Determinants of Effective Household Solid Waste Management Practices: the Case of Ambo Town – West Showa Zone

Most of the developed countries recognized that solid waste management is very crucial for survival (economically) in addition to secure the safety of environment and human health. However, the developing countries like Ethiopia, let alone use its economical benefits, because of various reasons they are dumping of wastes in unauthorized sites, which easily expose to harsh hazards, like environmental pollution and health problem. Hence, the overall objective of the study is to describe and analyze the household solid waste management current situation and examine the influence of demographics, socio-cultural and institutional factors on the effectiveness of solid waste management at household level in the town. The data were collected from 200 households, which were selected through multi-stage sampling from three ‘kebelles’, from responsible staff and private participants using interviews and focus group discussion respectively. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics tools such as two-sample t test, Pearson chi-square and correlation were used to know the relationship between variables. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors that determine the effectiveness of solid waste management at household level in the study area. The descriptive findings show that plastic, paper and ash constitute the major waste bulk generated by the households. In addition, there is a positive link between household’s income and waste generation. Though all households have temporary storage in their home, they did not store wastes separately based on its nature. Disposed off solid wastes in unauthorized sites by the households is highly practiced in Ambo. The empirical analyses, using the logistic regression model, shows that, household head sex, household head educational level, household’s location (distance of residents from the main road or center), household’s willingness to pay, household’s awareness on solid waste management and household’s access to the private waste collectors’ service are the major determinants of effective household solid waste management in the study area. Moreover, the qualitative analyses, using the interview and focus group discussion data, show that manpower, budget, and facilities such as container, adequate vehicles, waste gown, and gloves are the other major determining factors of effective solid waste management at household level in Ambo. Key words: Household Solid Waste Management, Private Waste Collectors, Logit, Ambo, West – Showa Zon

Prevalence and antibiogram of Escherichia coli O157 isolated from bovine in Jimma, Ethiopia: abattoirbased survey

E. coli O157 is an important serotype that caused many food borne outbreaks worldwide in the past decades. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157 isolated from bovine carcasses and cecal contents at one abattoir in Jimma. A total of 300 samples from bovine carcass swabs(n=150) and cecal contents(n=150) were examined to identify E. coli O157 by ISO 17604:2005 method and by using Dry spot E. coli O157 latex test kit. Susceptibility to panels of 9 antimicrobial agents for all 25 E. coli O157 isolates was examined The overall prevalence of E. coli O157 from bovine carcass swabs and cecal contents were 9.3% and 7.3%, respectively. All E. coli O157 isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, tetracycline and 96% of the isolates were susceptible to amoxacillin-clavulanic acid. Twenty-eight, 24% and 20% of the isolates were resistant to amikacin, streptomycin and cephalothin respectively. In conclusion, considerable proportions of bovine carcasses and cecal contents in the current study harbored drug resistant E. coli O157 and pose a significant public health risk. Attention must be given during post mortem examination and evisceration to avoid contamination of carcasses.Keywords: Abattoir; Antimicrobial susceptibility; Carcass; Cecal content; E. coli O157; Jimma; Prevalenc

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef cattle at slaughter and beef carcasses at retail shops in Ethiopia

Background: There is paucity of information regarding the epidemiology of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of E. coli O157: H7 associated with beef cattle at processing plants and at retail shops in Ethiopia. Methods: Various samples were collected from beef cattle at slaughter/processing plants, carcass at retail shops and humans at health centers. E. coli O157: H7 was isolated, identified and characterized for antimicrobial resistance, using standard microbiological methods. Results: At the processing plants E. coli O157: H7 was detected in 1.89% of fecal, 0.81% of intestinal mucosal swab, 0.54% of skin swab and 0.54% of carcass internal swab samples. At retail shops it was detected in 0.8% of carcass and 0.8% of cutting board swab samples, while all samples from utensils, hands from workers, and fecal and stool samples were negative. All isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, moderately resistant to Cefoxitine and Nitrofurantoins but susceptible to other antimicrobials tested. Conclusions: E. coli O157: H7 occurs at low prevalence in beef cattle, and the current sanitary dressing procedures in the processing plants and storage conditions in the retail shops are effective against E. coli O157: H7

Assessment of subpatent Plasmodium infection in northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has set a goal for malaria elimination by 2030. Low parasite density infections may go undetected by conventional diagnostic methods (microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests) and their contribution to malaria transmission varies by transmission settings. This study quantified the burden of subpatent infections from samples collected from three regions of northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Sub-samples of dried blood spots from the Ethiopian Malaria Indicator Survey 2015 (EMIS-2015) were tested and compared using microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to determine the prevalence of subpatent infection. Paired seroprevalence results previously reported along with gender, age, and elevation of residence were explored as risk factors for Plasmodium infection. RESULTS: Of the 2608 samples collected, the highest positive rate for Plasmodium infection was found with nPCR 3.3% (95% CI 2.7-4.1) compared with RDT 2.8% (95% CI 2.2-3.5) and microscopy 1.2% (95% CI 0.8-1.7). Of the nPCR positive cases, Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 3.1% (95% CI 2.5-3.8), Plasmodium vivax 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.7), mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax 0.1% (95% CI 0.0-0.4), and mixed P. falciparum and Plasmodium malariae 0.1% (95% CI 0.0-0.3). nPCR detected an additional 30 samples that had not been detected by conventional methods. The majority of the nPCR positive cases (61% (53/87)) were from the Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Malaria seropositivity had significant association with nPCR positivity [adjusted OR 10.0 (95% CI 3.2-29.4), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Using nPCR the detection rate of malaria parasites increased by nearly threefold over rates based on microscopy in samples collected during a national cross-sectional survey in 2015 in Ethiopia. Such subpatent infections might contribute to malaria transmission. In addition to strengthening routine surveillance systems, malaria programmes may need to consider low-density, subpatent infections in order to accelerate malaria elimination efforts

