Population status, feeding ecology and activity pattern of helmeted guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park

This study documents the population status, feeding ecology and activity pattern of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park. Data were collected in 2011 during the dry and wet seasons. Direct observation including focal observation and scan sampling methods were used to collect data to study the feeding ecology and activity patterns. Total count method was used to study the population status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and results compared with Chi-square test and one way ANOVA. The mean number of helmeted guinea fowl in the study area was 225 during the dry season and 208 during the wet season. Helmeted guinea fowls were omnivores during both seasons. The species prefers insects during wet season (71.6%) and largely consumes nodes and seeds of grasses during the dry season (75.2%). Feeding was the most important diurnal activity, followed by scanning, flying, resting and preening. There was a strong relationship between time allocated to each activity and time of the day. Group size ranged from 2 to 21 individuals. These birds were affected primarily by the loss of foraging and nesting habitat and by human disturbance. Different conservation measures should be taken to enhance the number of helmeted guinea fowl by creating suitable habitat.Key words: Diurnal activity pattern, foraging ecology, helmeted guinea fowl, population

Multilocular Cystic Nephroma of the kidney in a young adult: case report

We report the case of a 20-year-old female patient who presented with a left abdominal mass of 4 years duration. Ultrasonography showed a multicystic left renal mass, and intravenous urography revealed a non-functioning kidney. Based on these findings a multicystic renal cell carcinoma was suspected and radical nephrectomy was performed. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of multilocular cystic nephroma. This is a very rare renal tumor with only few cases described in the literature. Based on our case and a review of the literature the epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnostic features are discussed.Key Words: Cystic nephroma, renal cell carcinoma, kidne

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

Evaluation of current and future water resources development in the Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia

Lakes / Weirs / Environmental flows / Water resources development / Models / Ethiopia / Lake Tana Basin / Chara Chara Weir

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

Critical care support of patients with nicotine addiction

Over 500 million of the current world population will die from diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. The symptoms and signs of nicotine withdrawal are not well described in the critically ill. Since the various conditions of critical illness may lead to clinical manifestations mimicking nicotine withdrawal, describing its specific manifestations may not be easy. A few case reports suggest that nicotine replacement therapy may ameliorate nicotine withdrawal in the critically ill. However, retrospective studies have found that it may increase mortality. Despite the abundance of active smokers, there is a paucity of data describing nicotine withdrawal, and its prevention and treatment options in the critically ill. Future studies are warranted to address these issues

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