Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cultural Malpractice During the Perinatal Period in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The health of the mother and children are potentially affected by several types of cultural malpractices that occur during the perinatal period. Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic nation where a variety of cultural practices are observed, especially during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of cultural malpractice during the perinatal period in Ethiopia. Data searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel, and analysis was done using STATA version 14. Less than a p-value of 0.05 was regarded to indicate potential publication bias: the funnel plot, Begg, and Egger's regression tests were used to examine publication bias. This study included 18 studies and 7880 mothers. The pooled prevalence of cultural malpractice during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum was 34.95% (95% CI: 27, 42.56), 31.18% (95% CI: 19.61, 42.76), and 45.83% (95% CI: 34.22, 57.45) respectively in Ethiopia. In addition, the following factors are statistically associated with the perinatal period: pregnancy: ANC follow-up (AOR = 3.06, 95%CI = 2.04, 4.58), educational status (AOR = 3.30, 95%CI = 1.99, 5.48), and residence (AOR 2.47, 95%CI, 1.601, 3.81); childbirth: ANC follow-up (AOR = 9.94, 95%CI = 2.05, 48.09), maternal age (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI = 1.56, 3.29), and maternal education (AOR = 10.37, 95%CI = 6.145, 17.51); during postpartum: ANC follow-up (AOR = 3.67, 95%CI = 1.96, 6.844), maternal education (AOR = 6.87, 95%CI = 3.26, 14.49), and residence AOR4.79, 95%CI, 2.97, 7.49). The pooled prevalence of cultural malpractice during the perinatal period was high. Health professionals should encourage beneficial practices through health education for a healthy perinatal period for mothers.

Global prevalence of post-abortion depression: systematic review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression after abortion is a common problem for all women of reproductive age. However, there are not any data on post-abortion depression at a global level. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to find out the global prevalence of post-abortion depression.

METHODS

The present study involved a comprehensive search of several databases, including Science Direct, Scopus, EMBSE, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The search was conducted between February 1, 2023, and March 10, 2023. The data was extracted using Microsoft Excel (version 14) and analyzed using STATA statistical software. To evaluate publication bias, a forest plot, Begg's test, and Egger's test were employed. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2, and a pooled estimated analysis was conducted. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed based on the study continent/region, World Bank income group, screening instrument, and study design.

RESULTS

This analysis included 15 papers with a total of 18,207 research participants out of a total of 657 articles. The overall pooled prevalence of post-abortion depression was found to be 34.5% (95% CI: 23.34, 45.68), with an I2 value of 71.6%. The prevalence of post-abortion depression varied based on geographic location, World Health Organization (WHO) regions, World Bank income category, screening approach, and study design. The highest proportion of post-abortion depression was observed in Asia (37.5%), while the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region had the greatest rate of post-abortion depression (43.1%). Lower-middle-income countries had the highest frequency of post-abortion depression (42.91%) based on World Bank economic classification. The Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was found to have the highest incidence of reported depression prevalence (30%) across diagnostic tools. Furthermore, the prevalence of depression was higher in cross-sectional study designs (36.42%) compared to cohort studies (22.7%).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the occurrence of post-abortion depression has been observed to be widespread globally. The prevalence of post-abortion is found to be influenced by several factors, including the methodology employed in the study, the diagnostic tool utilized, the geographical location, and the socioeconomic status of the population. Healthcare providers should prioritize the provision of post-abortion counseling, care, and emotional support to women.

Vaccination dropout among children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Immunization is cost-effective preventive strategy for child morbidity and mortality. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and online institutional repository homes were searched. Data were extracted by Microsoft excel. Begg's rank test, and Egger's regression test was done. A pooled prevalence, Sub-group analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were conducted. A total of 12 articles were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of vaccination dropout was 26.06% (95% CI: 11.59, 30.53), I2 =91.2%. In sub-group analysis, Nigeria had the highest prevalence of immunization dropouts (33.59%). It was 18.01% and 29.25%, respectively, for published and unpublished research. Community-based studies and institutional-based studies also yield a prevalence of dropout 39.04% and 13.73% respectively. Dropout rate was 22.66% for sample sizes under 500 and 18.01% for sample sizes beyond 500. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of vaccination dropout was high. Community education about vaccinations importance should be prioritized.