Volunteerism and Experiential Learning in the Environmental Education Curriculum of the Province of Ontario

Environmental education curriculum is framed as the foundation for the successful achievement of goals and objectives related to solving current environmental problems of the planet. While environmental education curriculum can be conceptualized from different theories, research that frames the curriculum simultaneously from Elliot Eisner's and Benjamin Bloom's perspectives is less prevalent. This research explores the environmental education curriculum of the province of Ontario in the context of Eisner's critical framework and Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives. In so doing the research answers four questions: - What does/does not Ontario's provincial environmental education curriculum teach pertaining to Environment? - Is there any contradiction, harmony and complementary domains embedded in the provincial Environmental education curriculum? - How does the provincial environmental education curriculum (explicit curriculum) fit to the school culture (implicit curriculum)? Is there a missing link between the two (null curriculum)? Which of the educational domains (knowledge, attitude or skill) is dominant in the implicit or explicit or null curriculum? In conclusion, the research argues there is a dire need to intensify skill and attitudinal based environmental educational objectives in Ontario's provincial environmental education curriculum. Apart from reviewing and analyzing the curriculum the research helpfully shows the missing links in the provincial environmental education

Prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among rural mothers of infants less than six months of age in Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples (SNNP) and Tigray regions, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the global recommended nutrition for infants less than 6 months of age. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia is much lower than the recommendations of World Health Organization (WHO). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of EBF among rural mothers of infants less than 6 months of age in two regions, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) and Tigray Regions, of Ethiopia. METHODS: The research was based on the secondary data analysis of community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 56 rural woredas (districts) in two regions of Ethiopia for impact evaluation of Alive & Thrive multi-year project. The 24-h recall dietary data were collected from 600 mother-infant dyads where the infant was less than 6 month of age, using multistage cluster sampling technique and 584 dyads were found eligible for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were applied to identify the associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBF of infants less than 6 months of age was 88.0% (95% CI 84.9, 90.4%). The odds of practicing EBF were significantly higher among infants less than 2 months of age (AOR 4.47, 95% CI 2.41, 8.27), married mothers (AOR 4.35, 95% CI 1.50, 12.67), mothers who gave birth in health facilities (AOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15, 3.73) and mothers who received breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.26, 3.96). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EBF was relatively high when compared with previous studies in Ethiopia but close to the WHO recommendations of 90 %. Infant age, marital status of mothers, delivery place and breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy were identified as factors associated with EBF practices in 24 h preceding the survey. Devising appropriate strategies on breastfeeding messaging/counseling and support in addressing poor breastfeeding practices through existing government-led health intervention packages are recommended

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 (

Drug use pattern in private drug retail outlets

Abstract: This is the first preliminary appraisal report on drug use pattern in private drug retail outlets in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. Community pharmacies and other retail outlets have always been the major reservouir of drugs in the health care system worldwide. Pharmacy employees are consulted for health advice on problems of all kinds, and remedies are sold or dispensed with almost every transaction. Some of the remedies are safe and effective when used correctly but otherwise can be dangerous. The results of the baseline study revealed that 94% of the retailers dispense drugs under dose; 74% dispense drugs obtained from illegal sources; 68% handled drugs beyond their level of competence; 20% dispense expired drugs, and 63% of the retailers provide medical services against regulations. Irrational use of drugs in the private retail outlets in the region, is obvious as depicted by the results of this study. It is recommended that formulation and implementation of a new drug legislation and regulation in addition to the educational intervention will help in promoting rational practice. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(3):261-264

“Death audit is a fight” – provider perspectives on the ethics of the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system in Ethiopia

Background Maternal and neonatal health are regarded as important indicators of health in most countries. Death auditing through, for example, the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) is viewed as key to preventing maternal and newborn mortality. However, little is known about the implications of implementing perinatal auditing for healthcare professionals in low-income contexts. This study aimed to explore the ethical and practical consequences clinicians experience concerning MPDSR reporting practices in Ethiopia. Methods Qualitative semi-structured in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers across professions at selected facilities in Ethiopia. The interview questions were related to clinicians’ experiences with, and perceptions of, death auditing. Their strategies for coping with newborn losses and the related reporting practices were also explored. The material was analyzed following systematic text condensation, and the NVivo11 software was used for organizing and coding the data material. Results Participants experienced fear of punishment and blame in relation to the perinatal death auditing process. They found that auditing did not contribute to reducing perinatal deaths and that their motivation to stick to the obligation was negatively affected by this. Performing audits without available resources to provide optimal care or support in the current system was perceived as unfair. Some hid information or misreported information in order to avoid accusations of misconduct when they felt they were not to blame for the baby’s death. Coping strategies such as engaging in exceedingly larger work efforts, overtreating patients, or avoiding complicated medical cases were described. Conclusions Experiencing perinatal death and death reporting constitutes a double burden for the involved healthcare workers. The preventability of perinatal death is perceived as context-dependent, and both clinicians and the healthcare system would benefit from a safe and blame-free reporting environment. To support these healthcare workers in a challenging clinical reality, guidelines and action plans that are specific to the Ethiopian context are needed.publishedVersio

DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT GERMPLASM FOR STEM RUST RESISTANCE IN EASTERN AFRICA

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) rust outbreak is the primary production constraint in Eastern Africa. Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are hot spots for the epidemic of rusts, due to higher rates of evolution of new pathogen races, especially of the virulent stem rust (Puccinia graminis) race, Ug99. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to the major pathotypes of stem rust prevalent in some countries of Eastern Africa. Three hundred and six elite breeding lines, selected and advanced at the Wheat Regional Centre of Excellence (WRCoE) in Ethiopia, were planted in stem rust hot spot areas of the country (Arsi-Robe) and Kenya (Njoro) under natural infections. Stem rust scores of 18, 25.8 and 56.2% of lines at Arsi-Robe; and 35, 49 and 16.7% of lines at Njoro were resistant to moderately resistant, intermediate and moderately susceptible to susceptible category, respectively. Overall coefficient of infection (ACI) at Arsi-Robe (24) was greater than that of Njoro (13), indicating higher disease pressure in Ethiopia than Kenya. Among the lines, 67% at Njoro and 49% at Arsi Robe showed good levels of resistance, with a severity less than 20%. However, only 32% of the lines showed a good level of resistance (&lt;20% severity) in both locations. These lines could have combined resistance to the multiple stem rust races prevailing at both locations. Generally, most of the lines, which showed better resistance at Njoro were susceptible at Arsi-Robe.La rouille de la tige chez le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum ) est l\u2019un des plus importants probl\ue8mes rencontres dans la production du bl\ue9 en Afrique de l\u2019Est. L\u2019Ethiopie, le Kenya et l\u2019Ouganda sont des pays \ue0 fort taux d\u2019\ue9pid\ue9mie de rouille de la tige. Ceci \ue0 cause du taux \ue9lev\ue9 de d\u2019agents pathog\ue8nes, ainsi que l\u2019apparition de nouveaux pathog\ue8nes, dont le plus redoutable (Puccinia graminis) race Ug99. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier des sources de r\ue9sistance aux pathotypes majeurs de la rouille de tige qui sevit dans certains pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trois cent six lign\ue9es \ue9lites, s\ue9lectionn\ue9es au centre r\ue9gionale d\u2019excellence du bl\ue9 (WRCoE) en Ethiopie, ont \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9es dans des zones a fort taux de pr\ue9valence de la rouille de tige en Ethiopie (Arsi-Robe) au Kenya (Njoro). Respectivement, 18, 25.8 et 56.2% des lign\ue9es a Arsi-Robe; et 35, 49 et 16.7% des lign\ue9es a Njoro se sont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9es r\ue9sistantes ou mod\ue9r\ue9ment r\ue9sistantes, interm\ue9diaires, mod\ue9r\ue9ment susceptibles a susceptibles. En somme, le coefficient d\u2019infection (ACI) \ue0 Arsi-Robe (24) \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 qu\u2019\ue0 Njoro (13), ceci indique que la pression de la rouille de tige est plus \ue9lev\ue9e en Ethiopie qu\u2019au Kenya. Parmi les lign\ue9es \ue9valu\ue9es, 67% \ue0 Njoro et 49% a Arsi Robe sont exhibe des bons niveaux de r\ue9sistance, avec 20% de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. N\ue9anmoins, seul 32% des lign\ue9es ont exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance (&lt;20% s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9) dans les deux localit\ue9s. Ces lign\ue9es porteraient surement des g\ue8nes de r\ue9sistance multiple contre les diff\ue9rentes races de champignon pr\ue9sents dans les deux localit\ue9s. G\ue9n\ue9ralement, la plupart des lign\ue9es ayant exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance a Njoro \ue9taient susceptible a Arsi-Robe

Protocol optimization for elimination of sugarcane bacilliform virus and rapid propagation of virus-free sugarcane using meristem tip culture

DATA AVAILABILITY : The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author up on request.Tissue culture protocol was optimized for the propagation of virus-free sugarcane from infected plants using meristem tips as an explant source for the elimination of sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV).Virus identification on the mother (source) plant and virus indexing to monitor elimination in the tissue culture-derived plants were done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate SCBV primers. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP + 0.25 mg/l kinetin and 0.1 mg/l GA3 + 0.5 mg/l NAA were the best hormone combination for shoot multiplication and root induction, respectively. Two explant size categories (< 1 mm and 1–2 mm) were used to assess the effect of explant size on shoot regeneration and virus elimination. The results showed that explant size affects shoot regeneration. Smaller sized (< 1 mm) explants showed higher virus elimination efficiency; however, the survival frequency of explants during initiation of shoot cultures was higher in larger (1–2 mm) meristems (64.3%) in comparison to the smaller ones (35.7%). In conclusion, in vitro meristem tip culture alone is not a satisfactory approach for the generation of SCBV-free plant from infected mother plant. The virus elimination efficiency could be enhanced by using the combination of meristem tip culture with other therapies.The Addis Ababa Science and Technology University.https://link.springer.com/journal/40858hj2023Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)Plant Production and Soil ScienceSDG-15:Life on lan

修书、刻图与观礼:明代地方社会的家礼传播

家礼“庶民化“是明代礼学的一大特色。此种情况的出现,除了“以礼化民“和“以礼造族“等社会因素之推动,尤有赖于地方社会多渠道、多层级的家礼传播:既有官方倡导,也有民间自为;既有礼书、礼图等文本形式,亦有士人示范、指导等非文本形式。本文利用现存的一些明代家礼礼书,结合明代地方志和文集资料,围绕礼书、礼图和演礼观习等家礼传播途径,揭示了家礼知识是如何“下渗“民间的。这一复杂的历史进程是以士人为主导、以学校为中心、以执礼为目标、以民间为指向的具有创造性精神的社会礼仪化过程。教育部人文社会科学基金项目“现存明代私修礼书的整理与研究”(项目编号:06JA770009)的成果之