Major livestock health problems in market oriented livestock development in Mieso woreda, western Harerghe, Ethiopia

A survey was carried out to study major livestock health constraints in four peasant association of Mieso Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia, from November, 2006 to April, 2007. A questionnaire survey was carried out with the main objectives of assessing major health problems and characterization of the production system of livestock. The study carried out on 80 households to collect livestock health problems in market oriented livestock development, livestock production system and associated information by giving emphasis on livestock health. All livestock owned by households were study animals. Four PAs were selected from a total of 49 PAs purposively. Households (N=80) were randomly selected and interviewed from the four PAs 20 from each. Group discussion and observational studies were also conducted. 10-12 key respondents were selected for each PAs by the respective DAs and discussed for one hour. Clinical observation also made from November, 2006 to March, 2007. The production system was found to be mixed type with main livestock of cattle and goats. Most of the respondents were found to be non-educated. Health problems were mentioned and ranked by the respondents. The percentages of diseases were calculated based on the respondent frequency. Major livestock health problems in cattle are anthrax, blackleg, Pasteurellosis, FMD, enteritis, predators, tick and others; in camel pneumonia, skin disease, GIT parasite, enteritis and others; in small ruminants enteritis, Orf, circling disease, pasteurellosis, predators and others; in equines respiratory diseases, colic, GIT parasites, local swelling and others. The poultry respondents (n=45) mentioned and ranked NCD (Fengil), others were lice, mites, and fleas

Community awareness and experiences of health workers concerning mosquito-borne viral diseases in selected districts of Gambella Region, Southwestern Ethiopia

In this study, we assessed community awareness and experiences of health workers about mosquito-borne viral diseases in selected districts of the Gambella Region, South Western Ethiopia. A community and health facility-based qualitative study involving 11 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community dmembers and two FGDs with health workers was conducted between November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 122 community members and 16 health workers participated in the study. All the discussants mentioned malaria, typhoid fever, unknown causes of diarrhea and skin diseases as the major public health problems in the area. Using pictures of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, participants confirmed that both mosquitoes are present in the area. They identified Anopheles as the vector of malaria. However, community discussants could not mention the name of a disease that can be transmitted by Aedes mosquito though they mentioned that Aedes mosquito bites both humans and animals during the day time in forest areas and causes skin itching to humans. Meanwhile, community participants from Pakag, a village bordering South Sudan, expressed concern that Aedes mosquito can cause a malaria-like disease which can kill within a few days. Health workers from Itang health center described that in 2016, an outbreak of an unknown disease that causes fever and jaundice occurred and killed seven individuals in a village called Akula, which is closer to a South Sudan refugee camp. Overall, the findings showed that community members and health workers in the area do not have adequate information on mosquito-borne viral diseases. Creating awareness, improving laboratory services and further epidemiological studies would be important for early warning and preparedness for outbreaks in the area

‘Civilizing’ the pastoral frontier: land grabbing, dispossession and coercive agrarian development in Ethiopia

This paper analyzes frontier dynamics of land dispossessions in Ethiopia’s pastoral lowland regions. Through a case study of two sedentarization schemes in South Omo Valley, we illustrate how politics of coercive sedentarization are legitimated in the ‘civilizing’ impetus of ‘improvement schemes’ for ‘backward’ pastoralists. We study sedentarization schemes that are implemented to evict pastoralist communities from grazing land to be appropriated by corporate investors. It is argued that frontier imaginations of pastoral lowlands legitimate coercive practices of ‘emptying’ the lowlands for investments. ‘Improvement schemes’ enroll private investors and enterprises affiliated with Ethiopia’s ruling party in the politics of ‘thickening’ state presence in the pastoral frontier. Agricultural extension packages serve to expand state control over sedentarized pastoralists and make lowland resources more extractable, for investors and for the ruling regime