Optimizing catfish marketing in forest communities of Ido municipality: The impact of seasonality, storage and pricing on performance

The challenges encountered by catfish marketers due to the seasonality of catfish production in most rural areas have masterminded difficulty in the free distribution of product to consumers, which invariably hampers their income. Therefore, the study examined catfish marketing in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select sampled respondents. First, 5 wards were selected purposefully out of 10 wards in the study area. Next, a total of 10 markets were randomly selected evenly from each ward. Finally, 120 marketers were selected from each of the sampled markets. A questionnaire was adopted for datacollection on the demographic characteristics of respondents, marketing channels available, gross margin estimation of catfish marketing, factors influencing of catfish marketing, and constraints on catfish marketing. Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages, meanscores, gross margin, linear regression, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Key findings indicate that 74% of respondents earn between ₦200,000 and ₦400,000 ($476 -$952) monthly, with a gross margin of 64.4%, meaning marketers retain $0.644 for every dollar of revenue. The analysis showed that 58% of variations in catfish marketing could be explained by the identified influencing factors. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was found to be 1.41:1, indicating a positive return on investment, with marketers retaining approximately ₦1,453,056 from their activities. However, constraints such as seasonality, high transportation costs, and inadequate cold storage facilities were significant hurdles. Therefore, establishment of commodity markets in rural areas to enhance connections between fish farmers and buyers, promoting partnerships among stakeholders, and providing training on product quality and storage were recommended. These measures aim to improve the efficiency and profitability of catfish marketing

Socioeconomic determinants of child Schooling in selected slums in Lagos State, Nigeria

Access to education is a critical factor for human capital development and overall economic development. Yet, many peculiar challenges inhibit school attendance in slums across the world, particularly developing countries. Therefore, this study examines the socio-economic determinants of child schooling in some slums in Lagos State. Data were collected through faceto-face interviews with 400 Households. Descriptive analysis was used to explain the distribution of respondents across various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; while logistic regression was used to estimate the empirical relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. The study found that the age of the respondent, household size, years of formal education, and income significantly influenced child schooling. The study also revealed that respondents were willing to allow their male and female children to pursue tertiary education, indicating no bias or discrimination against female children. The findings have important implications for policy and practice, emphasizing the need to encourage older parents not to desist from enrolling children in their care in school. Also, educational infrastructure gaps in the slum should be addressed and parents should be encouraged to utilize free education opportunities offered by nearby government schools

Assessment of the current status of and characterization mango anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) isolates in Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia

Mango anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) poses a significant threat to small-scale mango producers in the Wolaita zone of southern Ethiopia. This study investigated the disease's incidence and severity, along with characterizing the pathogen and its impact on mango production in the area. Disease incidence was determined by examining eight randomly selected mango plants per farm field, while severity was assessed by measuring the percentage of leaf/fruit area infected on eight randomly selected plants. Laboratory analysis focused on characterizing C. gloeosporioides isolates collected from infected plant material. Conidial morphology was examined by measuring the length and width of 20 conidia per isolate. Cultural characteristics, including colony growth, color, form, and diameter, were also documented for each isolate grown on potato dextrose agar. Results revealed a high incidence of mango anthracnose in the surveyed orchards, ranging from 60.5% to 84.0% on leaves and 70.8% to 79.0% on fruits. Disease severity also varied significantly between locations, with leaf severity ranging from 39.75% to 76.75% and fruit severity ranging from 40.25% to 57.15%. Morphological analysis of C. gloeosporioides isolates revealed an average conidial length of 10.65 μm and width of 4.46 μm. Colony morphology on potato dextrose agar exhibited variability, with an average diameter of 34.47 mm and the lowest mycelial growth of 18.18 mm. The study highlights the significant threat of mango anthracnose to mango production in the Wolaita zone. The observed variability in disease severity and pathogen characteristics underscores the need for location-specific disease management strategies. Future research should focus on developing effective and affordable control measures for mango anthracnose in the Wolaita zone, considering the observed variability in disease severity and pathogen characteristics

Effects of digital marketing service components on banks performance with mediating role of customer intention the case of selected Commercial Banks in Moyale and Yabello Town, Ethiopia

