Gender differences in household headship and level of awareness on anaemia among Ethiopian women: Evidences from a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Background: Information on gender difference in household headship in relation to awareness and practice related to anaemia is limited. This study has examined the issue under caption and provides evidence-based information for some program initiatives.Methods: Data from 970 Ethiopian women of reproductive age was extracted from a large data set collected as part of a nation-wide micronutrient programmes surveillance to examine the association between gender difference in household-headship and anaemia awareness. Data were analysed in SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. Proportional differences on some selected variables were determined using χ2 test, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Males were found to head more than two third of the households. Significantly lower number of respondents were less educated with just 140 (14.4%) having primary cycle education (grades 1-6th) (P=0.001). About half of the respondents (50.2%) were aware of anaemia, with at least two thirds of the respondents from male-headed households aware of its symptoms (p=0.004) and treatment (p=0.003), and the difference was significant. Fewer women received iron supplementation in female-headed households (28.6%) than male-headed households (71.4%), though the difference was not significant (p=0.9). Unexpectedly, significant number of respondents with low awareness was among those with primary education with some regional variations (p=0.001).Conclusion: Anaemia awareness and treatment seeking behaviour was markedly lower in female-headed households than male-headed households which can be attributed to low levels of education. Thus, to narrow the observed gap, targeted education programs for women headed household is recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018; 32(2):75-81]Key words: Gender, education, anaemia, iron supplementation, women, Ethiopi

Food security status and vulnerability to anemia among women of reproductive age in pastoralist communities of Somali regional state, Ethiopia: a comparative, community-based, cross-sectional study

Background: Although the impact of food insecurity and anemia has been shown to be more common among women of reproductive age, there is little information available on the issue in relation to women in Fafan Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia.Objectives: To compare the levels of anemia among women of reproductive age in food-secure versus food-insecure households in Fafan Zone.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study design was employed in rural Ethiopia from February to April 2017. In total, 142 women from food-insecure households and 287 women from food-secure households were recruited and their levels of anemia were measured using a HemoCue spectrophotometer, and then compared. Food insecurity was measured using a modified household food insecurity access scale. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 14.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with 95% confidence intervals were used to examine the association between anemia and food security. A p-value of less than 0.05 was statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of anemia among women in food-insecure households was 79.53% and ranged from 42.0% to 90.0%; among women in food-secure households, the prevalence was 20.47% and ranged from 12% to 34%. The observed difference between Food Security (FS) and Food Insecurity (FI) was statistically significant indicating a correlation between the two groups. Women who reported food insecurity were about 1.4 times more likely to suffer from anemia than their food-secure counterparts (AOR=1.4; 95% CI=1.02-2.10).Conclusions and recommendations: It appears that four in five women in food-insecure households had anemia, and that there was an overall positive relationship between food insecurity and anemia. To address the level of anemia in food-insecure households, more nutritional support is required, in addition to implementing a poverty alleviation program and weekly iron folic acid supplementation. . [Ethiop.J. Health Dev. 2019; 33(1):28-37]Key words: Food insecurity, anemia in women, Somali Region, Ethiopi

Influence of breed on the quality of in vivo produced embryos from Boran and Holstein Friesian cross dairy breed in Ethiopia

The variation of the dairy breed can determine the success of bovine embryo transfer by influencing the quantity and quality of in vivo embryo production. In this experiment, output and quality of in vivo produced embryos using semen of progeny tested Holstein Friesian (HF) sire in Boran and HF*Boran F1 cross cows, and semen from purebred Boran sire in HF*Boran F1 cross and Boran cows were evaluated. Boran (n=18) and HF*Boran cross (n=18) breed donor dams were superovulated using a previously optimized follicular  stimulating hormone (FSH) (Pluset®) dose regimen: 650 IU for HF*Boran cross and 250 IU for Boran breeds. Each cow was flushed on  Day-7 post insemination and embryos were evaluated for their developmental stages and quality. Superovulatory response rates were 88.9% and 83.3%, respectively, for Boran and HF*Boran with no significant (P>0.05) breed differences. Total recovery rates were relatively lower (56.5%) in Boran compared to in HF*Boran (67.4%). The mean (±SE) embryo flush outputs were 6.5±0.8 for Boran and 6.9±0.7 forHF*Boran with no significant breed difference. Recovery of a transferrable embryo was significantly higher (68.0%; P<0.05) in HF*Boran dam inseminated with HF sire semen. Boran cows yielded a significantly higher (P<0.05) proportion of unfertilized ovum (57.6 %)  irrespective of the sire breeds. Comparatively, a higher number of degenerated embryos were produced by HF*Boran cows. This study demonstrated that the presence of breed-related differences in both the quality and quantity of in vivo produced Bovine embryos

The potential critical success factors of full-fledged interest-free banks in Ethiopia

Abstract. The role of interest-free banking (IFB) is vital to enhance the financial inclusion rate of a country like Ethiopia that has a substantial number of Muslims and unbanked population. Although IFB windows have been operating in Ethiopia since 2013, the country allowed a full-fledged IFBs recently. Accordingly, two banks have already fulfilled all the requirements and are expected to operate soon while another 2 – 4 banks are under formation. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to assess the potential critical factors that will determine the success or failure of the newly establishing full-fledged IFBs in Ethiopia based on globalexperiences and specific bank cases from more than 14 countries using the concept of Critical Success Factors (CSFs). The outcomes of our analysis indicate three things. First, every country has its unique success and failure factors, thus, benchmarking should consider these factors. Second, based on the current circumstances, the most important CSFs which can determine the fate of the full-fledged IFBs in Ethiopia in the near future will be an adequate legal, regulatory and institutional framework; management skills and capacity; good reputation and image; product innovation and investment alternatives; unconflicting Shariah verdicts and availability of central Shariah supervisory body; and entrepreneurial discipline and ethical values. Third, full-fledged IFBs in Ethiopia will confront severe competition from the existing window banks that has big potential, better experience, and flexible Shariah controls.The study suggests that the government’s regulatory intervention to introduce guidelines and banking regulations specific to the full-fledged IFBs.Keywords. Interest-free bank, Shariah compliance, Critical success factors, Ethiopia.JEL. G21, G41, Z12

