Assesment on Urban Density and Land Use Efficiency in the Ethiopian Cities

“Density” which refers to urban space has become an area of discussion among different scholars in urban design and town planning and among policymakers in urban development. Some advocates for the compact city (higher density) development and others to spread-out. However, the objective of this study is not evaluating the arguments of pro-density and spread out developments. The study aimed to assess and investigate to what extent Ethiopian cities are dense based on national urban development policy, acceptable global standards? Identify major challenges hindering density of development and strategies devised to solve the problem, assess land use intensity among core area, intermediate zone, and peripheral zone and identify the reason behind and suggest some policy recommendations which supports compact developments. The research approach applied in this study is a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative) and both primary and secondary data had been collected and analyzed. Spatially, Ethiopian cities are growing in a low-density pattern as compared to global standards supposed to developing countries and national contexts (housing as well as population density). For this, a range of different factors is considered. Housing typology, land delivery system for development purpose, and deficiency in enabling environment (water supply, sewerage system, road network) and the lack of the policy directions and density standards which indicate where.....what level of density and how it can be achieved, presence of significant proportion of vacant or underused land in core areas by government institutions as well as individuals are contributed for the existence of low-density developments. There is no fit all strategies about density; therefore, to achieve a planned and healthy density, private sector and individual developer must stimulate and regulated through market and planning instruments. To do so, a comprehensive land use and density framework and planning capacity is important. Keywords: Assessment, built-up area, core area, density, intermediate zone, land use intensity, populatio

Examining Rental Housing Affordability Among Eastern Ethiopian Cities

The rental sector had been neglected in government housing policy and in the local government's resource allocation, though it apprehended a large number of urban dwellers and which will undoubtedly continue in the future. The study aimed to examine the rental housing affordability, assess rental housing characteristics, identify factors which determined rental affordability and devised alternatives to promote rental housing affordability. About 651 questionnaires were distributed to rental households and government officials were interviewed to capture experience on rental regulatory and administrative issues. Global and local experiences on government housing policy and strategies revealed that the rental housing was less emphasized or sometimes, it was totally ignored. However, results from inter-census survey report revealed that the rental sectors had contributed much in addressing the residential needs of the urban poor and the contribution of the sector in addressing the housing needs were raised from 45 percent to 54 percent. Results from the logistic regression analysis indicated us the rental levels in the sample cities were in the threshold at least for 60 percent of the households. However, this event does not mean that rent is affordable; rather the lessee had a compromised adequacy of housing with monthly rental price to be in acceptable range. Therefore, the government should devise alternatives to promote rental sectors through regulation and policy interventions. Among the possible measures, getting rental housing on the larger urban policy is the first and central intervention. The government should regulate the rental market through regulatory and policy measures by making balance the interests of both landlords and renters. Keywords: need for rental housing, rent affordability, housing condition, measures of affordability DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-6-01 Publication date:June 30th 201

Examining Rental Housing Affordability Among Eastern Ethiopian Cities

The rental sector had been neglected in government housing policy as well as in the local government's resource allocation, though it apprehended a large number of urban dwellers and which will undoubtedly continue in the future. The objective of this study is to examine the rental housing affordability and its implication for low-income households. Specifically, it tried to critically evaluate the characteristics of rental housing, examined how affordable rental housing is and identify the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the rental housing market and finally based on the findings tried to devise a possible alternative that can enhance rental housing affordability. Questionnaires were distributed to 1162 rental households and officials were interviewed to capture their experience on regulatory and administrative issues. Global and local experiences on government housing policy and strategies revealed that the rental housing was less emphasized or in some cases, it was totally ignored. However, inter-census results population of confirmed that rental sectors had contributed a lot in addressing the residential needs of the urban poor and the contribution of the sector in addressing the housing needs are raised from 45percent to 54percent and the reverse is true for the case of home ownership. Results from the survey report confirmed that the rental levels in the sample cities were at the threshold levels. However, this does not mean that rent is affordable; rather the lessee had compromised with the adequacy of housing in order to avoid high rental price. Therefore, government should devise alternatives to promote rental sectors through regulation and policy interventions. Among the possible measures, getting rental housing on the larger urban policy is the first and most important intervention. Government should regulate the rental market through regulatory and policy measures by making balance the interests of both landlords and renters. Keywords: Rent, need for a rental housing, private renters, affordability measures DOI: 10.7176/JPID/50-05 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Examining Rental Housing Affordability Among Eastern Ethiopian Cities

