Filter Media Layers Contribution in Removal of Pollutants from Concentrated Greywater by Vermifiltration.

The contribution from each filter medium layer in the removal of pollutants from the concentrated greywater treatment by vermifiltration was studied for 7 months. The two filters were made up of cylindrical DN200-PVC pipes and were filled with 10 cm gravel, 20 cm sand and 30 cm fine sawdust from bottom to top. Two hundred Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms were inoculated to one of the filters and the other was used as a control unit. The sample, first, at the outlet was collected, then the outlet was closed to collect samples from the other sampling ports, which were created at the bottom of each layer. Analysis were done for ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), orthophosphate (PO43-), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total suspended solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, and Temperature. The results showed that there were significant differences (<0.05) for removal efficiencies of all parameters among the different layers of the vermifilter and the control unit. However, for concentrations, there were significant differences only for COD, TSS, PO43-, and DO among the layers. When the performances of the respective layers of the vermifilter and control unit were compared, there was no significant differences (>0.05) except for COD and DO concentrations but with a slightly less average effluent concentration of nitrate and orthophosphate in the control unit. To conclude, major removal of NH4+, NO3-, NO2-, PO43-, COD and TSS were occurred at the fine sawdust layer. Keywords: Concentrated greywater; Eudrilus eugeniae; Filter materials; Vermifiltratio

Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Watersheds for Soil Erosion Management in Upper Gibe Catchment

As morphometric investigation is connected to prioritization of watershed, morphometric analysis has got a significance role in light of soil and water conservation. In this study, an endeavour for the examination of point by point morphometric analyses of sub-basins was accomplished through the measurement of linear and shape parameters by using ArcGIS-9.3 software. Specifically, linear and shape morphometric parameters like stream length, stream order, drainage density, stream frequency, bifurcation ratio, Length of overland flow, basin perimeter, form factor, compactness coefficient, elongation ratio has been considered. The SRTM DEM (30 x 30 m) is processed for the delineation resulting in 61 sub-basins. The morphometric parameters which affect the soil erodibility are considered to organize the sub-basins and relegate positions on the premise of their association with erodibility to get compound parameter (Cp) esteem. Based on the value of Cp the sub-basin with the lowest Cp value was given the highest priority and then categorized the sub-basins into three classes as high, medium and low in terms of priority. Accordingly, high priority zone comprises 11 sub-basins, medium 19 and low 31 sub-basins. The sub-basins which are falling under high priority were a great deal more defenceless to soil disintegration and ought to be given high need for land preservation measures

Maternal dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy during pregnancy and related factors in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016.

BackgroundMonotonous and less diversified diets are associated with micronutrient deficiency. Evidence on maternal dietary intakes during pregnancy is essential to achieve the 2025 global nutrition target and reduce maternal and child mortalities. This study assessed pregnant women's dietary diversity and identified factors associated with inadequate dietary diversity in East Gojjam Zone.MethodsWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional study between April and June 2016. Eight hundred thirty-four pregnant women were randomly sampled. The Women Dietary Diversity Score tool developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) was used. Data were entered into EpiData with double entry verification, and analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20. Level of significance was set to P ResultsThe mean (±SD) dietary diversity score was 3.68 (±2.10). Inadequate dietary diversity was prevalent in 55% [95% CI (52.3-59.3%)] of pregnant women, or indirectly micronutrient was inadequate in more than half of the pregnant women. Commonly consumed dietary groups were legumes, nuts, and seeds (85.5%) followed by starchy staples (64.7%). Inadequate dietary diversity was higher among non-educated [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.30, 95% CI (2.35-22.68)] compared to college and above completed women. Wealth index had significant association with dietary diversity, in which women in the poorest [AOR = 8.83, 95% CI, (1.60-48.61)], poorer [AOR = 6.34, 95% CI (1.16-34.65)], poor [AOR = 8.46, 95% CI (1.56-45.70)], and richer [AOR = 6.57, 95% CI (2.16-20.01)] had higher odds of inadequate dietary diversity. Those who had not received dietary counseling had three folds [AOR = 3.31, 95% CI (1.49-7.35)] of inadequate dietary diversity compared to their counterparts. Less likelihood of inadequate dietary diversity was among women with an increased meal frequency [AOR = 0.53, 95% CI (0.38-0.74)].ConclusionConsumption of less diversified food during pregnancy is common in the study area. Adequacy of micronutrients is insufficient for more than half of the studied pregnant women. We conclude that being non-educated affects pregnant women to depend on less diversified diet. Providing dietary counseling during pregnancy can improve nutritional practice for pregnant women

Outbreak of Aeromonas hydrophila associated with the parasitic infection Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in pond of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings at Sebeta, Ethiopia

Outbreak of a disease was observed on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings manifested by white nodules all over the body and hemorrhage in the skin that occurred on June 20, 2011 in an earthen pond at Sebeta, Ethiopia. The outbreak was investigated by using a combination of methods that included clinical observations, gross and histopathology examination and bacterial isolation. On histopathological  examination co-infection of Aeromonas hydrophila with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis a holotrichous ciliate, was found to be the cause of the outbreak. In order to control the outbreak, the fish density was reduced and the fish were removed and treated with sodium chloride (3%) and moved to another properly disinfected pond that contains fresh and good quality water. The former pond was drained and left empty for two  weeks to dry and then lime was added over it before filling it with water. The sick fish got cured after three weeks and no new case was observed; which may be due to development of immunity or the intervention measures taken to control the problem. This intervention protocols need to be further investigated in a properly designed experiment as a possible control of co-infection of these two pathogens in catfish  fingerlings.Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, Co-infection, Ethiopia, Ichthyophthirius multifilii

