The cercarial emergence rhythm of schistosoma mansoni in Ethiopia

Abstract: The cercarial emergence rhythm of Schistosoma mansoni from Biomphalaria pfeifferi of Ethiopia origin was studied in irrigation canals in Metehara Sugar Estate in December (1992), January and February (1993). Snails were allowed to shed cercariae individually in vials containing 2 ml of aged water and exposed to natural light between 800 hr and 1500 hr. In addition, batches of five swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) were exposed to canal water for an hour each between 800 hr and 1500 hr. The results indicate that peak cercarial emergence was between 900 hr and 1000 hr, while peak cercarial infectivity in mice was between and 1100 hr and 1200 hr. However, both cercarial emergence and infectivity in mice continued up to 1500 hr. These findings indicate that canal water can be used with less risk of schistosomiasis at least after 1500 hr, provided proper health education is given to the community.[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995 9(3):159-163

TRANSMISSION OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI IN THREE ECOLOGICAL SETTINGS IN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT: The epidemiological indices of Schistosome mansoni for three communities in Ethiopia; Jigga (northwest), Metahara sugar estate (southeast) and Lake Zway (central), each representing the three major transmission ecologies in the country, the stream, irrigation scheme and lake, respectively were studied and compared. A totals of 2897 people (913, 1614 and 370 from the stream, irrigation scheme and lake, respectively) was examined for S. mansoni ova by the Kato's smear method. The highest human prevalence (58% ) and intensity of infection (geometric mean of 450 EPG) were recorded for the lake ecology, whereas the irrigation scheme and stream showed moderate (218 EPG) and light (172 EPG) intensities of infection, despite fairly high disease prevalences of 20% and 41% respectively. Age-specific analysis of prevalence, intensity of infection and relative index of potential contamination (RIPC) indicated that children in their second decade of life to be most responsible. Nevertheless, the decline of all indices with increasing age was less obvious in the lake area than others. The disparity between prevalence and intensity of infection in the stream ecology, inter- ecological differences in the indices of infection and their implication in disease control tactics are discussed. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1993;7(2):63-69

Schistosoma mansolii infection in Jiga town, Gojam Administrative Region

Summary: The impact of socioeconomic status and water use patterns on Schistosoma mansoni infection was studied in Jiga town in Gojam Administrative Region: Questionnaire interviews and parasitological surveys were made in a 10% randomly selected household sample covering 106 households with 505 individuals. The household surveys showed that use of stream water continued after installation of the piped water system in 1983, due to the high cost of piped water and frequent breakdown of the pump. Simple and multiple regression and correlation analyses of the relationship between S.mansoni infection and socioeconomic, water use and environmental variables at the individual and household levels revealed that intensity of infection was not related to the amount of water used in the home (r=-0.33, p<0.05) and income (r= -0.37, p<0.05). Infection rate was positively correlated with level of education (r = 0.34), students being the most affected (r = 0.30) .Mapping of mean egg counts and water sources used failed to reveal any travel distance effect on infection. The potential use of geographic mapping of individual and household infection and behavioral data in tropical disease research is discussed.[Ethiop. J. HealthDev.1995;9(1):1-6

Diagnostic and treatment delay among Tuberculosis patients in Afar Region, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: TB is a major public health problem globally and Ethiopia is 8(th) among the 22 high burden countries. Early detection and effective treatment are pre-requisites for a successful TB control programme. In this regard, early health seeking action from patients’ side and prompt diagnosis as well as initiation of treatment from the health system’s side are essential steps. The aim of this study was to assess delay in the diagnosis and treatment of TB in a predominantly pastoralist area in Ethiopia. METHODS: On a cross-sectional study, two hundred sixteen TB patients who visited DOTS clinics of two health facilities in Afar Region were included consecutively. Time from onset of symptoms till first consultation of formal health providers (patients’ delay) and time from first consultation till initiation of treatment (health system’s delay) were analyzed. RESULTS: The median patients’ and health system’s delay were 20 and 33.5 days, respectively. The median total delay was 70.5 days with a median treatment delay of 1 day. On multivariate logistic regression, self-treatment (aOR. 3.99, CI 1.50-10.59) and first visit to non-formal health providers (aOR. 6.18, CI 1.84-20.76) were observed to be independent predictors of patients’ delay. On the other hand, having extra-pulmonary TB (aOR. 2.08, CI 1.08- 4.04), and a first visit to health posts/clinics (aOR. 19.70, CI 6.18-62.79), health centres (aOR. 4.83, CI 2.23-10.43) and private health facilities (aOR. 2.49, CI 1.07-5.84) were found to be independent predictors of health system’s delay. CONCLUSIONS: There is a long delay in the diagnosis and initiation of treatment and this was mainly attributable to the health system. Health system strengthening towards improved diagnosis of TB could reduce the long health system’s delay in the management of TB in the study area