The rental sector had been neglected in government housing policy and in the local government's resource allocation, though it apprehended a large number of urban dwellers and which will undoubtedly continue in the future. The study aimed to examine the rental housing affordability, assess rental housing characteristics, identify factors which determined rental affordability and devised alternatives to promote rental housing affordability. In examining rental affordability about 651 questionnaires were distributed to rental households and government officials were interviewed to capture experience on rental regulatory and administrative issues. Global and local experiences on government housing policy and strategies revealed that the rental housing was less emphasized or sometimes, it was totally ignored. However, results from inter-census survey report revealed that the rental sectors had contributed much in addressing the residential needs of the urban poor and the contribution of the sector in addressing the housing needs were raised from 45 percent to 54 percent. Results from the logistic regression analysis indicated us the rental levels in the sample cities were in the threshold at least for 60 percent of the households. However, this event does not mean that rent is affordable; rather the lessee had a compromised adequacy of housing with monthly rental price to be in acceptable range. Therefore, the government should devise alternatives to promote rental sectors through regulation and policy interventions. Among the possible measures, getting rental housing on the larger urban policy is the first and central intervention. The government should regulate the rental market through regulatory and policy measures by making balance the interests of both landlords and renters. Keywords: need for rental housing, rent affordability, housing condition, measures of affordability DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-6-05 Publication date:June 30th 201

Viewpoints on Government Supports to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)

Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) have dual roles in a nation`s economy i.e., poverty alleviation and growth. For this reason, developing countries have implemented a variety of support packages that will enable them to manage growth stagnation and harness its potential as an engine for economic growth. The purpose of this study is to identify  the criteria designed to  deliver the support, examine whether there exist well-established system to managed incentives, especially for working premises and product display Centre, evaluate how effective is the support system in solving marketing and related problems of the enterprises  and finally based on findings, point out the implications for the problems. Data source for the study area statistical abstract which was compiled at the ministry of urban development, housing and construction, central statistics agency as well as sectorial reports Ababa city administration.  Moreover, policy and strategy document had been reviewed to grasp relevant practical information on the issues. The research type which applied in this study is evaluation research which focuses to answer how effective a particular program, policy in attaining its intended objectives. The findings confirm that resource allocation for the sector overall supports indicates significant improvements.  Nevertheless, there exhibited significant problems in resource administration which required an effective monitoring and evaluation system. Keywords: Incentives; Working Premises; MSEs; Government Support, Market Linkag

Assessment of Addis Ababa’s Urban Land Lease Implementation: A Backing to Make Informed Decision

Allocation and distribution of urban land have an impact in promoting or deterring overall urban development, directing the general political, economic environments to developmental or rent seeking environments, especially for countries in low economic development, where the capital market is not developed enough to create wealth for the mass. It hinders or facilities urban dwellers to access the scarce resource that has a potential for sustained growth and development. This paper is, therefore, intended to assess the performance of lease policy in supplying serviced land for development purposes with especial emphasis to Addis Ababa city and help to make an informed decision on the lease implementation. To meet these objectives, both quantitative and qualitative research approach was applied and primary and secondary data had been collected and analysed descriptively. The findings indicate that urban land supply was not demand responded. Numbers of plots per auction have not been exceeding 145 plots on average; auction price is more than 10 times that of government supported housing program. The trend is not promising in terms of land allocation and price. Therefore, the city administration needs to analyse the problem thoroughly and take policy intervention which helps to enhance land supply stemmed from the present performance. Keywords: auction price; benchmark price; lease policy; land transfer modalities; land marke

Factors associated with late presentation to HIV/AIDS care in South Wollo ZoneEthiopia: a case-control study

Abstract Background Access to free antiretroviral therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa has been steadily increasing. The success of large-scale antiretroviral therapy programs depends on early initiation of HIV/AIDs care. The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with late presentation to HIV/AIDS care. Methods A case-control study was conducted in Dessie referral and Borumeda district hospitals from March 1 to 31, 2010, northern Ethiopia. A total of 320 study participants (160 cases and 160 controls) were included in the study. Cases were people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) who had a WHO clinical stage of III or IV or a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 200/uL at the time of the first presentation to antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinics. Controls were PLHA who had WHO stage I or II or a CD4 lymphocyte count of 200/uL or more irrespective of clinical staging at the time of first presentation to the ART clinics of the hospitals cases and controls were interviewed by trained nurses using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten health workers and eight PLHA. Results PLHA who live with their families [OR = 3.29, 95%CI: 1.28-8.45)], lived in a rented house [OR = 2.52, 95%CI: 1.09-5.79], non-pregnant women [OR = 9.3, 95% CI: 1.93-44.82], who perceived ART have many side effects [OR = 6.23, 95%CI:1.63,23.82)], who perceived HIV as stigmatizing disease [OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.09-8.76], who tested with sickness/symptoms [OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.26-5.44], who did not disclose their HIV status for their partner [OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.02-7.56], frequent alcohol users [OR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.63-7.71] and who spent more than 120 months with partner at HIV diagnosis[OR = 5.86, 95% CI: 1.35-25.41] were significantly associated with late presentation to HIV/AIDS care. The qualitative finding revealed low awareness, non-disclosure, perceived ART side effects and HIV stigma were the major barriers for late presentation to HIV/AIDS care. Conclusions Efforts to increase early initiation of HIV/AIDS care should focus on addressing patient's concerns such as stigma, drug side effects and disclosure.</p

