Evaluation of Hospital Wastewater Treatment and Disposal: The Case of Wolita Soddo Teaching Referral Hospital, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Untreated liquid hospital wastes are known sources of several chemicals, remnants of medicine, disinfectants and antineoplastic drugs regarded as perilous for humans and the environment and un-metabolized antibiotics in low concentration that contributes largely to the development of antibiotic resistance in our natural micro-flora or environmental micro-flora. Therefore, issues of improving the management of hospital wastes are receiving increasing attention throughout the world since hospitals generate tons of medical waste each year. Septic tank is a sanitization technology that exclusively treats domestic wastewater. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the adequacy of hospital wastewater treatment and disposal in Wolaita Sodo Teaching Referral Hospital. The physicochemical, heavy metals and bacteriological parameters were investigated by taking appropriate samples from March to July 2015 from 5 sampling points. Both the sampling and analysis of the samples were carried out employing standard methods. The results of nine (9) parameters such as Turbidity, conductivity, Temperature, pH, TDS, TSS, NO3-, SO4-2 and PO4-3 had significant difference between sampling points (p<0.05). On the other hand, the results of BOD5, COD, DO, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, FC and TC were comparable among sampling points(p>0.05). Amongst the physicochemical parameters, the average value of BOD5 (46.17+20.21mg/l), COD (205+76.48mg/l), TSS (12,788.2+0.78mg/l),), NO3- (2492.67+0.1mg/l),TKN (11,422.5mg/l), Fe (0.795+0.01mg/l), Pb (0.042mg/l) were found to be higher than the maximum permissible limit set by Ethiopia Environmental Protection Authority (EEPA, 2003 : USEPA, 2002) while EC (198.08+2.275NScm-), Turbidity (53.25+3.68NTU , TDS (98.84+1.14mg/l) and SO4-2 (4+2.18mg/l) were below the maximum permissible level. The mean concentration of all heavy metals except Pb and Fe were lower than the maximum permissible level (USEPA, 2002) for effluent discharged to the environment. Similarly, the mean value of TC (1158.335+515.32MPN/100ml)and FC (1041.67+ 360.85MPN/100ml were higher than the standard set by (EPA, 2002) effluent discharged into the environment. In addition, the removal efficiency of septic tank was evaluated and presented as TSS (67.08%), BOD5 (54.61%), PO4-3 (33.68%), Cu (95.83%),Mn (66.44%), Cr (60.98%) and Fe (47.47%) %). However, septic tank had poor performance on removing turbidity (9.37%), COD (21%), TDS (27.45%), NO3- (-39.00%), SO4-2 (-3.24%), TKN (-5.04), TC (14.58%) and FC (20.23). Evidently, the septic tank treatment plant of study area was not effective on removing contaminants from the hospital, due to the absence of maintenance, lack of desluding, lack of preliminary/primary treatment and absence of secondary/ tertiary wastewater treatment system, lack of sound waste management system i,e sorting and disposal of hospital waste, and lack of proper operation and maintenance program. Therefore, there should be optimal treatment technology for hospital wastewater treatment and a continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effluent quality of the septic tank before discharging in to the environment is of paramount importance. Keywords: Physicochemical parameters, Heavy metal, Bacteriological parameters, Septic Tank, Treatment efficienc

