Public-Private-Partnership in Ethiopia: The Inclusive Modality in Tourism Investment

Public Private Partnership has gradually been becoming an operational concept attracting both Public and Private sectors in Ethiopia. The need for PPP has already been captured as an agenda since 1992 appearing in strategic government documents. Moreover, PPP has been institutionalized by issuing relevant Proclamations based on the priorities of the government. Nevertheless, in spite of the huge potential, the implementation of PPP has been very low in the tourism Industry. Therefore, this study sought to critically assess the alluring promises and the grim realities on the ground to ensure the applicability of PPP initiatives in Ethiopia‘s tourism. It examined the status of PPP application in tourism sector based on the conventional critical success factors. Hence, both quantitative and qualitative data types were used. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were also used. All available government documents and relevant empirical studies on PPP were also used as secondary sources. The method of data analysis used in this study is concurrent mixed method. The findings of the study generally indicate the need for fundamental changes in perceptions and policy directions about PPP across the tourism Industry to co-up with the national, global and regional dynamics. It captures the fact that the concept of PPP is not well understood across the sectors. Moreover, there is lack of awareness on the existing PPP legal frameworks which indicates the need for extensive policy dialogue .It proves the existence of Potential Investment areas in tourism that are appropriate for PPP with a possibility of implementing PPP initiatives inclusive of different stakeholders. Generally it implies that there is a positive attitude toward PPP in the tourism sector and a growing need for it. In spite of the existing potential and commitment to ensure development, it apparently recognizes the existence of restraining factors for PPP in the tourism sector. The mean Ranking and test results have revealed the existing differences between the opinions of the two sectors on major restraining factors that have been contributing to the stagnation of PPP application in the sector. The study found out that all the six restraining factors used in the study are seriously felt by the private actors in tourism indicating the huge task awaiting the Ethiopian government to strategically use private finance and knowledge to ease its burden of providing tourism infrastructure. Keywords: Public-Private-Partnership, Tourism Infrastructure, Tourism Services and Inclusive PP

Perceptions and experiences of people in Gambella region of Ethiopia on Guinea worm disease eradication interventions

Introduction: Guinea worm disease (GWD) is a painful, disabling disease caused by the parasite dracunculus medinensis. The implementation of the global GWD eradication campaign resulted in a decrease of global burden of disease and several countries have been proclaimed free of the disease. Though, Ethiopia has implemented the GWD eradication programme since 1992 the disease remains endemic in the Gambella region. Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of the community of Gambella region on Guinea worm disease (GWD) eradication interventions. Methodology: A qualitative study paradigm with a phenomenological research design was employed to collect data using focus group discussions, in-depth individual interviews, document reviews, and observations. The study participants were determined by purposive sampling. Qualitative data analysis involved transcription, data entry, and management of verbal information followed by coding, categorizing into themes. Interpretation of the data was done using triangulation methodology with appropriate mechanisms for validity and trustworthiness. Result: The study found that there are gaps in the perceptions and understanding of the community and programme implementers about the achievement and application of the various interventions on the eradication of Guinea worm disease. Health education programme was not fine-tuned to the eradication of GWD by community participation. Community perception was not at the required level for the eradication of GWD due to the low success of the educational intervention. Conclusion: continuous health education targeting the community with clear objectives of helping to eradicate GWD was found to be limited in its coverage. In addition, provision of water filters necessary for GWD eradication was inadequate. Moreover, the community did not have clear understanding of the causes of GWD and its eradication strategy. It is hoped that the findings of this study would contribute significantly to the GWEP in Gambella region, as well as elsewhere where GWD may be endemicHealth StudiesM.A. (Public Health

Prediction of genetic gains for breeding objective traits and designing selection schemes for Washera and Gumuz indigenous sheep

In Ethiopia,there are 32.85 millions of sheep,more than 99 % of which are indigenous.However,the productivity of local sheep under traditional production system is low with high mortality of sheep.There are two ways of improving performance of sheep and goats,namely improving the enviroment of animals and/or improving there genetic potential.The aim of this study was to predict genetic gains of breedingobjective traits and select the best sheep selection scheme for Gumuz andWashera sheep. Body size(six month weight and yearling weight) and litter size were breeding objective traits identified by own flock animal ranking experiment and personal interview. Deterministic approach of ZPLAN computor program is used for modeling input parametres of Gumuz and Washera sheep and simulating breeding plans using gene flow method and selection index procedures. One-tier cooperative sheep breeding scheme were proposed whereby ram exchange between and within villages is the main means of genetic dissimination. Genetic gains predicted for six month weight of Gumuz and Washera sheep were 0.43 and 0.55 kg,respectively. Genetic gains predicted for yearling weight of Gumuz and Washera sheep were 0.55 and 0.60 kg,respectively. Genetic gains predicted for litter  size of Gumuz and Washera sheep were 0.08 and 0.09 lambs,respectively. The lower rate of inbreeding, the higher monetary genetic gain for aggregate genotype,higher return to investmnet and higher profit/ewe/year were quality measures of breeding program considered to prefer scheme 4 for both Gumuz and Washera sheep.Hence,for both Gumuz and Washera sheep populations a sheep selection scheme designed with 15 % selection proportion and one year ram use for breeding was recommended. Special emphasis need to be given to yearling weight with higher predicted genetic response and higher percentage return to investment