Ovarian follicular dynamics in Boran and Crossbred heifers in Ethiopia: Implications for assisted reproductive techniques

The study was conducted to characterize the follicular dynamics of purebred Boran (Bos indicus) and Boran * Holstein Friesian crossbred heifers  during estrous cycles; for use in ovum pick up and in-vitro embryo production. Insight of reproductive physiology of cattle would help to understand and exploit the reproductive potential of elite animals for breed improvement. Follicular development, growth and atresia during estrous cycles were evaluated using a trans-rectal real-time B-mode ultrasound system for three consecutive estrus cycles. Luteal activity was evaluated by serum progesterone level. Follicular aspirations were done to investigate the potential of Boran cattle and their crosses for transvaginal oocyte production; using a vacuum pressure pump and Aloka SSD Prosound-2 ultrasound device. Boran heifers (n=15) manifested two (n = 6, 40%), three (n = 5, 33%), four (n= 3, 20%) and five (n=1, 6.7%) follicular waves. Crossbred heifers (n=14) showed one (n= 2, 14%), two (n= 6, 43%) and three (n= 6, 43%) follicular waves. Interovulatory interval was 21.1 ± 3.4 and 21.4 ± 2.7 days for Boran (n=45) and crossbred (n=42) heifers, respectively. The progesterone level in Boran and Crossbred heifers during diestrus was 9.5 ± 11.0 and 4.6 ± 8.8 ng/ml, respectively. The maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle for crossbred heifers was higher (15.4 ± 1.6 mm) than the diameter of the Boran (14.0 ± 1.9 mm) heifers (p<0.005). Differences (p<0.005) were observed in the size of both right (26.6 ± 5.14 and 28.6 ± 5.1 mm) and left (21.7 ± 4.85 and 24.1 ± 5.07 mm) ovaries of Boran and Crossbred heifers, respectively. Difference (p<0.005) was also observed in follicular count of the  right ovaries of Boran (4.84 ± 1.96) and Crossbred  (5.13 ± 2.05) heifers. Oocyte recovery rate in once weekly collection scheme for Boran and their crossbred heifers was (n=19, 42.08%) and (n=17, 42.55%), respectively. The recovery rate for twice weekly collection scheme was (n=24, 34.53%) and (n=23, 40.44%) for Boran and crossbred heifers, respectively. Follicular dynamics in Boran heifers is characterized by a higher incidence of cycles with two, three and four waves, associated with a low persistence of the dominant follicles; and smaller size of ovulatory follicles and less intense heat signs from their crossbred counterpart. Boran heifers proved to have potential for comparable number of follicular population and ease of aspiration procedures that can be tapped for advancedreproductive techniques. Keywords: Estrus cycle; follicular wave; ovarian follicle; ovum pickup; ultrasound

Demographic and Health-related Risk Factors of Subclinical Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the demographic and health-related risk factors of subclinical vitamin A deficiency in Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 996 children in 210 clusters across the nation for analysis of serum retinol. Interviews were conducted with the respective mothers of the 996 children on presumed risk factors of vitamin A deficiency. A higher subclinical vitamin A deficiency was associated with: not receiving vitamin A supplement over the year, having been ill during the two weeks preceding the survey, no or incomplete vaccination, belonging to a mother with high parity, and low levels of awareness of vitamin A. Moreover, being from Muslim household was strongly associated with higher levels of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Among the risk factors identified, low levels of vaccination, high parity, and low levels of maternal awareness of vitamin A contributed to higher risks of vitamin A deficiency among Muslim children. The findings underscore the need for creation of strengthened awareness of family planning and importance of vitamin A, promotion of vaccination and child health, intensification of vitamin A supplementation, and in-depth investigation on factors contributing to increased vulnerability of Muslim children

Cases of human fascioliasis in North-West Ethiopia

This report presents four cases of human fascioliasis in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. There are only few case reports of human fascioliasis in Ethiopia as the disease mostly affects animals. However, the need to be aware of the possibility of occurrence of this disease in humans and the inclusion of drugs used for treating the disease, in the Ethiopian drug list, should be emphasized. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19(3) 2005: 237-24

Demographic and Health-related Risk Factors of Subclinical Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the demographic and health-related risk factors of subclinical vitamin A deficiency in Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 996 children in 210 clusters across the nation for analysis of serum retinol. Interviews were conducted with the respective mothers of the 996 children on presumed risk factors of vitamin A deficiency. A higher subclinical vitamin A deficiency was associated with: not receiving vitamin A supplement over the year, having been ill during the two weeks preceding the survey, no or incomplete vaccination, belonging to a mother with high parity, and low levels of awareness of vitamin A. Moreover, being from Muslim household was strongly associated with higher levels of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Among the risk factors identified, low levels of vaccination, high parity, and low levels of maternal awareness of vitamin A contributed to higher risks of vitamin A deficiency among Muslim children. The findings underscore the need for creation of strengthened awareness of family planning and importance of vitamin A, promotion of vaccination and child health, intensification of vitamin A supplementation, and in-depth investigation on factors contributing to increased vulnerability of Muslim children