Livestock development in the peasant sector of highland Ethiopia: Some policy issues and implications

Generally discusses policy and institutional issues related to the topic in post-revolution Ethiopia. The first part of the paper summarizes the physical resource base and the farming systems of the central highlands. Part two highlights the performance of the livestock sector and provides a very brief picture of the institutions involved in livestock development in these institutions with particular reference to the dairy sector. The third part surveys livestock investments made available by government, non-government organizations and formal credit institutions. The strategic policy issues in livestock development in the peasant sector are discussed in the fourth part. Part five explores the future prospects and the options available for developing the sector. Finally the paper presents the conclusions and policy implications

Federalism in Ethiopia and foreign relations: Regional states diplomacy

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Survival analysis of patients under chronic HIV-care and antiretroviral treatment at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Health care planning depends upon good knowledge of prevalence that requires a clear understanding of survival patterns of patients who receive medication, treatment and care. Survival analysis can bring to light the effect that some demographic, social, medical and clinical characteristics have on the mortality rate of HIV-patients.Objectives: The objective of this research undertaking was to estimate mortality rate and identify predictors that have significant impact on the survival status of a sample of patients who received antiretroviral treatment and care in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: The data for this research were collected during the follow-up time from 2005 to 2008. Out of a population of HIV-patients who were taking antiretroviral therapy in the hospital in that period, data on 1,000 patients were used for this study. The study subjects were people in the age range from 15 to 75 years. The Kaplan-Meier Method was employed to estimate mortality; the Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Method was used to identify determinants of mortality.Results: After initiation of the antiretroviral treatment, HIV-positive patients lived for an average of 5.65 years (CI: 3.69-7.61 years); the median survival age was found to be 3.98 years (CI: 2.98-4.97 years). The number of medications, baseline functional status, CD4 count, antiretroviral treatment, age, gender and weight impact the survival experience of the patients.Conclusions: Antiretroviral therapy treatment reduced death among AIDS patients by 50 percent. Providing treatment at health facilities outside big towns and in the country should be given due attention. Similar studies in the future need to consider predictors in addition to those considered in this study. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2012;26(1):22-29

Infection prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in suburbs of Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Schistosomiasis due to infection with Schistosoma mansoniis a public health problem in both tropical and sub tropical countries. Thus, effective control of the disease requires determining its prevalence rate, identifying risk factors of infection and high-risk groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in suburbs of Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. For this purpose, a cross-sectional parasitological examination wasconducted on457 schoolchildren from November, 2010 to March, 2011. Stool samples were collected and examined by the Kato-Katz technique. Semi-structurered interview questionnaire were administered to the study subjectsto identify possible risk factors of infection with S. mansoni. Furthermore, malacological survey was conducted to check the presence of snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni in the study area. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni in the schoolchildren was 23.9 %. Higher prevalence was detected in male children (30.71%) than in females (14.12 %) (÷ 2 = 16.642, P = 0.000). On the other hand, the highest (31.2%) prevalence was recorded in children with ages ranging from 10 - 14 years followed by thoseaged 5 - 9 (11.4 %) and 15 - 19 (9.8 %) years (÷ 2 = 23.865, P = 0.000), respectively. This study revealed the association of S. mansoni infection with older age groups, 10 -14 years (OR = 0.114, P = 0.001), time of residence in the study area (OR = 0.462, P = 0.011), water source (OR = 0.371, P = 0.020), previous history of schistosomiasis treatment (OR = 0.246, P = 0.000), frequency of water contact (OR = 26.958, P = 0.004), crossing water bodies (OR = 3.049, P = 0.001), working in an irrigated agricultural field (OR = 7.363, P = 0.000) and distance of home from water bodies (OR = 5.163, P = 0.000). Moreover, this study determined the presence of snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni in the study areas . Hence, the study areas are considered important epidemiological foci for the transmission of S. mansoni. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo wide scalesurveillance and institute proper control and prevention strategies against infection with Schistosoma mansoni.Key words: S.mansoni, Schistosomiasis, Risk factors, Risk groups, Prevalence, Mekelle city, Tigray