Trend of visceral leishmaniasis at Medicine Sans Frontier´s Abdurafi Treatment Center, West Armachiho District, Ethiopia, 2009-2015, a retrospective descriptive analysis

Introduction: Leishmaniasis currently threatens 350 million men, women and children around the world. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal parasitic disease mostly prevalent in low land areas VL typically affects migrant agricultural workers. Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the Leishmaniasis donovani complex, which includes Leishmaniasis donovani and Leishmaniasis infantum. An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis occur worldwide each year. This study aims to understand the trend, magnitude and mortality of visceral leishmaniasis at MSF Abdurafi treatment center during the period (2009-2015). Methods: Retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted on monthly kala-azar report of MSF Abderafi treatment center in West Armachiho district. We included a total of 11680 patients screened for leishmaniasis in 2009-2015. We entered and analyzed data using Microsoft Excel. Results: Among 11680 patients screened for kalazar in the study period (2009-2015), 2131 were primary kalazar cases, 198 kalazar were relapse and 19 were post kalazar dermal leishmaniasis. The case fatality of kalazar ranged from 0.9% (4/469) in 2014 to 7.4% (22/296) in 2013. The highest cure rate was (96%) in 2015, and the least was (89%) in 2009. The total case fatality rate during study period was 4% (92/2263). The highest HIV/Kala-azar coinfection rate was 15% in 2009 and the lowest was 4.8% in 2014. Conclusion: Visceral leishmaniasis was highly prevalent in the study area. There was high kala-azar mortality rate and majority of deaths were unrecognized. Prevalence rate of VL-HIV co-infection and relapse was higher at MSF Abdurafi kalazar treatment center in West Armachiho district. Ministry of health should strengthen prevention and control mechanisms of kala-azar. Ministry of health and MSF Holland should conduct further studies on the cause of death among kala-azar patients, because there may be drug toxicity or other complications

Effect of Crossbreeding Indigenous Sheep with Awassi and Corriedale Sires on Reproductive Performance under Smallholder Production System in Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding on reproductive performance. A village based sheep crossbreeding project has been implemented since 1998 in three villages in the South Wollo, Menz and Chacha districts in Ethiopia. Crossbred rams (3/4 Awassi x 1/4 Local) were supplied to a group of farmers aiming to upgrading the indigenous genotype through backcrossing. The combined levels of location and genotype, year, season and parity had significant effects on the reproductive performance of ewes. Generally, local genotypes showed better (p<0.05) reproductive performance except for number of lambs weaned per ewe per year. The interaction of genotype and location was significant for age at first lambing and lambing interval. In Wollo, Corriedale x local crossbred ewes had similar reproductive performance to that of the local breed. The variation in reproductive performance among locations indicated the importance of delineating crossbreeding areas depending on environmental situation and farmers’ capacity

Comparison of agglutinatio test, microscopy and nPCR for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from sheep and goat of Central Ethiopia

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most globally widespread zoonoses with considerable health and economic impacts. Toxoplasmosis is conventionally diagnosed by serology. Bioassay is used for isolating strains of T. gondii, for assessing their pathogenicity in mice or for further molecular detection and genotyping. The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of microscopic cyst detection (MCD) and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) with nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) for the detection of T. gondii infection in mice (n=399) inoculated with heart tissue homogenates from seropositive sheep (n=4 7) and goats (n=44) in Central Ethiopia. Comparison of the diagnosis of T. gondii infection using DAT, MCD and nPCR revealed positive results on 30.58%, 28.82% and 53.13% of mice examined, respectively. There was a substantial agreement between DAT and MCD (Kappa = 0.69) for evidence of T. gondii infection in mice. Moderate agreement was observed between nPCR and MCD (Kappa = 0.43) and nPCR and DAT (Kappa= 0.47). Nested-PCR is more sensitive to diagnose T. gondii infection in mice compared to DAT (Sensitivity= 53.3%; specificity= 95.2%) and MCD (Sensitivity = 49.5%; specificity = 94. 7%), however, the joint use of the three techniques increased the sensitivity of detection. This is the first report on nPCR based detection of T. gondii DNA in mice infected with tissue homogenates of sheep and goats of Ethiopia.Keywords: Bioassay, DAT, Ethiopia, Microscopic cyst detection, nPCR, Toxoplasmagondi

