Camel herd health and productivity in Eastern Ethiopia selected semi-nomadic households

Cette étude a été réalisée sur des dromadaires élevés en conditions pastorales d'octobre 1997 à septembre 1998. La trypanosomose a été une des maladies les plus importantes identifiée avec une prévalence maximale de 20,6 p. 100 et minimale de 5,4 p. 100 sur la période d'échantillonnage. Le taux de prévalence de la gale sarcoptique a varié de 21,7 p. 100 pendant la saison pluvieuse à 4,7 p. 100 pendant la saison sèche. Le taux de prévalence d'oeufs de strongles le plus élevé a été de 85,7 p. 100 pendant la saison pluvieuse et le plus faible de 61,5 p. 100 en saison sèche. Le plus grand nombre d'oeufs par gramme enregistré a été 1 036,1 ± 0,6 et le plus faible 358,8 ± 0,6. La production de lait a été significativement (p < 0,01) plus élevée pendant la saison des pluies (3,1 1) que pendant la saison sèche (1,5 1). La production de lait a également été significativement (p < 0,01) plus élevée chez les chamelles ayant mis bas 1-4 fois (3 1) que chez les femelles ayant mis bas 5 fois ou plus (1,6 1). Les femelles immatures (1 -4 ans) ont eu un gain de poids quotidien significativement (p < 0,01) plus élevé (59,4 g) que les mâles au même âge (33,2 g). Par ailleurs, le gain de poids quotidien des dromadaires de 1-2 ans (63,1 g) a été significativement (p < 0,01) plus élevé que celui des 3-4 ans (29,5 g). De même le gain de poids quotidien a été significativement (p < 0,05) plus élevé pendant la saison des pluies (50,7 g) que pendant la saison sèche (41,9 g). La plupart des montes et des mises bas ont eu lieu pendant la saison des pluies. Le taux annuel de mises bas du troupeau a été de 42,7 p. 100. Les taux de commercialisation annuels et de croissance ont été respectivement de 4,74 et 8,9 p. 100. Le taux de mortalité des chamelons de moins d'un an a été plus élevé que celui des animaux immatures et adultes. (Résumé d'auteur

Forest Carbon Stocks in Woody Plants of Mount Zequalla Monastery and It’s Variation along Altitudinal Gradient: Implication of Managing Forests for Climate Change Mitigation

Carbon sequestration through forestry has the potential to play a significant role in ameliorating global environmental problems such as atmospheric accumulation of GHG's and climate change.The present study was undertaken to estimate forest carbon stock along altitudinal gradient in Mount Zequalla Monastery forest. Systematic sampling methods were used to collect data from seventy 10 m x 20 m rectangular plots. The area was dominated by Juniperusprocera tree species. The mean carbon stock per hectare was 237.2, 47.6, 6.5 and 57.6 ton for above ground biomass, below ground biomass, litter biomass and soil respectively. The mean total carbon stock in Mount Zequalla Forest was 348.8 t ha-1. The statistical analysis for carbon stock variation in the different carbon pools through altitudinal gradient showed a significant variation with exception for soil organic carbon stock. The amount of carbon stock in above and below ground biomass showed increasing pattern with increasing altitude whereas litter and soil organic carbon stocks showed decreasing pattern with increasing altitude.Overall this study points out Mount ZequallaMonastery forest has the potential to sequester plenty of CO2 with a considerable variation along altitude. Thus, it has paramount importance to give conservation priority to the forests to achieve climate change mitigation aspiration especially through forest carbon sequestration mechanism.Keywords: Carbon sequestration; Climate change; Altitudinal gradients; Mount Zequalla Monastery; Fores

Incidence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Among Adult PLWHA at Public Health Facilities of Hawassa City

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequently diagnosed opportunistic infection (OI) and disease in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), world-wide. This study aimed at determining the incidence and predictors of tuberculosis among people living with HIV.A Six year retrospective follow up study was conducted among adult PLHIV. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors.A total of 554 patients were followed and produced 1830.3 person year of observation. One hundred sixty one new TB cases occurred during the follow up period. The overall incidence density of TB was 8.79 per 100 person-year (PY). It was high (148.71/100 PY) in the first year of enrolment. The cumulative proportion of TB free survival was 79% and 67% at the end of first and sixth years, respectively. Not having formal education(AHR=2.68, 95%CI: 1.41, 5.11 ), base line WHO clinical stage IV (AHR = 3.22, 95% CI=1.91-5.41), CD4 count <50 cell/ul (AHR=2.41, 95%CI=1.31, 4.42), Being bed redden (AHR= 2.89, 95%CI=1.72, 3.78), past TB history (AHR=1.65, 95% CI = 1.06,2.39), substance use (AHR=1.46, 95% CI=1.03,2.06) and being on pre ART (AHR=1.62, 95%CI:1.03-2.54 ) were independently predicted tuberculosis occurrence. Advanced WHO clinical stage, limited functional status, past TB history, addiction and low CD4 (<50cell/ul) count at enrollment were found to be the independent predictor of tuberculosis occurrence. Therefore early initiation of treatment and intensive follow up is important

Water Supply and Health: Drinking water and Sanitation Coverage in Ethiopia 1990 - 2015 Review

