Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence among HIV Positive Women Attending ART Clinic in Fitche Hospital, Central Ethiopia: An Institution Based Cross Sectional Study

Objective: Intimate partner violence is major health problem of women all over the world and there is shortage of information among HIV positive women’s in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with Intimate partner violence among HIV positive women, attending antiretroviral clinic in Fitche Hospital, Ethiopia.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 311 HIV positive women aged 15-49 years attending Fitche hospital Antiretroviral Therapy clinic using a questionnaire adapted from WHO multi-country study.  Analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression were computed.Results: The prevalence of life time intimate partner violence among HIV positive women was 46%. Physical and sexual violence were experienced by 43.7 and 25.1 percent of study participants respectively. Women living with controlling partner having and those who believe man should show who is the boss where more likely to experience intimate partner violence [(AOR 4.09(1.84, 9.09)) and (AOR 2.95(1.22, 7.16))]. On the other hand, women’s capable to raise enough money in case of emergency were 65% less likely to report intimate partner violence [AOR= 0.35(0.17, 0.70)].Conclusion: Antiretroviral Therapy adherence might be complicated as a reason of intimate partner violence. Thus, in order to enhancing Antiretroviral Therapy for patients living with HIV/AIDS, routine screening for intimate partner violence is important. Interventions should consider on increasing awareness of HIV positive women on sexual and reproductive right, gender role and their economic status. Keywords: Intimate partner violence, HIV/AIDS, Antiretroviral Therap

The Role of the World’s Top Successful Think-Tanks in the Transformation of Societies: Drawing Lessons to Sub-Saharan African Think-Tanks

Empirical studies in developed nations show that think tanks foster the transformation of societies through informed policy research and public outreach. The overall objective of this study is to pinpoint the excellent characteristics of the world’s top successful think tanks in the transformation of societies and draw lessons for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) think-tanks. It also aims to explore a range of factors and dynamics that affect think tanks in SSA. Broadly, this research project addresses three main components: (i) Excellent features of successful think tanks in the world, (ii) Challenges that are facing the think-tanks in SSA; and (iii) the way forwards for well-functioning of think tanks in SSA. The study employs in-depth desk literature review and document reviews in order to conceptualize/theorize the excellence features of think-tanks and the role of think-tanks. Following that, structured questionnaire on the nature and role of think tanks was sent for the 100 top ranked think tanks through survey monkey technique. From these 100 think tanks, 30 of the world’s top think tanks responded the survey monkey questionnaire. The list and ranking of think tanks were obtained from the data of 2013 Global Go to Think Tanks Index Report by McGann. Similarly, structured questionnaire on the challenges facing think tanks was sent for 250 randomly selected think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); 52 of them responded the survey monkey questionnaire. In addition, data have been obtained through various think tank websites and correspondence with their staff. The study findings indicate that the features of successful think-tanks can be analyzed from the dimensions that include organization/structure, orientation/philosophy, dissemination and policy outreach, and funding. The study concludes that the excellent features of the world’s top successful think-tanks can be considered as lessons and benchmarks for the think-tanks in SSA. Besides, it highlights think tanks require favorable political environment and local private philanthropic traditions so that they can significantly contribute for the transformation of societies culturally and politically. Keywords: Think tanks, policy influence, Transformation, Societie

Predicting Body Weight of Three Ethiopian Thin-Tailed Sheep Breeds from Linear Body Measurements

Growth and conformation are the most important characteristics in small ruminant production for live animal sale and meat production. Linear body measurements are also important parameters to measured growth and as a selection criterion for breeders and prediction of body weight in sheep. Weight is determined by estimating some linear parameters under field condition where weighing scale is inaccessible. The study was conducted to examine the relationship between the body weight and morphological traits of three Ethiopian thin-tailed sheep breeds, Begait, Gumz and Rutana. A total of 327 ewes, the average age of 2-4 years, were used for body weight and body linear measurements. Morphological data on body length, heart girth, height at withers, tail length, pelvic width, ear length, rump height, and rump length and body weight were measured using standard descriptor adopted from Food and Agriculture Organization. Mean, standard error and coefficient of variance of weight and linear measurements of each breed were analyzed and tested for significance using the GLM procedure of SAS. Least square means and standard error of body weight of Begait, Gumz and Rutana sheep were found to be 39.79 ± 0.65, 36.27±0.62 and 43.10±0.69, respectively. Most variables were significantly p<0.05 and positively correlated with body weight. All sheep populations showed the highest correlation between body weight and heart girth with a correlation value of 0.72, 0.85 and 0.77 for Begait, Gumz and Rutana, respectively. Two of the body measurements heart girth and pelvic width were fitted for the model with a coefficient of determination R2 value in the range of 52-77% of the live weight in Begait sheep. Four body measurements heart girth, body length, and chest depth and ear length were fitted for the model with a coefficient of determination R2 in range of 72 to 81% for Gumz sheep. Four body measurements heart girth, body length, pelvic width, and chest depth were best fit for the model with coefficient of determination R2 value in the range of 55 to 87% for Rutana sheep. Rutana sheep population has higher p<0.001 body weight followed by Begait. Except for body weight and tail length, Rutana and Begait sheep populations have statistically similar body measurements. Gumz Sheep have P<0.05 lower body weight and body linear measurement than the others. In this study, the body measurements had a positive and high correlation with body weight implicating that linear body measurements can be used for estimation of body weight. In all studied sheep populations and age groups, heart girth is the first predictor that best fit for the model. The mean actual body weight and predicted body weight have shown almost similar value for all sheep populations and age groups. Therefore, prediction of body weight using only heart girth is preferred due to its reasonable precision and reasonably easy as a single measurement. Keywords: Body weight, linear body measurement, regression equation, thin-tailed sheep

