The utility of theory of planned behavior in predicting consistent condom use intention of HIV patients on ART in North Shoa Zone health facilities, Ethiopia, 2011

Background: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) explains behavioral intention and it is a better theoretical model helping predict intentions for consistent condom use, which is believed to reduce the long term impacts of HIV disease.Objective: To examine the utility of theory of planned behavior in predicting consistent condom use intention of HIV patients who are currently on antiretroviral treatment.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 337 HIV/AIDS patients taking ART from 3 Hospitals and 4 health centers between March and April 2011 in North Shoa Zone of Ethiopia. Data were collected using the theory of planned behavior construct and socio-demographic characteristics. Analysis was done using Cronbach’s alpha reliability test, partial correlation, and linear regressions in order to know the predictors of intention to consistent condom use.Results: 56% of the respondents were females with the median age of 32.00±9.66 years. All components of the theory of planned behavior model, attitude (r=0.31: p≤0.001), subjective norm (r=0.39: P≤0.001), perceived behavioral control (r= 0.36: P≤0.001) were correlated significantly and positively with intention to consistent condom use. All components of the model were significant predictors of consistent condom use intentions. Based on multiple linear regression, the standardized regression coefficient was (ßattitude=0.21: P≤0.005), (ßsubjective norm= 0.26: P≤0.001) and (ßperceived behavioral control =0.28: P≤0.001).Conclusion: The study showed that the theory of planned behavior as explaining 29.1% of variation in intentions for consistent condom use of HIV/AIDS patients taking ART, suggesting that the model is applicable and effective in the prevention of new infections, re-infection as well as drug resistance

Field evaluation of rK39 test and direct agglutination test for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in a population with high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in Ethiopia

Accuracy of an rK39 rapid diagnostic test (DiaMed-IT-Leish ) for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was compared with splenic aspiration and the direct agglutination test (DAT) in a population with a high prevalence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Ethiopia. There were 699 patients clinically suspected of having VL (153 parasitologically confirmed, 482 DAT confirmed, and 130 DAT negative), and 97 DAT-negative controls. A total of 84% were tested for HIV and 34% were HIV positive. Sensitivity of the rK39 test in parasitologically confirmed VL patients was 84% (77% in HIV positive and 87% in HIV negative; P = 0.25). Sensitivity of the DAT was higher (94%; P = 0.01), 89% in HIV-positive patients and 95% in HIV-negative patients; P = 0.27). Specificity of the rK39 test was 99% in DAT-negative controls and 92% in DAT-negative patients clinically suspected of having VL. A diagnostic algorithm combining DAT and the rK39 test had a sensitivity of 98% in HIV-positive VL patients and 99% in HIV-negative VL patients. Despite the lower sensitivity in a population with a high prevalence of HIV, the DiaMed-IT-Leish rK39 test enables decentralization of diagnosis. Patients clinically suspected of having VL who show negative results on the rK39 antigen test should undergo follow-up DAT testing, especially if they are HIV positive

Ethyl 5-oxo-2,3-diphenyl­cyclo­pentane-1-carboxyl­ate

The title compound, C20H20O3, was prepared by an acyl­oin-type condensation reaction in the presence of sodium sand and dry ether using ethyl cinnamate as the starting material. The C—O bond lengths for the carbonyl groups are 1.191 (2) and 1.198 (2) Å, while the C—O bond in the ester group is 1.335 (2) Å. The C—C bond lengths in the phenyl groups average 1.375 Å, while the C—C bonds in the cyclo­penta­none ring average 1.525 Å, indicating single C—C bonds in the latter

