Farmers' Post-Harvest Grain Management Choices under Liquidity Constraints and Impending Risks: Implications for Achieving Food Security Objectives in Ethiopia

The purpose of this paper is to explore into the relationships between farmers' post-harvest grain management practices/capacities on the one hand, and liquidity constraints and impending risks on the other, in the context of achieving food security objective at household and national levels. The findings are primarily based on a household survey data from 300 randomly selected major food grain producing peasant households in three rural districts of Ethiopia. Results indicate that farmers perceived post-harvest grain loss as an imminent risk, and that instant sales of grains after harvest are triggered by temporary but immediate liquidity preferences to meet various obligations in the absence of or limited sources of cash other than crops sales, and by an impending risk of post-harvest grain loss and the limited capacity to prevent it. While specific considerations are essential, the general policy implication is that post-harvest grain management needs to be taken on board as a matter of strategic policy concern, not just from the perspective of reducing losses but also from the view point of considering it as a viable and dynamic economic activity in terms of generation of employment, value addition and income linkages.post-harvest, liquidity, risk, grain loss, grain sales, price fluctuations, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, Q12, Q13, Q18,

Targeting married women in microfinance programmes: transforming or reinforcing gender inequalities? : evidence from Ethiopia

With the expansion of microfinance programmes in the low-income countries, millions of poor women in these countries have been able to access microfinancial services, particularly microcredit and savings. The provision of microfinance services to women has been largely premised on the assumption that credit facilitates or expands women’s selfemployment opportunities, and consequently leads to their empowerment. In recent years, however, this proposition is under scrutiny and debate, as the available studies provide conflicting evidence. This study explores whether and how microfinance granted to married women affects the intra-household division of labour and decision-making power. It also investigates the effect of an HIV/AIDS infection on microfinancing results. The study compared the effects across two regions in Ethiopia in order to understand the role of local socio-cultural practices and economic structures. Simultaneously, the effects across two (regional) microfinancing institutions were compared, which differed in institutional regulations and strategies. The study took as its point of departure the bargaining theory approach of the household and the differentiation between cooperative and non-cooperative models, in order to examine how women’s access to microfinance services affected women’s bargaining power within the household. The study employed a (comparative) case study research strategy in order to understand the complexity of (structural, cultural and individual) factors shaping the outcomes of microfinance programmes with regard to gender relations. A mix of research methods and data collection techniques, including key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, a small-scale household survey, and focus group discussions were used to understand the resource allocation and bargaining dynamics within the household. The study focused on the Amhara Credit and Saving Institution (ACSI) and the Omo Microfinance Institution (OMFI), which were operational in the Amhara and Southern Nations and Nationalities People’s (SNNPR) regions during 2004, respectively. Both of them worked with female clients in the rural areas and had five or more years of experience in microfinancing. In the Amhara region, the study was conducted in the Mangudo Kebele, located in the Moretena Juru district, of the North Shoa zone, while in the SNNPR, the study was conducted in the Dirama, Wita and Wolenshu Kebeles, located in the Meskan district of the Gurage zone. The case study’s locations were selected because of their distinctiveness in socio-cultural practices and economic structures, and because of accessibility. The study aimed to answer the following research questions

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

Farmers Perception on Climate Change and Determinants of Adaptation Strategies in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia

Adaptation to climate change involves changes in agricultural technologies in particular and management practices in general to reduce its risk and effects. To minimize the losses due to climate change factors, farmers have employed different climate change adaptation strategies. Consequently, this study examines farmer adaptation strategies to climate change in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia based on a cross-section data of three representative zones of Assosa, Kamashi zones and Mao-komo special district. The study describes the perceptions of smallholder farmers to changes in climate change indicators and adaptation measures at the farm household level using multivariate discrete choice model to identify the determinants of adaptation strategies. The econometric model has showed that households demographic factors, resources endowments (land, labor, livestock), institutional factors (access to extension services, cooperative membership and access to credit) are some of the important determinants of farm-level adaptation. The policy implication from our finding is that improving access to credit, production factors (like land, labor) enhancing the bargaining power of smallholder farmers can significantly increase farm-level adaptation to climate change. Moreover, adopting different improved crop varieties have showed better yield gains than non-adopters. Thus, policies and strategies should focus at research and development on appropriate technologies that help smallholder farmers’ adaptation capacity to climate changes hereby varietal development, appropriate agronomic recommendations, pre-extension demonstration and popularization of improved cultivars and promoting appropriate farm-level adaptation measures such as use of irrigation technologies

Experience of Pericardiectomy in Tikur Anbessa University Hospital, Ethiopia

Background: Pericardiectomy is the only accepted curative treatment for improving cardiac haemodynamics in chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP). This study was aimed at reviewing the experience and functional outcome of patients undergoing Pericardiectomy in Tikur Anbessa Hospital between January 1996 and December 2005.Methods: This was a retrospective Analysis done at the Thoracic Surgical unit, Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the period under review, 26 patients underwent Pericardiectomy for CCP. Medical records and operation theatre registers of 19 patients were retrieved and analysed.Results: Thirteen of the patients were males and six were females (M: F=2.2:1) The ages ranged from 14 to 42 years (mean 24.3±7). The duration of illness ranged between 2 and 36 months with a mean of 15.2±10.8). Diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was based on the clinical picture of right sided heart failure along with chest roentgenogram, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and histological examinations. The most common presenting symptoms were dyspnea in 19 (100%) patients, abdominal discomfort in 14 (73.7%) and abdominal distension in 11 (68.4%) patients. Onphysical examination raised JVP, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly and ascites w 63.2%) patients, enlarged cardiac silhouette in 9 (47.4%) and pericardial calcification in 7 (36.8%). ECG showed low QRS voltage and T wave abnormality in 10 (52.6%) and 9 (42.1%) cases respectively. Pericardial thickening/calcification (52.6%), left ventricular septa motion abnormality (42.1%) and pericardial effusion (36.8%) were seen by echocardiography. The surgical approach was mainly median sternotomy in 15 (79%) patients, and the mean operation time was 112 (range 90-135±18.9) minutes. Fifteen (79%) patients had uneventful postoperative course. Two patients developed pneumonia and one a hydropneumothorax. There was one death in the immediate postoperative period. Long–term mortality of 10.5% was noted. Mean hospital stay and follow-up time were 14.3±5.3 (range 7-24) days and 12.8±6.9 (range 3-24) months respectively.Conclusion: Pericardiectomy can be performed without the use of CPB and with low mortality, and can result in an improved functional capacity in the majority of the patients

