Correction: The effect of national antenatal care guidelines and provider training on obstetric danger sign counselling: a propensity score matching analysis of the 2014 Ethiopia service provision assessment plus survey.

After publication of this article [1], the authors reported that in the section ‘Sample size and selection process’ in the first sentence, the number ‘1237’ should have read ‘1327’. Moreover, reference [50] should have been replaced by [53]. References [54–87] were renumbered. The original article [1] has been corrected

Characterization of Menz and Afar indigenous sheep breeds of smallholders and pastoralists for designing community-based breeding strategies in Ethiopia

This study aimed at understanding of existing sheep breeding practices, identifying sheep breeding goals and characterizing the morphological and biometrical characters of Menz and Afar sheep breeds in their habitat as a step towards developing sustainable sheep breeding strategy. The study was conducted by implementing single visit questionnaire, observing and recording of sheep morphological characters, and by recording body weight and body measurements. The survey revealed that the mean sheep flock size per household was 31.6 in Menz and 23.0 in Afar area. Nearly half of the pastoralists in Afar area and one-fifth of smallholder farmers in Menz area do not have breeding ram. The survey revealed the predominance of uncontrolled mating, small flock size and less proportion of breeding male (especially in Afar sheep). Mixing of different sheep flocks within a village was varying by season in both production systems. When flocks are mixed, the inbreeding coefficient could be reduced by 86% in Menz and 78% in Afar sheep flocks. Menz and Afar rams were castrated at the age of 1.7 and 1.5 years, respectively. After castration sheep were kept for longer period of time, 1.9 years (range of 0.25 to 5 years) and 3.1 years (range of 1 to 6 years) for Menz and Afar sheep breeds, respectively. Appearance/conformation was the most important trait in choosing of breeding ram for both Menz and Afar sheep owners. Lambing interval and mothering ability in both crop-livestock and pastoral systems and milk yield in pastoral systems were important traits for the choice of breeding ewes. Sexual maturity age of Menz ram was 10.5 months whereas Afar ram attains sexual maturity at average age of 7.1 months. Age at first lambing, lambing interval, twining rate and lifetime productivity of Menz sheep were 470.1 days, 255.1 days, 1% and 9.3 lambs, respectively. The corresponding values for Afar sheep were 405.6 days, 270.5 days, 5%, 12.1 lambs, respectively. The average market age of male and female Menz sheep were 11.3 and 11.9 months, respectively. Afar sheep were marketed at average age of 6.7 and 8.4 months for male and females, respectively. Afar ewes had mean (standard deviation) milk yield of 224 (54) ml per day with lactation length ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 months. The purpose of keeping sheep in Menz area was to generate income followed by meat, manure, coarse wool and as means of saving, in that order. For Afar pastoralists milk production, meat consumption and income generation are the purposes for keeping sheep. In both production systems, feed shortage, frequent drought and disease were the most important sheep production constraints. Menz sheep are fat tailed (100%) and the tail was curved upward at the tip (99.5). Plain red, white and black coat colours were the dominant colours observed in Menz sheep with proportion of 29.3%, 21.6% and 15.8%, respectively. Almost all (99.1%) of the Menz ewes had no horn whereas most (92.3%) of the rams had horn. About 18.5% of the Menz rams had ruff (long hair around the neck region of the inner part) whereas females had no ruff. Menz rams had no wattle while 6.1% of the ewes had wattle. About 15.4% of the Menz sheep had rudimentary ear, 35.3% had short ear showing a tendency to incline downward and the remaining about half (49.3) of the sheep had larger and dropping/semi-pendulous ears. Afar sheep breed is fat tailed and the tail was curved upward having a wider tail both at the base and at the tip. The major (90%) coat colour of Afar sheep varies from white to light red; white with red patch along the back (41.9%), plain light red (30.9%), plain white (17.2%). Plain dark red accounted for 7% and the remaining few proportions were black, mixture of black and white; and dark grey. Almost all of the Afar sheep (99.2%) had straight head profile. Both sexes of Afar sheep breed are polled. About 2.4% of the female had wattle while all of the males had no wattle. The breed has no ruff, but dewlap is present in both sexes. Majority (78.6%) of the Afar sheep were short eared showing a tendency of inclination downwards and about 19.7% were with rudimentary ear. Long dropping ear found rarely (1.7%). Sex and age of the sheep had a significant (p<0.01) effect on body weight and many of the body measurements. Generally, body weight and measurements were higher for males and also increased as the age increased from the youngest or 0 pairs of permanent incisor (PPI) to the oldest age group (2 and above PPI). Body weight of mature (having 2 and above PPI) Menz ram and ewes were 24.9 ± 0.67 kg and 22.3 ± 0.13 kg, respectively. The corresponding values for Afar rams and ewes were 29.0 ± 0.84 and 24.5 ± 0.14 kg, respectively. Positive and highly significant (P<0.01) correlations were observed between body weight and most of the body measurements. Chest girth had consistently the highest correlation coefficient (0.81 to 0.97%) with body weight in all age groups of both sexes of Menz and Afar sheep. Chest girth also the first variable to enter in to the model of stepwise regression analysis in both males and females of Menz and Afar sheep breeds by explaining the highest variation than other measurement. Thus chest girth could be used for the prediction of body weight, could serve as indirect selection criteria for body weight or it could help to measure progress of selection. The prediction of body weight could be based on regression equation y = -23.42 + 0.67x for Menz rams, y = -23.29 + 0.67x for Menz ewes, y = -30.77 + 0.82x for Afar rams and y = -31.0 + 0.80x for Afar ewes, Where y and x are body weigh and chest girth, respectively. It was concluded that genetic improvement programs targeting smallholder farmers in mixed crop-livestock and in the pastoral production system need to incorporate trait preference of farmers/pastoralist, multipurpose role of sheep and the existing traditional herding and breeding practices

