Background: Low birth weight neonates are subjected to different comorbidities due to anatomical and physiological immaturity. Globally, 60– 80% of neonatal mortality was due to low birth weight. Hence, this study aimed to assess the survival status and predictors of mortality among low birth weight neonates. Methods: An institutional-based retrospective cohort study design was conducted among 718 low birth weight neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2019, at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed with STATA version 14. Kaplan–Meier curves together with a Log rank test were used to estimate the survival time and showed the presence of differences among groups. Cox proportional-hazard regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio at the 5% level of significance to determine the net effect of each explanatory variable on survival status. Results: The overall incidence density was 35.3 per 1000 person-day observations (CI: 30.8 − 40.6) with 5715 follow-up days. Deliveries outside the health institution [AHR; 2.31 (95% CI: 1.20– 4.42)], maternal age < 18 years [AHR; 3.08 (95% CI: 1.64– 5.81)] and maternal age > 35 years [AHR; 3.83 (95% CI: 2.00– 7.31)], neonatal sepsis [AHR; 2.33 (95% CI: 1.38– 3.94)], neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [AHR; 1.92 (95% CI: 1.27– 2.89)], necrotizing enterocolitis [AHR; 3.09 (95% CI: 1.69– 5.64)] and birth weight < 1000 gm [AHR; 3.61 (95% CI: 1.73– 7.55)] were found to be significant predictors. Conclusion: This study showed that two of the seven low birth weight neonates died during the follow-up period. Therefore, it is better for health care providers and other stakeholders to focus more on early diagnosis and management of low birth weight neonates with sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis and counseling mothers on the risk of having a child in early and old age.

Background: Globally, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) varies between 6 and 15% of all neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Though necrotizing enterocolitis is a multifactorial and life-threatening disease, low birth prematurity is the single cause. Therefore, determining the time to presentation and its predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis were the main goals of this investigation.Materials and methods: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 747 low birth weight (LBW) neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized Hospital from 1 January 2017 to 30 December 2019. The sample size was calculated by using the STATA package. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The log-rank test and the Kaplan–Meier estimator were used to display the survival probability and differences between groups. At a significance threshold of 5%, Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to determine the net independent predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis.Result: The overall incidence rate was 0.86 per 1,000 person-days (95% CI: 0.67, 1.14) with a 6.8% (95% i: 5.2, 8.9) proportion of necrotizing enterocolitis among low birth weight neonates. Preeclampsia [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR);1.92 (95% CI: 1.03–3.58)], premature rapture of membrane [AHR; 2.36 (95%, CI: 1.19–4.69)], perinatal asphyxia [AHR; 4.05 (95%, CI: 2.04–8.60)], gestational age between 28 and 32 weeks [AHR; 3.59 (95% CI: 1.01–8.83)], and birth weigh less than 1,000 g [AHR; 5.45 (95% CI: 3.84–9.12) were the independent predictors of necrotizing enterocolitis.Conclusion: Within the first 1–7 days of a newborn’s life, necrotizing enterocolitis was most common. It was discovered that preeclampsia, premature rupture of membrane, perinatal asphyxia, gestational age of 28–32 weeks, and birth weight less than 1,000 g were predictors of its occurrence.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a common condition in type two diabetic patients, and it is thought to have a significant role in moderating the cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes. Data on serum lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients from Bahir Dar, Ethiopia is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia among adult type 2 diabetes patients and to explore potential contributing factors.Method and materials: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 354 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from April 3 to June 4, 2023. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and checklists. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Logistic regression was employed to identify variables significantly associated with the outcomes, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.Results: A total of 369 individuals with diabetes were approached in this study, resulting in a response rate of 96%. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 61.3% (95% CI: 56.2–66.7). Of those with dyslipidemia, 11% had a single serum lipid abnormality, while 50.3% had a combined serum lipid abnormality. Significant factors associated with dyslipidemia included being over 60 years old (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–5.0), poor fasting blood glucose control (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.1), being overweight (AOR: 5.8, 95% CI: 3.2–11), physical inactivity (AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.7–7.0), and being a past alcohol drinker (AOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3–7.4).Conclusion: In the study area, a high prevalence of dyslipidemia was found among diabetic patients. Independent factors associated with dyslipidemia included older age, poor fasting blood glucose control, physical inactivity, a history of alcohol consumption, and being overweight. To address this issue, it is essential to implement preventive measures such as early detection, patient education, dietary monitoring, regular clinical visits, physical exercise, and weight management. These strategies represent the most effective approach to combating dyslipidemia.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that typically begins in infancy and extends into adulthood in a small proportion of cases. Around 20% of children and 5% of adults worldwide suffer from atopic dermatitis. In Ethiopia, the majority of data related to atopic dermatitis comes from single-health facility studies. Various sets of diagnostic criteria including United Kingdom Working Party’s, American Academy of dermatology, and Hanifin and Rajika diagnostic criteria guide the diagnosis. The United Kingdom Working Party’s validated criteria for AD developed in 1994 is one well validated for use. Atopic dermatitis, personal or family history of allergic rhinitis and asthma were included in this study. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of atopic dermatitis and identify associated factors among children attending dermatology clinics at government hospitals in Bahirdar. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023, involving 420 children attending dermatology clinics at government hospitals in Bahirdar. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected through an interview-administered questionnaire, and Statistical Package for Social Science version 27.0.1 was used for data analysis. A descriptive analysis was used to characterize the study population. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with atopic dermatitis. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was utilized to demonstrate the strength of the association, and a p value of 0.05 was declared the cut point. Of the total respondents, 225 (53.5%) were female and 322 (76.6%) were from urban areas. The magnitude of the atopic dermatitis was found to be 17.1% (95% CI 13.7–21.1). In the multivariate logistic regression model, family history of atopic disease (AOR 10.879), history of maternal asthma (AOR 9.908), maternal allergic rhinitis (AOR 4.825), maternal atopic dermatitis (AOR 9.055), paternal asthma (AOR 10.561), paternal allergic rhinitis (AOR 7.014), paternal atopic dermatitis (AOR 9.313), sibling history of atopic disease (AOR 11.750), and fewer siblings (AOR 2.250), were significant predictors of atopic dermatitis. This study revealed a high magnitude of atopic dermatitis compared to most previous national studies. Having fewer siblings, atopic disease in the family, sibling atopic dermatitis, and a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in parents emerged as independent predictors of atopic dermatitis among children. Hence, the finding underscores the urgent need to strengthen the national skin disease prevention and control services, in particular in the skin care of children related to atopic dermatitis.

