IS GLOBALIZATION BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT? INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND LAND DEGRADATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:THE CASE OF SMALL OPEN ECONOMY

This paper uses a two-good specific factors model to derive a relationship between international trade, land degradation, and welfare. Because developing countries enjoy comparative advantage in agriculture, they will export agricultural goods. We found that trade could lower steady state land quality and welfare. We conclude that poor resource management undermines the conventional gains from globalization.Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade, Land Economics/Use,

Color Detection Using Artificial Retina

The purpose of this project is to develop artificial retina that can be applied in robotics and other color detection needs. Project implementation is using simple electronic components such as LEDs, LDRs, a microcontroller and an LCD display

Urban Fuel Demand in Ethiopia: An Almost-Ideal Demand System Approach

This paper investigates the opportunities for reducing the pressure of urban centers on rural forest areas, using a dataset of 350 urban households in Tigrai in northern Ethiopia. We applied an almost-ideal demand system to fuels. Because the same fuels were not always used by households, the analysis started with a probit model of fuel use. The inverse Mills ratios derived from it were inserted into the estimation of the fuel demand system to obtain a full set of price and income elasticities. The results suggest that reducing the pressure of urban centers on local forests cannot be seen in isolation from broader development policies aimed at raising the level of education and income of the population. Higher income also stimulates the demand for fuel.price elasticities, income elasticities, almost-ideal fuel demand system, reducing deforestation, Ethiopia

Utilization of Clean and Safe Delivery Service Package of Health Services Extension Program and Associated Factors in Rural Kebeles of Kafa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Backround: In Ethiopia, 94% of births take place at home unattended by trained persons. The government introduced an innovative strategy, Health Services Extension Program in 2003. Clean and safe delivery service is a component of maternal and child healthcare package of the program. However, little is known about the status of uptake of the service. This study thus aimed to assess utilization of clean and safe delivery service and associated factors in rural kebeles of Kafa Zone, Ethiopia.Methods: A community based cross sectional survey was conducted in rural kebeles of Kefa Zone from January 21st to February 25th, 2009 using a sample of 229 mothers. Kafa Zone is located 465 kilometres away from Addis Ababa to southwest of Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16. OR and 95% CI were calculated. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Utilization of clean and safe delivery service was 43(19%). Women with formal schooling and those who knew at least two danger signs of pregnancy and labor were more likely to use the service than their counterparts; (AOR=5.8, 95% CI=2.1, 16) and (AOR=3.0, 95% CI=2.2, 10.6), respectively. Of 108(47.8%) mothers who had at least one antenatal care visit, 36(33.3%), were not advised about danger signs. Women who had at least one ANC visit and those who were advised about the danger signs of pregnancy and labor appeared to be more likely to use the service than their counterparts; (AOR=6.1, 95% CI=1.9, 21.3), and (AOR=5.4, 95%CI= 1.4, 21.7), respectively.Conclusion: Utilization of the service is low and was determined by women’s educational status, history of abortion, knowledge of danger signs and antenatal care attendance. Educating women and improving their knowledge about danger signs of pregnancy and labor is recommended. Health extension workers should consider antenatal care visits as opportunities for this purpose.Keywords: Clean and Safe Delivery Service, Health Services Extension Program, Kafa, Ethiopi

Evaluation of Hutchinson’s sign in HIV associated herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Abstract: A prospective study of 100 serial HIV infected herpes zoster ophthalmicus patients, was done from December 1993 to June 1995, to determine the correlation between Hutchinson’s sign and ocular involvement. A mean age of 35.2 ±10.7 years and a male to female ratio of 2.22 to 1 was found. Ocular complications resulted in 78% of the patients. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of the sign in detecting ocular involvement is 74%, 68%, 73%, 89% and 43% respectively. An H.Z.O. patient with Hutchinson’s sign is 2.33 times likely to have ocular involvement. However in areas where HIV associated H.Z.O. is highly prevalent, Hutchinson’s sign is not a reliable predictor of ocular involvement; therefore, it should be used with prudence. A future study on adequate number of patients is also recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(3):295-298

An Evidenced Based Practice Perspective Regarding The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In Disaster Preparedness And Education

Disasters have plagued the earth since the beginning of time and will continue to be a part of life as long as the earth exist. Disasters can be either natural or man made, regardless of which one, they are always devastating to mankind. The risk of disasters, both natural and man made, has increased tremendously in recent years. The increasing risk of terror attacks and worldly unrest has become commonplace in our society, causing federal, state, and local governments to act on disaster planning and education. Most of the literature has revealed weaknesses in the nation’s preparedness for disaster, especially the health care system. Nurses, especially Advanced Practice Nurses such as nurse practitioners, who make up the largest segment of the healthcare community, need special training and education to perform proficiently. With this in mind, the purpose of this project is to bring awareness and knowledge regarding the value and significance of the role of the nurse practitioner in disaster preparedness. The theoretical foundation that guided this project regarding the role of the nurse practitioner is that of Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert philosophy. Maslow’s Heirarchy of needs supplemented the project in reference to disaster preparedness

Color Detection Using Artificial Retina

The purpose of this project is to develop artificial retina that can be applied in robotics and other color detection needs. Project implementation is using simple electronic components such as LEDs, LDRs, a microcontroller and an LCD display

Assessment of the magnitude and associated factors of immunological failure among adult and adolescent HIV-infected patients in St. Luke and Tulubolo Hospital, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Introduction: The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has become a standard of care for the treatment of HIV infection. However, cost and resistance to ART are major obstacles for access to treatment especially in resource-limited settings. In this study, we aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of Immunological failure among adult and adolescent HIV infected Patients (with age '15yrs) on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in St. Luke and Tulu Bolo Hospitals, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among HIV-infected patients initiated 1st line ART at St. Luke and Tulu Bolo Hospitals, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Results: A total of 828 patient charts were reviewed. 477(57.6%) were female and the median age was 32 years. The median baseline CD4 count was 148cells/mm3. The most common prescribed ART was TDF based (36.7%). Out of 828 patients chart reviewed 6.8% (56) were developed immunological failure. Out of them only 20 (2.4%) were detected and put on second line regimen. The incidence of immunological failure was 1.8 cases per 100 person years of follow-up. Patients who had not disclosed their HIV status to any one had high risk of immunological failure compared with patients those who had disclosed their HIV status (AHR, 0.429; 95% CI 0.206 - 0.893; P-value=0.024). Conclusion: Non disclosures of HIV status and with ambulatory of baseline functional status were found to be predictors of immunological failure. Most of the immunological failure cases were not detected early and not switched to second line ARV regimen. So patients with the above risk factors should be considered for a timely switch to second line HAART