Patterns of Diabetic Complications at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is common metabolic disease worldwide. Its complications in the Ethiopian care setup has not been well documented. The objective of this study was to assess the pattern and distribution of dia-betic complications among patients having follow-up at Jimma University specialized Hospital diabetic clinic. Methods: A cross sectional study based on record review of 305 patients, selected using systematic sampling with replacement was carried out in October 2008. The data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 13.0. Results: Larger proportion, 189 (62.0%), of patients had type II diabetes and 163 (53.4%) of them were diabetic for less than 5 years. Seventy three of the 76 (96.1%) patients with type II diabetes mellitus had hypertension. Acute complications were observed in 93 (30.5%) of the patients of which Diabetic Ketoacidosis was documented in 66(71.0%). Forty eight (45.7%) of patients had proteinuria, 90 (29.5%) had peripheral neuropathy, 13(6.8%) had impotence. Diabetic foot ulcer, skin and/or subcutaneous tissue infection, dental problems and tuberculosis were documented in 14(4.5%), 31(10.0%), 31(10.0%), and 17(5.6%) patients, respectively. Any of the chronic complications were not different by sex of the patient but age had statistically significant association with hypertension, visual distur-bance and neuropathy (p< 0.05). Type of diabetes had statistically significant association with all the tested com-plications except infection (

Chemical composition and fatty acid profile of five sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties from Wolaita area, Ethiopia

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant cultivated as a cash crop, export commodity and raw materials for industries. However, there is lack of information on chemical&nbsp; composition and fatty acid profile of sesame varieties from Wolaita, Ethiopia. In this study, therefore, the proximate and mineral contents and fatty acid profiles of five sesame varieties collected from Wolaita area were analyzed. The results revealed that the crude protein content of the plant ranged from 18.03% (Tate) to 20.51% (Mehado-80). Crude fiber content ranged from 10.71% (Serkamo, S) to 14.38% (Kelafo-74). The variety Kelafo-74 had the highest crude fat content (41.84%) while Tate had the lowest crude fat content (36.42%). The total ash content of the same plant ranged from 6.09% (Mehado-80) to 6.35% (Kelafo-74). The carbohydrate content ranged from 11.62% (Kelafo-74) to 22.66% (Tate). The mean energy value of the studied sesame varieties was 501.37 kcal/100 g. The Fe content was significantly different among the sesame varieties and ranged from 46.26 to 91.74 mg/100g with the highest Fe content in the variety Kelafo-74. The highest Ca content (1388.6 mg/100g) was recorded from variety Mehado-80 whereas the highest total P content (648.84 mg/100g) was recorded from the variety S. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid, ranged from 23.27% (Tate) to 19.38% (S) followed by oleic acid, which was ranged from 20.49 (Tate) to 17.06 % (S). The analyzed sesame varieties could be a good source of protein, fiber, minerals (Fe, Ca and P) with good fatty acid profile

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Ethiopian Paper Currency Notes in Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to isolate pathogenic bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance pattern from Ethiopian paper currency notes in Wolaita Sodo town. A total of 240 Ethiopian paper currency notes samples in different denominations were collected from four different sources such as market, taxi drivers, fruit sellers and hotels. All the samples were processed to isolate bacterial pathogens using standard techniques and identified by different biochemical tests. Further all identified isolates were used to know the sensitivity/resistant patterns by Bauer-Kirby method based on the zone formation. Out of 240 paper currency notes samples, 120 were showed positive with four different genus such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. Among these four different genera, S. aureus were highly prevalent (20.8%) followed by E. coli (14.58%), Shigella sp. (10.81%), and Salmonella sp. (3.74%). From the selected four different sources of currency notes such as market, taxi drivers, fruit sellers and hotel, currency notes collected from market area showed the highest rate of contamination followed by taxi drivers, fruit sellers and hotel. S.s aureus, E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella sp. showed resistivity varied from 70-100% against all the antibiotics. Tobramycin showed 20% effective against S. aureus, 11.5% effective against Shigella spp. and 33% effective against Salmonella spp. while E. coli showed 14% sensitivity against Metronidazole antibiotics. Therefore, the present study concludes that the Ethiopian Paper currency notes contaminated with bacterial pathogens and play significant role in the transmission of human pathogenic microorganisms. Keywords: Prevalence, Pathogenic bacteria, Paper Currency and Antimicrobial susceptibility&nbsp

Determinants of adoption and intensity of improved haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties: A Socio-agronomic study from southern Ethiopia

The Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume crop in Ethiopia, serving as the main cash crop and the least expensive protein source for farmers in many of the lowlands and midlands of the country. This study examines the factors that influence the adoption and intensity of improved haricot bean varieties and associated agronomic techniques in the study area. To choose four rural kebeles (purposive sampling) and 100 (technology user) respondents (systematic random sample), a two-stage selection approach was used. In addition, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were held. The findings of the Tobit econometric model revealed that a wide range of factors had varying effects on adopting better haricot bean production practices. The adoption and intensity of improved haricot bean varieties and related agronomic practices were positively and significantly influenced by the gender of the head of the household, attendance at improved training in haricot bean production, field day programs, demonstrations, access to improved seed credit, and membership in a seed multiplication group, while the market distance was negatively influenced. When evaluating and choosing improved haricot bean varieties, farmers in the study area gave high yield, market demand and price advantage, maturity time, grain color, grain size, disease resistance, and storage priority. The Nasir cultivar comes first based on these criteria, followed by the Dimtu cultivar. Furthermore, fewer farmers in the study area applied fertilizer and seed at rates than advised by research and extension. Lack of extension assistance, high fertilizer costs, and lack of funds contributed to farmers' departure from advised packaging practices. To enhance the adoption of improved cultivars, it is suggested that the promotion of improved haricot bean cultivars, as well as improved farmers' access to extension services and timely market information, be emphasized

Determinants of food insecurity and coping mechanisms in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia

Food is an essential requirement for human survival, growth, and health. Despite the fact that the right to be free from hunger is the most fundamental human right that can be achieved, a substantial number of people worldwide experience food insecurity. This study examined the factors that influence household food insecurity and the coping mechanisms adopted by households during food crises in the Offa district, southern Ethiopia. This study included 144 households from three kebeles, and the interview schedule method was used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of households and coping techniques used during food scarcity. Statistical methods, such as the chi-square test and t-test, were used to compare food-secure and food-insecure sampling households in relation to the explanatory variables. The Food Consumption Score (FCS) method was used to determine the level of household caloric availability. Determinants of food insecurity were identified using a binary logit model. The empirical model consisted of 11 explanatory variables. Off-farm income, educational level of the family head, access to credit, livestock ownership, dependence ratio, cultivated farm size, extension services, and technology adoption were found to be statistically significant in determining food insecurity. Coping strategies used by households, such as limiting food intake, borrowing money, rationing money, and skipping meals have been discovered. Based on these findings, it is suggested that all pertinent bodies prioritize improving rural farmers' incomes, promoting extension services, encouraging access to basic education, promoting off-farm and non-farm employment opportunities, and introducing livestock development packages to improve food security for rural households

Epidemiology of intestinal helminthiasis among school children with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni infection in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Background Intestinal helminth infections are major parasitic diseases causing public health problems in Ethiopia. Although the epidemiology of these infections are well documented in Ethiopia, new transmission foci for schistosomiasis are being reported in different parts of the country. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal helminth infections among school children and determine the endemicity of schistosomiasis in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods Cross-sectional parasitological and malacological surveys were conducted by collecting stool samples for microscopic examination and snails for intermediate host identification. Stool samples were collected from 503 children and processed for microscopic examination using Kato-Katz and formalin-ether concentration methods. Snails collected from aquatic environments in the study area were identified to species level and Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails, the intermediate host of S. mansoni,, were individually exposed to artificial light in order to induce cercariae shedding. Cercariae shed from snails were used to infect laboratory-bred Swiss albino mice in order to identify the schistosome to species level. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was 72.2% among school children. S. mansoni infection prevalence was 58.6%. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni infections varied among schools and sex of children. Swimming was the only factor reported to be significantly associated with S. mansoni infection (AOR = 2.954, 95% CI:1.962-4.449). Other intestinal helminth species identified were hookworms (27.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.7%), E. vermicularis (2.8%), Taenia species (2.6%), T. trichiura (1.2%) and H. nana (0.6%). Only B. pfeifferi snails collected from streams shed schistosome cercariae and 792 adult S. mansoni worms were harvested from mice exposed to cercariae shed from B. pfeifferi on the 6th week post-exposure. Conclusion The present study found high level of intestinal helminth infections in the study area. The study also confirmed autochthonous transmission and endemicity of S. mansoni as evidenced by both parasitological and malacological findings as well as by further establishing infections in lab-bred mice. Therefore, there is a need to include the area in the control programs with anti-helminth drugs and also consider other complementary measures including sanitation, provision of clean water supply, and snail control