This study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of treatment-seeking delay in adult heart failure patients and identifying factors that contribute to it. An institution-based cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling technique was conducted at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from February 1 to November 1, 2021. The study was conducted in the medical ward of the hospital. A total of 187 patients aged 18 and above admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure, and able to provide information were included. The median delay time of adult heart failure patients admitted to the hospital was 15 days. The mean length of delay was also calculated to be 25.02 days. Urban residents and those who live at a ten or less-kilometer distance from healthcare facilities were found to be less likely to delay seeking care. Presenting with shortness of breath or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, perceiving the cause to be heart-related, and getting positive responses from significant others were also associated with a relatively short delay time. Treatment-seeking delay was found to be a major problematic issue in heart failure patients. Therefore, patients, patient families, and the community at large must be taught about the symptoms of heart failure and the need for timely care.

The timely initiation of complementary feeding is essential to reduce infant mortality. In Ethiopia, 37.5 % of mothers did not initiate complementary feeding to their infants in time. However, previous studies could not identify the time to initiate complementary feeding among primipara mothers. Therefore, this study aims to identify the time to initiate complementary feeding and its predictors among primipara mothers with infants aged 6–12 months in the Awi zone, northwest Ethiopia. A community-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 732 primipara mothers who had infants aged 6–12 months from January 1, 2022, to December 30, 2022. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants through questionnaires administered by interviewers. Data were entered into EPI-data 3.1 and exported to STATA 17 for further analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve together with the log-rank test was used to assess the survival experience of the infant at specific times and to compare the survival of the infant in it between different categorical independent variables. Bivariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify significant predictors. Model fitness was also assessed using the Schoenfield residual and the Cox-Snell global residual test. Statistical significance was declared at the p-value <0.05. The median time to initiate complementary feeding among primipara mother-infant pairs was 6 ± 2 months. The overall incidence rate of complementary feeding initiation before, at and after 6 months of age of the infant was 7.28 (95%CI: 6.44, 8.25), 41.41 (95%CI: 36.05, 47.56), and 42.97 (95%CI: 36.89, 50.05) per 100 person-month observations, respectively. Among those mothers who initiated complementary feeding for their infants, 249, 200, and 165 initiated complementary feeding before, at and after 6 months of age of the infants. Furthermore, the age (15–24 years) of mothers (AHR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.16, 2.29), rich wealth (AHR: 1.35, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.75), and richest wealth (AHR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.84) were identified as statistically significant predictors of the time to initiate complementary feeding. The median time to initiate complementary feeding among primipara mother-infant pairs was 6 months. The age of the mother and the wealth status of the household were found to be statistically independent predictors of the time to initiate complementary feeding. Therefore, community health professionals are better able to work on when to initiate complementary feeding to infants of rich and richest young primipara mothers.