Reduction of pesticide residues from teff (Eragrostis tef) flour spiked with selected pesticides using household food processing steps

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is an ancient cereal that is indigenous from Ethiopia. Nowadays, teff grain is becoming popular to many parts of the world. Teff is gluten-free in nature, has high iron and fiber content, and many other health benefits make this crop interesting to many consumers. Since no insect pests are attacking the teff grains, farmers do not apply pesticides on it, unlike maize and other grains. Nevertheless, residues of organochlorine pesticides have been detected at an alarming level that could pose a consumer risk. Teff is often consumed as injera which is a fermented flat pancake. The main aim of the present study is, therefore, to investigate the effect of household food processing (doughing and baking) on the reduction of pesticide residues from teff. Pesticide residues previously detected in teff grain such as permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos ethyl, p, p'-DDE, p, p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, and p, p'-DDT were spiked and extracted followed by the subsequent household processing which are generally doughing (dough making followed by fermentation) and baking. From the findings of this study, doughing decrease the pesticide residues in the range of 59.9-86.4% and baking in the range of 63.2-90.2%. Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicates that the reduction of pesticide residues by baking is significantly different from doughing (p-value < 0.0001). There is also a significant difference between non-fermented and fermented dough (p-value = 0.012). The processing factor for doughing and baking was less than one (PF < 1 = reduction factor) which indicates the reduction of pesticides due to teff processing. The cumulative effect of these processing methods is important to evaluate the risks associated with the ingestion of pesticides, particularly in teff grain

Freeze desalination as point-of-use water defluoridation technique

Freeze desalination, i.e., desalination of water by freezing it, may be an option to treat polluted water at individual household level. Taking into account the widespread fluoride contamination of Ethiopian water resources and with the reason that most households in semi-urban and urban areas do have easier accessibility of refrigerators, this study aimed to investigate the defluoridation capacity of freeze desalination and its energy consumption for different water sources. For this purpose, synthetic solutions that emulate the major ion compositions of natural waters (hereafter called simulated water), tap water, and double-distilled water to which variable concentrations of fluoride ions were added were evaluated using home-use insulated refrigerator (BEKO, RRN 2650). The effects of conditions such as initial fluoride concentration, multi-ion existence, fraction of ice frozen, volume of the container, and freezing duration were evaluated in relation to the produced ice quality. It was found that nearly 48% and 62% removal of fluoride were achieved from tap water spiked with 10mg/L F- and 10mg/L F- aqueous solutions, respectively, with a total water recovery of 85 to 90%. The energy consumption predicted to produce the ice from tap water spiked with 10mg/L F- and double-distilled water alone was found to be 93.9 and 91.8kJ/L, respectively. The results showed that freeze desalination can be a potential technique for fluoride removal from water to be used as drinking water at household level in semi-urban and urban areas as well as in colder regions

Solar disinfection: an approach for low-cost household water treatment technology in Southwestern Ethiopia

Disinfection of contaminated water using solar radiation (SODIS) is known to inactivate bacteria. Its inactivation efficiency depends on local conditions where the disinfection is made. This study was aiming to test the efficiency of solar disinfection using different water parameters as low-cost household water treatment technology. Inactivation of microbes was tested using fecal coliform as test organism. The SODIS experiment was carried out at turbidity 2NTU, pH 7, and various water temperature (38.1°C, 41.8°C, 45.6°Cand 51.1°C) and solar intensities, using clear and black plastic bottles filled to different depths. The results show that the rate of microbial inactivation in relation to depth of water, turbidity, container type, intensity of light and color of container was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, bottle placement, exposure and water pH were unrelated to microbial inactivation. Bacterial re-growth was not observed after solar disinfection. By adjusting the parameters, complete and irreversible fecal coliform inactivation was achieved within an exposure time of less than four hours in the areas where the solar irradiance is about 3.99 kW/m(2) and above. Our results indicate that application of SODIS could play a significant role in the provision of safe water in rural communities of developing countries where there is ample sunshine, specifically in sub-Saharan African countries

