Background: In Ethiopia, neonatal mortality is unacceptably high. Despite many efforts made by the government and other partners to reduce neonatal mortality; it has been increasing since 2014. Factors associated with neonatal mortality were explained by different researchers indifferently. There is no clear evidence to identify the magnitude of neonatal mortality and associated factors in the study area. The study aimed to assess the magnitude and factors associated with neonatal mortality. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 834 randomly selected neonates. The study was conducted from February 20 to March 21, 2020. Data were extracted from medical records using a checklist adapted from the World Health Organization, and neonatal registration book. The data were inserted into Epi-data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS window version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify the association between independent variables and the outcome variable. Results: Magnitude of neonatal mortality was 14.4% (95% CI:11.9,16.7). Being neonates of mothers whose pregnancy was complicated with antepartum hemorrhage [AOR = 4.13, 95%CI: (1.92,8.85)], born from mothers with current pregnancy complicated with pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR = 4.41, 95%CI: (1.97,9.86)], neonates of mothers with multiple pregnancy [AOR = 2.87, 95% CI (1.08,7.61)], neonates delivered at the health center [AOR = 5.05, 95%CI: (1.72,14.79)], low birth weight [AOR = 4.01, 95%CI (1.30,12.33)], having perinatal asphyxia [AOR =3.85, 95%CI: (1.83,8.10)], and having early-onset neonatal sepsis [AOR = 3.93, 95%CI: (1.84,8.41)] were factors significantly associated with neonatal mortality. Conclusion: The proportion of neonatal mortality was relatively in line with other studies but still needs attention. Antepartum hemorrhage, Pregnancy-induced hypertension, place of delivery, low birth weight, having perinatal asphyxia, and having neonatal sepsis were independent factors. The hospital, and health care workers should give attention to neonates admitted to intensive care units by strengthening the quality of care given at neonatal intensive care unit like infection prevention and strengthening early detection and treatment of health problems during Antenatal care visit.

Introduction: In Ethiopia, more than four million children are anticipated to live under particularly difficult circumstances. Street children are subject to violence, a lack of health care, and a lack of education. Which denies them the right to live in a secure environment and exposes them to different health problems. Currently, little is known about the prevalence of Streetism, including health conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the health status of street children and determinants of Streetism. Methods: Mixed methods (sequential) were employed from February 1 to 28, 2021. Quantitative cross-sectional study design and phenomenological qualitative designs were applied. Overall, 220 street children were involved in the study. The most common reason that forced the children to resort to a street way of life is to look for a job and quarreled with parents. The data were collected using interviews methods. Chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to examine the variations among variables with the health status of street children. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. Results: The study included a total of 220 street children. As to the quantitative study, the majority of study participants (92.73%) drank alcohol regularly. Depression (39.22%) and peer pressure (43.14%) were the most common initiation causes of drinking alcohol. According to a qualitative study report, "Street children are mostly affected by the communicable disease” and… They are addicted to substances like benzene” which had a profound effect on their health.” Furthermore, the study discovered a statistically significant association between respondents’ health status and sociodemographic characteristics (age and educational status), job presence, and drug use. Conclusion: This study identified the factors that drove street children to live on the streets, such as the inability to find work and disagreements with their parents. The majority of the street children were affected by preventable and treatable diseases. Unfortunately, almost all street children reported drinking alcohol, which exposed them to a variety of health problems. In general, the study discovered that street children require immediate attention. Decision-makers and academicians should collaborate to develop a plan for these children’s health and social interventions.

Background: Despite the incredible progress made in decreasing under-five mortality, neonatal mortality remains the main and slowly advancing contributor. Though all efforts were made to decline the death of a newborn, current information showed that newborn death is unaverted and not a fastened agenda. This study aimed to assess neonatal mortality and its determinants among neonates admitted at the Dil Chora Hospital in Dire Dawa City. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 376 newborns were selected systematically from neonates admitted to the NICU of the Dil Chora Referral Hospital from June 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020. Data were collected from medical records using a standard extraction checklist. The data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 24 for statistical analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify the association between independent variables and neonatal death. Result: The prevalence of neonatal death was 11.4% (95% CI: 9.44, 13.36). The majority of 37 (86.05%) of the neonates died within 7 days of life. The most common causes of admission included perinatal asphyxia (55.3%), hypoglycemia (21.5%), and hypothermia. Nearly half (40.4%) of the mothers of newborns experience index pregnancy complications, premature rupture of the membrane (AOR = 5.79, 95% CI: 2.08, 16.1), birth weight <2,500 g (AOR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.56. 10.06), hypothermia (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.02), index pregnancy complications (AOR = 4.79, 95% CI: 1.92, 11.91), and induced labor (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.53, 12.94), which were significantly associated with neonatal mortality. Conclusion: The prevalence of neonatal mortality was high compared with the national target. Premature rupture of the membrane, birth weight <2,500 g, hypothermia, index pregnancy complications, and induced labor were significantly associated with neonatal mortality. The majority of neonatal deaths are due to complications arising from pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and lack of quality of care at the neonatal intensive care unit. Cultivating and increasing the utilization of antenatal care services, quality of care at delivery, and the neonatal intensive care unit could avert those deaths.

