Intestinal helminth infections and dietary diversity score predict nutritional status of urban schoolchildren from southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a major public health problem in developing countries like Ethiopia where schoolchildren are among the vulnerable groups. However, limited attention has been given for the nutritional status of schoolchildren including the lack of available evidence on the magnitude and modifiable risk factors in different parts of the country. Thus, we aimed at determining the magnitude and predictors of undernutrition among schoolchildren in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April, 2014 involving 532 schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years. A two-stage probability sampling procedure was applied to select study schools and subjects. Anthropometry measurements were taken using standardized techniques and calibrated equipment. Intestinal parasite infections were determined from stool samples using direct saline method and formal ether concentration technique; whereas data on demographic and relevant risk factors were gathered through structured interview of caretakers. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of stunting and wasting in the study population. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting and wasting were 26.0% (95% CI: 22.3, 30.1%) and 11.7% (95% CI: 9.1, 14.9%), respectively. In multivariable model, poor household wealth [AOR (95% CI) = 3.2 (1.2, 8.5)], living in large family [AOR (95% CI) = 2.3 (1.0, 5.1)], lack of maternal formal education [AOR (95% CI) = 4.1 (1.8, 9.4)], low Dietary Diversity Score [AOR (95% CI) = 2.3 (1.2, 4.7)], A. lumbricoides [AOR (95% CI) = 5.0 (2.7, 9.4)], hookworm [AOR (95% CI) = 8.0 (4.0, 15.8)] and T. trichuria [AOR (95% CI) = 6.3 (2.8, 14.1)] infections were associated with stunting. Wasting status was independently associated with not living with both parents [AOR (95% CI) = 2.0 (1.0, 4.1)], poor household wealth [AOR (95% CI) = 8.9 (2.0, 39.2)], and recent illnesses [AOR (95% CI) = 6.3 (3.1, 12.6)]. CONCLUSIONS: Both acute and chronic malnutrition are prevalent among schoolchildren in the study area where intestinal parasite infections, poor dietary quality and common illnesses are important modifiable risk factors. A comprehensive school-based health and nutrition intervention involving parents may help to alleviate the problem including regular deworming and promotion of personal hygiene and balanced diet

The role of urban agriculture towards livelihood and food security

Urban agriculture plays a major role in providing food and income in cities. It also serves as a tool for poverty alleviation. Any agricultural activities including crop and vegetable growing, animal rearing, beekeeping, dairy and poultry farms practiced at backyards, open spaces, river banks and small farm lands in peri-urban areas are considered as urban agriculture. This study quantifies cultivated land size in Addis Ababa city and explores the contribution of urban agriculture to livelihood and food security of the actors in the city. The study primarily uses ArcMap and Google Earth software to quantify Addis Ababa’s land used for urban agriculture. Questionnaire interview, Key Informants Interview (KII), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and observation are employed as primary data collection methods complemented by secondary data obtained by reviewing documents related literature. This study finds that 22% of Addis Ababa’s land is covered with cultivated land whereas water, one of agricultural activities major inputs, constitutes only 1% of the city’s land. The study also finds that urban agriculture is the main source of food and income for the sample households of the study. Furthermore, urbanization, unskilled agricultural practices, lack of collaborative action and networking, as well as inadequate water and irrigation schemes have been identified as main determinants of urban agriculture in the city

Status of Native Woody Species Regeneration in the Plantation Stands of Yeraba Priority State Forest, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The type of species, diversity, density, similarity and status of naturally regenerated woody plants under monoculture plantation stands of four exotic species (Eucalyptus globules, Cupressus lustanica, Acacia decurrence and Acacia melanoxylon) and the adjacent natural forest stand were investigated and compared to verify the hypothesis that plantation stands of exotic species can foster natural regeneration and to determine the status of regeneration and succession. A total of forty quadrate plots, with an area of 100m2 (10 m × 10 m) for each, were established in all stands, i.e. eight plots in each plantation stand and the adjacent natural forest, independently. In each plot, naturally regenerated native species name and abundance were recorded. And numerical data on numbers of seedling were collected in a sub-plot (1m2) lay within each major plot. A total of 31 species which belongs to 23 families were recorded. The diversity of understory woody plant regenerated species (H’) is 1.96, 1.80, 1.81, and 1.53 in the Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus globules, Acacia melanoxylon, and Acacia decurrence plantations respectively and 2.05 in the natural forest stand. The density was 5790, 1510, 1090, 2590 and stems/ha in Cupressus lustanica, Acacia melanoxylon, Eucalyptus globules and Acacia decurrence plantations respectively, and 7950 stems/ha in the natural forest stand. Relatively high similarity of regenerated woody species composition (0.625) was found between the under-growths of the Euc. globules and Ac. melanoxylon plantation stands. There is disturbed status of natural regeneration and succession in all stands. The findings revealed that there is significant difference in undergrowth and succession between upper story species, mainly due to crown characteristics and stand density. Generally, plantation forests can foster natural regeneration and succession provided that there is an adjacent seed source and dispersal agents, and an appropriate management to protect the regeneration. Keywords: natural regeneration; woody species diversity, plantation forest, Yeraba state fores

