Genetic Variability Studies in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes in Bale Highlands, South Eastern Ethiopia

Twenty four potato genotypes were planted in randomized complete block design with three replications at Sinana Agricultural Research Center to investigate the nature and magnitude of variability for tuber yield and yield related traits. The mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant (P<0.01) for all the characters studied. High genotypic (51.9, 47.2 and 45.8) and phenotypic (56.7, 55 and 51.2) coefficient of variation were observed for total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield and average tuber weight in order of magnitude. High heritability (85 and 83.9%) coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean (98.1 and 89.7) recorded for total tuber yield and marketable tuber yield respectively. The study revealed that the presence of genotypic variability in tested genotypes indicating higher chance of selecting genotypes with high yield and resistant to late blight. Keywords:Variability; Heritability; Genetic advance; potato

The journey of Radiology in Ethiopia

The practice of radiology began after the invention of X-rays in 1895 which then spread to different parts of the world. There is no documentation on how and when the x-ray was introduced to the Ethiopian medical practice. However, radiology as a profession was in place for the last four decades. Similar with the experience in other countries, the history of progress in the field of radiology in the Ethiopian setup is related directly to technological advances that occurred during the past few decades.Radiography was the main modality used in the first two decades. In the early years of the initiation of radiology training,  only radiographs and ultrasounds were available for training and service. In the subsequent years, modern cross-sectional imaging equipment was introduced. This was mainly accomplished with the involvement of the private institutions which played a significant role. So far, there are more than 300 practicing radiologists as diagnosticians. Recently, also radiologic interventions were also introduced with the commencement of subspecialty training

Evaluation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes for resistance to late blight at Sinana Southeastern Ethiopia

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is one of the most significant constraints to potato production in Bale high lands and other regions of Ethiopia. Hence, this requires to develop high yielding and late blight resistant varieties. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine host resistance of potato against Phytophthora infestans in order to develop late blight resistant/tolerant genotypes. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications at Sinana Agricultural Research Center during 2014 main cropping season. The genotypes showed highly significant (P<0.01) differences for all the characters studied. Genotypes exhibited wide ranges of mean values for all characters. The highest total tuber yield (46.1 t ha-1) was obtained from the advanced clone, CIP-392640.524 followed by Belete (41 t ha-1). Late blight appeared early on farmer's cultivar Kellacho (48 days after planting) and late on advanced clones CIP- 399062.102(74 days after planting). Percent severity index (PSI) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) ranged from 33.91 to 91.67% and 105 to 2370, respectively. Eleven newly introduced clones and the released variety "Belete" recorded PSI 33 to 39.7% and AUDPC 105 to 264.1. Hence, these genotypes can be categorized as moderately resistant. The study revealed the presence of considerable variability in tested genotypes for economically important traits and the higher chance of selecting genotypes with high yield and moderately resistant to late blight. However, it appears that further evaluation of genotypes across seasons and locations to identify genotypes that could be released as varieties seem to be quite pertinent.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (1): 21-25, June, 201

Effect of varieties and growing environments on tuber yield, nutritional and process quality of potato grown in bale highlands, south eastern Ethiopia

The highland of Bale is known with potato production, but post harvest quality of the crop is not emphasized yet. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate six potato varieties with the objective of assessing the effect of varieties and growing on tuber nutritional and process quality of potato grown in Sinana and Dinsho highlands of Bale. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The varieties showed highly significant (P<0.05) differences for all the parameters studied across the locations. The highest specific gravity, dry matter content and starch content (1.107, 26.61 and 19.19) were recorded from Dinsho location for Guddene variety while the lowest specific gravity, dry matter content and starch content (1.084, 19.41 and 14.61) were recorded from Sinana location for Ararsa variety. Most of the varieties were recorded as the highest values of specific gravity, dry matter and starch content at Dinsho indicating that it is an ideal location for potato production to be used for processing while Sinana is suitable for the production for home consumption. However, it is necessary to evaluate these varieties for a number of seasons and locations to recommend with high post harvest quality parameters required by the processors.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (2): 18-21, December, 201