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Enset (Ensete Ventricosoum) Value Chain in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Dawuro zone southern part of Ethiopia with aim of analyzing enset value chain with specific objectives of identifying actors and their functions along the value chain, examine the share of benefits along ‘enset’ value chain, analyze factor affecting market participation and outlet choice of producer. The multi-stage sampling method was employed to select representative producers. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected from 152 producers’ 57 traders and 66 consumers, respectively. While secondary data were collected from published and unpublished documents. Descriptive statistics, econometric models of Tobit regression and multivariate probit methods were used to analyze the data using STATA software. Participation and level of market participation were used as a dependent variable to analyze determinants of enset market participation. Market outlet choice was used as a dependent variable to investigate factor affecting outlet choice of the producer. The finding of the study revealed that major actors of the value chain are, input suppliers, enablers, enset producers, local collectors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. The performance of actors in value chain emphasized that about 26 % kocho and 25.95% ‘bulla’ profit margin shared by producers. Similarly, local collectors, wholesaler, and retailers have shared 27%, 22% and 25.08% of kocho; and 25.32%, 22.15% and 26.5% share of bulla margin respectively. Retailers got a high share of profit 26.5% from bulla. Moreover, local collectors get 27% share of profit from ‘kocho’. However, farmers have the lowest share of profit margin (26%) since local collectors and wholesalers govern the chain. the econometric result revealed that distance to nearest market at 10%, family size10% and incidence of the disease at 5% determined the probability of farmer’s market participation negatively and significantly. Education level 1%, quantity produced at 1%, consumer preference at 1%, transport facility at 1% and Price at 1% is determining the market participation of the producer positively and significantly. The result of multivariate probit model indicated that the outlet choices have significantly influenced by age of producer, education level, and distances to market, extension contact, packing animal owner, labor availability, output produced and price of the products. Moreover, the model result indicated that the predicted probability of choosing direct-consumers outlet was (29%) which is relatively lower than collectors (44%) retailers (38%) and wholesaler outlets (69%), since they face constraints immediately to get direct consumers, the probabilities of producers jointly to choose and not to choose four outlets were 2.29% and 5.43% respectively. The Wald χ2 test value of 112.64, which is significant at 1% significance level indicating that separate estimation of choice of four outlets is biased, and the decisions to choose the four outlets are interdependent and simultaneous. Therefore, collective efforts required motivation of extension agents and linking actors with the market are recommended to increase value chain of enset product in the study area.</p

Changes in water availability in the Upper Blue Nile basin under the representative concentration pathways scenario

Climatic and hydrological changes will likely be intensified in the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) basin by the effects of global warming. The extent of such effects for representative concentration pathways (RCP) climate scenarios is unknown. We evaluated projected changes in rainfall and evapotranspiration and related impacts on water availability in the UBN under the RCP4.5 scenario. We used dynamically downscaled outputs from six global circulation models (GCMs) with unprecedented spatial resolution for the UBN. Systematic errors of these outputs were corrected and followed by runoff modelling by the HBV (Hydrologiska ByrånsVattenbalansavdelning) model, which was successfully validated for 17 catchments. Results show that the UBN annual rainfall amount will change by −2.8 to 2.7% with a likely increase in annual potential evapotranspiration (in 2041–2070) for the RCP4.5 scenario. These changes are season dependent and will result in a likely decline in streamflow and an increase in soil moisture deficit in the basin

Causes of Death among Children Aged 5 to 14 Years Old from 2008 to 2013 in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kersa HDSS), Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND:The global burden of mortality among children is still very huge though its trend has started declining following the improvements in the living standard. It presents serious challenges to the well-being of children in many African countries. Today, Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for about 50% of global child mortality. The overall objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and distribution of causes of death among children aged 5 to 14 year olds in the population of Kersa HDSS using verbal autopsy method for the period 2008 to 2013. METHODS:Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System(Kersa HDSS) was established in September 2007. The center consists of 10 rural and 2 urban kebeles which were selected randomly from 38 kebeles in the district. Thus this study was conducted in Kersa HDSS and data was taken from Kersa HDSS database. The study population included all children aged 5 to 14 years registered during the period of 2008 to 2013 in Kersa HDSS using age specific VA questionnaires. Data were extracted from SPSS database and analyzed using STATA. RESULTS:A total of 229 deaths were recorded over the period of six years with a crude death rate of 219.6 per 100,000 population of this age group over the study period. This death rate was 217.5 and 221.5 per 100,000 populations for females and males, respectively. 75% of deaths took place at home. The study identified severe malnutrition(33.9%), intestinal infectious diseases(13.8%) and acute lower respiratory infections(9.2%) to be the three most leading causes of death. In broad causes of death classification, injuries have been found to be the second most cause of death next to communicable diseases(56.3%) attributing to 13.1% of the total deaths. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:In specific causes of death classification severe malnutrition, intestinal infectious diseases and acute lower respiratory infections were the three leading causes of death where, in broad causes of death communicable diseases and injuries were among the leading causes of death. Hence, concerned bodies should take measures to avert the situation of mortality from these causes of death and further inferential analysis into the prevention and management of infectious diseases should also be taken