Review on Pre and Post-Harvest Management on Quality Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Production

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the vegetables with the highest production in the world and its production is increasing all over the world. Tomatoes contribute to a healthy, well-balanced diet. Temperature affects plant growth balance, flower development and pollination, fruit growth and development, thus has substantial influence on fruit quality. Solar radiation and temperature have a large influence on fruit sugar accumulation. The best quality and long life storage for tomato product the research is required through incorporation of pre-harvesting as well as post-harvesting practices taking other factors under consideration in the specific locations. Day and night temperature and the variation between the two has pronounced effect on growth, flowering, fruiting and yield of fruits and seeds in Tomato, but the night temperature is a critical factor for fruit set in Tomato. There are many key points to be considered in assessing the quality of Tomatoes.  Tomatoes for distant markets can be picked at the “mature-green” or “breaker” stages whereas tomatoes for near outlets can be picked at the “breaker”, “turning”, “pink “or “light-red” stages. The cluster or vine-ripe tomatoes are harvested at the “light-red” to the “table-red” stage. The quality of tomato cultural practices on post-harvest quality should incorporate all practices on integrated and manageable time and place. Keywords: Pre and post-harvest management Quality, Tomat

Impacts of Soil Conservation Based Technological Interventions on Livestock Productivity in Ojoje Watershed of Doyogena District, Southern Ethiopia

A study was undertaken to evaluate impacts of soil conservation based technological options to smallholder farmers in Ojoje watershed of Kembata Tembaro zone, southern Ethiopia. Information were collected using baseline survey (March to May 2010) and impact assessment, conducted after five years of technological interventions (March to May 2016). 180 participants from three villages were selected using purposive sampling technique to include experienced, youth and women livestock owners. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect information from the selected households. Descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test were used to analyze the data. Livestock number increased (P < 0.01) after intervention per household due to feed and forage interventions. On average, milk yield increased by 0.4 liters/cow/day after interventions due to improved forages production and management practices. Age at first mating local & crossbred cows, and ewes showed significant (P < 0.01) differences after technological interventions. Age at first parturition of crossbred cows and local ewes was significantly (P < 0.01) lower after interventions. The results indicated that demand-driven technology dissemination and participatory evaluation resulted in profound improvements in soil stabilization and fertility status, and an associated increase in productivity of food and forage crops. Additionally, the results clearly indicated that technologies with multiple impacts in terms of welfare of the farmers and sustaining natural resources are essential to re-vitalize crop-livestock mixed production systems. Keywords: Livestock productivity; technology intervention, soil conservatio

Effect of Inclusion Rate of Effective Microbes (EM) on Growth Rate of Lambs Fed Low Protein Diet

Background: A great majority of animal feed is roughage based (poor in quality) in crop-livestock mixed farming system of southern Ethiopia. EM is considered as one of the options that may improve poor quality feeds dominant in the area. A study was conducted to determine inclusion rate of effective microbes (EM mixed with wheat bran, EM-bokashi) on growth rate of lambs fed low protein diets at Dubo Mante research sub-station. Method: Twenty four (24) post pubertal male sheep of similar age (about 12 months age) with an average weight of 14.1±1.74 kg were purchased from local market. The lambs were assigned randomly to one of the four treatments (T1=0% EM, T2=1% EM, T3=3% EM, T4=5% EM). Water and rhodes (Chlorias gayana) hay were offered ad libtum. Results: EM-bokashi supplemented at 5% resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher intake and growth rate in terms of weight gain than those supplemented with 3% EM-bokashi. Likewise, lambs supplemented with 3% EM-bokashi showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth rate than those supplemented with 1% while the difference between 1% and the control (0%) is not significant. Similarly, lesser disease occurrence was observed in lambs supplemented with EM-bokashi than untreated animals. Supplementing 5% EM-bokashi added 51.2% and 43.6% additional economic incentives over the control and 1% EM level, respectively. Generally, both weight gain and profitability increased as level of EM supplementation advanced. Conclusion: Additional weight in terms of daily weight gain and profitability considered in this experiment are crucial in the livelihood of small-scale farmers. Hence, 5% EM-bokashi could be recommended as biologically and economically profitable inclusion level for lambs fed on low protein diet under smallholder farmer’s management conditions. Keywords: - Lambs, growth, roughage, strategic supplementation, effective micro-organism

Fiscal Decentralization in Ethiopia: Achievements and Challenges

As one of the major dimensions of decentralization reform program, fiscal decentralization has been a worldwide phenomenon since the 1980s and since 1991 in Ethiopia. The major purpose of this study was to assess the achievements and challenges of fiscal decentralization in Ethiopia. The study mainly employed quantitative approach based on a panel data on revenue and expenditure assignments between the federal government of Ethiopia and regional state of governments. It applied two standard measures of fiscal decentralization: Expenditure Ratio (ER) and Revenue Ratio (RR). The finding shows that there is mismatch between expenditure and financial autonomy of sub-national governments in the devolution process, which in turn creates vertical imbalances. Another major finding of this study is that intergovernmental fiscal transfers are a major source of revenue for regional states of governments which shows heavy dependence on federal government subsidy. The author concludes that fiscal decentralization is promising in Ethiopia since it encourages sub-national governments to assume additional responsibilities. However, special attention must be given to enhance the fiscal autonomy of sub-national governments so as to realize the benefits of effective fiscal decentralization. Keywords: Decentralization, Fiscal Decentralization, Revenue assignment, Expenditure assignment, fiscal inequity