The Nexus between the Practice of Induction and the Formation of Novice Teachers’ Professional Identity in Ethiopia

Teacher Professional identity is the identity teachers construct through training and teaching experience within dynamic global, regional and national context. This is true for all teachers including the novice which are the focus of this research. This research examines the nexus between the practice of induction, an important component of continuous teacher professional development, and the formation of novice teachers’ professional identity in Ethiopia. Descriptive survey design with a mixed research approach involving both quantitative and qualitative research in the study. The study was conducted in eight primary schools drawn from Addis Ababa city administration and three regional states namely, Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Regional (SNNPR). All novice teachers in the selected schools completed questionnaire while two novice teachers were interviewed in each school. One expert working at woreda/zone education office was also interviewed in each region. Data were collected from 239 primary school teachers from Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia and SNNP regional states. Results showed statistically significant relationship between adequacy of support novice teachers received in their schools and the scores on teacher professional identity where those who reported higher adequacy of mentoring support had higher TPI score and vice versa for those with lesser support. In-depth interview with teachers and education experts at different levels also showed results supporting the quantitative findings. Implications were drawn particularly in reference to improving quality of induction for novice teachers.Group C: Teacher Professional Developmen

The potential and limitations of grasslands for livestock production in west Shoa zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia

Playwright: Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacey Director: Harold C. Crain Musical Direction: Edwin C. Dunning Costumes: Berneice Prisk Lighting: Steven Maze Academic Year: 1966-1967https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/productions_1960s/1006/thumbnail.jp

The potential and limitations of grasslands for livestock production in west Shoa zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia

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Smallholder dairy farming systems in the highlands of Ethiopia: System-specific constraints and intervention options

Global Affairs Canad

The Potential and Limitations of Grasslands for Livestock Production in West Shoa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Ethiopia holds the largest livestock population in Africa estimated at about 54 million heads of cattle, 25.5 million sheep, 24.06 million goats, 0.92 million camels, 4.5 million donkeys, 1.7 million horses, 0.33 million mules, 54 million chicken and 4.9 million beehives (CSA, 2012). Despite the huge livestock population, the productivity of livestock in general is low and compared to its huge resource its contribution to the national economy is below expected. Among the major problems affecting livestock production and productivity in Ethiopia, feed shortage in terms of quantity and quality is the leading problem (Alan et al., 2012). The major feed resources in Ethiopia are natural pasture (grasslands) and crop residues with varying proportion among the different zones of the country. The role of natural pasture grazing as a major livestock feed resource is diminishing from time to time due to shrinking grazing land size (Yayneshet, 2010). Yet, the potential and limitations of the grasslands in the different zones are not studied and properly documented. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the potentials and limitations of the vast grasslands found in west Shoa zone of the Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia where the LIVES project is currently operating

Study on clinically manifested reproductive health problems of dairy cows managed under intensive and semi-intensive production systems in Wondo Genet district, Southern Ethiopia

Reproductive disorders in cows are crucial as reproduction and fertility are the two key pillars of dairy production profitability. The study was conducted to identify and estimate the prevalence of clinically manifested postpartum reproductive disorders, to identify the associated risk factors and to estimate the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in dairy cows kept under intensive and semi-intensive dairy farms in Wondo Genet district from November 2019 to September 2020. Out of the total 205 cows examined, 90 cows (43.90%) had at least one of the reproductive problems identified by either questionnaire interview or regular follow up of individual cows. Out of 146 cows retrospectively and 59 cows prospectively assessed for the presence of any reproductive disorder, 62 (42.47%) and 28 (47.46%) cows had at least one reproductive disorders, respectively. Retained fetal membrane, abortion, uterine infections, anestrous and repeat breeding are the major reproductive disorders encountered followed by dystocia, milk fever and prolapses of the vagina and/or uterus. Among the considered host and management related risk factors, only presence of previous reproductive disorder had statistically significant association with the occurrence of reproductive disorder (p<0.05). This study also demonstrated that none of the serum samples collected from Wondo Genet and other towns (namely Hawassa, Wolaita Sodo and Arsi Negelle) and tested using Indirect Multi-species ELISA was positive for bovine brucellosis. Further studies, preferably laboratory based, should be conducted to identify the underlined causes of these problems in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, awareness should be created to farm owners/attendants to improve their farm management system

Quality of clinical assessment and management of sick children by Health Extension Workers in four regions of Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Care-seeking for sick children at the Ethiopian primary health care level is low. This problem may partly be due to unfavorable community perceptions of the quality of care provided. There is, however, limited knowledge on the quality of the clinical assessment and management provided by the health extension workers at the health posts. This study aimed to examine the quality of clinical assessment, classification and management provided to sick under-five children by health extension workers in four regions of Ethiopia. METHODS: Clinical observations of 620 consultations of sick children by health extension workers were conducted from December 2016 to February 2017. A clinical pathway analysis was performed to analyze whether sick children were appropriately assessed, classified and managed according to the integrated Community Case Management guidelines. RESULTS: Most sick children presented with complaints of cough (58%), diarrhea (36%), and fever (26%).Three quarters of children with respiratory complaints had their respiratory rate counted (74%, 95% CI 69-78), while a third (33%, 95% CI 27-40) of children with diarrhea were assessed for dehydration. Half (53%, 95% CI 49-57) of the sick children were assessed for general danger signs, while a majority (89%, 95% CI 86-92) had their arm circumference measured for malnutrition. Half of the sick children received some treatment and less than one-fifth were referred according to the integrated Community Case management guidelines. Comprehensive counseling was provided to 38% (95% CI 35-42) of the caregivers. CONCLUSION: The Ethiopian health extension workers' clinical assessment, classification and management of sick children did to a large extent not follow the clinical guidelines. This lack of adherence could lead to misdiagnoses and lack of potentially life-saving treatments