Productivity, land–use efficiency and competition in bread wheat-sweet lupine intercropping system under additive series in Northwest Ethiopia

Food production on continuously declining agricultural land to feed the ever-increasing population is a severe issue in Ethiopia. The present study was therefore initiated to evaluate inter and intra-row spacing on yield performance, land-use efficiency and competition in bread wheat-sweet lupine additive series intercropping system. Field experiments were conducted for 2 years in Adet and Debre Tabor experimental sites. The treatments consisted of three inter-rows spacing and 3 intra-rows spacing of sweet lupine. Moreover, the sole crop of wheat and lupine were also included as controls. The experiments were laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the combination of 20 cm inter-row spacing with 10 cm intra-row spacing of sweet lupine in bread wheat-sweet lupine intercropping system gave the highest total yield of 4.36 t ha-1 and 4.75 t ha-1 at Adet and Debre Tabor respectively; the land equivalent ratio of 1.43 and 1.57 at Adet and Debre Tabor respectively. System productivity index of 4.96 and 5.88 at Adet and Debre Tabor respectively. Gross monetary value of 2511.26 and 2752.19 USD ha-1 at Adet and Debre Tabor experimental sites respectively. Gross monetary value was generally higher for intercrops than sole cropping systems in both locations; it is linked to intercropping yield and economic benefits compared to sole cropping. Farmers in the study area and areas with similar agroecology are recommended to intercrop sweet lupine with bread wheat at 20 cm inter-row spacing with 10 cm intra-row spacing of sweet lupine

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and its health impacts: a review

Worldwide tobacco smoking kills nearly 6 million people each year, including more than600,000 non-smokers who die from smoke exposure. Tobacco smoke is a toxic and carcinogenic mixture of more than 5,000 chemicals. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, is the combination of side stream smoke, the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product and mainstream smoke, the smoke exhaled by smokers. Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke is detrimental to health which may pose a health risks to nonsmokers. Epidemiological data suggest that exposure to ETS may increase the risk of developing lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, intrauterine growth retardation, predisposition to chronic lung disease, sudden infant death syndrome and is a risk factor for childhood asthma. The human populations most at risk from ETS exposure appear to be neonates, young children, and possibly the fetus while in uterus. The effects of ETS on human health are well-known, passive smoking is harmful to those who breathe the toxins and it is a serious problem for public health. Therefore, the decrease in smoking prevalence could provide substantial health gains in humans. This article reviews information on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) particles that are of potential interest to scientists and professionals involved in exposure or risk assessment, epidemiology, or tobacco policy and to compile effective ways of reducing exposure in order to contribute to the wellbeing of human.Keywords: Environmental Tobacco Smoke, side stream smoke, main Stream smoke, tobacco

Socio-cultural factors contributing to the differential HIV statuses between Agnuak and Nuer communities in Fugnido refugee camp, Ethiopia