Ecological Status of Hot Springs in Eastern Amhara Region: Macroinvertebrates Diversity

 Springs are the places where ground water is discharged at specific locations. They vary dramatically as to the type of water they discharge. Hot springs is having the temperature of the water lies significantly above the mean of annual air temperature of that region. Temperature is one of the most important factors that govern species abundance and distribution. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between biological parameters (macroinvertebrate diversity) with physicochemical water and habitat quality of hot springs in Easter Amhara Region. A cross-sectional study of physical, chemical and biological components of the hot springs was carriedout to assess their ecological status. Samples were collected from March to May 2013. Biological samples were collected to provide a qualitative description of the community composition at each sampling site. Water samples were collected for analysis of selected physicochemical parameters following water quality assessment protocols. A total of 1095 macroinvertebrates classified into 10 orders and 31 families of macroinvertebrates were collected from the 12 sampling sites. The most abundant orders were Diptera 49.90%, Odonata 15.53%, Coleopteran 12.97%, and Ephmeropetra 9.5% represented by 14 families. Macroinvertebrate taxa were absent at B1 and H1 sites with the temperature of 72 0C and 70 0C respectively. However, in this study, the macroinvertebrate taxa (Chironomidae and Hydrobiidae) were found within a temperature of 52 oC at S1 and H1 sites. The results are also revealed that as the temperature gradient declines, the macroinvertebrate diversity flourished.Due to this fact, both macroinvertebrate diversity and family biotic index were negatively correlated with temperature and the correlations were significant. Human disturbance and habitant conditions varied considerably among sites in the study area. Although human disturbance and water pollution are among the factors influencing ecological quality, the strong correlations between water temperature and species diversity suggest that temperature is the major environmental gradient affecting aquatic biodiversity in hot springs

Prevalence of household food insecurity and associated factors in drought-prone pastoralist communities in Borana, Oromia, Ethiopia

AbstractBackground: Food security is a central component of the development agenda in pastoralist communities, especially among those who reside in drought-prone areas.Objective: This study measured the prevalence of household food insecurity and associated factors among pastoralist communities of Borana, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2015 in two pastoralist communities in Borana Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1,058 randomly sampled households through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: The mean household food insecurity score was 18.21 (value range: 0.00-27.00). Overall, 82.33% of the households were severely food insecure, with 14.56% moderately food insecure. Ownership of private farming land, reliance on crop farming as the main economic activity (β=1.47, p=0.016), and one-way walk time to water sources (β=0.01, p=0.001) were significantly associated with household food insecurity (p&lt;0.05). Likewise, increased family size (β=0.49, p=0.001) and lack of education (β=1.41, p=0.025) were significantly associated with food insecurity. In contrast, dependence on small business (petty trade and shop) as the main economic activity (β=5.14, p=0.001); ownership of milking cow (β=-0.25, p=0.001), bull/heifer (β=-0.16, p=0.002), goat (β=-0.14, p=0.001) or pullet (β=-1.17, p=0.001); ownership of various assets, such as forage (β=-2.50, p=0.009); and participation in village-level saving schemes (β=-1.41, p=0.044) were all significantly associated with reduced household food insecurity. Conclusions: Household food insecurity was widespread in the pastoralist communities of Borana, Ethiopia, affecting a high number of households in all domains: food anxiety, food quality, and quantity of food at the household level. As there were factors that were linked to food insecurity in the study pastoralists, evidence-based innovative interventions via a combination of measures in a medium-to-long-term development plan are vital for sustained household food security. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(1):38-49] Keywords: Pastoralist, resilience, food resiliency, food insecurity, Borana, Ethiopi

Changing Patterns of Tree Cover in a Tropical Highland Region and Implications for Food, Energy, and Water Resources

