Harla Journal of Health and Medical Science

Sick Child Feeding Practice and Associated Factors Among Mothers of Children < 2 Years in Dire Dawa Health Facilities, Eastern Ethiopia, 2025

2026-05-13T07:50:57-08:00

Background: Children’s nutritional status can rapidly deteriorate during or after common childhood illnesses if increased nutritional needs are not adequately addressed. The first two years of life are critical for growth and development, as appropriate nutrition during this period reduces morbidity and mortality and improves long-term health outcomes. This study aimed to assess sick child feeding practices and associated factors among mothers of sick children under two years of age attending health facilities in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, in 2025.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to April 30, 2025. Data were collected using the Kobo tool and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A total of 417 mothers of sick children under two years of age were selected using systematic random sampling. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with sick child feeding practices. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to measure the strength of associations, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 417 mothers or caregivers participated in the study, with a mean maternal age of 35 years. Good sick child feeding practices were observed among 42.2% of mothers (95% CI: 37.4, 47.1). Higher family income (AOR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.10, 9.90), frequent antenatal care visits (AOR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.33, 4.72), and breastfeeding frequency of at least eight times per day (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.33, 4.72) were significantly associated with good sick child feeding practices.

Conclusion: More than half of the mothers demonstrated poor sick child feeding practices. Family income, frequency of antenatal care visits, and breastfeeding frequency were significant determinants. Strengthening nutrition counseling and promoting optimal infant and young child feeding practices, with greater involvement of fathers, are essential to improve feeding practices during childhood illness.

Determinant of Extended Second Stage Labor among Mothers who Deliver in Dire Dawa City at Public Health Institution, Eastern Ethiopia, 2023:

2026-05-13T08:00:00-08:00

Background: The extended second stage of labor presents a clinical challenge where there is debate over whether extended labor in nulliparous women with epidural anesthesia leads to a lower rate of cesarean sections without elevating risks for mothers or newborns. This stage can become extended, often leading to complications for both mothers and infants.

Objective: To determine the factors that contribute to an extended second stage of labor among mothers delivering in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, in November 2023.
Method: A facility-based case-control study was performed. Mothers who delivered at health facilities in Dire Dawa city from November 2022 to March 2023. A total of 388 mothers who sought delivery care in randomly selected healthcare facilities participated in the study. Data collection utilizes face-to- face interviews, and document reviews. The collected data was edited and analyzed in different software. Bivariate and Multivariable analysis was conducted

Result: Based on this study, factors associated with the extended of the second stage of labor included not engaging in physical exercise (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.1, 11.3), being nulliparous (AOR = 2. 6; 95% CI: 1.6, 4.2), insufficient uterine contractions (AOR = 2. 8; 95% CI: 1.7, 4.5), and a birth weight of 4000 g (AOR = 2. 6; 955 CI: 1.5, 4.6).

Conclusion: Physical activity, parity status, uterine contractions, and the weight of the newborn were identified as factors linked to the duration of the second stage of labor.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Psychotic Experiences and Associated Factors Among High School Students in Dire Dawa Ethiopia, 2025

2026-05-13T08:21:18-08:00

Background: Psychotic experiences (PEs) among high school students often represent early indicators of serious mental health risks. In low-resource settings such as Ethiopia, these experiences remain insufficiently studied despite their potential long-term effects on educational performance and social functioning. This study assessed the prevalence of psychotic experiences and associated factors among high school students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, in 2025.

Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 953 high school students selected using stratified random sampling from public and private schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. Social and environmental factors were assessed using the Oslo-3 Social Support Scale and the Adverse Childhood Experience scale. Information on demographic characteristics, substance use, and family-related factors was also obtained. Data analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of psychotic experiences.