Ecological Status of Hot Springs in Eastern Amhara Region: Macroinvertebrates Diversity

 Springs are the places where ground water is discharged at specific locations. They vary dramatically as to the type of water they discharge. Hot springs is having the temperature of the water lies significantly above the mean of annual air temperature of that region. Temperature is one of the most important factors that govern species abundance and distribution. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between biological parameters (macroinvertebrate diversity) with physicochemical water and habitat quality of hot springs in Easter Amhara Region. A cross-sectional study of physical, chemical and biological components of the hot springs was carriedout to assess their ecological status. Samples were collected from March to May 2013. Biological samples were collected to provide a qualitative description of the community composition at each sampling site. Water samples were collected for analysis of selected physicochemical parameters following water quality assessment protocols. A total of 1095 macroinvertebrates classified into 10 orders and 31 families of macroinvertebrates were collected from the 12 sampling sites. The most abundant orders were Diptera 49.90%, Odonata 15.53%, Coleopteran 12.97%, and Ephmeropetra 9.5% represented by 14 families. Macroinvertebrate taxa were absent at B1 and H1 sites with the temperature of 72 0C and 70 0C respectively. However, in this study, the macroinvertebrate taxa (Chironomidae and Hydrobiidae) were found within a temperature of 52 oC at S1 and H1 sites. The results are also revealed that as the temperature gradient declines, the macroinvertebrate diversity flourished.Due to this fact, both macroinvertebrate diversity and family biotic index were negatively correlated with temperature and the correlations were significant. Human disturbance and habitant conditions varied considerably among sites in the study area. Although human disturbance and water pollution are among the factors influencing ecological quality, the strong correlations between water temperature and species diversity suggest that temperature is the major environmental gradient affecting aquatic biodiversity in hot springs

Minimum acceptable diet and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Lalibela, northeast Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

The first 2 years of life are a critical window of opportunity for ensuring optimal child growth and development. In Ethiopia, the magnitude of the minimum acceptable diet ranges from 7 to 74⋅6 %. The evidence revealed the variation and unrelated data on the prevalence of minimum acceptable diet. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the minimum acceptable diet and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Lalibela town administration, northeast Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Lalibela town administration, northeast Ethiopia among 387 mothers/caregivers with children aged 6–23 months from May 1 to 30, 2022. The data were entered by Epidata version 3.1 and analysed by SPSS version 25.0. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with minimum acceptable diet. The degrees of association were assessed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval and P-value of 0⋅05. The magnitude of minimum acceptable diet in the study area was 16⋅7 % (95 % confidence interval: 12⋅8–20⋅6 %). Sex of child, getting infant and young child feeding counselling at antenatal care, infant feeding practice-related knowledge and childhood illness are the variables that were found to be an independent predictor of minimum acceptable diet. Health facilities should strengthen infant feeding counselling starting from antenatal care visits during pregnancy for the recommended minimum acceptable diet is crucial

Prevalence, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from dogs of Ambo, Bako and Gojo towns of West Shoa, Ethiopia

Salmonella is the most known zoonotic bacterial agent, which produces salmonellosis in animals as wells as in humans. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence, to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and to assess risk factors associated with Salmonella shedding in dogs in selected towns of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 438 rectal swab samples were collected from randomly selected dogs for isolation and identification of Salmonella using standard procedures. A questionnaire survey was also administered. The results showed that 48 (11.0%, 95%, [CI]: 8.2% - 14.3 %) dogs were positive for Salmonella. The occurrenceof Salmonella was 10.9% (26/238), 11.6% (15/129) and 9.9% (7/71) in Ambo, Bako and Gojo towns respectively. Salmonella shedding was significantly higher in older dogs (15.0%) than younger ones (6.1 %) (P&lt;0.05). The occurrence of Salmonella was not significantly associated with study towns, sex, breed of dogs,educational level of owners, presence of other domestic animals and housing system (P&gt;0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of isolation of Salmonella was significantly higher in old than young dogs (OR): 2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-5.6, P=0.007) and in dogs eating mixed type of feeds (raw animal products, household leftover) than cooked feed (OR = 9.0, 95% CI: 1.2 – 68.1, P=0.033). There was also a significant difference between kebeles of the study areas in that Salmonella isolation was nearly nine times higher in Bako Kebele 02 (P=0.005) as compared to Ambo kebele 03. Salmonella isolates have developed the highest level of resistance for ampicillin (100%), tetracycline  (93.3%) and streptomycin (80.0 %), however, all isolates were susceptible to Norfloxacin. The occurrence of Salmonella, most of which resistant to commonly used antimicrobials, in rectal swab samples show the potential threat dogs may pose to public health in the study area.Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Dog; Ethiopia; Prevalence; Risk factor; Salmonell