Unintended pregnancy is one of the most public health issues in the world, and it is the major sexual and reproductive health problem which carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality for women, often due to unsafe abortion. Even though family planning services are effective and available than ever before, unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion are the major public health problems in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the magnitude and associated factors of unintended pregnancy among pregnant women attending antenatal care follow up in Maichew town, northern Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 329 pregnant women selected with a systematic sampling technique from April 5 to May 4, 2017. The magnitude of unintended pregnancy among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Maichew was found to be 29.7% (95% CI 24.30, 35.50). On the other hand, single in marital status (AOR = 38.6, 95% CI 10.07, 148.01), living alone (AOR = 9.9, 95% CI 1.80, 53.40) and having three or four children (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.10, 11.04) were factors associated with an unintended pregnancy. Creating awareness about unintended pregnancy associated factors and implication of unintended pregnancy is highly recommended.

Background. Undernutrition contributes to the death of around 3 million children and threatens the futures of hundreds of millions, undermining healthy development and the strength of their societies by preventing children from achieving their full potential. Orphans are at greater risk of undernutrition because they are more likely to be extremely poor and receive less medical and social care. However, there is little information about the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among under-five orphan children. Objective. This study aimed to assess undernutrition and associated factors among under-five orphan children in orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa from February 28 to March 28, 2020. A simple random sampling technique was employed to recruit a total of 275 orphan children. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used to collect data. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analysis was done by WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 and SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify determinants of undernutrition at a p value of less than 0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio of 95 confidence interval. Results. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight were 11.1, 45.8, and 25.5, respectively. Presence of illness (AOR=2.23; 95 CI: 1.41, 12.73), children who received less than three meals per day (AOR=2.11; 95 CI: 1.58, 7.71), and children who were not vaccinated (AOR=2.86; 95 CI: 2.07, 11.61) were significantly associated with stunting. Children who were not vaccinated (AOR=2.04; 95 CI: 1.29, 9.71) and who had inadequate dietary diversity scores (AOR=1.32, 95 CI: 1.16, 12.65) were significantly associated with wasting and underweight, respectively. Conclusion. The prevalence of undernutrition was very high compared to national data. Health status, meal frequency, and vaccination status were associated factors of stunting. Vaccination status and dietary diversity score were associated factors with wasting and underweight, respectively. Therefore, improving meal frequency, dietary diversity, and early treatment during childhood illness are important to reduce orphan undernutrition.

Background: Even though breastfeeding for infants and young children provides the ideal food for healthy growth and development, nowadays the use of infant formula feeding has increased worldwide. In developing countries, 1.3 million to 1.45 million childhood deaths are attributed to suboptimal breastfeeding practices. Objective: This study aimed to assess infant formula feeding practice and associated factors among mothers who visited health facilities for their infants aged less than 6 months in Bahir Dar city in 2020. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March–May 2020. Data were collected from 593 randomly selected mothers with infants less than 6 months of age. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors of formula feeding practice with an a p-value of less than 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio of 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of infant formula feeding practices was 25%. Maternal age group of 25– 34 years [AOR = 2.388; 95% CI: 1.295, 4.406], mother’s occupation of private employee [AOR = 6.726; 95% CI: 2.756, 16.413], government employee [AOR = 4.726; 95% CI: 1.895, 8.700] and merchant [AOR = 2.798; 95% CI: 1.066, 7.345], positive attitude to infant formula [AOR = 2.10; CI: 1.09, 4.06], delayed breast milk initiation after delivery [AOR = 3.73; 95% CI: 1.504, 9.252], mothers who had 3 antenatal care [AOR = 2.294; 95% CI: 1.317, 3.997] and source of formula milk information from supermarket/pharmacy [AOR = 6.57; 95% CI: 1.48, 29.16] and from families/friends [AOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.03] were independent predictors of infant formula feeding practice. Conclusion: This study’s findings revealed that one-fourth of mothers fed infant formula before the age of 6 months. Therefore, we recommended promoting behavior change communication, focusing on attitude change in formula feeding practice and its health consequences, promoting exclusive breastfeeding practice, and strengthening ANC service provision.