Feed balances for ruminant livestock: gridded estimates for data constrained regions

Demand for animal−source foods and livestock feed are forecast to increase across sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, there is a need to estimate the availability of livestock feed to support decision−making at local, sub-national and national levels. In this study, we assess feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Feed availability was estimated using remotely sensed products and detailed feed composition data. Feed requirements were estimated for maintenance, growth, lactation, gestation and locomotion using a data−intensive model. Biomass available as animal feed was estimated to be 8.6 tonnes of DM per hectare in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 3.2 tonnes DM per hectare in the Ethiopian lowlands, 2.9 tonnes DM per hectare in Burkina Faso's Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 1.0 tonne DM per hectare in the Sahel. The energy requirements of lactating cows were estimated to be 62.1 Megajoules (MJs) per animal per day in the Ethiopian highlands and midlands, 62.7 MJ in the Ethiopian lowlands, 88.5 MJ in Burkina Faso's Sudanian agro-ecological zone and 53.1 MJ per animal per day in the Sahel. Feed scarcity hotspots are most prominently located in the Ethiopian highlands and the Sahelian agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. Demand−side policy and investment initiatives can address hotspots by influencing herd sizes, nutritional requirements and herd mobility. Supply−side policy and investment initiatives can secure existing feed resources, develop new sources of feed and incentivise trade in feed resources. Improving feed balances will be of value to decision−makers with the aims of optimising livestock productivity, minimising exposure to climatic shocks and minimising greenhouse gas emission intensity.</p

Distribution of HLA-DQ risk genotypes for celiac disease in Ethiopian children

Most patients with celiac disease are positive for either HLA-DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02 (DQ2.5) or DQA1*03:01-DQB1*03:02 (DQ8). Remaining few patients are usually DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02 (DQ2.2) carriers. Screenings of populations with high frequencies of these HLA-DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes report a 1% to 3% celiac disease prevalence. The aim was to determine the prevalence of HLA-DQ risk haplotypes for celiac disease in Ethiopian children. Dried blood spots collected from 1193 children from the Oromia regional state of Ethiopia were genotyped for HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 genotyping using an asymmetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a subsequent hybridization of allele-specific probes. As references, 2000 previously HLA-genotyped children randomly selected from the general population in Sweden were included. DQ2.2 was the most common haplotype and found in 15.3% of Ethiopian children, which was higher compared with 6.7% of Swedish references (P P trans genotype encoded by DQA1*05-DQB1*03:01 in combination with DQ2.2 occurred in 3.6% of Ethiopian children, which was higher compared with 1.3% of Swedish references (P P = .3504). The frequency of HLA risk haplotypes for celiac disease is very similar in Ethiopian and Swedish children. This finding of importance will be useful in future screening of children for celiac disease in Ethiopia

Does certified organic agriculture increase agroecosystem health? Evidence from four farming systems in Uganda

Over the past decades, the number of certified organic farms have increased significantly in Uganda. One assumption is that certified organic agriculture contributes to economic, social and ecological health of agroecosystems. In the literature, however, there is thin empirical evidence to support such claims. We therefore developed health indicators and contrasted data from four Ugandan farming systems with principles and objectives of organic agriculture. We identified four health patterns (ecology-driven, economically struggling, socially-driven, and hanging in) demonstrating the impact of farm management on agroecosystem health and trade-offs between health domains. Ecological farm health is strengthened only if the conversion goes beyond ‘organic by default’. Market-oriented specialization can create lock-in situations if production strategies cannot be changed easily. Food shortages occur when additional income from certified production does not compensate for the reduced area and effort devoted to food crops. We conclude that the positive effects of organic certification on agroecosystem health cannot be taken for granted. Interventions promoting organic agriculture should acknowledge risks smallholder farmers take by converting to cash crop-oriented certified organic farming. A challenging question will be how aspects of wellbeing and social health can be translated into certification standards and thus product attributes

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia: Implementation experiences and lessons learned

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat. High levels of AMR to commonly used antibiotics have been reported in East Africa. A situation analysis of AMR in Ethiopia also indicated high resistance levels. To prevent and contain AMR, Ethiopia established a national surveillance network. Objectives: This article describes the steps taken to prioritise AMR and establish the National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in Ethiopia, as well as present the challenges and lessons learned through implementation. Methods: In April 2017, Ethiopia had developed and approved the National AMR Surveillance Plan for laboratory-based AMR surveillance. The World Health Organization recommendations and Ethiopias’s current microbiology capacity were used to prioritise organisms for reporting. The surveillance system is comprised of a network linking the national reference laboratory with surveillance sentinel sites. Roll-out of the AMR surveillance network occurred in three phases in order to ensure successful implementation. Results: Electronic capture and transmission of data, supply chain for the microbiology laboratory and communication problems were challenges observed after implementation started. Support from Ethiopian Public Health Institute focal persons for data entry, regular scheduled communication establishment and procurement of supplies by the American Society for Microbiology were some of the measures taken to address the challenges. Conclusion: Ethiopia has demonstrated that setting up AMR surveillance in lower resource settings is possible with strong leadership and stakeholder engagement