Background: In a woman’s life, labor pain is the most severe pain that they have ever faced. In Ethiopia, the provision of pain relief in labor is often neglected. Furthermore, evidence strongly urged that further research is needed on non-pharmacological labor pain management. Therefore, obstetrics care providers’ attitudes and utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain management need to be assessed. Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 20 to June 10, 2021, in Harari regional state health facilities, Ethiopia. All obstetric caregivers in Harari regional state health facilities were included in the study. A structured questionnaire adapted from the previous studies was used to collect data. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 statistical software. Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS for windows version 22. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to determine the association between independent variables and the outcome variable. Result: The overall utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain relief methods was 59.3% [(95% CI (53.9,63.4)]. Three hundred five (65.5%) of the study participants had unfavorable attitudes. Females compared to males (β = − 0.420; 95% CI: − 0.667, − 0.173), clinical experience (β = − 0.201; 95% CI: − 0.268, − 0.134), knowledge sum score (β =0.227: 95%; CI: 0.18,0.247), and attitude sum score (β = 0.376; 95% CI: 0.283, 0.47) were showed significantly association with utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain management. Conclusion: The overall utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain relief methods was relatively good compared to other studies done in Ethiopia but all women’s need for labor relief methods should not be ignored. In this study sex of the respondents, clinical experience, individual preference, attitude and knowledge were factors associated with the utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain management. All stake holds need to work together to improve the attitude of health providers and to increase the utilization of non-pharmacologic labor pain management.

Background: Vaccine prevents about 2–3 million deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. However, immunization coverage in Ethiopia is lower than the herd immunity level required to prevent the spread of all vaccine-preventable diseases. Thus, this study aimed to assess the partial immunization and associated factors among 12–23-month-old children in Eastern Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study design was carried out among 874 randomly selected mothers/caregivers of children aged 12–23 months. A structured questionnaire was adapted and data were collected through face-to-face interviews and review of vaccination cards. Data were coded and analyzed using the Stata version 14 software. A binary logistic regression model was utilized to identify the determinant factors. The predictor of partial immunization was presented by an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A p-value of < 0.05 was used to establish statistical significance. Result: The prevalence of partial immunization was 31.4% (95% CI: 28–35). The dropout rate between the first and third pentavalent vaccine was 17%. Being female child [AOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–0.95], 18–20 month child [AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1- 2.4], the child born to mothers who heard about vaccination [AOR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.92- 8.01], a child born to mother who did not receive immunization counselling [AOR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.15–2.36], and child whose mother walk 15–30 min, 31–60 min, and > 60 min to reach nearby health facilities [AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.1–3.45], [AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.47–8.15], and [AOR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.59- 7.48] respectively were factors significantly associated with partial vaccination. Conclusions: The prevalence of partial immunization is high compared to other studies. As a result, to decrease the proportion of defaulters and to increase immunization coverage, maternal health care utilization like antenatal care follow-up and mother knowledge about the importance of the vaccine need to be sought cautiously.

Introduction: Perception of caring behavior is very necessary to enhance human life, and the provision of health care, and is considered a basic key in the provision of healthcare facilities. Even though all nursing interventions are verified through nurse caring behaviors, poor perception of caring behaviors reduces the well-being of the patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the perception of caring behaviors and associated factors among nurses working in Harar Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 465 randomly selected nurses. Data were collected by using a pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including frequency table, mean, standard deviation, and percentage were employed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the good perception of caring behaviors. Variables with a p-value of < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: This study revealed that the proportion of nurses who had a good perception of caring behaviors was found to be 63.4% (95% CI: 58.5–68.2%). High-level education (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.28–4.34), low workload (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.16–3.05), satisfied with a job (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.42–4.01), good relation with coworkers (AOR = 4.56, 95% CI: 2.15–9.67) were significantly associated with a good perception of caring behaviors. Conclusions: This study reported that the proportion of nurses who had a good perception of caring behaviors was 63.4%. Educational level, workload, job satisfaction, and joint participation in the decision-making process were factors significantly associated with good perceptions of nurses caring behavior. Therefore, nurses caring behavior is enhanced by increasing educational levels, creating a conducive working environment, and making nursing active in the decision-making process to improve the perception of nurses toward nurses caring behavior.