Dinuclear metal complexes derived from a bis-chelating heterocyclic ligand

4,6-bis-{1-[(4,6-dichloro-[1,3,5]triazine-2-yl)-hydrazone]-ethyl-benzene-1,3-diol, C16H12N10O2Cl4 (H2-BDTD), and Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from its dibasic bis-chelating form (BDTD2- or L2-) were prepared in methanol-triethylamine and characterized by MS, NMR, IR, UV-VIS and AA spectroscopic studies. Conductivities, magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermal analyses showed bis- N,N,O donor behavior of L2-. The analytical data indicate that the metal to ligand ratio is 2:1 in all the complexes. The coordination of triethylamine, water and chloride ion are observed in the Co(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The absence of ionizable or coordinated chloride in Cu(II) complex is a notable feature. Octahedral geometry for Co(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) and square planar geometry for Cu(II) complexes are proposed. The paramagnetic complexes exhibit subnormal magnetic moments at room temperature (RT)

Laser Spectroscopy for Atmospheric and Environmental Sensing

Lasers and laser spectroscopic techniques have been extensively used in several applications since their advent, and the subject has been reviewed extensively in the last several decades. This review is focused on three areas of laser spectroscopic applications in atmospheric and environmental sensing; namely laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques used in the detection of solids, liquids, aerosols, trace gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

A Comparison of Miltefosine and Sodium Stibogluconate for Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis in an Ethiopian Population with High Prevalence of HIV Infection.

BACKGROUND: Antimonials are the mainstay of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment in Africa. The increasing incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection requires alternative safe and effective drug regimens. Oral miltefosine has been proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of Indian VL but has not been studied in Africa or in persons with HIV and VL coinfection. METHODS: We compared the efficacy of miltefosine and sodium stibogluconate (SSG) in the treatment of VL in persons in Ethiopia. A total of 580 men with parasitologically and/or serologically confirmed VL were randomized to receive either oral miltefosine (100 mg per day for 28 days) or intramuscular SSG (20 mg/kg per day for 30 days). RESULTS: The initial cure rate was 88% in both treatment groups. Mortality during treatment was 2% in the miltefosine group, compared with 10% in the SSG group. Initial treatment failure was 8% in the miltefosine group, compared with 1% in the SSG group. Among the 375 patients (65%) who agreed to HIV testing, HIV seroprevalence was 29%. Among patients not infected with HIV, initial cure, mortality, and initial treatment failure rates were not significantly different (94% vs. 95%, 1% vs. 3%, and 5% vs. 1% for the miltefosine and SSG groups, respectively). Initial treatment failure with miltefosine occurred in 18% of HIV-coinfected patients, compared with treatment failure in 5% of non-HIV-infected patients. At 6 months after treatment, 174 (60%) of the 290 miltefosine recipients and 189 (65%) of the 290 SSG recipients experienced cure; 30 (10%) of 290 in the miltefosine group and 7 (2%) of 290 in the SSG group experienced relapse, and the mortality rate was 6% in the miltefosine group, compared with 12% in the SSG group. HIV-infected patients had higher rates of relapse (16 [25%] of 63 patients), compared with non-HIV-infected patients (5 [5%] of 131). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with miltefosine is equally effective as standard SSG treatment in non-HIV-infected men with VL. Among HIV-coinfected patients, miltefosine is safer but less effective than SSG

Brucellosis in ruminants and pastoralists in Borena, Southern Ethiopia

Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; funder-id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000268; Grant(s): ref: BB/L018977/1Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that has important veterinary and public health consequences as well as economic impact in sub Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected districts of Borena Pastoral setting in Southern Ethiopia from October 2017 to February 2018 to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis and assess associated risk factors in cattle, sheep, goats and occupationally associated humans. A total of 750 cattle, 882 sheep and goats and 341 human subjects were screened for evidence of brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) with positive results confirmed by Competitive-ELISA(c-ELISA). Structured questionnaires were used for collection of metadata from individual animals, herders and animal attendants to test the association between explanatory and outcome variables. The overall animal level prevalence was 2.4% (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.4–3.7) in cattle, 3.2% (95% CI: 2.1–4.6) in sheep and goats, and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.2–5) in humans occupationally linked to livestock production systems. Herd size, parity, and history of abortion were risk factors associated with Brucella seropositivity (P<0.05) in cattle whereas in sheep and goats the results showed that district, age group, flock size, and history of abortion were significantly associated risk factors with Brucella seropositivity (P<0.05). Assisting calving and presence of seropositive animals in a household (P<0.05) were significantly associated with Brucella seropositivity in humans. Evidence of brucellosis in various animal species and the associated human population illustrates the need for a coordinated One Health approach to controlling brucellosis so as to improve public health and livestock productivity

Nutritionally versatile, abiotic stress resistant and symbiotically effective chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root nodulating rhizobial isolates from eastern, southeastern and southern Ethiopia.