Introduction. Nutritional status of lactating women is highly linked with the overall nutritional status of population. Undernutrition during lactation results in increased morbidity and mortality to the mother and her child. The literature is dearth regarding to nutrition status of lactating mothers in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess undernutrition and associated factors among lactating mothers having child 6–23 months in Dega Damot Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 21 to April 19, 2018. Simple random sampling technique was employed to recruit a total of 733 participants. Data were collected by using an interview-administered questionnaire and entered into EpiData version 4.2 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Factors associated with undernutrition were identified using multivariable logistic regression at a value of less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. The direction and strength of association was interpreted using adjusted odds ratio. Results. In this study, the magnitude of undernutrition among lactating women was 21.8%. Being unmarried (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.54, 4.53), their first pregnancy <18 years (AOR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.87), having more than 5 number of pregnancies (AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.55, 5.03), inadequate dietary diversity score (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.83), and household food insecurity (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: 2.35, 5.77) were significantly associated factors with undernutrition. Conclusions. The prevalence of undernutrition among lactating women was found to be high. Programs should do better in enhancing activities of agricultural production to reduce household food insecure and to increase accessibility of diversified diet. Other researchers better to do other studies to identify main factors of undernutrition using a qualitative study.

Introduction: Anemia, defined as a low hemoglobin level, is a common condition in pregnancy that can have adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. Anemia can result from various causes, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, hemolysis, or bleeding. The association between anemia and preeclampsia is not fully understood, but some studies have suggested that anemia may increase the risk of developing preeclampsia, especially in women with iron deficiency or chronic inflammation. Objective: To assess the association of anemia during pregnancy and the risk of developing preeclampsia. Study Design and Setting: A multicenter unmatched case-control study was conducted. The study was conducted from 2 December 2020 to 1 January 2021 in West and North Gojjam zone governmental hospitals, North West Ethiopia. A total of 337 pregnant women (113 cases and 224 controls) who consented verbally and attended antenatal or delivery services were enrolled in the study. Population: The participants of this study were mothers attending attended antenatal care and delivery services. Data Management: The analysis involved manual checking, data entry using EpiData Manager, and subsequent analysis using SPSS version 23, with logistic regression and p-values <0.05 determining statistical significance. Results: Being nonanemic, high consumption of fat related, mid-upper arm circumference ≥25.6 cm, frequent consumption of milk products, and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A were found to be factors associated with the risk for developing preeclampsia. Conclusion and recommendations: Being nonanemic, diets that are characterized by a high intake of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and milk products were significantly associated with a low risk of preeclampsia. On the other hand, high intake of fatty foods and obesity were associated with the development of preeclampsia. Therefore, preventing anemia encouraging and promoting healthy eating habits during pregnancy by including vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and milk products can effectively prevent the development of preeclampsia.

Objective: This study assessed macronutrient intake and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 23 February 2020, among 401 randomly selected adolescent girls. Macronutrient intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall with portion size estimation. Nutrient data were analysed with Elizabeth Stewart Hands and Associates FOOD PROCESSOR software and compared with WHO/FAO recommendations – 2200 kcal for energy and 34–46 g for protein. Factors associated with inadequate macronutrient intake were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Setting: The study was conducted in an institutional setting. Participants: This study was conducted among school adolescent girls. Results: The median (IQR) energy intake was 2040·23 (1648·24–2744·51), and the mean (sd) protein intake was 63·88 (20·99). About 57·6 % (95 % CI: 52·9, 62·8 %) had inadequate energy intake, and 18·5 % (95 % CI: 14·7, 22·2 %) had inadequate protein intake. Inadequate energy intake was associated with dietary diversity (AOR = 4·31, 95 % CI: 2·20, 8·47), knowledge (AOR = 2·10, 95 % CI: 1·34, 3·28) and meal frequency (AOR = 2·5, 95 % CI: 1·06, 5·95). Factors linked to inadequate protein intake included early adolescence (AOR = 1·89, 95 % CI: 1·08, 3·31), residency (AOR = 0·27, 95 % CI: 0·15, 0·48), dietary diversity (AOR = 3·28, 95 % CI: 1·08, 9·98), knowledge (AOR = 1·82, 95 % CI: 1·04, 3·19) and meal frequency (AOR = 2·94, 95 % CI: 1·35, 6·37). Conclusion: This study revealed high inadequate energy and protein intake. Contributing factors included dietary diversity, knowledge and meal frequency, with age and residence affecting protein intake. Emphasis is needed on early adolescent girls’ nutrition education.