Studies on butterflies’ diversity in relation to habitats and seasons at Gulele Botanical Garden in Central Ethiopia: implication of protected area for in-situ conservation of biological entity

Butterflies are the most important biodiversity components, which are under different threats including climate change that varies with habitat type and seasons. Intra-annual variation in temperature (i.e. seasonality) can have important implications for thermal tolerance, which affect climate change vulnerability. Habitat type can additionally influence a population’s capacity to respond to climatic change. As Gullele Botanical garden is home of small animals like butterflies owing to its different habitats in different seasons, studying the diversity of these useful group of organism is vital. The study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2014. Butterfly diversity was investigated using sweep nets along transects (500 m x 300 m) in three types of habitats: natural forest, artificial forest and Grassland. Data were analyzed using Xcel Software, Tukey’s hsd test and diversity indexes. Maximum abundance (162) and species richness (26) was recorded in grassland followed by natural forest though they are not statistically different (p&gt;0.05). Butterflies evenly distributed in the three habitats (P&gt;0.05). The highest Shannon diversity index was at the grassland (H=3.09) followed by the natural forest (H=3.02). The species richness index was the highest (R=4.91) in the grassland and the least (R=3.79) in the artificial forest. Simpson’s diversity index indicated higher butterfly species diversity in the natural forest (D=0.92) and grassland habitat (D=0.96). Members of the family Lycaenidae were the most dominant (28.5%) and Hesperidae (8.03%) was the least. There was a significance difference (P&lt;0.05) among seasons. Multiple comparisons of Tukey hsd test showed that there was a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference between autumn and winter. Species richness showed the maximum (R=6.06) record in autumn and minimum (R=4.10) in winter. Shannon diversity index showed higher diversity (H=3.396) in autumn. Among families, Lycaenidae had high values in autumn (H=1.09) and spring (H=1.03), while Nymphalidae and Pieridae had high values during winter (H=0.952) and summer (H=0.980), respectively. Hesperiidae had the highest value (H=0.32) in autumn and the lowest (H=0.00) in winter. In Artificial forest Hypolimnas salmacis (Rothschild &amp; Jordan), Bicyclus campus (Karsch) and Euchrysops albistriata (Capronnier) were abundantly found. Deudorix dinochares (Grose-Smith) and Papilio echerioides (Trimen,) were species specific to the natural forest habitat. The most abundant species in the grassland were Eicochrysops messapus (Wallengren), Colias electo (Berger) and Danaus chrysippus (L.)

Rural health extension workers’ intention to leave their jobs and associated factors, North Wollo Zone, northeast Ethiopia

Background: The intention to leave primary jobs has risen in importance in the global dialogue on the health workforce. The related concept of staff turnover has also generated debate.&nbsp;This study was conducted to assess health extension workers’ intention to leave their jobs in North Wollo Zone, northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in North Wollo Zone from February to April 2016. Using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique, a total of 383 participants were selected. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant factors. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were used to measure the strength and presence of statistical associations. Results: The study showed that 64.1% (95% CI: 59.2, 69) of health extension workers had an intention to leave their jobs. Statistically significant factors were: low salary (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.98, 4.25); high workload (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.46, 5.31); dissatisfaction with educational opportunities (AOR = 3.74: 95% CI: 1.56, 8.27); dissatisfaction with payments and benefits (AOR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.87, 6.68); dissatisfaction with the lack of recognition (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.63); and dissatisfaction with working environments (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.52). Conclusions: The proportion of participants who intended to leave their jobs was high. Hence, developing evidence-based retention strategies focusing on payments, educational opportunities, incentives, and work environment could help reduce the intention of health extension workers to leave their jobs.&nbsp;[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(2):106-113] Keywords: Intention to leave, health extension workers, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopi

Effect of an Insecticide Chlorantraniliproleon Biochemical Characteristicsof snakehead fish, Channa punctatus (BLOCH, 1793)

AbstractObjective: Pesticides are mainly released into Lakes, ponds and rivers due to the runofffrom agricultural fields. Pesticides are generally toxic to manynon-target organisms such as fish. Fish, generally accumulate contaminants from aquaticenvironments and have been largely used in studies of food safety. So, present investigation aims to determine the effects of chlorantraniliprole on biochemical characteristics (total protein, soluble and structural, free amino acidsand lipid levels in muscle, kidney and liver) of the snake head fish Channapunctatus.Methods:The water used for acclimatization and conducting experiments was clear unchlorinated ground water. The soluble, structural and the total proteins in the organs were estimated using the folin-phenol reagent method.Results: Theresult showsdeclined levels of biochemical parameters during all the exposure periods when compared with control.Conclusion:The results of the current study obviously show the toxic nature of the toxicant on thebiochemical parameters of the fish, Channapunctuatus. The changes in total soluble, solubleproteins, free amino acids and lipid in the chlorantraniliprole treated fish. Key words:accumulate,food safety,Channa punctatus,declined, exposureÂ