The Blue Nile Highlands of Ethiopia are a densely populated, predominantly rural region dominated by smallholder crop-livestock mixed farming systems. Population growth, coupled with low productivity, have long posed a threat to natural forest ecosystems in the region, as trees have been removed for fuelwood and to clear area for grazing or crop production. In recent years, however, there has been a trend to replace cropland with eucalyptus plantations. This change has major implications for the hydrology, soils, and agricultural economy of the region. This study examines changes in tree cover for a highland area at the center of the Blue Nile Highlands. Landsat imagery from 1986 to 2017 is applied to characterize changing tree cover patterns over space and time. We find that total tree cover in this highland region has shifted dramatically over the past 30 years. Between 1987 and 1999 there was dramatic loss of tree cover, particularly in areas of natural vegetation at high and low elevation. This period coincided with the fall of the Derg government and the transition to the current political system. In the period since 1999 there has been an increase in tree cover, with rapid gains in recent years. This increase has taken two distinct forms: regrowth in previously forested areas, due in part to active conservation measures, and the establishment of eucalyptus plantations in mid-elevation zones. The ecological and economic implications of these two types of tree cover—protected forest vs. woodlot plantations—are quite distinct, with plantation forestry providing biomass energy at a cost to food production and water resources. Mapping cropland conversion to eucalyptus in recent years makes it possible to quantify the net impacts that this trend has had on local production of energy and food, and to estimate implications for water consumption. Effective monitoring of these changes is important for the ongoing development and implementation of effective land use policy in the region

Environmental and biotic factors affecting freshwater snail intermediate hosts in the Ethiopian Rift Valley region

Background: Knowledge of the distribution and habitat preference of freshwater snail intermediate hosts can provide information to initiate and set-up effective snail control programmes. However, there is limited research conducted on the factors driving the occurrence and abundance of freshwater snail intermediate hosts in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Hence, in this study, we investigated how environmental and biotic factors influence the occurrence and abundance of the snail intermediate hosts in Ethiopian Rift Valley region. Methods: Data on freshwater snails, physico-chemical water quality parameters, physical characteristics of habitat, predators and competitors, and anthropogenic activity variables were collected from 174 sampling sites during the wet season of 2017 and 2018. Generalized linear models were used to identify the main environmental and biotic factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of the snail species. Results: It was found that Bulinus globosus (31.7%) was the most abundant snail species followed by Lymnaea natalensis (21.6%), Lymnaea truncatula (15.1%) and Biomphalaria pfeifferi (14.6%). Generalized linear models indicated that physico-chemical parameters (water temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and ammonia), physical habitat characteristics (water depth, canopy cover, macrophyte cover and substrate type) and biotic factors (abundance of predators and competitors) were found to be the main variables determining the occurrence and abundance of snail species in the Ethiopian Rift Valley region. In terms of anthropogenic activities, human settlement, farming, bathing and swimming, clothes washing, grazing, drainage of land, car washing, boating, fishing and silviculture were also important variables determining the occurrence and abundance of snail species in the region. Conclusions: The findings reported herein suggest that integrated snail control strategies should be considered to control snails via protection of water bodies from disturbance by anthropogenic activities. In this way, it is possible to reduce the concentration of organic matter and dissolved ions in aquatic ecosystems which are conducive for the presence of snails

Improving Monitoring and Water Point Functionality in Rural Ethiopia

This study examines the patterns, trends, and factors associated with functional community water points in rural Ethiopia and identifies potential areas of improvement in terms of practitioner response to functionality and functionality monitoring. It was part of an integrated WaSH and nutrition program implemented by UNICEF Ethiopia and the Government of Ethiopia. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted to collect WaSH-related data in communities and WaSH committees from four community-based nutrition (CBN) program groupings in Ethiopia. In all areas, CBN was implemented, but only in less than half of the areas, a WaSH intervention was implemented. Seventy-three representative kebeles, comprising 30 intervention and 43 control communities, were surveyed. Two structured surveys were conducted. The ‘community survey’ addressed community water points and their functionality and the main areas for improvement needed. The ‘WaSH committee survey’ investigated technical and management aspects of water points and their functionality. Data were analyzed using bivariate regression to identify community characteristics and management practices associated with functionality of water points and explore opportunities to improve water point functionality and monitoring. In the communities, 65% of water points were functional. Eighty percent of communities had a WaSH committee. The WaSH committee members reported that the most used water point types were protected dug wells and boreholes, and that 80% of their water points were functional. India Mark II pumps were more likely to be functional and communities with longer established WaSH committees had higher water point functionality. Communities suggested that the key factors for water point sustainability were improving water quality and water pressure, reducing water collection time, and speeding up repair times. Taking community leaders’ ‘priority lists’ into consideration offers sustainable opportunities for demand-driven, adaptive and targeted design and implementation of rural water supply programs, which, if they include the grassroots level as key informants and actors of change, can succeed. Interventions should integrate the ‘voice’ of the community, the WaSH committees, and other stakeholders and thereby facilitate transdisciplinary approaches at different stages of program management (planning, monitoring, and evaluation). This would help closing the knowledge to action gap and improve policy, programming, practice, and service delivery

