Maternal near-miss and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes: a prospective cohort study in selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Presence of maternal near-miss conditions in women is strongly associated with the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes, but not well-understood in low-income countries. The study aimed to ascertain the effect of maternal near-miss on the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in Ethiopia.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in five public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Incidence and causes of maternal near-miss in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Because maternal mortality is a rare event, it is important to study maternal near-miss as a complement to evaluate and improve the quality of obstetric care. Thus, the study was conducted with the aim of assessing the incidence and causes of maternal near-miss.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

Accuracy of Assessment of Eligibility for Early Medical Abortion by Community Health Workers in Ethiopia, India and South Africa.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of assessment of eligibility for early medical abortion by community health workers using a simple checklist toolkit.

Design: Diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: Ethiopia, India and South Africa.

ACCEPTABILITY OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS (HEWS) IN MEDICAL ABORTION (MA): THE PERSPECTIVES OF CLIENTS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TRAINED HEWS IN EAST SHOA AND ARSI ZONES, OROMIYA REGION, ETHIOPIA.

Background: Unsafe abortion remains a significant contributor of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia and other developing countries. Involvement of community based health workers, health extension workers (HEWs) in Ethiopia, is a vital step in increasing access and utilization of medical abortion and related services. In order to engage HEWs, it is important to understand the attitude of women and service providers.

Determinants and causes of neonatal mortality in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of prospective follow up study.

Background: Ethiopia is among the countries with the highest neonatal mortality with the rate of 37 deaths per 1000 live births. In spite of many efforts by the government and other partners, non-significant decline has been achieved in the last 15 years. Thus, identifying the determinants and causes are very crucial for policy and program improvement.

Why do women not deliver in health facilities: a qualitative study of the community perspectives in south central Ethiopia?

Background: In Ethiopia most childbirth occurs at home and is not assisted by skilled birth attendants. On the other hand having a birth attendant with midwifery skills during child birth is one of the most important interventions in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to make an in-depth assessment of reasons why mothers do not use health facilities for child delivery.

The effect of birth preparedness and complication readiness on skilled care use: a prospective follow-up study in Southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Skilled care during and immediately after delivery has been identified as one of the key strategies in reducing maternal mortality. However, recent estimates show that the status of skilled care during delivery remained very low in Ethiopia. Birth preparedness and complication readiness has been implemented as comprehensive strategy to fill this gap.

Do Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems benefit local populations? Maternal care utilisation in Butajira HDSS, Ethiopia.

Background: The benefits of Health and Demographic Surveillance sites for local populations have been the topic of discussion as countries such as Ethiopia take efforts to achieve their Millennium Development Goal targets, on which they lag behind. Ethiopia's maternal mortality ratio is very high, and in the 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (2011 EDHS) it was estimated to be 676/100,000 live births. Recent Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and estimates based on the United Nations model reported better, but still unacceptably high, figures of 497/100,000 and 420/100,000 live births for 2013.

Utilization of institutional delivery service at Wukro and Butajera districts in the Northern and South Central Ethiopia.

Background: Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality in the world. Institutional delivery is the key intervention in reducing maternal mortality and complications. However, the uptake of the service has remained low and the factors which contribute to this low uptake appear to vary widely.

Effects of maternal pregnancy intention, depressive symptoms and social support on risk of low birth weight: a prospective study from southwestern Ethiopia.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is the principal risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality in developing countries. This study examines the effects of unwanted pregnancy, prenatal depression and social support on the risk of low birth weight in rural southwestern Ethiopia. We hypothesized that unwanted pregnancy and prenatal depression increase the risk of low birth weight, while social support mediates this association.

Effect of an innovative community based health program on maternal health service utilization in north and south central Ethiopia: a community based cross sectional study.

Background: Among Millennium Development Goals, achieving the fifth goal (MDG-5) of reducing maternal mortality poses the greatest challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world with unacceptably low maternal health service utilization. The Government of Ethiopia introduced an innovative community-based intervention as a national strategy under the Health Sector Development Program.

Childhood vaccination in rural southwestern Ethiopia: the nexus with demographic factors and women's autonomy.

Introduction: Vaccination can reduce child mortality significantly and is a cost effective way to improve child health.Worldwide, more than 22 million children do not receive the basic recommended vaccinations.Vaccination coverage in Ethiopia remains low.

Factors affecting birth preparedness and complication readiness in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis.

Introduction: Birth preparedness and complication readiness have been considered as comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting the timely utilization of skilled maternal health care. However, its status and affecting factors have not been well studied at different levels in the study area. Thus, this study was aimed to fill this gap by conducting community based study.

The contributions of maternity care to reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes: a cohort study in Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of maternity care by skilled providers on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A community-based cohort study was conducted at Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia, from December 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. During the study period, 763 pregnant women were registered and followed until 42 days of their postpartum period.

Unintended pregnancies and the use of maternal health services in Southwestern Ethiopia.

Background: The benefits of maternal health care to maternal and neonatal health outcomes have been well documented. Antenatal care attendance, institutional delivery and skilled attendance at delivery all help to improve maternal and neonatal health. However, use of maternal health services is still very low in developing countries with high maternal mortality including Ethiopia.

Availability and components of maternity services according to providers and users perspectives in North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: The goal of reducing maternal mortality can be achieved when women receive important service components at the time of their maternity care. This study attempted to assess the availability and the components of maternity services according to the perspectives of service users and providers.

Method: A linked facility and population-based survey was conducted over three months (January to March 2012) in North Gondar Zone.

Factors affecting utilization of skilled maternal care in Northwest Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis.

Background: The evaluation of all potential sources of low skilled maternal care utilization is crucial for Ethiopia. Previous studies have largely disregarded the contribution of different levels. This study was planned to assess the effect of individual, communal, and health facility characteristics in the utilization of antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care by a skilled provider.

Maternal complications and women's behavior in seeking care from skilled providers in North Gondar, Ethiopia.

Background: Maternal complications are morbidities suffered during pregnancy through the postpartum period of 42 days. In Ethiopia, little is known about women's experience of complications and their care-seeking behavior. This study attempted to assess experiences related to obstetric complication and seeking assistance from a skilled provider among women who gave birth in the last 12 months preceding the study.

Intimate partner violence against women in west Ethiopia: a qualitative study on attitudes, woman's response, and suggested measures as perceived by community members.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence against women is more prevalent in Ethiopia and among the highest in the world. This study was aimed to explore the attitudes of the community on intimate partner violence against women, the strategies women are using after the violence act, and suggested measures to stop or reduce the act in East Wollega Zone.

Methods: A total of 12 focus group discussions involving 55 men and 60 women were conducted from December, 2011 to January, 2012.