Despite the increasing competition for digital marketing services in the banking sector, many banks continue to struggle with inefficiencies and a lack of adoption of modern technologies. Research on the impact of integrated digital marketing services on Ethiopian banks' performance is still lacking. Thus, the objective of the study was to gain better knowledge of how the key components of digital marketing services impact bank performance, particularly in Ethiopia's banking sector. Responses were gathered by selecting 400 employees and customers of specific commercial banks in Borena, southern Ethiopia, and asking them to fill out both closed ended and open-ended questionnaires. A pragmatic research philosophy, a mixed-methods technique, a cross-sectional survey conducted at a specific moment in time, and sequential explanatory designs were all employed to achieve the study's objectives. The data was analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS and SPSS version 26. Demographic variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that internet banking, mobile banking, point-of-sale machines, and automated teller machines all significantly contribute to operational efficiency and customer engagement, which in turn fosters improved financial outcomes for banks. Moreover, a digital marketing service has a substantial and meaningful impact on both bank performance and customer intention. In order to improve bank performance, this study suggested that digital marketing services be taken into account when providing banking services. Additionally, rather than focusing on banks, it was suggested that future researchers look at how digital marketing affects other service organizations. In the banking sector, this study adds to the body of knowledge by concentrating on the mediating function of client intentions in the relationship between digital marketing and bank performance

Introduction of the Kifilideen’s Extermination and Determinant of Matrix (KEDM) Method for Resolving Multivariable Linear Systems with Two, Three and Four Unknowns

The Gaussian extermination technique poses significant challenges when applied to systems of linear equations with three or four unknowns, as it involves multiple steps and requires a high number of arithmetic operations, making the method less efficient and more complex to implement and understand. Furthermore, the Jacobian and Gauss-Seidel methods produce approximate solutions that may not accurately represent the true solution. Additionally, LU decomposition method can introduce round – off errors, leading to inaccurate solutions. The graphical method is also impractical for systems with more than two unknowns, as visualization and interpretation become increasingly difficult. Cramer’s rule, used for resolving large systems of linear equations, is computationally complex and inefficient due to complexity of determinant calculations. Therefore, a simpler and more efficient technique is needed for resolving linear systems of simultaneous equations with two, three, and four unknowns. This study introduces Kifilideen’s Extermination and Determinant of Matrix (KEDM) Method for resolving multivariable linear systems with two, three, and four unknowns. The KEDM method employs a progressive extermination technique to narrow down the number of unknowns of a system of simultaneous equations using a determinant of matrix layout. This method was developed to efficiently determine the solution of linear systems of simultaneous equations. The KEDM method was tested on linear systems of simultaneous equations with two, three and four unknowns to evaluate its effectiveness and simplicity. The results show that the KEDM method involves only 2 × 2 determinant of matrix calculations, making it simpler, easier, more intuitive, less computationally expensive and more efficient to implement and understand.&nbsp

Genetic variability for yield and yield related traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars evaluated at Taba and Gurumo-Koysha, Wolaita, Ethiopia

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a potential crop in the Wolaita Zone in Southern Ethiopia for both domestic use and export. However, the unavailability of suitable chickpea cultivars that fit the Wolaita area is a major constraint for production. Therefore, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the yield and yield-related traits of 12 chickpea cultivars (Dz-02-54, Dz- 02-53, Hora, Kasech, Ejeri, Acose-dubie, Teji, Shasho, Dhera, Minjar, Dalota and Habru). The results revealed that days to emergence, days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity, and harvest index were found to have significant differences (p<0.05) among the cultivars during the analysis of variance for individual locations and combined across locations. Cultivar × location interaction effect was significant for 23.08% of the evaluated traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values ranged from 4.30 (number of seeds per plant) to 41.68 (grain yield)whereas the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) values ranged from 2.53 (thousand seed weight) to 22.68 (number of seed per plant). The cultivar Hora demonstrated the highest performance, achieving a maximum grain yield of 11.68 q/ha. It was closely followed by Ejeri (11.34 q/ha) and Kasech (11.08 q/ha). These cultivars show potential for cultivation in Taba and Gurumo-Koysha, Wolaita, Ethiopia and may serve as valuable resources for future chickpea enhancement efforts

Hand washing practices at critical times and their associated factors among mothers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