Health Risk Perceptions Are Associated with Domestic Use of Basic Water and Sanitation Services—Evidence from Rural Ethiopia

We examine factors associated with the use of basic water supply and sanitation services as part of an integrated community-based nutrition programme which included a drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) intervention and emphasise findings related to health risk perceptions. Data were collected from 2658 households in four regions in Ethiopia with a cross-sectional survey in WaSH intervention areas, as well as in control areas, where the intervention was not implemented. The data were analysed using bivariate and multivariable regression analysis. Awareness of health risk factors related to inadequate WaSH was high in the programme area. The use of basic water and sanitation services was associated with several health risk perceptions: Perceiving water quality as good increased the odds of using basic water services as opposed to believing the water quality was poor (OR 3.94; CI 3.06–5.08; p ≤ 0.001). Believing that drinking unsafe water was the main cause for diarrhoea increased the odds of using basic water services (OR 1.48; CI 1.20–1.81; p ≤ 0.001). In the WaSH intervention group, the use of basic sanitation was more likely than in the control group. The use of basic sanitation was associated with households who had previously received sanitation training, as opposed to such who had not (OR 1.55; CI 1.22–1.97; p ≤ 0.001). Perceiving dirty space as the main cause of diarrhoea (OR 1.81; CI 1.50–2.19; p ≤ 0.001), and privacy when using a latrine (OR 2.00; CI 1.67–2.40; p ≤ 0.001), were associated with higher odds of using basic sanitation. Households that indicated a disadvantage of owning a latrine was maintenance costs were less likely to use basic sanitation (OR 0.49; CI 0.38–0.63; p ≤ 0.001). Risk perceptions were important determinants of use of basic services. The findings point to risk perceptions motivating the application of positive WaSH-related and health-protective behaviours. This suggests that well-designed health risk communication strategies may be effective for engaging households in healthy WaSH behaviour

The application of predictive modelling for determining bio-environmental factors affecting the distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Gilgel Gibe watershed in Southwest Ethiopia

Blackflies are important macroinvertebrate groups from a public health as well as ecological point of view. Determining the biological and environmental factors favouring or inhibiting the existence of blackflies could facilitate biomonitoring of rivers as well as control of disease vectors. The combined use of different predictive modelling techniques is known to improve identification of presence/absence and abundance of taxa in a given habitat. This approach enables better identification of the suitable habitat conditions or environmental constraints of a given taxon. Simuliidae larvae are important biological indicators as they are abundant in tropical aquatic ecosystems. Some of the blackfly groups are also important disease vectors in poor tropical countries. Our investigations aim to establish a combination of models able to identify the environmental factors and macroinvertebrate organisms that are favourable or inhibiting blackfly larvae existence in aquatic ecosystems. The models developed using macroinvertebrate predictors showed better performance than those based on environmental predictors. The identified environmental and macroinvertebrate parameters can be used to determine the distribution of blackflies, which in turn can help control river blindness in endemic tropical places. Through a combination of modelling techniques, a reliable method has been developed that explains environmental and biological relationships with the target organism, and, thus, can serve as a decision support tool for ecological management strategies