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Background: Like other developing countries, in Ethiopia, obstetric complications contribute to about 50% of the maternal deaths. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge of obstetric danger signs and its associated factors among mothers attending the postnatal clinic at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar district, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 postnatal mothers at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital from June to September 2015. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs among postnatal clinic attending mothers was determined by using seventeen obstetric danger sign questions via interviewing. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify associated factors. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a P value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of association. Results: About 59% [95% CI 55, 63] of mothers were knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs. The odds of having good knowledge of obstetric danger signs were higher among mothers who were more educated [AOR = 6.86, 95% CI 2.47, 19.27], earned more than 3500 ETB household monthly income [AOR = 3.38, 95% CI 1.20, 13.96], and received information on danger signs from health extension workers (HEWs) [AOR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.83, 9.70] compared to their counterparts. However, mothers with service utilization decision power [AOR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.07, 0.27] with husband were 86% times less likely to be knowledgeable compared to mothers decided by themselves. Conclusion: In this study, below two thirds of mothers had good knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Thus, improving educational status and obtaining health information on obstetric danger signs from health professionals should be intensified. This implies that lack of awareness may lead to delay in seeking care. Thus, improving mothers' socio-economic status and self-decision-making power on utilization of health service are essential to mitigate the high burden of maternal morbidity due to obstetric complications. Also, obtaining health information on obstetric danger signs from health professionals should be intensified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than one in every ten (14%) of under-five child deaths is associated with diarrheal morbidity in Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia has implemented different health interventions like its immunization program, childhood diarrhea morbidity, on which literature is limited, continues as a public health problem. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diarrheal morbidity and associated factors among under-five children in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out from March 05 to April 03/2015 in Bahir Dar in which 553 mother-child pairs participated. A structured questionnaire was adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey (EDHS) to collect the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the independent predictors of diarrheal morbidity. Result: The overall prevalence of diarrheal morbidity was 9.4% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4.8, 14.0%]. No receipt of Rotavirus vaccine dose 2 [AOR = 3.96, 95%CI; 2.13, 7.33], non-exclusive breastfeeding [AOR = 2.69, 95%CI; 1.39, 5.19], unavailability of solid waste disposal system [AOR = 2.62, 95%CI; 1.19, 5.77], employed and private business occupational status of mothers [AOR = 2.10, 95%CI; 1.02, 4.31)], and less than Ethiopia Birr (ETB) 600 household monthly income [AOR = 2.10, 95% CI; 1.2, 7.2] were independently associated with diarrheal morbidity. Conclusion: In Bahir Dar, one in every ten of the under-five children surveyed suffered from diarrheal morbidity. Thus, implementing effective rotavirus vaccination programs, encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and emphasizing appropriate solid waste management would reduce childhood diarrheal morbidity in the region. In addition, the finding suggests that improved child care mechanisms, especially for mothers working outside the home, and efforts to increase household income should be intensified to reduce incidence of diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]