Lactic Acid Bacterial Vaginosis among Outpatients in Addis Ababa

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome in which a decrease in vaginal acidity and concentration of lactobacilli is accompanied by an increase of other pathogenic micro-organisms. The distribution of lactic acid bacteria in vaginal environment of Ethiopian women has not been documented.Objective:To assess the frequency of bacterial vaginosis in women visiting a gynecological clinic in Addis Ababa and to characterize the most common lactic acid bacteria isolated from vaginal fluid.Methods: Vaginal samples from a total of 100 women aged between 18 and 60 years and visiting a gynecological clinic in Addis Ababa were collected between January and June, 2008 and analyzed for their microbial flora. Their Nugent score was determined microscopically and Lactic acid bacteria were isolated, characterized and their drug resistance determined.Results: BV frequency among these study women was 32%. Only 15% were symptomatic as detected by the presence of malodor or abnormal discharge. The majority (44%) was in the age group of 18-30 years and less than a quarter of them had BV. It was also detected in about a third of women belonging to the two major religious denominations hadBV. The frequency of BV among pregnant women was low. The frequency of BV in women with prior abortion was slightly higher than 1/3. A total of 350 lactic acid bacterial isolates were obtained and 40% of them belonged toLactococcus species. Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Pediococcus were encountered at different frequencies. Resistance was seen against all drugs at various frequencies among the LAB (Lactic Acid Bacteria) isolates.Resistance of LAB to all antibiotics tested ranged between 20% and 42%, and the least resistance was noted against vancomycin. All women who had been positive for bacterial vaginosis were accordingly treated.Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis may contribute to adverse reproductive outcomes. Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in this study compares well with other African studies. The species richness and relative abundance of vaginal lactic acid bacteria in this study may be considered to design better probiotic products as bacterial replacement therapy

Impact of sheep and goats ectoparasites on the tanning industry in Tigray Region, Ethiopia

A study was carried out to assess the effect of ectoparasites on the quality of processed skin and defects that cause downgrading and rejection of skins in pickled sheep and wet blue goat-skins at Wukro Sheba tannery in Tigray region. A total of 120 sheep and 120 goat pelts with known infestation by ectoparasites and ectoparasite free control pelts were purchased and processed in Sheba tannery and the corresponding skin defects were analyzed. Accordingly, three groups of 40 sheep pelts each (one group infested with M. ovinus, one group infested with Damalina ovis and a control group of ectoparasite free sheep pelts) and three groups of 40 goat pelts each (one group infested with sarcoptic mange, one group infested with Linognathus spp. and a control group of ectoparasite free goat pelts) were used. Defects observed at pickled stage include cockle, scratch, scar, technical defects due to flaying and old age. A strong association (P<0.001) was observed between cockle lesion and infestation of sheep pelts with D. ovis and Mellophagus ovinus and infestation of goat pelts with sarcoptic mange. Further more, the severity of infestation of sheep pelts with M. ovinus and D. ovis and infestation of goat pelts with sarcoptic mange were found to correlate significantly (P<0.001) with severity of cockle defect. Further investigation on 1000 pickled sheep and 1000 wet blue goat skins revealed that scratch defect was the dominant (43.4 % and 53 %), followed by cockle (35 % and 21.5 %), scar (7 % and 6.8 %) and knife cut (3.4 % and 6.2 %) in pickled sheep and wet blue goat skins, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in proportion of cockle between pickled sheep and wet blue goat skins. In addition, a strong association (P<0.001) was observed between cockle and scratch, and cockle and scars on both pickled skins. The economic loss due to quality deterioration of exported skin in the study tannery was estimated to be 778,199.41 USD for pickled sheep and 247,677.61 USD for wet blue goat skins per annum. The growing threat of ectoparasites to small ruminant production and to the tanning industry needs well coordinated and urgent control intervention.Keywords: Ectoparasites, Goat, Sheep, Skin defects, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Socio-demographic correlates of mental and behavioural disorders of children in Southern Ethiopia

Objective: To describe the magnitude and socio-demographic correlates of specific mental and behavioural disorders.Design: A cross-sectional survey.Setting: Butajira district, southern Ethiopia.Participants: The Amharic version of the Diagnostic Instrument for Children and Adolescents (DICA) was used to interview parents of 1,477 children.Main outcome measures: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Disruptive behaviour disorders, mood and anxiety disorders.Results: Using a multivariate logistic model, age was significantly associated with ADHD. Children between 10 and 14 years of age had more than three-fold increased risk of ADHD compared to younger children: adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95%CI) = 3.17 (1.16, 8.67), p=0.02. Residence in urban area was also significantly associated with ADHD: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.84 (1.14-7.07), p=0.03. Disruptive behaviour disorders were significantly associated with increasing age: adjusted OR (95% CI)= 4.24 (1.43, 12.6). Mood and anxiety disorders were not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variable studied.Conclusion: The study shows that age and residence in urban areas are significant correlates of behavioural disorders in children

