Evaluation of Analgesic Activities of 80% Methanol Leaf Extract of Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) in Mice

Solanum incanum Linnaeus is traditionally used for treatment of pain and other ailments. But there is no scientific evidence on its analgesic activity to-date. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activities of 80% methanol leaf extract of S.incanum in mice. After extraction of the crude using 80% methanol, S.incanum extract was evaluated for analgesic activity in hot plate test and acetic-acid induced writhing test. Mice were randomly assigned to different groups and treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract and reference control groups (morphine 5mg/kg and Aspirin 150 mg/kg) and negative control were treated with 2% tween 80. In the hot-plate method, all doses of the extract and the standard drug of morphine prolonged the reaction time significantly (p<0.05, or p<0.01 or p<0.001) as compared to negative control throughout the observation period. Prolongation of reaction time produced by 100mg/kg of the extract was lower (p<0.01) compared to morphine, 200mg/kg, and 400mg/kg at 90 and 120 min. However, middle and higher dose exerts comparable result at 30, 60 and 90and 120 min in relation to the standard drug. In addition 80% methanol extract of S.incanum showed a significant protection (p<0.05) against acetic acid induced writhing compared to negative control. The extract produced a significant analgesic activity with 55.6, 38.2 and 44.8% inhibition of number of writhing at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg dose levels, respectively. In conclusion, this study clearly suggests that 80% methanol leaf extract of S. incanum is endowed with central and peripheral analgesic activity. Hence, the findings collectively uphold the traditional use of the plant for pain treatment. Keywords: Analgesic, S.incanum , Hot plate, Acetic aci

Assessment of quality of care given to diabetic patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital diabetes follow-up clinic, Jimma, Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sub-Saharan Africa is currently enduring the heaviest global burden of diabetes and diabetes care in such resource poor countries is far below standards. This study aims to describe the gaps in the care of Ethiopian diabetic patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>329 diabetic patients were selected as participants in the study, aged 15 years or greater, who have been active in follow-up for their diabetes for more than 1 year at the hospital. They were interviewed for their demographic characters and relevant clinical profiles. Their charts were simultaneously reviewed for characters related to diabetes and related morbidities. Descriptive statistics was used for most variables and Chi-square test, where necessary, was used to test the association among various variables. P-value of < 0.05 was used as statistical significance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Blood glucose determination was done for 98.5% of patients at each of the last three visits, but none ever had glycosylated haemoglobin results. The mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) level was 171.7 ± 63.6 mg/dl and 73.1% of patients had mean FBS levels above 130 mg/dl. Over 44% of patients have already been diagnosed to be hypertensive and 64.1% had mean systolic BP of > 130 and/or diastolic > 80 mmHg over the last three visits. Diabetes eye and neurologic evaluations were ever done for 42.9% and 9.4% of patients respectively. About 66% had urine test for albumin, but only 28.2% had renal function testing over the last 5 years. The rates for lipid test, electrocardiography, echocardiography, or ultrasound of the kidneys during the same time were < 5% for each. Diabetic neuropathy (25.0%) and retinopathy (23.1%) were the most common chronic complications documented among those evaluated for complications.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The overall aspects of diabetes care at the hospital were far below any recommended standards. Hence, urgent action to improve care for patients with diabetes is mandatory. Future studies examining patterns and prevalence of chronic complications using appropriate parameters is strongly recommended to see the true burden of diabetes.</p

Brief communication: Patterns of chronic complications of diabetic patients in Menelik II Hospital, Ethiopia

A total of 283 diabetic patients (112 type -1 and the rest Type -2) were followed between September 1996 and July 1997 at the diabetic follow-up clinic of Menelik II Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The subjects were studied for evidence of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. One hundred and six patients (37.45%) were found to have chronic complications (33% of Type -1 and 16.9% of Type -2) with diabetic nephropathy showing significant difference between Type -1 and Type -2 patients (

Long-Term Volumetric Change Estimation of Red Ash Quarry Sites in the Afro-Alpine Ecosystem of Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia

The Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) in Ethiopia comprises the largest fraction of the Afro-Alpine ecosystem in Africa, which provides vital mountain ecosystem services at local, regional, and global levels. However, the BMNP has been severely threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances in recent decades. In particular, landscape alteration due to human activities such as red ash quarrying has become a common practice in the BMNP, which poses a major environmental challenge by severely degrading the Afro-Alpine ecosystem. This study aims to quantify the long-term volumetric changes of two red ash quarry sites in the BMNP using historical aerial photographs and in situ data, and to assess their impact on the Afro-Alpine ecosystem. The Structure-from-Motion multi-view stereo photogrammetry algorithm was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional landscape for the year 1967 and 1984 while spatial interpolation techniques were applied to generate the current digital elevation models for 2023. To quantify the volumetric changes and landscape alteration of the quarry sites, differences in digital elevation models were computed. The result showed that the volume of resources extracted from the BMNP quarry sites increased significantly over the study period from 1984 to 2023 compared with the period from 1967 to 1984. In general, between 1967 and 2023, the total net surface volume of the quarry sites decreased by 503,721 ± 27,970 m3 and 368,523 ± 30,003 m3, respectively. The extent of the excavated area increased by 53,147 m2 and 45,297 m2 for Site 1 and 2, respectively. In terms of habitat loss, major gravel road construction inside the BMNP resulted in the reduction of Afro-Alpine vegetation by 476,860 m2, ericaceous vegetation by 403,806 m2 and Afromontane forest by 493,222 m2 with associated decline in species diversity and density. The excavation and gravel road construction have contributed to the degradation of the Afro-Alpine ecosystem, especially the endemic Lobelia rhynchopetalum on the quarry sites and roads. If excavation continues at the same rate as in the last half century, it can threaten the whole mountain ecosystem of the National Park and beyond, highlighting the importance of preventing these anthropogenic changes and conserving the remaining Afro-Alpine ecosystem

Socio-demographic and economic characteristics of participants in Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (N = 407).

Socio-demographic and economic characteristics of participants in Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (N = 407).</p

Obstetric characteristics of participants in Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 407).

Obstetric characteristics of participants in Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 407).</p

Factors associated with delay in reaching health facilities among mothers who gave birth in Bale and east Bale zones, Oromia region, Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 407).

Factors associated with delay in reaching health facilities among mothers who gave birth in Bale and east Bale zones, Oromia region, Southeast Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 407).</p

Motivation and job satisfaction of community health workers in Ethiopia: a mixed-methods approach

Abstract Background Ethiopia has been providing health care to its rural population since 2004 using female Community Health Workers called Health Extension Workers (HEWs). The HEWs are credited with several achievements in improving the country's health indicators. However, information about the HEWs' motivation and job satisfaction is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the HEWs' motivation and job satisfaction, as well as the factors that influence them. Methods A mixed-methods study was nested within a national health extension program assessment conducted from March 01 to May 31, 2019. A structured questionnaire which looked at motivation and satisfaction with Likert type single-question and multiple-item measures was used to collect quantitative data from 584 HEWs. Focus group discussion and in-depth interviews were used to gather qualitative data. Means and percentages were used to descriptively summarize important variables. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with job satisfaction. The qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results Overall, 48.6% of HEWs were satisfied with their job, with a mean score of 2.5 out of 4.0. The result showed a high level of satisfaction with autonomy (72%), relationships with co-workers (67%), and recognition (56%). Low level of satisfaction was linked to pay and benefits (13%), opportunities for promotion (29%), and education (34%). Regression analysis showed that HEWs in the age category of 30 years and older had lower satisfaction scores as compared to HEWs in the age category of 18–24 years (adjusted β = − 7.71, 95% CI: − 14.42, − 0.99). The qualitative result revealed that desire to help their community, recognition or respect gained from the community, and achievement were the major motivating factors. In contrast, inadequate pay and benefit, limited education and career advancement opportunities, workload, work environment, limited supportive supervision, and absence of opportunity to change workplace were the demotivating factors. Conclusions The overall job satisfaction of HEWs was low; extrinsic factors, such as inadequate pay, limited education and career advancement opportunities were the major sources of demotivation. Policy makers and human resource managers should revise their human resource policies and guidelines to address the main sources of low level of job satisfaction and demotivation