Amino-substituted naphthalene sulfonic acid/graphene composite as metal -free catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions

Composites of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conducting polymers synthesized from 8-amino-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid (8-ANSA), 5-amino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (5-ANSA), 2-amino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (2-ANSA), and 4-amino-1-naphthalene sulfonic (4-ANSA) were prepared for use as an electrocatalyst in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The electrocatalytic activities were examined in oxygen saturated 0.1 M KOH solution using cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry. The best performing polymer composite was found to be GC/poly(8-ANSA)/rGO, with an enhanced electrocatalytic activity over the rGO only and poly(8-ANSA) only films. More than 100 mV positive shift in the onset potential and 1.6 times increase in current density were observed. The catalytic activity of 2-ANSA, 4-ANSA, 5-ANSA, and 8-ANSA was also validated by density functional theory (DFT). Our calculations predict a much better catalytic activity for 8-ANSA than that of 2-ANSA, 4-ANSA, and 5-ANSA.               KEY WORDS: Poly(amino naphthalene sulfonic acid), Reduced graphene oxide, Oxygen reduction reaction, Electrocatalyst Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(2), 359-372.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i2.1

Genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis for yield and yield related traits of Kabuli-type Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia

Chickpea is the major pulse crop cultivated in Ethiopia. However, its production is constrained due to genotype instability and environmental variability. This research was carried out to examine the magnitude of environmental effect on yield of chickpea genotypes and to investigate the stability and adaptability of genotypes under different agro-ecologies. Seventeen (17) genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in five locations. Various stability indices were used to assess stability and genotype by environment performances. Combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) for yield and yield components revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) differences for genotypes, environments and their interaction. The significant interaction showed genotypes respond differently across environments. At Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Debre Zeit, Dembia and Haramaya, top performing genotype were DZ-2012-CK-0001 (2933 kg/ha), Arerti (3219 kg/ha), Arerti (3560 kg/ha) DZ-2012-CK-0013 (2675 kg/ha) and Arerti (2019 kg/ha), respectively. The first two PCs explained 74.45% of the variance. Based on ASV value, DZ-2012-CK-0002 were most stable genotypes. As per AMMI biplot, Arerti and DZ-10-4 were most widely adapted genotypes. Dembia and Haramaya were most discriminative environments for genotypes. Debre Zeit and Chefe Donsa were favorable environment for genotype. Genotypes DZ-2012-CK-0004, DZ-2012-CK-0010, DZ-2012-CK-0013, DZ-2012-CK-0007 and DZ-10-4 are recommendable to Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Debre Zeit, Dembia and Haramya, respectively.Keywords: AMMI, ASV, clustering, phenologic traits, Kabuli, univariate statistics.Abbreviation: E, Environments; G, genotypes; RCBD, randomized complete block design.