Функціональні зв'язки між ефектами води Нафтуся на канальцеву секреторно-транспортну та імунну системи щурів. Повідомлення 2: Канальцева секреція і параметри спленоцитограми та гемолімфоаденоцитограми

В рамках концепции об общности механизмов функционирования канальцевой секреторно-транспортной и фагоцитарно-лимфоидной систем выявлены существенные связи между скоростью почечной канальцевой секреции и параметрами фагоцитоза, лейкоцитограммы крови, стеноцитогаммы и гемолимфоаденоцитограммы крыс в условиях курсового напаивания их водой Нафтуся per se и в сочетании с цитостатиком или анаболиком.It is shown that increase of canalicular secretion in rats becaused by drinking of water Naftussya accompanied increase massa of haemolymphatic node and contents in its of endothelio-, reticulo-, lymphocytes, eosinophyles and macrophages, blood level lymphocytes, monocytes and segmental nucleare neutrophyles but decrease activity and completion of phagocytose of neutrophyles and level of lymphoblastes in splenocytogramme. The using of cytostatic drug abolishes but anabolic drug potentiates both activating and inhibiting influence of water Naftussya

Leadership in strategic information (LSI) building skilled public health capacity in Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In many developing countries, including Ethiopia, few have the skills to use data for effective decision making in public health. To address this need, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with two local Ethiopian organizations, developed a year long Leadership in Strategic Information (LSI) course to train government employees working in HIV to use data from strategic information sources. A process evaluation of the LSI course examined the impact of the training on trainees' skills and the strengths and weaknesses of the course. The evaluation consisted of surveys and focus groups.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Trainees' skill sets increased in descriptive and analytic epidemiology, surveillance, and monitoring and evaluation (M and E). Data from the evaluation indicated that the course structure and the M and E module required revision in order to improve outcomes. Additionally, the first cohort had a high attrition rate. Overall, trainees and key stakeholders viewed LSI as important in building skilled capacity in public health in Ethiopia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The evaluation provided constructive insight in modifying the course to improve retention and better address trainees' learning needs. Subsequent course attrition rates decreased as a result of changes made based on evaluation findings.</p

Combined KRAS-MAPK pathway inhibitors and HER2-directed drug conjugate is efficacious in pancreatic cancer

Targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains clinically unsuccessful. We aim to develop a MAPK inhibitor-based therapeutic combination with strong preclinical efficacy. Utilizing a reverse-phase protein array, we observe rapid phospho-activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in PDAC cells upon pharmacological MAPK inhibition. Mechanistically, MAPK inhibitors lead to swift proteasomal degradation of dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6). The carboxy terminus of HER2, containing a TEY motif also present in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), facilitates binding with DUSP6, enhancing its phosphatase activity to dephosphorylate HER2. In the presence of MAPK inhibitors, DUSP6 dissociates from the protective effect of the RING E3 ligase tripartite motif containing 21, resulting in its degradation. In PDAC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, combining ERK and HER inhibitors slows tumour growth and requires cytotoxic chemotherapy to achieve tumour regression. Alternatively, MAPK inhibitors with trastuzumab deruxtecan, an anti-HER2 antibody conjugated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, lead to sustained tumour regression in most tested PDXs without causing noticeable toxicity. Additionally, KRAS inhibitors also activate HER2, supporting testing the combination of KRAS inhibitors and trastuzumab deruxtecan in PDAC. This study identifies a rational and promising therapeutic combination for clinical testing in PDAC patients