Men’s Knowledge and Spousal Communication about Modern Family Planning Methods in Ethiopia

This study attempted to determine knowledge, approval and communication about family planning methods among married men in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 738 married males in Amhara Region. All 738 (100%) of the respondents had heard of family planning. About 558 (75.6%) mentioned the importance of using contraceptives for birth spacing and 457 (61.9%) to limit birth. Four hundred and forty-five (60.3%) of participants had ever discussed family planning with their wives. Thirty-three (33.0%) of the respondents reported that they were the sole decision makers in their families. About 597 (80.9%) approved the use of contraceptives. However, some participants did not discuss and approve family planning with their partner. This recalled an intensive effort has been taken by the concerned body to reach the country’s targeted family planning coverage by involving men in reproductive health endeavor to enhance the discussion and agreement about family planning usage

The prevalence and pattern of HPV-16 immunostaining in uterine cervical carcinomas in Ethiopian women: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the cervix uteri is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with cervical carcinogenesis is well documented. This is a pilot study aiming to studying the prevalence and the pattern of Human Papilloma Virus Type 16 (HPV16) by immunostaining in the tissues of cervical carcinomas of Ethiopian women. METHODS: 20 specimens of uterine cervical carcinomas were studied histopathologically and immunohistochemically for HPV16. RESULTS: Histologically the specimens were classified as: Ten cases were Non Keratinized Squamous cell carcinoma (NKSCC), six cases were Keratinized Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KSCC) and four cases were Adenocarcinoma (ADC). Immunohistochemistry study showed positivity in eleven cases (55%); seven cases (35%) were non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma; three cases (15%) were keratinized squamous cell carcinoma and one case (5%) belonged to the adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a significant detection of HPV in Ethiopian women by the use of advanced techniques such as Immunohistochemistry (IHC). The data of this study suggested that the marked expression of the HPV 16 was in the less differentiated uterine cervix carcinoma

From Disorder Comes Function: Regulation of Small GTPase Function by Intrinsically Disordered Lipidated Membrane Anchor

The intrinsically disordered, lipid-modified membrane anchor of small GTPases is emerging as a critical modulator of function through its ability to sort lipids in a conformation-dependent manner. We reviewed recent computational and experimental studies that have begun to shed light on the sequence-ensemble-function relationship in this unique class of lipidated intrinsically disordered regions (LIDRs)

Intrinsically Disordered Membrane Anchors of Rheb, RhoA, and DiRas3 Small GTPases: Molecular Dynamics, Membrane Organization, and Interactions

Protein structure has been well established to play a key role in determining function; however, intrinsically disordered proteins and regions (IDPs and IDRs) defy this paradigm. IDPs and IDRs exist as an ensemble of structures rather than a stable 3D structure yet play essential roles in many cell-signaling processes. Nearly all Ras superfamily GTPases are tethered to membranes by a lipid tail at the end of a flexible IDR. The sequence of the IDR is a key determinant of membrane localization, and interaction between the IDR and the membrane has been shown to affect signaling in RAS proteins through the modulation of dynamic membrane organization. Here, we utilized atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the membrane interaction, conformational dynamics, and lipid sorting of three IDRs from small GTPases Rheb, RhoA, and DiRas3 in model membranes representing their physiological target membranes. We found that complementarity between the lipidated IDR sequence and target membrane lipid composition is a determinant of conformational plasticity. We also show that electrostatic interactions between anionic lipids and basic residues on IDRs are correlated with sampling of semistable conformational substates, and lack of these interactions is associated with greater conformational diversity. Finally, we show that small GTPase IDRs with a polybasic domain alter local lipid composition by segregating anionic lipids and, in some cases, excluding other lipids from their immediate vicinity in favor of anionic lipids

Determinants of calcified placenta and its association with fetal outcome among mothers who gave birth in Southern Ethiopia, 2018

Background: Placenta is a complex multifunctional organ that maintains pregnancy and promotes normal fetal development. Fetal outcome is adversely influenced by pathological changes in placenta because it is a mirror which reflects intrauterine status of fetus. Placental abnormalities are considered as leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. Objective of the study was to assess determinants of calcified placenta and its association with fetal outcomes.Methods: Institutional based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 213 placentas from mothers who gave birth at Dilla university referral hospital with an age range of 19-34 years. Calcifications were assessed radiologically and graded according to Grannum. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was identified and fitted to the multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the independent effects of each variable to the outcome variable. Chi-square test was used to find the potential association between grade two and above levels of calcification and fetal outcomes.Results: Total 213 singles parturient with their placenta above 37 weeks gestational age were included. The likelihood of developing grade two and above level of calcification associated with the following variables: educational status (OR=3.134; 95%CI: 1.208, 8.135),parity (OR 3.125; 95% CI: 1.354, 7.213) ,maternal anemia (OR 6.834;95%C: I2.626,17.803), smoking (OR 6.343;95% CI: 2.624,15.334),  abruption (OR 6.046;95% CI: 2.392,15.277), and pregnancy- induced hypertension (OR 4.868 ;95% CI: 2.095,11.354). In this study, neonatal outcomes in grade II and above level of calcification were poorer than grade I and bellow level of calcification in chi-square association test.Conclusions: Grade II and above level of placental calcification (case) was significantly associated with maternal pregnancy-induced pathologies, number of parity, maternal educational status, and results in different kind of anomalies, maternal and neonatal mortality. Therefore, the practice of placental examination before and after birth guarantees for feto-maternal wellbeing

The Existing Forest Coffee Market Channel of Essara Woreda and Actors Involved in the Chain the Cause of Dawuro Zone, Southern Nation Natonalits and Peoples Region, Ethiopia