Outcomes of colostomy reversal procedures in two teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Colostomy creation and reversal procedures are common procedures, frequently performed by surgeons working in Ethiopia. Collected information is lacking concerning the outcome of colostomy reversal procedures in the country.Methods: A hospital based retrospective analysis was undertaken to describe the patterns of patients who underwent colostomy reversal, the timing of colostomy reversal, the frequently witnessed complications and the postoperative outcomes of patients admitted to the Tikur Anbessa and Saint Paul hospitals in Ethiopia for colostomy reversal procedure. Data was collected from 87 patients.Results: The majority of patients were males 70(82.8%). Seventy-six (87.4%) of the colostomies were situated in sigmoid colon and Hartmann’s colostomy was the most common type in 64 (60.6%). Most colostomies, 69 (79.3%), were created for non-trauma related disease conditions. The interval from the colostomy creation to colostomy closure varied from 8 weeks (2 months) to 72 weeks (18 months) with a mean interval of 28.2 weeks (6.6 months). Most, 71(81.6%) of the procedures were performed by consultant surgeons and the frequently used method was the two layered hand-sewn method in 72 (82.8%) patients. The overall incidence of complication was 17 (19.5 %). The rate of anastomotic leakage is 4(4.6 %). One patient who underwent sigmoid colostomy reversal done initially for gangrenous sigmoid volvulus died after anastomotic leak, making the overall mortality rate 1.1%. More complications occurred during Hartmann’s colostomy reversals. The morbidity rate for reversal performed within 16 weeks (4 months) of its creation was 3/28 (10.7%) for those within 16 to 24 weeks, 0/28 (0%); and for those after 24 weeks, 1/29 (3.4%).Conclusions and recommendations: Colostomy reversal is a commonly performed procedure in our setting and should be well mastered by consultant surgeons and residents under training. The associated morbidity and mortality are found to be low. It appears that delayed reversal is more advantageous and safer than early reversal procedures

Economic evaluation of improved grain storage technology in Tanzania

United States Agency for International Developmen

Thyroid Hormone Tests Ordering Practice and Cost-Effectiveness in Samples Referred to International Clinical Laboratories from Addis Ababa Health Facilities

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction accounts for majority of endocrine disorders. In sub-Saharan Africa Graves’ disease and hypothyroidism have accounted for 13.1% and 8.8% while the burden of thyroid disorder has ranged from 6.18 to47.34% among countries in the Arab world. The cost for a primary thyroid test done to evaluate the gland function constituted a large proportion of the public health budget. For instance, 10 million thyroid functions have been done each year by laboratories which cost 30 million UK pounds, and they represent 8% of laboratory charge in the US. When a TSH-only protocol (guideline) was used, 95% of the requests were sufficient for diagnosis without requiring further tests, thereby resulting in 50% savings on FT4 reagent and reducing the annual TFT reagent cost by 25%. This is an original study, and its objective was to assess the ordering pattern of TSH tests and their cost-effectiveness in patients’ samples referred to ICL from Addis Ababa health facilities between July2015 to June 2016METHOD: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was utilized to study the ordering pattern of thyroid function tests using one-year retrospective data from ICL.RESULTS: Thyroid profiles were ordered more frequently (49.5%) compared to TSH only (24.3%). An additional 2625.70 USD was paid by patients for individual components in the profile tests that turned out normal.CONCLUSION: Guidelines advocate TSH as the initial test for thyroid dysfunction, but the use of a combination of tests is more common

A systematic literature review of the major factors causing yield gap by affecting growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract Productivity among small- and medium-scale tilapia farms varies considerably. The difference between the best performers and lower ones (yield gap), is affected by differences in growth rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR). FCR at the farm level is strongly influenced by survival of fish. In this study a systematic literature review of two databases (ASFA and CAB-Abstracts) identified 1973 potentially relevant articles. Data from 32 articles that met the inclusion criteria were analysed using linear mixed models for the most important factors with significant contributions to growth [investigated through analysis of the thermal growth coefficient (TGC)], survival and FCR of Nile tilapia. Increasing crude protein (CP), dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH significantly decreased FCR and increased TGC. Increasing stocking weight (SW) significantly improved both FCR and survival. Temperature had the largest effect on FCR followed by DO, pH and CP. DO had the largest effect on TGC followed by CP and pH. This study confirms that the optimal rearing temperature for Nile tilapia is between 27 and 32°C. Improving management to optimize DO (> 5 mg/L), stocking density (3–5 fish/m2), SW (> 10 g) and CP (25 − 30%) will improve performance and survival in small- and medium-scale tilapia farming. However, it is hard to influence temperature in ponds and cages while DO is largely influenced by aeration. Since many small- and medium-sized farms do not have aeration, these major tilapia farming systems could benefit from genetically improved strains selected for resilience to highly fluctuating diurnal temperature and DO levels