Quality of sick child management by health extension workers: role of a complex improvement intervention

BACKGROUND: Despite the expansion of the Integrated Community Case Management services for childhood illness, quality and utilization of services have remained low. To address the problem, the Government of Ethiopia introduced a complex intervention that included community engagement, capacity building of health workers and enhanced district-level ownership of sick child management. We examined whether this complex intervention was associated with improved management of sick children by health extension workers. METHODS: The study was conducted in four Ethiopian regions. A baseline survey was conducted in 26 intervention and 26 comparison districts from December 2016 to February 2017, followed by an end-line survey 24 months later. We observed health extension workers' consultations of sick 2-59 months old children. The analysis has evaluated if children with pneumonia, diarrhoea and malnutrition were assessed, classified and treated according to guidelines, and included difference-in-difference analyses. RESULTS: We observed 1325 consultations of sick children. At baseline, 86% of the sick children with cough in the intervention areas and 85% in comparison areas were assessed according to the guidelines, without any change at end-line associated with the intervention (difference-in-difference = -21%, p = 0.55). Sixty-two percent of children were assessed for dehydration at baseline in intervention and 47% in comparison areas, with no improvement associated with the intervention. Similarly, 87% of sick children in intervention and 91% in comparison areas were assessed for malnutrition, with no change over time associated with the intervention (difference-in-difference = 5%, p = 0.16). Appropriate pneumonia treatment with antibiotics declined and diarrhea treatment increased in both areas. Half of the malnourished children received ready-to-use therapeutic foods without any improvement associated with the intervention. CONCLUSION: The intervention was not associated with improved quality of the health extension workers' management of sick children. The lack of association may be linked to low fidelity in the implementation of the intervention. Our findings suggest that training healthcare providers without continued clinical mentoring and support does not improve the quality of care. Community-based programs can be strengthened by ensuring high coverage and continued clinical mentorships, supportive supervision, and supply of medicines and other essential commodities. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN12040912, retrospectively registered on 19/12/ 2017

Protocol for the evaluation of a complex intervention aiming at increased utilisation of primary child health services in Ethiopia: a before and after study in intervention and comparison areas.

BACKGROUND: By expanding primary health care services, Ethiopia has reduced under-five mor4tality. Utilisation of these services is still low, and concerted efforts are needed for continued improvements in newborn and child survival. "Optimizing the Health Extension Program" is a complex intervention based on a logic framework developed from an analysis of barriers to the utilisation of primary child health services. This intervention includes innovative components to engage the community, strengthen the capacity of primary health care workers, and reinforce the local ownership and accountability of the primary child health services. This paper presents a protocol for the process and outcome evaluation, using a pragmatic trial design including before-and-after assessments in both intervention and comparison areas across four Ethiopian regions. The study has an integrated research capacity building initiative, including ten Ph.D. students recruited from Ethiopian Regional Health Bureaus and universities. METHODS: Baseline and endline surveys 2 years apart include household, facility, health worker, and district health office modules in intervention and comparison areas across Amhara, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Oromia, and Tigray regions. The effectiveness of the intervention on the seeking and receiving of appropriate care will be estimated by difference-in-differences analysis, adjusting for clustering and for relevant confounders. The process evaluation follows the guidelines of the UK Medical Research Council. The implementation is monitored using data that we anticipate will be used to describe the fidelity, reach, dose, contextual factors and cost. The participating Ph.D. students plan to perform in-depth analyses on different topics including equity, referral, newborn care practices, quality-of-care, geographic differences, and other process evaluation components. DISCUSSION: This protocol describes an evaluation of a complex intervention that aims at increased utilisation of primary and child health services. This unique collaborative effort includes key stakeholders from the Ethiopian health system, the implementing non-governmental organisations and universities, and combines state-of-the art effectiveness estimates and process evaluation with capacity building. The lessons learned from the project will inform efforts to engage communities and increase utilisation of care for children in other parts of Ethiopia and beyond. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12040912, retrospectively registered on 19 December, 2017

Dairy cattle lameness prevalence, causes and risk factors in selected farms of southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to December 2019 to estimate the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows, to  assess the causes and associated risk factors in southern Ethiopia. A total of 2009 dairy cows were visually and clinically examined, and the overall prevalence of lameness was found to be 14. 1% (95% CI=12.7-15.7). The prevalence of lameness was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Arsi Negelle, Yirgalem, and Wolaita Sodo than in Wondo Genet and Hawassa. The prevalence of lameness was also associated with the stages of pregnancy and parity (P < 0.05). Generally, the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows was increasing with the increase in parity and stage of pregnancy. The main abnormalities observed in this study were hooves overgrowth (6%), lesions between hooves (4%), lesions on legs (2.2%), trauma (0.6%), arthritis (0.5%), and a sole ulcer (0.3%). Most of these abnormalities were mainly due to faulty  management. Hence, based on this finding it is recommended that hoof management and trimming are very essential components of lameness control. Furthermore, early detection and treatment of lame cows; training of the owners on hoof management; and  improvement of the housing are helpful to keep lameness at a lower level