Development and validation of a risk score to predict adverse birth outcomes using maternal characteristics in northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study.

Background: Adverse birth outcomes are unfavorable outcomes of pregnancy that are particularly common in low- and middle-income countries. At least one ultrasound is recommended to predict adverse birth outcomes in early pregnancy. However, in low-income countries, imaging equipment and trained manpower are scarce.

Timeliness of lung cancer care and area-level determinants in Victoria: A Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis.

Background: It has been reported that the timeliness of lung cancer care varies significantly across different regions. According to the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (VLCR) report, the timeliness of lung cancer care in Victoria has changed over time. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the extent of these spatial inequalities over time and to identify area-level determinants contributing to these changes.

Patient- and Areal-Level Risk Factors Associated With Lung Cancer Mortality in Victoria, Australia: A Bayesian Spatial Survival Analysis.

Background: In Australia, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In Victoria, the mortality risk is assumed to vary across Local Government Areas (LGAs) due to variations in socioeconomic advantage, remoteness, and healthcare accessibility. Thus, we applied Bayesian spatial survival models to examine the geographic variation in lung cancer survival in Victoria.

Newborn community health advancements among Ethiopian Orthodox Christian women in North Gondar, Ethiopia: community-based randomised trial protocol.

Introduction: Despite significant progress over past decades, neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high in Ethiopia. Simple interventions have been shown to improve the health of children and reduce mortality. These include promotion of exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of life, immunisation and utilisation of available newborn healthcare services, which are proven to improve newborn survival.

Joint decision on contraceptive use and determinant factors among married women of reproductive ages (15-49) in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis using Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey; 2016 data.

Background: Contraceptive usage in Ethiopia is significantly influenced by the decision-maker at the household level. Joint decision-making involving both women and their husbands/partners is considered ideal for improving contraceptive uptake among women and for managing health outcomes related to contraceptive side effects. However, there is a lack of substantial evidence regarding the prevalence and impact of joint decision-making on contraceptive use in Ethiopia.

Is sexual autonomy a protective factor against intimate partner violence? Evidence from 27 sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Though women in sub-Saharan Africa have increased risk of intimate sexual violence, research on the association between sexual autonomy and intimate partner violence among this population has not received the requisite attention. Consequently, we investigated if sexual autonomy is a protective factor against intimate partner violence among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted based on the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) of 27 sub-Saharan African countries from 2008 to 2021.

Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Multilevel Modelling of Patient-Reported Quality of Life following Prostate Cancer Surgery.

Background: Globally, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among males. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. The quality of life of prostate cancer patients is poorer when compared to the general population due to the disease itself and its related complications.

Prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa: Multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis modeling.

Introduction: Stunting is still a major public health problem all over the world, it affecting more than one-third of under-five children in the world that leads to growth retardation, life-threatening complication and accelerate mortality and morbidity. The evidence is scarce on prevalence and associated factors of stunting among under-five children in Sub-Saharan Africa for incorporated intervention. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of stunting among under-five children in Sub-Saharan Africa using recent demographic and health surveys of each country.

Geographical variation in hotspots of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia: A geographically weighted regression and multilevel robust Poisson regression analysis.

Introduction: Childhood stunting is a global public health concern, associated with both short and long-term consequences, including high child morbidity and mortality, poor development and learning capacity, increased vulnerability for infectious and non-infectious disease. The prevalence of stunting varies significantly throughout Ethiopian regions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the geographical variation in predictors of stunting among children under the age of five in Ethiopia using 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.

Determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Positive deviance inquiry using cross-sectional study design.

Background: Low haemoglobin level in children is linked with short-term and long-term consequences including developmental delay. Globally, over half of the children under the age of five years had low haemoglobin concentration. However, there is limited research on the prevalence and determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Multilevel multinomial regression analysis of factors associated with birth weight in sub-Saharan Africa.

Birth weight significantly determines newborns immediate and future health. Globally, the incidence of both low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia have increased dramatically including sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. However, there is limited study on the magnitude and associated factors of birth weight in SSA.