Results: The mean age of participants was 17.76 ± 1.74 years. The overall prevalence of psychotic experiences was 33.8%, with persecutory ideation being the most commonly reported symptom (40.4%). Significant predictors of psychotic experiences included khat chewing (AOR = 3.27; 95% CI: 2.01–5.33), cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.07–3.83), physical neglect (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.16–2.60), emotional abuse (AOR = 5.05; 95% CI: 2.83–9.02), and parental absence (“left behind”) (AOR = 4.71; 95% CI: 3.20–6.92). Females reported more perceptual abnormalities, whereas males reported more bizarre thoughts.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of psychotic experiences underscores the urgent need for school- based mental health interventions focusing on substance use prevention, trauma-informed care, and strengthened social support to reduce future mental health burden among Ethiopian adolescents.

Predictors of Healthy Diet Adherence Intention Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Public Hospitals of Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia:

2026-05-13T08:27:47-08:00

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing public health problem in Ethiopia and globally, with poor dietary adherence posing a major challenge to effective disease management. Although dietary modification is a cornerstone of diabetes care, many patients fail to adhere to recommended dietary practices. Understanding the determinants of dietary intention is therefore essential. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides a robust framework to examine psychological and behavioral factors influencing intention to adhere to a healthy diet among patients with T2DM attending public hospitals in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2025 among 422 systematically selected T2DM patients attending Dilchora and Sabian public hospitals. Data were collected using a structured TPB-based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, and associations were reported using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Overall, 51.4% of participants had good intention to adhere to a healthy diet, while 73% demonstrated low actual dietary adherence. Significant predictors of good intention included female sex (AOR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.35, 4.26), urban residence (AOR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.95), regular physical exercise (AOR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.92), positive attitude (AOR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.59, 7.46), strong behavioral belief (AOR=7.93, 95% CI: 3.31, 19.01), and high perceived control (AOR=7.92, 95% CI: 2.61, 23.99).

Conclusion: Although intention to adhere to a healthy diet was moderate, actual dietary adherence was low. Interventions should strengthen TPB constructs particularly attitude, behavioral beliefs, and perceived control to effectively translate intention into sustained dietary behavior.

Determinants of Birth Asphyxia Among Newborns Delivered in Public Health Facilities in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, 2025:

2026-05-13T08:34:25-08:00

Background: Birth asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide and remains a significant public health problem in Ethiopia. Despite the implementation of various maternal and neonatal health interventions, including the expansion of antenatal care (ANC) contacts to eight visits, birth asphyxia continues to contribute substantially to neonatal deaths. This study aimed to identify the determinants of birth asphyxia in public health facilities of Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based unmatched case–control study was conducted in four health centers and two hospitals in Dire Dawa City Administration from February 20 to April 30, 2025. A total of 308 newborns, comprising 103 cases and 205 controls, were included. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklists through the KoboCollect application and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in bivariate analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Determinants of birth asphyxia were identified using adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, and statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05.

Results: Newborns born to mothers who had fewer than four ANC visits were five times more likely to develop birth asphyxia compared to those whose mothers had four or more visits (AOR = 5.00; 95% CI: 2.57, 9.66). Prolonged labor significantly increased the likelihood of birth asphyxia by more than fourfold (AOR = 4.25; 95% CI: 2.12, 7.79). Neonates delivered through instrumental methods had nearly three times higher odds of experiencing birth asphyxia than those delivered spontaneously (AOR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.11, 7.36). Additionally, neonates born at non-term gestational age were more than five times more likely to develop birth asphyxia (AOR = 5.58; 95% CI: 1.91, 19.63). Low birth weight was also a significant determinant, with affected neonates having more than four times higher odds of birth asphyxia (AOR = 4.51; 95% CI: 2.07, 11.67).

Conclusion: This study identified fewer than four ANC visits, prolonged labor, instrumental delivery, non-term gestational age, and low birth weight as significant determinants of birth asphyxia. Strengthening the quality and continuity of antenatal, intrapartum, and immediate newborn care is essential to reduce the burden of birth asphyxia in public health facilities.