Dietary practices and xenophthalmia in under-fives in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia

Objectives: To assess parent’s knowledge about children’s need for plant sources of vitamin A; to determine the dietary practice with regard to vitamin A intake; to estimate the prevalence of xerophthalmia and; to forward appropriate recommendations.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: The study was conducted in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia, with a total population of about 88,867 from February to April 1995.Participants: Eight hundred and thirty one randomly selected children between the ages of six and 59 months formed the study population.Main outcome measures: The dietary intake of cheap and easily available vitamin A rich foods is assessed and prevalence of xerophthalmlia determined.Results: Only eighty per cent of the children were getting green vegetables, fruits or carrots once weekly or more. The major reasons given for not including vegetables, fruits and carrots in the diet were “cannot afford” (39%), “not available” (33%), and “child too young” (16%). Out of 628 children examined, four (0.6%) were found to have xerophthalmia; three (0.48%) classified as XlB and one (0.16%) as X2.Conclusion: The dietary intake of plant sources of vitamin A in the studied community is far from adequate. Moreover, vitamin A deficiency is found to be a significant public health problem in young children in Jimma town. Periodic vitamin A supplementation, preferablycombined with immunisation, should be a priority action, and parents need to be educated about vitamin A deficiency and its prevention

Influence of Time of Nitrogen Application on Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Rain- fed Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Vertisols of Fogera plain, Northwestern Ethiopia

An experiment consisting of two fertilizer rates (69/10 and 46/20 kg N/P ha-1) and five nitrogen (N) application times (half at planting + half at tillering (control), half at planting + half at panicle initiation, one-third at planting + two-third at tillering, one-third at planting + two-third at panicle initiation and one-third at planting + one-third at tillering +one-third at panicle initiation) was conducted in factorial RCBD on the Vertisols of Fogera plain during the 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons. The objective of the experiment was to identify the best time of N application for maximum rain-fed lowland rice yield in the Fogera plain. Results showed significant difference in grain yield in response to the time of N application. The highest mean grain yield (4409 kg ha-1) was recorded when N was applied one-third at planting and two-third at the tillering stage of the crop. Nitrogen fertilizer rates and the interaction with its time of application showed non-significant differences for all parameters. The agronomic Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) was found to be higher for one-third at planting and two-third at tillering nitrogen application compared to the other treatments. Hence, application of nitrogen one-third at planting and two-third at tillering stage of rice, irrespective of the fertilizer rate, is recommended for rice production in the Fogera plain.Keywords: split application, yield, NUE,

Predictors of Treatment Seeking Intention among People with Cough in East Wollega, Ethiopia Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Community Based Cross -Sectional Study

Background: Early treatment seeking for cough is crucial in the prevention and control of Tuberculosis. This study was intended to assess treatment seeking intention of people with cough of more than two weeks, and to identify its predictors.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 763 individuals with cough of more than two weeks in East Wollega Zone from March 10 to April 16, 2011. Study participants were selected from eighteen villages by cluster sampling method. Data collection instruments were developed according to the standard guideline of the theory of planned behavior. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors.Results: Mean score of intention was found to be 12.6 (SD=2.8) (range of possible score=3-15). Knowledge (β=0.14, 95%CI: 0.07-0.2), direct attitude (β=0.31, 95%CI: 0.25-0.35), belief-based attitude (β=0.03, 95%CI: 0.02-0.06) and perceived subjective norm (β=0.22, 95%CI: 0.13 -0.31) positively predicted treatment seeking intention. However, perceived behavioral control and control belief were not significantly associated with treatment seeking intention (p>0.05). Being smoker (β=-0.97, 95%CI:-1.65- (-0.37)) and higher family income (β=-0.06, 95%CI:-0.07-(-0.01) were significantly associated with lower treatment seeking intention.Conclusion: TPB significantly predicted treatment seeking intention among the study participants. Attitude and silent beliefs held by the respondents play an important role and should be given emphasize in prevention and control of Tuberculosis.Keywords: Tuberculosis, Cough, Intention, Treatment, Theory of Planned Behavio