Forest coffee originates in Southwestern and Southeastern Ethiopia where 30% of production and 10 % to 20% of the country’s total export originates from. The general objective of the study was to analyze the factors that affect the existing forest coffee value chain of Essara woreda with specific focus of identify the existing coffee market channel and actors involved in the chain, the structure and performance of coffee chain determinants of market surplus production, price received by coffee farm households and the role of gender in coffee value chain. To these end 235 sample producers, local coffee collector, local traders, wholesalers and consumers were identified from 9 kebele, Balle and Tarcha town for the study. Based on the findings of the study the volume of production and marketing were found to be affected by age, family size, market Center and all-weather road distance, the level of deforestation and factors that aggravated deforestation, selling price, experience of producer households and mixing forest coffee to garden coffee to increase the volume. About 2%  of market surplus coffee is transacted in through formal market while, 98 % is through conventional market, as a result of which producer obtain less income and 98 % forest coffee producer’s income source is depending on natural forest coffee production and marketing while, the level of deforestation is too high it needs appropriate intervention and awareness creation. Market margin of the area indicated that the large share of benefit is concentrated at roadside, café and hotel coffee brewers and venders. Hence, in order to improve the profit margin and level of producers’ benefit value addition and increase in sale price for their produce at farm get level is recommended Keywords: Essara Woreda, value chain, actor’s, market channe

Livestock-water interactions: The case of Gumara Watershed in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Although water is a renewable natural resource, it has become insufficient at the global level. Unless the current efficiency level of water use can be increased, the trend of water shortages will become more serious. Among agricultural activities, livestock production is mostly considered an intensive water consuming operation although the knowledge and information related to livestock-water interaction app ears to be limited in scope. The present review focused on the livestock-water interaction with the following objectives: 1) to strengthen the current understanding of the concept of livestock water productivity and relate it to life cycle assessment analysis framework; 2) to provide insights on the methodology of livestock water productivity estimation using water foot printing approach 3) to assess the potential integrative intervention options towards improving livestock water productivity pertinent to the contexts of rain fed mixed farming. The concept of water accounting for livestock production is reviewed to reflect feasible options for improving animal productivity, income, livelihood and ecological benefits per unit of water input, especially the practical implications of these options for the rural poor in Sub-Saharan Africa. Utilising the rain fed mixed farming endowment as a relatively less competitive water scenario is also emphasised. In line with the intention for increased livestock water productivity, the likelihood of its negative impact on the environment and possible mitigating methods are outlined

Approaches, methods and processes for innovative apiculture development: experiences from Ada'a-Liben Woreda Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The Improving Productivity and Marketing Success (IPMS) for Ethiopian Farmers'; Project being implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) commissioned Sap-Tec PLC to study the existing potential and execute apiculture development in Ada';a-Liben woreda, one of the IPMS'; ten Pilot Learning Woredas (PLWs). The main objective of this apiculture intervention was to identify the current beekeeping practices, assess potentials and problems, and provide solutions through the introduction of a participatory market-oriented modern beekeeping practice as an income-generating activity to farmers and others who are interested to complement their income. The activities reported in this paper are based on studies and interventions undertaken to enhance market-oriented apiculture development in Ada';a-Liben woreda between 2005 and 2007. This working paper is divided into a number of sections. The first two sections describe the major strengths and constraints of the bee industry in Ethiopia. Section 3 describes the beekeeping institutes and associations. Sections 4 and 5 analyse the most important opportunities and threats for apiculture development and marketing intervention in Ada';a-Liben woreda. Section 6 presents IPMS intervention strategies and lessons learned in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and commodity development including technology transfer, platforms, input supply, credit facilitation and market linkage. This section also discusses the methods used and the achievements obtained so far. Finally, Section 7 discusses both general and industry specific recommendations, which form the basis for further development of the industry. This working paper is intended to provide preliminary information on lessons drawn in beekeeping interventions in Ada';a-Liben woreda and to share the experiences to those who have already launched or are planning to launch apiary development program as an alternative income generating activity. It also highlights the methodologies applied and the lessons learned from the apiculture interventions of the IPMS project for scaling up to other woredas. The main objective of this apiculture intervention was to identify the current beekeeping practices, assess potentials and problems, and provide solutions through the introduction of a participatory market-oriented modern beekeeping practice as an income-generating activity to farmers and others who are interested to complement their income

Community knowledge, attitude and practice on rabies, incidence in humans and animals and risk factors to rabies in selected districts of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Community awareness and assessing the trend of suspected rabies cases play a significant role in preventing its fatality. Therefore, a cross-sectional study design was employed (October 2016 - April 2017) to assess community knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), and Incidence and risk factors to rabies (human and animal) in the study area. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to collect required information from 1440 study participants. Retrospective data of five-year (2012-2016) from hospitals and health centers (human cases), and veterinary clinics (animal cases) was used. Majority of the study participants (64.3%) were rural residents, 95.2% have heard about rabies and 50.1% were found dog owners. Among the study participants, 72.2%, 66.0%, and 62.4% have a good level of knowledge, attitude, and practices about rabies, respectively. A strong association between knowledge, attitude and practice with sex; educational level; occupation, dog ownership and rural/urban dwellers (p<0.05) was recorded. Furthermore, a total dog bite cases of 398 domestic animals and 4617 humans were found registered on casebooks of both veterinary and human health service centers of the study districts during the five years study period among which the highest percentage (36.4%) was recorded from canines. The highest anti-rabies vaccine coverage recorded was 36.0% in the year 2016, and higher human dog bite cases recorded was 50.1% on individuals aged between 5-15 years (both male and female). Hence, the current findings suggest that there is a need for coordinated and integrated effort of government, professionals (medical and veterinarians), community and other stake holders towards rabies control and prevention.Keywords: Animal, Human, Tigray, Rabies, Statu