Transmission dynamics of Schistosoma mansoni in an irrigation setting in Ethiopia

Summary: The transmission dynamics of S. mansoni was studied in the Metehara Sugar Estate for 12 months. The prevalence of human infection ranged from 7.4% to 71.3% for 6 villages in the Estate. The infection rate was highest in the 10-14 years of age while the intensity reached peak in the 5-9 years. There were significant variations in the focality and seasonality of transmission. Biomphalaria pfeifferi which was persistent year round, was most abundant during the dry season. Absence of potable water supply and sanitary facilities, proximity to irrigation canals, and overcrowding are some of the most important factors influencing transmission of schistosomiasis in Metehara Sugar Estate. Mass chemotherapy and mollusciciding should be launched in Awash and Chore farm villages to control transmission, while treatment of children under 15 years is believed to control morbidity in other villages. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995 9(3): 146-158

Praziquantel in the control of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Jiga, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract: The curative efficacy and side effects of praziquantel were observed in patients with intestinal schistosomiasis in Jiga town, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total survey of the inhabitants (4861) was done and all those positive for S. man.soni and with no serious contraindications (1248) were treated with praziquantel, single oral dose of 40 mg per kg body weight. The drug has a cure rate of 89% , with a significant reduction in prevalence (P <0.001, OR: 3.58, CI:2. 77, 4.64) and a marked decrease in average intensity of infection (from 187 to 111 EPG). The most frequent (64.4% )' side effects were headache and dizziness, directly related to intensity of infection, and most often did not last more than 48 hours. Therefore, it is concluded that praziquantel is a safe and effective therapy for schistosomiasis and can be used as a key component in the control of the disease. [Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1996;10(2):105-110

SCHSTOSOMIASIS IN THE FINCHAA RIVER VALLEY, WELLEGA REGION, WESTERN ETIHIOPIA

ABSTRACT: Parasitological and malacological surveys were carried out in the Finchaa Valley, Wellega Region, western Ethiopia. Stool examination of 960 persons in the 10 communities surveyed showed an average human prevalence of 12.4% for Schistosoma mansoni. Infected individuals were present in 6 communities, but prevalence was greater than 10% in only three of them, reaching 40% among school children in one community. In endemic localities, the intensity of infection in terms of eggs per gram of faeces were 200 and 199 among school children and farm labours respectively. The age specific prevalence and intensity of infection were highest among the 5-14 year age group. The intermediate host of S. mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi were collected from three sites, but transmission was identified at only one site located in the lower portion of the valley. Bulinus truncatus, the potential intermediate host of S. haematobium in Ethiopia, was also present in the area. The occurrence of infected human subjects and snail intermediate host confirm that Schistosoma mansoni is well established in the valley, particularly in the lower portion where a large irrigation development is under way. In this report, the threat posed by both S. Mansoni and S. haematobium is discussed and the preventive/control measures to be taken are suggested. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1993; 7(1):9-15

Vitamin-A deficiency and its determinants among preschool children: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

Background Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable visual impairments in children. It is also an underlying cause for nearly one-fourth of global child mortality associated with measles, diarrhea, and malaria. The limited literature available in Ethiopia shows severe public health significance of vitamin-A deficiency. Hence the aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence and factors determining vitamin-A deficiency among preschool children in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool children of Dembia District from January to February, 2015. A multi-stage sampling, followed by a systematic sampling technique was employed to select study participants. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Using a binary logistic regression model, multivariable analysis was fitted to identify the associated factors of vitamin-A deficiency. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95 % confidence interval was computed to assess the strength of the association, and variables with a p value of <0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered as statistically significant. Results Six hundred eighty-one preschool children were included in the study, giving a response rate of 96.5 %. The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 8.6 %. The result of the multivariable analysis revealed that nonattendance at the antenatal care clinic [AOR 2.65,95 % CI (1.39,5.07)], being male [AOR 1.81, 95 % CI (1.01,3.24)], and in the age group of 49–59 months [AOR 3.00, 95 % CI (1.49,6.02)] were significantly associated with vitamin-A deficiency. Conclusions Vitamin-A deficiency is a severe public health problem in the study area. Further strengthening antenatal care utilization and giving emphasis to preschool children will help to mitigate vitamin-A deficiency in the study area