One of the most crucial preventive measures against the spread of infectious diseases is hand washing, a process of hand cleansing that dramatically lowers bacteria in the hands. There is no comprehensive study on hand-washing practices in Ethiopia. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at a critical time and identifying associated factors among mothers in Ethiopia. Published articles from various electronic databases, such as Medline, Hinari, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science, were accessed. The search period was from November 1, 2022, to January 10,2023. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023427409. All observational studies conducted among mothers in the English language were included in the review. Two reviewers independently assessed the articles before inclusion in the final review using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument for critical appraisal. The I-squared test was used to assess heterogeneity. Since the included studies exhibited high heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at critical time movements. We found 3,546 studies in our search. Finally, 158 full-text studies were reviewed, and 18 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. A total of 6,956 study respondents from 18 studies were included in the study. The results of our study revealed that the pooled prevalence of handwashing practice among mothers was 47.83%, with a 95% confidence interval of 37.27- 58.38. From the pooled estimation, there was a significant association between hand washing practice and educational level, knowledge, availability of water, and attitude of mothers. The pooled prevalence of hand washing practice at critical times among Ethiopian mothers was relatively low, and improving maternal literacy, the availability of water sources in the backyard, and the positive attitude of mothers are needed to maintain and enhance the practice

Farmers' perceptions of climate change and variability and determinants of adaptation strategies and coping mechanism in Ethiopia

Climate change and variability are significantly affecting the Ethiopian agricultural sector, which serves as the backbone of the country's economy. The implementation of adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms is influenced by various factors, which are site-specific. Thus, this study aimed to explore farmers' perceptions of climate change and variability and the determinants of adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms in Ethiopia. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 133 farming households. The results revealed that farmers' perceptions of local indicators, such as temperature changes and rainfall patterns, underscore the diverse and impactful nature of climate variations on their experiences. The multivariate probit model output showed that the determinants of farmers' responses to climate variability, such as age, family size, educational status, sources of income, types of farming, farming experience, farm size, access to extension services, and availability of seasonal information, were significantly affected (p < 0.01). The impact of education, family size, farming experience, and income sources varies across various facets of agricultural practices, emphasizing the nuanced dynamics of coping mechanisms. Policymakers and agricultural practitioners seeking to develop effective strategies need to consider diverse needs and challenges faced by farmers in adapting to climate variability. Promoting education and improving access to extension services are critical components of successful adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms.&nbsp

The effect of Genos emotional intelligence on project leader outcomes: A case of non-governmental organization project leadership in Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia

In this study, the impact of Genos Emotional Intelligence dimensions on leadership outcomes was investigated in non-governmental organizations, Wolaita zone. Structured MLQ questionnaires for project leader outcome and Genos Inventory Concise scales for emotional intelligence were used to gather data from 167 project leaders at all levels from a randomly chosen samples in order to evaluate the model. With a statistically significant correlation between the Non-Governmental Organization leadership practices, genos emotional intelligence, and leadership outcome, this study supports a direct and indirect impact of the Genos emotional intelligence scales on the financial performance of organizations (p < 0.05). The findings of the regression analysis for seven subscales revealed a significant link (p < 0.05) between the NGO leadership aspects of extra effort, effectiveness, staff satisfaction, and emotionally intelligent behavior. Genos emotional subscales explained 16.4% of the variance in overall leadership outcome: 6.1%, 17.7%, and 19.1% of the variance in extra effort, the effectiveness of leadership, and employee satisfaction, respectively. The research suggested that as Genos emotional intelligence practices at all levels of leadership improve in the direction of more effective and transformational leadership, as explained by the spectrum of emotionally intelligent scales, there is an opportunity for positive change in leadership outcomes

A short-term treatment outcome and its associated factors of transvesical prostatectomy among patients admitted with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the commonest cause of urinary problems in elderly males, affecting their quality of life. Modalities of treatment include watchful waiting, medical treatment, surgical treatment like transurethral resection, and open prostatectomy. But the outcome and associated factors of prostatectomy among patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital were not studied. To assess the short-term treatment outcomes and associated factors of transvesical prostatectomy (TVP) among patients admitted with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to October 30, 2022, among 316 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The data were collected by reviewing medical records, entered intoEpiData version 3.1, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. A bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the outcome of transvesical prostatectomy. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) (with a 95% confidence interval) was used to report association, and significance was declared at a P-value <0.05. Ninety-six percent (96.2%) of patients presented with severe symptoms, and 83.9% had pre-operation catheterization. The overall complication rate was 42.4%, and surgical site infection was 38.3%. Duration of symptoms [AOR = 9.05, 95% CI (2.16-37.88)] and type of skin incision [AOR = 18.98, 95% CI: 1.67–208.45] were significantly associated with complications of TVP. The complications seen in this study are higher than in other studies in Ethiopia and some other African countries. Duration of symptoms and type of skin incision were factors significantly associated with outcome. Improving community awareness about the nature of the disease and the importance of follow-up both before and after surgery is needed to minimize complications