Background: Human health, incorporating physical, social and psychological well-being, depends on an adequate supply of potable water and a safe environment sections. Waterborne infections are one of the commonest problems in developing countries. Access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation needs will eliminate vast part of water-borne disease cases. Objectives: to assess the trends safe water coverage and sanitary conditions in Ethiopia together with the challenges of the sector. Methods: In depth literature survey from online published peer reviewed articles, publications from International organization and Ethiopia ministry of health was used to assess the trend and access of improved water and sanitation coverage since 1990 to 2015 in Ethiopia. Results: Among 93 articles, 45 of them have important information and included in the quantitative review. To this end Ethiopia has reached the Millennium Development goal of access to safe water and the national coverage reached to 68.5% and 33% for sanitation facilities. Ethiopia is not on the right track to reach for sanitation target (47%) of 2015. The development trend for water coverage and sanitation facilities shows that urban dwellers (16% of the population) are more benefited than the rural (84%) citizens. Poor access of sanitation and improved drinking water in rural part is resulted due to improper planning, malfunction water scheme utilities, and other factors. Conclusions: Despite, the efforts made to increase the access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to the population in the last 15 years; water related diseases are still one of the top ten diseases in the country. Protecting the source alone is not sufficient enough to reduce waterborne diseases unless point of use treatments and hygienic handling of water is practiced. Additional commitments and efforts are required post 2015 to assure the sustainability, access to the basic human right, water

Prevalence of Disability and Associated Factors among Registered Leprosy Patients in All Africa Tb and Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Centre (ALERT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Delay in leprosy diagnosis and treatment causes disabilities due to nerve damage, immunological reactions and bacillary infiltration. Leprosy disability leads not only to physical dysfunction and activity limitation but also disrupts social interaction of affected individuals by creating stigma and discrimination. This study was aimed at assessing leprosy disability status in patients registered at All African TB and Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Centre.METHODS: Medical records of leprosy patients registered from September 11, 2010 to September 10, 2013 G.C were reviewed. Prevalence of disability calculated, bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of disability was found to be 65.9% from all categories of patients (40.2% Grade I and 25.7% Grade II). The Prevalence among the new category was 62.8% (39.1% Grade 1 and 23.7% Grade 2). Those ageed above 30 years, with duration of symptoms 6-12 months and above 24 months, with sensory loss, nerve damage and reversal reaction were more likely to develop disability.CONCLUSION: In this study the prevalence of disability, both Grade I and II, is very high. Disability was associated with age, duration of symptom, sensory loss, signs of nerve damage and reversal reaction. These risk factors indicate the existence of delay in diagnosis and treatment of leprosy cases. Therefore, the national leprosy control program should investigate leprosy case detection and diagnosis system in the country and work on improving early case detection and prevention of disability.KEYWORDS: Leprosy, leprosy disability, Ethiopi

Transboundary water governance institutional architecture: reflections from Ethiopia and Sudan

Transboundary water resource governance is premised on equitable water and water-related benefit sharing. Using the case of the Blue Nile (Ethiopia and Sudan), we explore the conceptual issues that need consideration in the crafting of cross-border cooperation within the water sector. First, drawing on global experiences with transboundary water management, we evaluate how upstream and downstream concerns are addressed by transboundary water management institutions. Second, we explore the kinds of institutional design and the issues which need to be considered to result in ‘win-win’ scenarios for both upstream and downstream users, as well as the mechanisms of benefit sharing negotiated amongst different stakeholders. Third, we examine ways of addressing equity and livelihoods in transboundary institutional arrangements. Finally, we attempt to assess how transboundary institutions can address broader historical, political and economic issues and their implications for sustainable transboundary water governance. This paper raises key issues that need to be addressed in establishing transboundary governance institutions.Length: pp.246-253Water governanceInstitutionsInternational watersInternational cooperationRiver basin management

Seasonal changes in nematode faecal egg counts of sheep in Ethiopia

Describes the seasonal pattern of nematode faecal egg counts of sheep slaughtered at the Addis Ababa abattoir from July 1985 to June 1986. Presents data on strongyle and trichostrongyle faecal egg counts. Suggests possible strategic measures for th econtrol of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in central Ethiopia

Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and vermicompost fertilizers on productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Babile, Eastern Ethiopia

ArticleThough groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a main cash crop for smallholder farmers in several districts of eastern Ethiopia, its yield is very low. Farmers apply little or no fertilizers to grow the crop possibly because no generic or recommended fertilizers rates available for farmers. Therefore field experiments were conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons in Babile district, to prove the hypothesis that one of the major factors that severely reduce the yield of the crop was lack of nutrients in the soil with the objective of investigating the effects of applying mineral NP fertilizers and vermicompost on the productivity of improved groundnut variety ‘BaHa-Gudo’. The experiment was 3 × 3 × 3 factorial with three replications laid down in a randomized complete block design comprising nitrogen (0, 23 and 46 kg N ha-1 ), phosphorus (0, 46 and 92 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) and vermicompost (0, 2.5 and 5 t vermicompost ha-1 ). The data on crop growth, nodulation and yield were collected and subjected to analysis of SAS 9.2 software. Means separation were made using Duncans Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of significance. The results revealed that growth, yield attributes, and yields were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the main and interactions effect of the treatments. The pod yield obtained from combined application of 46: 46 kg N: P2O5 ha-1 and 2.5 t vermicompost ha-1 exceeded the pod yield produced from nil application of fertilizers by about 100%. The economic analysis also indicated that the highest marginal rate of return (671%) and net benefit ($ 1,830) ha-1 were obtained from combined application of 46: 46 kg N: P2O5 ha-1 and 2.5 t vermicompost ha-1 . From the results it could be concluded that applying the aforementioned doses of fertilizers combination would enable farmers increase productivity of groundnut so as to enhance farmers’ income and livelihoods