Open Access Journal; Published online: 7 Aug 2018Chickpea is the world’s third most important food legume next to bean and soybean. Ethiopia is the largest producer of chickpea in Africa. However, chickpea production is very low due to poor soil fertility, poor nodulation and lack of inoculation with effective rhizobia. In this study a total of 39 root nodule bacteria were collected from nodules of 60 sampling sites from chickpea growing areas of the eastern, southeastern and southern parts of the country, of which 23 isolates (59%) were identified as chickpea root nodule bacteria based upon presumptive and definitive (authentication) tests. The isolates were also categorized into clusters based on their nutritional versatility, abiotic stress resistance and symbiotic effectiveness for preliminary taxonomic screening and as markers for selection of ecologically competent isolates in vitro. The isolates were fast growing and acid producing rhizobia with growth rate of 1-2.8 h, and changed the YEMA-BTB (Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar Bromothymol Blue) medium into yellow characteristics of many of the fast growing rhizobia Mesothizobium spp. isolated from chickpea. The chickpea root nodule bacteria induced 14-62 nodules plant-1 with nodule dry weight of 20-53.3 mg plant-1; and shoot dry matter of 250-417 mg plant-1, respectively. Out of the authenticated rhizobia 14 isolates (61%) were categorized as either highly effective (17%) and effective (44%) with shoot dry matter accumulation of 80-100% and 50-80% in relation to the nitrogen-fertilized control plants, respectively. The cluster analysis including nutritional versatility and symbiotic effectiveness showed that rhizobia strains EIARCP7, EIARCP13, and EAIRCP19 were the most promising for effectiveness under variable sources of carbohydrates and aminoacids, which could represent an advantage to adapt under variable agro-ecological zones; these strains also showed high resistance to abiotic stresses

Interpreting ambiguous ‘trace’ results in Schistosoma mansoni CCA Tests: Estimating sensitivity and specificity of ambiguous results with no gold standard

Background The development of new diagnostics is an important tool in the fight against disease. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of tests in the absence of a gold standard. The main field diagnostic for Schistosoma mansoni infection, Kato-Katz (KK), is not very sensitive at low infection intensities. A point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) test has been shown to be more sensitive than KK. However, CCA can return an ambiguous ‘trace’ result between ‘positive’ and ‘negative’, and much debate has focused on interpretation of traces results. Methodology/Principle findings We show how LCA can be extended to include ambiguous trace results and analyse S. mansoni studies from both Côte d’Ivoire (CdI) and Uganda. We compare the diagnostic performance of KK and CCA and the observed results by each test to the estimated infection prevalence in the population. Prevalence by KK was higher in CdI (13.4%) than in Uganda (6.1%), but prevalence by CCA was similar between countries, both when trace was assumed to be negative (CCAtn: 11.7% in CdI and 9.7% in Uganda) and positive (CCAtp: 20.1% in CdI and 22.5% in Uganda). The estimated sensitivity of CCA was more consistent between countries than the estimated sensitivity of KK, and estimated infection prevalence did not significantly differ between CdI (20.5%) and Uganda (19.1%). The prevalence by CCA with trace as positive did not differ significantly from estimates of infection prevalence in either country, whereas both KK and CCA with trace as negative significantly underestimated infection prevalence in both countries. Conclusions Incorporation of ambiguous results into an LCA enables the effect of different treatment thresholds to be directly assessed and is applicable in many fields. Our results showed that CCA with trace as positive most accurately estimated infection prevalence