Delay in initiating tuberculosis treatment and factors associated among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in East Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Background: Delay in treatment is also likely to be associated with a greater number of secondary cases per index case. Objective: to assess the length of patient and health system delays; and identify factors influencing these delays among pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 13 selected government health facilities that provide both diagnostic and treatment services using Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) program. Data were collected from pulmonary TB patients aged 15 years and above during their intensive phase of DOTS treatment using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The median total delay was 90 days; with 28 days patient delay and 42 days health system delay. A large proportion (63%) of the overall total delay was contributed by health system delay. Patients from urban areas were 46% more likely to present to health care providers than patients from rural areas, adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.10 - 1.95). Patients from urban areas were 54% more likely to be diagnosed and start treatment earlier than patients from rural areas, AHR of 1.54 (95% CI: 1.15-2.07). Female patients were more delayed to present to health providers than their male counterparts with AHR of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.47–0.84) but had shorter health system delay than male patients with AHR of 1.51 (95% CI: 1.1-22.04). Conclusion: A greater proportion of the overall total delay was contributed by health system delay. The health system should be more accessible for the unmet need. New approaches to make health services more accessible to those in greatest need (rural and women) should be designed and developed.The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (2) 2007: pp. 148-15

Duration of low temperature storage, clove topping and gibberellic acid on garlic sprouting and seedling vigor

Dormancy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) creates a problem in use of freshly harvested garlic bulbs. Thus, pre-planting treatment of garlic cloves is an important agronomic concern for inducing and improving sprouting behavior of garlic. Glasshouse experiment was conducted at Haramaya University to evaluate the effect of cold storage (7°C) durations (10, 20, 30 days and one stored at room temperature that is 21°C for 30 days), clove topping (whole and cut) and gibberellic acid concentrations (0, 125, 250 and 375 mg/l) and distilled water treatment as second control on sprouting behavior of improved garlic variety (‘Tseday’). The treatments were laid out in factorial arrangement with three replications using completely randomized design (CRD). For cloves stored at ambient temperature (0 day) and non-topped, gibberellic acid application (250 and 375 mg/l) showed a significant increase in sprouting percentage, speed of sprouting and shoot dry mass of garlic as compared to 125mg/l GA3 treated and the controls. On the other hand, for topped cloves stored at ambient temperature (0 day), 10 and 20 days cold storage, gibberellic acid treatment did not show a significant influence on these characteristics as compared to the controls. The interaction effect of 30 days cold stored and topped cloves significantly increased pseudo-stem height (40.51%) compared to the lowest values recorded for the non-cold treated and non-topped cloves. The 30 days cold stored and topped cloves soaked in water significantly increased sprouting percentage over the period of 19 days after planting, speed of sprouting (four fold) and above ground shoot dry mass (79.41%) compared to the lowest values recorded for the non-cold treated and non-topped cloves not soaked in water and gibberellic acid (GA3). Hence, it can be concluded that 30 days cold storage, topping and soaking in water could enhance early sprouting of the garlic variety tested under glasshouse condition.Keywords: Clove topping, Dormancy, Garlic, Gibberellic acid, Sprouting percentage, Storage condition

Health Extension Workers' diagnostic accuracy for common childhood illnesses in four regions of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: The Ethiopian primary care of sick children is provided within the integrated Community Case Management of childhood illnesses by Health Extension Workers (HEW). There is limited knowledge whether this cadre correctly assess and classify common diseases. The aim was to study their ability to correctly classify common childhood illnesses. METHODS: A survey was conducted from December 2016 to February 2017 in four regions of Ethiopia. Observations of the HEWs' assessment and classification of sick children were followed by child re-examination by a trained health officer. RESULTS: The classification by the HEWs of 620 sick children as compared to the re-examiner had a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 94% for diarrhoea, sensitivity 52% and specificity 91% for febrile disorders, and a sensitivity of 59% and specificity of 94% for acute respiratory tract infection. Malnutrition and ear infection had a sensitivity of 39 and 61%, and a specificity of 99 and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most cases of diarrhoea were correctly classified, while other illnesses were not frequently identified. The identification of malnutrition was especially at fault. These findings suggest that a significant number of sick children were undiagnosed that could lead to absent or incorrect management and treatment

Effects of Salinity and Mycorrhizal Inoculation (Glomus fasciculatum) on Growth Responses of Grape Rootstocks (Vitis spp.)

A pilot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soil salinity and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizalfungus (Glomus fasciculatum) on growth (shoot length, leaf number, internode length, and total dry weight), sporecount and root colonisation of grape rootstocks (Salt Creek, St. George, Dogridge and 1613). Analysis of varianceresults revealed that increasing salinity reduces growth, spore count and root colonisation, with St. George rootstockshowing the highest reduction. Although all rootstocks responded positively to mycorrhizal inoculation, the extentof host preference varied significantly. Dogridge was the least preferred, while the 1613 rootstock was the mostpreferred. The arbuscular fungal symbiosis increased vegetative growth, with 1613 attaining the highest growthunder saline conditions. All the inoculated rootstocks exhibited longer internodes, indicating the beneficial roleof mycorrhizal inoculation for improving plant growth and salt tolerance. Based on overall growth and total drymatter accumulation, the salt tolerance ranking of the four rootstocks, in decreasing order, was Dogridge, SaltCreek, 1613 and St. George