Effect of Weed Management Methods on the Growth and yield of Ginger in Metu, Illubabor Ethiopia

A field experiment on ginger weed management was conducted at Metu from2009 and 2011 with the objective of identifying effective weed management for ginger under Metu condition. Different weed management methods were compared in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were: hand weeding at 30,60,90, days after planting, .hand weeding at 45,75,105,135 &165 days after planting, hand weeding at 60,90,120,& 150 days after planting, mulching at planting followed by hand weeding at 45 and 75 days after planting, . mulching at planting followed by hand weeding at 60 and 90 days after planting, hand weeding at 30 and60 days after planting followed by mulching followed by one hand weeding as needed,  The result showed that the major weeds at both locations were: Cynodon spp., Cyprus spp., Digitaria spp., Gyzotia scabra, Bidens polynchyma, Nicandra physaloides, Commelina spp., Bidens pilosa, and Ageratum conyzoides. hand weeding at 30 and60 days after planting followed by mulching followed by one hand weeding as needed, hand weeding at 45 and 75 followed by mulching followed by one hand weeding as needed and weed free and weedy controls.The result reveled   a highly significant (p < 0.01) difference between treatments The result showed that as weeding frequency increased yield of ginger also increased. One early hand weeding between 30 and 45 days was critical to secure high yield of ginger. Mulching at planting followed by two hand weeding at 60 and 90 days after planting gave higher yield compared with the clean weeding treatment. Similarly hand weeding at 30 and 60 days followed by mulching and followed by one hand weeding also gave similar yield with clean weeding. Mulching at planting enhanced early germination and growth of ginger compared with non mulched ginger. On the other hand, the result also showed that ginger was poorly competed with weeds that when the first hand weeding was delayed from 30 to 45 and 60 days after planting ginger growth was affected resulting in tremendous yield loss. The result also clearly showed that three hand weeding at 30,60 and 90 days after planting was not adequate under Metu condition.  When weeding was totally ignored throughout the growing period yield reduction amounted 95.5 %

Effect of Weed Management Methods on the Growth and yield of Turmeric in Metu, Illubabor, Ethiopia

A field experiment was carried out at Metu Research  Sub Center to determine the best weeding practice for turmeric under Metu condition. The experiment was carried out between 2010 and 2012 cropping seasons. Turmeric was subjected to nine weeding regimes using randomized complete block design with three replications The result showed that the major weeds recorded were: Gyzotia scabra., Nicandra physaloidesspp./ Commelina spp., Bidens Polynchyma, Caylusia abyssininca  and Ageratum conyzoides. The result also reveled that turmeric rhizome yield was highly significantly (p<0.1) affected by weeding regimes . As hand weeding frequency increased turmeric yield also increased. The result reveled that one early hand weeding applied between 30 and 45 days after planting was critical for high yield of turmeric When the first hand weeding was delayed up to 60 days from planting yield of turmeric was reduced tremendously. However, the result showed that by mulching turmeric at planting the first hand weeding can be delayed up to 60 days without yield affected. Mulching turmeric at planting followed by two hand weeding at 60 and 90 days gave high  yield compared with the  with the treatment where the first hand weeding was applied at 60 days.  Similarly, hand weeding at 30 and 60 days followed by mulching once also gave comparable yield with the weed free treatment. In addition, the result also revealed that mulching at planting enhanced the fast germination and emergence of turmeric compared with none mulched turmeric.  On the other hand, the result also showed that turmeric was poor competitor of weed competition  that it required  to be free of weeds throughout the season.. The highest weed biomass was recorded from the control treatment and   when weeding was totally ignored yield reduction as a result of uncontrolled weed growth amounted 98.7 % under Metu condition Keywords: Weed management, Turmeri

Five-year mortality in a cohort of people with schizophrenia in Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Schizophrenia is associated with a two to three fold excess mortality. Both natural and unnatural causes were reported. However, there is dearth of evidence from low and middle income (LAMIC) countries, particularly in Africa. To our knowledge this is the first community based report from Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We followed a cohort of 307 (82.1% males) patients with schizophrenia for five years in Butajira, rural Ethiopia. Mortality was recorded using broad rating schedule as well as verbal autopsy. Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) was calculated using the mortality in the demographic and surveillance site as a reference.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>Thirty eight (12.4%) patients, 34 men (11.1%) and 4 women (1.3%), died during the five-year follow up period. The mean age (SD) of the deceased for both sexes was 35 (7.35). The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.69). It was 35.3 (7.4) for men and 32.3 (6.8) for women. The most common cause of death was infection, 18/38 (47.4%) followed by severe malnutrition, 5/38 (13.2%) and suicide 4/38 (10.5%). The overall SMR was 5.98 (95% CI = 4.09 to7.87). Rural residents had lower mortality with adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.30 (95% CI = 0.12-0.69) but insidious onset and antipsychotic treatment for less than 50% of the follow up period were associated with higher mortality, adjusted HR 2.37 (95% CI = 1.04-5. 41) and 2.66(1.054-6.72) respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The alarmingly high mortality observed in this patient population is of major concern. Most patients died from potentially treatable conditions. Improving medical and psychiatric care as well as provision of basic needs is recommended.</p

