Prevalence of Camel Trypanosomosis at Selected Districts of Bale Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Across-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to March 2014 at selected districts of Bale zone, Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosmosis and assess associated potential risk factors. Simple random sampling technique was used and the study animals were selected based on the camel population of the district in the study area. The wet, thin smear and the Buffy coat examination was employed under microscope. Out of 392 examined animals, 70 (17.9%) were positive for Trypanosome evansi. There was statistically significant difference between age groups, districts of the animals and trypanosome infection (P<0.05). Higher prevalence of the infection was recorded in Age group of >4 years (27.6%) followed by 3 years (14.5%) and 3-4 years old camels (10.5%) respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed between sex with the occurrence of the disease (P>0.05). The highest prevalence of the disease was observed in Delo-Mena district, 42 (23.9%) whereas the lowest was recorded in Goro district, 9 (9.90%) during the study period. The result of the current study revealed that camel trypanosmosis was highly prevalent in the study area. Thus, there is need of further study on the distribution and seasonality of the disease and its vectors in order to establish effective prevention and control measures in affected herd.Keywords: Bale Zone Buffy coat Camel trypanosomosis Ethiopia Prevalence Smea

Effectiveness of planned teaching intervention on knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among first year midwifery students.

IntroductionThe prevalence of cancer is growing rapidly in all parts of the word and Ethiopia is no exception. Secondary prevention, as simple as monthly breast self-examination, is the best option to tackle the rising of this epidemic. Health awareness programs on screening and early detection are the corner stones to reduce the morbidity and mortality resulting from breast cancer.ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among first year female midwifery students in Hawassa health Sciences College.Methods and materialsA pre-experimental one group pre-posttest design was used among 61 students who were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and adapted and approved checklist. Data was entered using Epi-Info and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Pre-and post-intervention results were calculated using paired t-test.ResultsThe mean age of the study participants was 20.13(±2.27) and 77% of the study participants were single. Before the intervention 14(23%) of respondents had information and practiced breast self-examination, only 8(13.1%) performed breast self -examination on a regular monthly basis. The number and percentage of the knowledgeable respondents pre-post intervention is 23(37.7%) and 35(57.4%), respectively. The mean knowledge difference for the pre-post intervention is 0.18±0.695 (P Conclusion and recommendationsPlanned teaching intervention on knowledge and Breast self-examination of students has resulted in an increment of both knowledge and the practice of breast self-examination. Teaching breast self-examination with demonstration to all at risk groups as a secondary prevention for breast cancer and large scale studies on heterogeneous groups is important

Risk factors for multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients in Amhara National Regional State.

Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB) is becoming a major threat to tuberculosis control programs in Ethiopia.Objectives: To determine risk factors of MDR-TB patients in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.Methods: Case-control study was conducted from May 2013 to January 2014. Resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid were done molecularly using line probe assay. TB patients infected with MDR-M.tuberculosis and non MDR-M.tuberculosis strain were considered as cases and controls, respectively. Data was collected using structured questionnaire with face to face interview. Patients’ clinical record review was also done.Multivariate analysis was computed to determine the risk factors of MDR-TB.Results: A total of 153 MDR-TB and equal number of non MDR-TB patients’ participated in the study. Patients who had TB treatment failure (AOR=13.5,CI=2.69-70), cavitations on chest x-ray (AOR=1.9,CI=1.1-3.38) and contact with MDR-TB patients (AOR=1.4,CI=0.19-0.39) were more likely to be MDR-TB patients. Low monthly income (AOR=1.1,CI=0.34-0.47),alcohol consumption (AOR=1.5,CI=0.2-0.98) and young age (AOR=2.9,CI=1.07-7.68) were the other risk factors of MDR-TB.Conclusions: TB treatment failure, cavitation on chest X-ray, contact with MDR-TB patients and low socioeconomic status were important risk factors for development of MDR-TB. Therefore, strict adherence to directly observed therapy, appropriate management of TB patients and advice on the value of nutrients are helpful to control the spreading of MDR-TB.Key words: Risk factors, MDR-TB, Ethiopia

From buffet to best-fits: co-identifying and prioritizing best-bet CSA practices for targeting and scaling and Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Recent evidences and developments highlight that climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is best placed to support the growing global populations under the world of land degradation and climate change while sustaining the environment and reducing emissions. It is considered progress and sustainable approach designed to link agricultural production and food security to climate change adaptation and mitigation, in order to guide the management of agriculture and food systems at multiple scales. Implementation and scaling of CSA practices/technologies/options are however resource and knowledge intensive exercises. CSA is also site-specific whereby what can be defined as ‘climate-smart’ in one location may not be smart in other context. It thus requires identifying practices and technologies that fit the landscape conditions under consideration and are profitable to and acceptable by the respective local communities. Climate-smart interventions need also consider local social differences, particularly gender and economic inequalities, to ensure equal benefits for men, women, and marginalized groups and to avoid exacerbating existing discriminations as well as be effective and sustainable. Careful selection among suit of options that satisfy the needs and requirements of nature and society is thus crucial to get meaningful contribution from CSA and promote its adoption. Linkages with key actors and exploring institutional options for targeting and scaling are also of paramount importance to achieve implementation of CSA at landscape scale and maintain sustainability. In this roprt we highlighted major steps and processes that have been followed to identify basket of CSA technologies and identified short-list of best bets that fit the situations of the two CSVs: Godoberet and Doyogena landscapes in two contrasting farming systems of the highlands of Ethiopia. The approach employed a combination of tools such as participatory methods, expert consultations, literature review, and survey data to identify and prioritize key CSA practices that are location- and context-specific. Among a copendum of CSA options, the key five technologies short-listed for the two sites are soil bunds (combined with and Phalaris grass (Phalaris acquatica and tree Lucerne (Chamaecytisus palmensis)), gully stabilization (with on-site and off-site interventions), exclosure, in-situ water harvesting, and agroforestry are the most important ones. Soil bunds of different types integrated with biological options such as grasses and trees (depending on site characteristics) are the most widely used and studied. This is because of the multiple benefits these options can offer: increase income (mainly from grasses and trees), reduce erosion, enhance soil moisture, restore soil health, sequester more carbon in the soil and with trees above ground and serve as livestock feed among others. It is however important to note that the ‘prioritized CSA practices’ highlighted in this report should be considered with caution as multiple and complementary options are ‘profitable’ compared to single ones. In addition, coupling CSA options with other agroadvisories will be more relevant to address complex problems

COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine hesitancy in Ethiopia : a community-based cross-sectional study

The current healthcare system’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia and limit its effects on human lives are being hampered by hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge levels, attitudes, and prevention practices of COVID-19, in the context of the level of vaccine hesitancy with other associated factors in Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional design with mixed-method data sources was employed. It comprised 1361 study participants for the quantitative survey, with randomly selected study participants from the studied community. This was triangulated by a purposively selected sample of 47 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions. The study showed that 53.9%, 55.3%, and 44.5% of participants had comprehensive knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, respectively. Similarly, 53.9% and 47.1% of study participants had adequate knowledge and favorable attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 29.0% of the total survey participants had been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine. Of the total study participants, 64.4% were hesitant about receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The most frequently reported reasons were a lack of trust in the vaccine (21%), doubts regarding the long-term side effects (18.1%), and refusal on religious grounds (13.6%). After adjusting for other confounding factors, geographical living arrangements, the practices of COVID-19 prevention methods, attitudes about the vaccine, vaccination status, perceived community benefit, perceived barriers toward vaccination, and self-efficacy about receiving the vaccine were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, to improve vaccine coverage and reduce this high level of hesitancy, there should be specifically designed, culturally tailored health education materials and a high level of engagement from politicians, religious leaders, and other community members

A meta-analysis of adoption studies of climate-smart agriculture practices (CSAPs) in Ethiopia

The objectives of this review were to synthesize adoption studies of climate-smart agricultural 8 practices (CSAPs); examine their adoption status, including gender considerations, socioeconomic 9 benefits, and constraints to CSAP adoption; identify gaps in the current CSAP adoption literature, 10 and highlight future CSAP research and policy directions. Following a systematic literature review 11 procedure, a total of 100 articles published between 2001 and 2021 in Ethiopia were reviewed. 12 Although all the publications were about the highlands of Ethiopia, over 80% came from the 13 regions of Oromiya, Amhara, and South Nations and Nationalities. The most adopted practice was 14 soil and water conservation (SWC), with a mean adoption rate of 61.5%, followed by integrated 15 soil fertility management, and agroforestry with mean adoption rates of 56.5% and 48.8%, 16 respectively. Gender analysis was considered in the studies of: all improved livestock 17 management; a little higher than a half of the SWC; and over 75% of the remaining five practices. 18 Quantified socioeconomic benefits were reported in only 46 papers. Greater farm income; 19 increased land productivity; higher yields; increased food availability; and reduced household 20 poverty were among the reported benefits of adopters compared to their counterparts. Among the 21 aggregated constraints, socioeconomic factors and knowledge/awareness were ranked the two 22 highest, followed by labor shortage and limited market access. The study highlighted research 23 gaps: a lack of national-scale studies and studies focusing on drought prone regions; and 37% and 24 46% of the studies, respectively, didn’t consider gender, and analysis of socioeconomic benefits of 25 adoption of CSAPs. It also highlighted future policy directions

Co-producing Gender-responsive Climate Services for Enhanced Food and Nutrition Security and Health in Ethiopia and Tanzania (COGENT) – Consultative Workshop for Ethiopia

The COGENT-Climate Services Consultative Workshop was conducted on May 27-28, 2022 in Yirba town, Boricha woreda. [Add some information on the aim and objectives, how many participants, from which institutions]. COGENT represents an inter-disciplinary approach to improving household food security and nutrition-related health outcomes among women and children in the face of climate change in selected areas of Ethiopia. Over the past decades, growing investments have been made in developing climate services that can help reduce societal vulnerabilities and enhance adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate variability and change. The development of climate services rests on several assumptions. First, that providing more, and better climate information will enhance the uptake of this information into decision-making. Second, that the application of climate services will lead to improved development outcomes. COGENT aims to advance understanding of the key mechanisms that facilitate production of usable climate information, with the potential to improve the quality of climate services across other African contexts. It works to strengthen the long-term capacities of local institutions to undertake high-quality, policy-relevant research while simultaneously building new interdisciplinary networks and collaborative experience and expertise within the climate research community