Prevalence, risk factors and bacterial causes of bovine mastitis in southern Ethiopia

Mastitis is one of the most economically important diseases in dairy farms worldwide. It is particularly important in Ethiopia where no routine prevention and control practices are in place. This cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2017 and June 2018 to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, identify the associated risk factors and isolate bacterial causes in dairy farms located in southern Ethiopia using standard microbiological methods and questionnaire survey. A total of 686 lactating cows which were found in 122 selected dairy farms were investigated by physical examination and California mastitis test. The overall cow-level prevalence of mastitis was 54.2% (95% CI: 50.5 – 57.9%). Based on the study site, the prevalence was 55.7% in Hawassa, 54.3% in Arsi Negele, 52.6% each in Wondo Genet and Wolayta Soddo towns with no significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference among the sites. The majority of mastitis cases were subclinical (48.1%) while the clinical mastitis was only 6.1%. Of the 122 herds tested, 109 (89.3%; 95% CI: 82.1 – 93.9%) had at least a cow positive for mastitis. The study showed that high parity number (OR = 1.6; p = 0.015), flat (OR = 4.5; p &lt;0.001) and round (OR = 2; p &lt;0.001) teat end shape, history of mastitis in preceding lactation (OR = 3.3; p &lt;0.001), and slightly (OR = 3.5; p &lt; 0.001), moderately (OR = 4.9; p &lt; 0.001), and very dirty (OR = 9.2; p &lt; 0.001) udder and legs were the major risk factors which are significantly associated with higher prevalence of mastitis. Based on the available media and reagents, the major bacteria isolated from subclinical mastitic milk samples were Staphylococcus spp. (57.3%), Streptococcus spp. (18.6%), E. coli (17.3%) and Bacillus spp. (7.5%) in order of their abundance. The present study revealed a high prevalence of mastitis, particularly the subclinical one, and the associated risk factors. Enhancing the awareness of dairy farmers, regular screening of cows for subclinical mastitis, proper treatment of the clinical cases, improving the hygienic condition of the cows, and culling of chronically infected cows are critically important to prevent and control bovine mastitis. Keywords: Mastitis, Prevalence, Risk factors, Southern Ethiopi

Figurations of displacement in and beyond Ethiopia: empirical findings and reflections on protracted displacement and translocal connections of Eritreans in Ethiopia

This working paper is based on empirical research on translocal figurations of displacement in Ethiopia. It explores TRAFIG’s central question: "How are protractedness, dependency and vulnerability related to the factors of local and translocal connectivity and mobility, and, in turn, how can connectivity and mobility be utilised to enhance the self-reliance and strengthen the resilience of displaced people?" The paper presents findings from six camps in Tigray and Afar regional states, as well as urban refugees in Addis Ababa and several cities in Tigray. The findings show that the capability to break free from protracted displacement is primarily determined by each refugee's networks and connectivity. Local and translocal connectivity enable refugees to move out of camps, secure livelihoods, widen future chances and process their onward mobility. In the cities or in other countries in which displaced people temporarily or permanently settle, network contacts provide information about job opportunities, support local integration, help to access business licenses informally and to cover costs of living. The extent of support provided through networks, however, depends on the quality of translocal/national social relations. Particularly, such connections that could avail of financial resources determine the pathways of refugees' mobility. For those who have strong networks, camps are just a transit space where they process their onward mobility. Those who do not have strong networks are more susceptible to experiencing protracted waiting periods, diminished livelihood options and general vulnerability. Our study reveals that context is vital for mobility and translocal connectivity: Both dimensions need to be put in the context of previous histories of migration, bonds and alliances with the hosting communities, and the state of current political affairs. Against this backdrop, the study reveals significant differences between the three groups of Eritrean refugees we studied (Tigrinya, Afar and Kunama) in terms of their connectivity, mobility and vulnerability