According to the 2005 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey, HIV prevalence in Gambella region where Fugnido refugee camp is located is 6%, which is the highest prevalence data recorded in the country. Similarly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Health Information System (HIS) demonstrates that Fugnido has the highest HIV prevalence compared to other refugee camps in Ethiopia and furthermore shows variation in prevalence among the two main ethnic groups in the camp, namely Agnuak and Nuer (about 8.5% and 2.3% respectively). The study seeks to investigate why a significant difference exists in the number of people with known HIV positive status among the Agnuak community compared to the Nuer community in the Fugnido refugee camp in Ethiopia. It does this by investigating factors that are presumed to explain HIV high risk-behaviour and vulnerability. This was a cross-sectional study of Agnuak and Nuer tribes living at the Fugnido refugee camp. The sampled population involved men and women refugees from the ages of 15 to 49 years. The study used a mixed method approach or methodological triangulation. Cluster sampling technique was used for the quantitative data collection. The sample size was 831 refugees (439 Agnuak and 390 Nuer). Seven (7) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 3 Key Informant (KI) interviews was used for the qualitative data collection. Findings show that the Agnuak were almost 4 times (OR=3.8, 95% CI [1.9-7.4] p < 0.05) more likely to practice risky behaviour compared to 0.3 times (OR=0.3, 95% CI [0.1- 0.9] p < 0.05) likelihood among the Nuer refugees. Factors associated with differences in risky behaviour for both Agnuak and Nuer included, inter alia, primary education as the highest level of education attained, 50% among the Agnuak (OR=0.5, 95% CI [0.3-0.8] p < 0.05), compared to Nuer community’s 30% (OR=0.3, 95% CI [0.2-0.6] p < 0.05). Access to HIV and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services was lower for the Agnuak (OR=1.8, 95% CI [1.1-2.9] p < 0.05) compared to the Nuer (OR=2.9, 95% CI [1.6-5.1] p < 0.05). Unlike the Nuer refugees, the Agnuak refugees who had experienced forced sex (OR=7.3, 95% CI [2.9-18.8] p < 0.05) and had a positive attitude (lack of or reduced stigma) towards HIV (OR=2.1, 95% CI [1.3-3.7] p < 0.05) were more positively associated with risky 6 behaviour (than the Nuer). The Nuer had no factor associated with risky behaviour that was different from that of the Agnuak. The study revealed more Agnuak refugees than Nuer refugees had been engaged in risky sexual behaviour by having multiple sex partners and being involved in transactional sex. The Nuer was more closed and reserved to having sexual relations outside of their group than the Agnuak were which contributed to their relatively lower HIV prevalence. Furthermore, there was very low condom use among the Nuer community compared to the Agnuak community, which was based on differential attitudes between the two communities concerning trust of partner and monogamous relations. The study findings recommend that humanitarian workers and community partners need to collaborate to develop congruent HIV interventions that go beyond traditional strategies of distributing condoms and focus on correct and consistent use of condoms in the camp. Humanitarian and community workers’ understanding the socioeconomic context of the communities and the influence of cultural and other factors, including behaviour with intervention strategies,could also curb the epidemic.SociologyM.A. (Sociology

The Chemistry of Khat and Adverse Effect of Khat Chewing

The leaves of khat shrub have a stimulating effect, and the chewing of this material has been practiced for many centuries in certain areas of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Khat is widely consumed among the youth of Ethiopia; especially among high school, College and University students as well as drivers. The active ingredient of khat responsible for its psycho stimulant effect is an alkaloid chemical known as cathinone, which is structurally and chemically similar to d-amphetamine, and cathine, a milder form of cathinone. Cathinone is a highly potent stimulant, which produces central nervous system stimulation analogous to the effect of amphetamine. The major effects of khat chewing include those on the gastro-intestinal system and on the nervous system. The negative effects of khat also include increased blood pressure, tachycardia, insomnia, anorexia, constipation, urine retention, irritability and impaired sexual potency in men. This review highlights the chemistry of khat, the health, social and economical aspects of khat chewing particularly in Ethiopia.

Cost-effectiveness of facility-based, stand-alone and mobile-based voluntary counseling and testing for HIV in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Globally, there is a consensus to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, and one of the strategies to achieve this target is that 90% of people living with HIV should know their HIV status. Even if there is strong evidence of clients’ preference for testing in the community, HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) continue to be undertaken predominantly in health facilities. Hence, empirical cost-effectiveness evidence about different HIV counseling and testing models is essential to inform whether such community-based testing are justifiable compared with additional resources required. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of facility-based, stand-alone and mobile-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing methods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Annual economic costs of counseling and testing methods were collected from the providers’ perspective from July 2016 to June 2017. Ingredients based bottom-up costing approach was applied. The effectiveness of the interventions was measured in terms of the number of HIV seropositive clients identified. Decision tree modeling was built using TreeAge Pro 2018 software, and one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying HIV positivity rate, costs, and probabilities. Results: The cost of test per client for facility-based, stand-alone and mobile-based VCT was USD 5.06, USD 6.55 and USD 3.35, respectively. The unit costs of test per HIV seropositive client for the corresponding models were USD 158.82, USD 150.97 and USD 135.82, respectively. Of the three models, stand-alone-based VCT was extendedly dominated. Mobile-based VCT costs, an additional cost of USD 239 for every HIV positive client identified when compared to facility-based VCT. Conclusion: Using a mobile-based VCT approach costs less than both the facility-based and stand-alone approaches, in terms of both unit cost per tested individual and unit cost per HIV seropositive cases identified. The stand-alone VCT approach was not cost-effective compared to facility-based and mobile-based VCT. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for mobile-based VCT compared with facility-based VCT was USD 239 per HIV positive case.publishedVersio