Perception of fertility regulation in a remote community, South Ethiopia

Abstract: This exploratory study was conducted to describe the traditional methods of contraception and community perception of fertility regulation in a remote rural community of Ethiopia. In-depth interviews were conducted with "key informants" selected from the rural communities of Bensa district, South Ethiopia. Selection of key informants was purposive with the aim of obtaining knowledgeable and articulate individuals. Four categories of individuals were interviewed: elderly men, elderly women, women in reproductive age, and community health workers. The findings are described in three categories: contraception methods, sexual norms and premarital sex, and desired family size. The results showed that, in Bensa Community, postpartum sexual abstinence and prolonged breast-feeding are the main means of fertility regulation. Cultural values regarding sex(postpartum and premarital abstinences) are being disregarded now adays. On the other hand, the effects of unregulated fertility on population growth and societal resources are well perceived by the community. The community expressed willingness to accept modern family planning methods to regulate fertility. Further studies, however, are recommended for a better understanding of the issues using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(3):217-221

Heritage Conservation Practices and Challenges of Debre Yibabie Bale Egziabher Church in Janamora-Ethiopia

Heritage resources are being converted into destinations and attractions to obtain economic benefits from tourism throughout the world. The interference between heritage and tourism is extremely complex. Stakeholders interpret heritage in a variety of ways for different purposes. Ethiopia is gifted with a lot of cultural and natural heritage as tourist attraction areas. The Amhara region has many age-old rock hewn churches and other heritage sites which need conservation and protection from any dangers. The main objective of this study is to assess the heritage conservation practices and challenges of Debre Yibabie Bale Egziabher church in Janamora, Ethiopia. The study has been conducted by using a descriptive type of research design with a qualitative research approach. The researchers used the sample population of the study area through a purposive sampling technique. So, the participants in the study were the religious leaders, clergy, deacons, and knowledgeable elders in relation to the study area. Local government leaders as well as tourism experts were the target groups for the study to gather information about the church. The researcher has used research instruments to collect information like primary data via observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and reviews of secondary data sources. Moreover, the data Analysis of this research is conducted by categorizing, describing and interpreting the data collection from observation, participant detail interviews, focus group discussion, document and textual analysis and photographic data on the basis of thematic analysis. Furthermore, the researchers have identified the heritage conservation practices and challenges that have made a meaningful recommendation to reduce them. Preservation and maintenance have begun by the government and locals, yet the involvement of key actors is still very poor. On the other hand, due to age, environmental deterioration, improper handling of moveable treasures, lack of finance, deforestation, and lack of stakeholder integration, have been major challenges for the sites. Therefore, the researcher tried to recommend that the Church needs to get better protection and care. They need to be relieved of their problems and threats, so stakeholders should play their roles in an organized and integrated manner, unless otherwise it will become difficult

Heritage Conservation Practices and Challenges of Debre Yibabie Bale Egziabher Church in Janamora-Ethiopia

Heritage resources are being converted into destinations and attractions to obtain economic benefits from tourism throughout the world. The interference between heritage and tourism is extremely complex. Stakeholders interpret heritage in a variety of ways for different purposes. Ethiopia is gifted with a lot of cultural and natural heritage as tourist attraction areas. The Amhara region has many age-old rock hewn churches and other heritage sites which need conservation and protection from any dangers. The main objective of this study is to assess the heritage conservation practices and challenges of Debre Yibabie Bale Egziabher church in Janamora, Ethiopia. The study has been conducted by using a descriptive type of research design with a qualitative research approach. The researchers used the sample population of the study area through a purposive sampling technique. So, the participants in the study were the religious leaders, clergy, deacons, and knowledgeable elders in relation to the study area. Local government leaders as well as tourism experts were the target groups for the study to gather information about the church. The researcher has used research instruments to collect information like primary data via observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and reviews of secondary data sources. Moreover, the data Analysis of this research is conducted by categorizing, describing and interpreting the data collection from observation, participant detail interviews, focus group discussion, document and textual analysis and photographic data on the basis of thematic analysis. Furthermore, the researchers have identified the heritage conservation practices and challenges that have made a meaningful recommendation to reduce them. Preservation and maintenance have begun by the government and locals, yet the involvement of key actors is still very poor. On the other hand, due to age, environmental deterioration, improper handling of moveable treasures, lack of finance, deforestation, and lack of stakeholder integration, have been major challenges for the sites. Therefore, the researcher tried to recommend that the Church needs to get better protection and care. They need to be relieved of their problems and threats, so stakeholders should play their roles in an organized and integrated manner, unless otherwise it will become difficult

Adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare professionals working in Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Background of the studyOne of the best medical approaches for halting the spread of infectious diseases is vaccination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were a high-risk population. Due to their susceptibility in terms of their working environment, front-line healthcare personnel should receive vaccinations before others.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines among Ethiopian healthcare professionals in 2022.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Addis Ababa Health Facilities, Ethiopia. A total of 290 health professionals who were vaccinated during the study period were involved. Data entry was done by Epidata (version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Bivariable analysis was conducted and a p value of less than 0.25 was selected for further multivariable analysis. A p value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level.ResultsA total of 277 study participants were successfully involved in the study, yielding a response rate of 95.5%. The study participants comprised 123 (44.4%) women and 154 (55.6%) men. The majority of them (202, 72.9%) had received the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Among the 277 study participants, 142 (51.3%) had developed adverse reactions associated with vaccination. Of these, 81 (29.2%) had moderate adverse reactions. Only 2 (0.7%) had developed adverse reactions that led to hospitalization. The most reported short-term adverse reactions were injection site pain (151, 54.5%), headache (114, 41.2%), fever (104, 37.5%), fatigability and tiredness (94, 33.9%), chills (92, 33.2%), muscle pain (79, 28.5%), and decreased sleep quality (34, 12.3%). The multivariable logistic regression showed that the odds of having an adverse reaction were 1.501 times higher among women than men (AOR = 1.501, 95% CI [1.08, 2.754]).Conclusion and recommendationsThis study revealed that adverse effects following the COVID-19 vaccine were moderate in magnitude and minimal in severity. This study showed that adverse reactions that led to hospitalization were rare. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that national, multicenter, prospective, and randomized studies be conducted to assess the independent association of each vaccine

HIV-1 INFECTION AMONG EMPLOYEES OF THE ETHIOPIAN FREIGHT TRANSPORT CORPORATION

SUMMARY: In the study on HIV-l infection conducted in July 1988, 995 long distance truck drivers, their assistants, and lorry technicians employed by the Ethiopian Freight Transport Corporation (EFTC) were enrolled. 89.4% of trips made by the drivers were along the Addis Ababa -Assab road. The HIV prevalence rates were 13% among 468 drivers, 12.9% among 209 drivers assistants, and 4.1% among 318 technicians. The prevalence rate among those who served for < 5 yrs was 4.7% (n = 297) .Those who served longer in the Corporation (82.9% of whom are drivers) had a mean prevalence rate of 12.5% (n=698). Drivers had more sexual partners and more frequently experienced sexually transmitted diseases than the technicians. The study indicated that the long distance truck drivers in Ethiopia practiced frequent contacts with female sex workers. They were at a significantly higher risk to acquire HIV infection than the technicians employed at the same corporation

HIV-1 INFECTION AND RELATED RISK FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN URBAN AREAS OF ETHIOPIA

SUMMARY: A total of 6234 female sex workers practicing multi-partner sexual contacts (MPSC) from 23 urban areas of the country were tested for Human Immuno deficiency Virus type 1 (HIV1) infection, in 1988. The sample size ranged from 99 persons in Moyale, to 386 in Asmara. The mean age of the individuals studied was 24.2 years (ranging from 21.5 years to 27.1 years in the different towns). The HIV-1 prevalence rates varied from 1.3% (n=318) in Massawa, to 38.1% (n=312) in Dessie town; the mean for all towns being 17%. The highest prevalence rates were found in the towns along the road from Addis Ababa to Assab, in Bahr-Dar , Dessie and Mekele. The lowest prevalence rates were recorded in three towns of northern Ethiopia. This study indicated that Hiv-1 is widely spread in the urban areas of Ethiopia affecting female sex workers mainly in the 15-29 years age group. Previous episodes of other sexually transmitted diseases, and frequent change of sexual partners were identified as possible risk factors for HIV infection. Frequent mobility of these females may have played a significant role in HIV transmission between the towns