of 55–65 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=7.91, 95% CI: 1.95 to 32.09), early initiation of sexual intercourse (AOR=5.36, 95% CI: 1.58 to 18.13), history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.27 to 9.72), HIV positive status (AOR=6.8, 95% CI: 1.99 to 23.54) and number of lifetime sexual partners (AOR=4.37, 95% CI: 1.15 to 17.3) were important independent factors associated with the presence of oncogenic HPV infection.
We found a relatively low prevalence of high-risk HPV infection. Age, early initiation of sexual intercourse at less than 18 years, history of STI, being HIV seropositive and multiple sexual partners were important factors for high-risk HPV infection. Women aged >46 years, women with early initiation of sex, a history of STI, being HIV positive and a history of multiple sexual partners should be encouraged to be screened and vaccinated for HPV infection. Wider-ranging studies are also needed in HPV-infected women in association with the cervical lesion.