Antibiotic prescription sources and use among under-5 children with fever/cough in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Childhood febrile illness is among the leading causes of hospital admission for children <5 y of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Antibiotics have played a pivotal role in enhancing health outcomes, especially for children <5 y of age. Antibiotics prescription pattern evidence exists for SSA, however, prescription sources (either from qualified or unqualified sources) and use among children with fever or cough have not been explored.

Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia.

Introduction: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be a deadly pandemic and a serious threat to public health. Globally, reproductive age women are more likely to be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS is pivotal in the fight against AIDS.

Prediction of unplanned cesarean section using measurable maternal and fetal characteristics, Ethiopia, a retrospective cohort study.

Background: When a pregnant woman experiences unusual circumstances during a vaginal delivery, an unplanned cesarean section may be necessary to save her life. It requires knowledge and quick assessment of the risky situation to decide to perform an unplanned cesarean section, which only occurs in specific obstetric situations. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk prediction model for unplanned cesarean sections among laboring women in Ethiopia.

Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Model to Estimate the Risk of Stroke Among Hypertensive Patients in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, 2012 to 2022.

Background: A risk prediction model to predict the risk of stroke has been developed for hypertensive patients. However, the discriminating power is poor, and the predictors are not easily accessible in low-income countries. Therefore, developing a validated risk prediction model to estimate the risk of stroke could help physicians to choose optimal treatment and precisely estimate the risk of stroke.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting low birth weight among pregnant women who had antenatal care visits at Debre Markos Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Background: Birth weight is a crucial factor linked to a newborn's survival and can also affect their future health, growth, and development. Earlier, researchers focused on exploring maternal and fetal factors contributing to low birth weight. However, in recent years, there has been a shift toward effectively predicting low birth weight by utilizing a combination of variables.

Geographic weighted regression analysis of hot spots of modern contraceptive utilization and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

Background: Utilization of modern contraceptives is a common healthcare challenge in Ethiopia. Prevalence of modern contraception utilization is varying across different regions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Geographic weighted regression analysis of hotspots of modern contraceptive utilization and its associated factors in Ethiopia, using Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data.

Factors associated with short birth interval among reproductive-age women in East Africa.

Background: Child and maternal mortality continue as a major public health concern in East African countries. Optimal birth interval is a key strategy to curve the huge burden of maternal, neonatal, infant, and child mortality. To reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 33 months between two consecutive births.

Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Timeliness of Care among Lung Cancer Patients.

Delays in the assessment, management, and treatment of lung cancer patients may adversely impact prognosis and survival. This study is the first to use machine learning techniques to predict the quality and timeliness of care among lung cancer patients, utilising data from the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (VLCR) between 2011 and 2022, in Victoria, Australia. Predictor variables included demographic, clinical, hospital, and geographical socio-economic indices.

Development and validation of a prognosis risk score model for preterm birth among pregnant women who had antenatal care visit, Northwest, Ethiopia, retrospective follow-up study.

Background: Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, specifically in low-resource settings. The majority of prematurity can be prevented if early interventions are implemented for high-risk pregnancies. Developing a prognosis risk score for preterm birth based on easily available predictors could support health professionals as a simple clinical tool in their decision-making.

Factors associated with mother's healthcare-seeking behavior for symptoms of acute respiratory infection in under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel robust Poisson regression modelling.

Background: Timely and appropriate treatment for childhood illness saves the lives of millions of children. In low-middle-income countries such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), poor healthcare-seeking behavior for childhood illnesses is identified as a major contributor to the increased risk of child morbidity and mortality. However, studies are limited on Factors associated with mother's healthcare-seeking behavior for symptoms of acute respiratory infection in under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Socio-demographic and antenatal care-related factors associated with early post-partum family planning use in Ethiopia: evidence from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data.

Introduction: Initiation of family planning in the early post-partum period is a strategic move to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality due to the negative consequences of short interbirth interval and the complications of unintended pregnancy. Antenatal care (ANC) is the noteworthy predictor of scaling up early initiation of post-partum family planning (PPFP) and preventing unintended pregnancy before menses resume. Despite the great role of ANC, information is scant about the effect of content, timing, and the number of ANC visits on the early initiation of PPFP in Ethiopia.