Prevalence of Trachoma after Implementation of Trachoma Elimination Interventions in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results of Impact Surveys in 131 Evaluation Units Covering 139 Districts

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), trachomatous trichiasis (TT), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in 131 evaluation units (EUs) after implementation of trachoma elimination interventions in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each EU using the World Health Organization-recommended two-stage cluster-sampling methodology. Twenty-six clusters, each with a mean of 30 households were enumerated in each EU. All residents aged ≥1 year in selected households were examined for TF and TT. Information on WASH access in surveyed households was also collected through questioning the household head and direct observation. RESULTS: A total of 419,858 individuals were enumerated in 131 EUs, of whom 396,134 (94%) were examined, 54% being female. Age-adjusted EU-level prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years ranged from 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.4) to 37.5% (95% CI: 31.1–43.7). The TF prevalence was <5% in 73/131 (56%) EUs. The EU-level age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of TT unknown to the health system among people aged ≥15 years ranged from 0.001% (95% CI: 0.00–0.02) to 2.2% (95% CI: 1.1–3.1) with 37/131 (28%) EUs having a prevalence <0.2%. Only 48% of all households surveyed had access to improved water sources for drinking. Approximately 96% of households did not have an improved latrine. CONCLUSION: Oromia is on the path towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem

Determinants of preeclampsia among mothers attending perinatal care in Gurage zone public hospitals, Ethiopia, matched case control study

Background: Preeclampsia is the commonest and most serious type of hypertensive disorder during pregnancy. It is the cause of 10% – 15% of maternal death worldwide. Though maternal mortality in Ethiopia is decreasing, deaths related to pregnancy-induced hypertension is increasing. Identifying the factors associated with preeclampsia helps reduce the incidence of the disease and its adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to assess determinants of preeclampsia among mothers attending perinatal care in Gurage zone public hospitals, Ethiopia, 2020. Method: Institution-based matched case-control study design was used to assess determinants of preeclampsia among 426 mothers, 142 cases, and 284 controls. The study was conducted in three public hospitals in Gurage Zone. Cases were preeclamptic mothers and Controls were non-preeclamptic mothers. EPI INFO was used to enter the data and then SPSS was used to analyze the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used. Result: Significantly associated factors on multivariate analysis in this study are nulliparity with AOR 3.81; 95% CI (1.55,9.34); multiplicity of pregnancy AOR 3.62; 95%CI (1.08,12.13) having preeclampsia history AOR 10.11; 95%CI (4.06, 25.21); parents history of hypertension had AOR 2.95; 95%CI; (1.11,7.68); and drinking alcohol AOR 4.42; 95%CI (2.15,9.08) Conclusion: In this study determinants’ of preeclampsia are nulliparity, multiplicity of pregnancy, previous history of preeclampsia, family history of hypertension, and alcohol consumption. Providing health education about risk factors of preeclampsia, early initiation, and increased frequency of antenatal follow-up will help early identification of these risk factors, diagnosis of preeclampsia, and preventing its complications

Prevalence of Trachoma after Implementation of Trachoma Elimination Interventions in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results of Impact Surveys in 131 Evaluation Units Covering 139 Districts

To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), trachomatous trichiasis (TT), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in 131 evaluation units (EUs) after implementation of trachoma elimination interventions in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each EU using the World Health Organization-recommended two-stage cluster-sampling methodology. Twenty-six clusters, each with a mean of 30 households were enumerated in each EU. All residents aged ≥1 year in selected households were examined for TF and TT. Information on WASH access in surveyed households was also collected through questioning the household head and direct observation. A total of 419,858 individuals were enumerated in 131 EUs, of whom 396,134 (94%) were examined, 54% being female. Age-adjusted EU-level prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years ranged from 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.4) to 37.5% (95% CI: 31.1–43.7). The TF prevalence was Oromia is on the path towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.</p