The postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices (PPIUCD) is the only family planning method for couples requesting highly effective, reliable, inexpensive, non-hormonal, immediately reversible, and long-acting contraceptive that can be initiated during the immediate postpartum period and it has no a negative effect on lactation. Despite these benefit, the acceptance and utilization of immediate PPIUCD were very low and the reasons for rejecting immediate PPIUCD usage have not been characterized in Southeast Ethiopia. Therefore, this study determined the level of acceptability and factors associated with immediate PPIUCD use among women who gave birth at Bale zone health facilities, Southeast Ethiopia. A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July 2017 in Bale zone health facilities. Four hundred twenty-nine women were successfully interviewed using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Health facilities were selected by lottery method. Study participants were selected systematically. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 21 for analysis. Logistic regression analyses were done. A significant association was declared at a p-value less than 0.05. The acceptance of immediate PPIUCD usage was 12.4%. Non-acceptors reported their reasons for rejecting PPIUCD use; concern and fears of complications (24.8%), religious beliefs (19.8%), and husband refusal (17.7%). Respondents who had completed secondary education were more likely to accept PPIUCD usage than those who had no formal education (AOR = 3, CI = 11.81, 53.91). In addition, the odds of accepting PPIUCD insertion was higher among women who attended 3 antenatal care visits than those who did not attend antenatal care visits for the current birth (AOR = 1.81, CI = 0.34, 0.85). The acceptance of immediate PPIUCD usage was still low. This might be attributed to the low achievement of education, perceived concern and fears of complications towards IUCD insertion. The male partner’s refusal and religious beliefs also have a role in the usage of postpartum IUCD. Due attention should be given to enhancing educational level of women and effective IUCDs counseling should be given during antenatal care visits to correct misconceptions and fears of complication about PPIUCD insertion.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most prevalent microvascular consequence of diabetes mellitus, and it can result in blindness that is irreversible. Due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to diabetic care, the situation is even worse in developing countries. Scientific evidence on the prevalence of DR and its associated factors among diabetes patients in low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DR and associated factors among adult diabetes patients in southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetes patients who visited Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital. Fundus and slit-lamp examination were performed for screening of DR. Multivariate binary logistic regression was computed to identify factors associated with DR. Results: A total of 256 patients (144 men, 56.2%) aged 50.15± 15.71 years were included in the study. The prevalence of any DR was 19.9% (95% CI 15.4%– 25.3%), mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) 10.9% (95% CI 7.6%– 15.4%), moderate NPDR 5.9% (95% CI 3.5%– 9.5%), severe NPDR 0.9% (95% CI 0.2%– 3.9%), and proliferative DR 2.3% (95% CI 1.0%– 5.1%). Duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years (AOR 10.22, 95% CI 1.70– 61.44), central obesity (AOR 5.42, 95% CI 1.38– 21.19), overweight/obese (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.02– 6.92), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (AOR 5.82, 95% CI 1.86– 18.24), moderate triglyceride:HDL cholesterol ratio (AOR 4.13, 95% CI 1.13– 15.15), and urban dwelling (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.04– 7.78) were significantly associated with DR. Conclusion: One in every five DM patients had DR. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and blood lipids were independently associated with DR. To reduce the burden of diabetes, strategies that focus on lifestyle modifications targeted at identified modifiable risk factors are essential.

Objective: This study was aimed to assess diabetic health literacy and associated factors among adult diabetic patients in public hospitals, Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 diabetic patients in three public hospitals and the samples were selected using simple random sampling technique. The comprehensive functional, communicative, and critical health literacy questionnaire was used to measure diabetic health literacy. Descriptive statistics and Ordinary logistic regression analyses were conducted, and a P-value of < 0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant. Result: A total of 402 diabetic patients were involved in the study. Of all respondents, 41.8%, 27.9%, and 30.3% had low, moderate, and high diabetic health literacy respectively. Educational status; can’t read and write (AOR = 0.085;95% CI: 0.03,0.26), can read and write (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04,0.30), primary school (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.09,0.67), secondary school (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.14,0.99), duration of onset ≤5 years (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI:1.09,4.19), being not member of DM association (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.26,0.73), having ≤ 3 diabetes mellitus information sources (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03,0.77), social support; poor (AOR = 0.40;95% CI: 0.21,0.79), and moderate (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28,0.92) were significantly associated with diabetic health literacy. Conclusion: A substantial number of diabetic patients had low diabetic health literacy. Educational status, Sources of diabetic information, Member of DM association, and social support were significantly and positively associated with diabetic health literacy. But, duration of diabetes onset was negatively associated with diabetic health literacy of respondents. So, we recommend providing readable and picturized printed materials, and diabetic patient education to be considered.

Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalences of foot ulcer and foot self-care practices, and identify associated factors in adult patients with diabetes attending a referral hospital in south-east Ethiopia. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 267 diabetic patients. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer and foot self-care practice. Results: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.42–15.05). One hundred and forty-four (53.9%; 47.9, 59.9) patients demonstrated good foot self-care. Living rurally (adjusted odds ratio 2.27; 95% CI: 1.86–6.97), lack of regular exercise (3.91; 1.51–10.10), peripheral neuropathy (2.77; 1.05–7.33) and foot calluses (5.69; 1.74–18.59) were associated with diabetic foot ulcer. Urban inhabitants (2.01; 1.09–3.69), patients with diabetes for >10 years (2.92; 1.48–5.77), women (2.95; 1.66–5.22), and patients with a glucometer at home (2.05; 1.09–3.85) were more likely to have good foot self-care practice. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2%. This prevalence is lower than those identified in other Ethiopian studies. However, patient awareness regarding foot self-care practice and risk reduction should be improved.

Hypertension is a serious threat to public health globally owing to its high prevalence and related complications. It is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, eye problems, and death. Self-care practices have been emphasized as a major element in reducing and preventing complications from hypertension. Thus, this study aimed to assess hypertension self-care practices and associated factors in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at three public hospitals from April 1 to May 31, 2021. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for analysis. The study participants were characterized using descriptive statistics. The associations between self-care practice and independent variables were modeled using binary logistic regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were used to estimate the association between self-care practice and independent variables. The statistical significance of the association was declared at p < 0.05. This study involved 405 hypertensive patients, with a response rate of 96.7%. The overall level of good self-care practice was 33.1% (95% CI: 28.6, 37.5). The multivariable logistic regression model showed that age under 65 years (AOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.60–8.89), good knowledge of hypertension self-care practice (AOR = 6.36, 95% CI: 2.07–19.56), absence of a depression (AOR = 6.08, 95% CI: 1.24–29.73) and good self-efficacy (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.12–9.87) were independent predictors of good self-care practice. The level of good hypertension self-care practice in the study area was low. Hence, it is crucial to expand non-communicable disease control programs and implement public health interventions on self-care for hypertension. Moreover, to enhance hypertension self-care practices, patient-centered interventions are essential.

Background Diabetes-related distress lowers the motivation for self-care, often leading to lowered physical and emotional well-being, poor diabetes control, poor medication adherence and increased mortality among individuals with diabetes. Objective To assess factors associated with diabetes-related distress among people living with type 2 diabetes in Southeast Ethiopia. Design Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting Six diabetic follow-up care units at public hospitals in Southeast Ethiopia. Participants All adult people living with type 2 diabetes from the diabetic follow-up clinic. The main outcome measures Diabetes Distress Scale-17 questionnaire was used to assess diabetes-related distress. Results Out of the total 871 study participants intended, 856 participated in the study with a response rate of 98.3%. The findings showed that about 53.9% (95% CI 50.4% to 57.2%) of the patients have diabetes-related distress. Physical activity (adjusted OR, AOR 2.22; 95% CI 1.36 to 3.63), social support (AOR 4.41; 95% CI 1.62 to 12.03), glycaemic control (AOR 2.36; 95% CI 1.35 to 4.12) and other comorbidities (AOR 3.94; 95% CI 2.01 to 7.73) were factors that significantly associated with diabetes-related distress at p<0.05. Conclusion This study demonstrated that more than half of the participants had diabetes-related distress. Therefore, the identified factors of diabetes-related distress need to be a concern for health institutions and clinicians in the management of people living with type 2 diabetes.