Assessment of Factors Affecting Sales Volume: A Case Study of Mesfin Industrial Engineering PLC

This project paper entitled “Assessment of Factors Affecting Sales Volume: A Case Study of Mesfin industrial engineering PLC” has been formulated by five leading research questions. The objective of this study is to assess the internal and external environmental factors affecting sales volume of Mesfin Industrial Engineering PLC. Taking this view in to account, the internal factors like price, product quality, place, and promotion mix elements, level of inventory of MIE has been discussed. In addition to this, the external environmental factors like natural, economical, technological, political-legal ,and the nature of competition in the market have been assessed &described and also the way these factors are affecting the company has been described. Further more, the sales trend of the company and the type of promotion tools that company employ have been assessed. Finally, based on the findings, some suggestions on how to improve the existing situation have been forwarded. This study was conducted using the case study method in the form of descriptive research. To carry out this study both primary and secondary data have been used. For the theoretical foundation and analysis, the existing literatures were investigated. To collect the primary data from the customers of the company, questionnaire has been employed. In addition to this, an interview was conducted face-to-face and questions were asked according to the interview schedule. It was carried out in the form of discussion with the sales division manager and the general manager of the company. For the purpose of this study both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained. The quantitative data were analyzed using different types of descriptive statistics by applying Microsoft Excel where as qualitative data were analyzed qualitatively .The major findings that the researcher has come up with are poor delivery, no close proximity with suppliers of raw materials, no sales professionals, absence of adequate training to sales persons and higher price. Further more, the company employees advertising as a method of promotion tool where as sales promotion and public relation are not extensively used. Personal selling as a promotional tool is not well used and nothing has been done on this area. The company’s sales volume was fluctuating for the last eight years due to longer lead time, interruption of electric power, lack of order from customers and shortage of raw materials. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher has put valuable recommendations on what the company should do to improve its existing conditions and to play a great role in the metal manufacturing industry

Correction to: Risk factors of premature rupture of membranes in public hospitals at Mekele city, Tigray, a case control study

Following publication of the original article [1], the author reported that his name was misspelled. The original article has been corrected. Incorrect name: Gidiom Gebrehet Correct name: Gdiom Gebrehea

Risk factors of premature rupture of membranes in public hospitals at Mekele city, Tigray, a case control study

Abstract Background The incidence of premature rupture of membranes ranges from about 5% to 10% of all deliveries. A woman with premature rupture of membranes is at risk of intra-amniotic infection, postpartum infection, endometritis, and death. A neonate born from premature rupture of membranes mother is at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage and death. Little is known regarding the risk factors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify risk factors of premature rupture of membranes among pregnant women admitted to public hospitals in Mekelle city, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods Hospital based unmatched case control study design was implemented on 240 samples (160 controls and 80 cases) from pregnant mothers admitted to public hospitals in Mekelle city from February – April/2016. Data was collected by interviewer administered Structured questionnaire and checklist. Binary logistic regression model was used to see the association between dependent and independent variables and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of premature rupture of membranes. Results A total of 160 controls and 80 cases were enrolled in the study. Multivariable logistic regression showed that history of abortion [AOR 3.06 (CI: 1.39, 6.71)], history of PROM [AOR 4.45 (CI: 1.87, 10.6)], history of caesarean section [AOR 3.15(CI: 1.05, 9.46)] and abnormal vaginal discharge in the index pregnancy [AOR 3.31(CI: 1.67, 6.56)] were positively associated with premature rupture of membranes. Conclusions Past obstetric history and risks in the index pregnancy have an association with premature rupture of membranes. The finding of the study suggests early identification and treatment of genitourinary infection

Survival status and predictors of mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to general hospitals of Tigray, North Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective Despite the presence standard protocol for management of severe acute malnutrition case-fatality rates in African hospitals remain unacceptably high. The case in Ethiopia is not different from others. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess survival status and predictors of mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to stabilization centers of general hospitals in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. A 24 months retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among 569 randomly selected medical records of children admitted to stabilizing centers. Both bi-variable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of mortality. Association was summarized using AHR, and statistical significances were declared at 95% CI and P-value < 0.05. Results During follow up, 456 [82%] of children had got cured, 37 [6.65%] were absconded and 21 [3.8%] were died. The overall mean survival time was 41.93 [95% CI 40.17–43.68] days. Impaired conscious level [AHR = 6.69, 95% CI 2.43–19.93], development of comorbidity after admission [AHR 12.71, 95% CI 2.79–57.94] and being urban in residence [AHR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.12–6.64] were predictors of mortality. Therefore, interventions to reduce further mortality should focus in children having impaired consciousness level and who developed comorbidity after admission

Modern Contraceptive Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Indigenous and Nonindigenous Married Women of Reproductive Age Group in Jigjiga Town, Eastern Ethiopia, 2018

Background. The use of birth control and its promotion has potential benefits of reducing poverty, maternal, and child mortality. However, there is limited evidence regarding modern contraceptive utilization among indigenous and nonindigenous married women of the reproductive age group in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of modern contraceptive utilization and its associated factors among indigenous and nonindigenous married women in Eastern Ethiopia. Methodology. A community based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted among married women of the reproductive age group from February 01 to March 01/2018 in Jigjiga town, Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 1004 married women were selected using a simple random sampling method. The collected data were entered into EpiData software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors. Statistical significance was declared using 95% confidence interval and p value of less than 0.05. Result. A total of 987 study participants were included in the study with a response rate of 98.3%. The overall prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among married reproductive age group women was found to be 19.9% (95% CI (17.4%-22.3%) with 26.5% and 11.4% for nonindigenous and indigenous women, respectively. Primary level of education (AOR 0.84; 95% CI (0.15-0.85) p 0.0001) and Somali in ethnicity (AOR 0.75; 95% CI (0.15-0.94) p 0.03) were associated factors among indigenous group, while age group 30-34 years (AOR 1.56; 95% CI (1.31-9.52) p 0.02) and being a housewife in occupation (AOR 0.49; 95% CI (0.42-0.96) p 0.04) were the associated factors among the nonindigenous group. Conclusion. Overall utilization of modern contraceptives was approximately one-fifth, with markedly lower use among indigenous participants. One-third of nonindigenous and less than one-seventh of indigenous were utilizing modern contraceptive methods. There is a need to further explore and understand the factors across indigenous and nonindigenous women for the use of modern contraceptives; hence, a longitudinal study is desirable

Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. Using the most recent evidentiary and analytical framework from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), we produced location-specific, age-specific, and sex-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden from 1990 to 2021, the proportion of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2021, the proportion of the type 2 diabetes burden attributable to selected risk factors, and projections of diabetes prevalence through 2050. Methods: Estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden were computed in 204 countries and territories, across 25 age groups, for males and females separately and combined; these estimates comprised lost years of healthy life, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; defined as the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]). We used the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) approach to estimate deaths due to diabetes, incorporating 25 666 location-years of data from vital registration and verbal autopsy reports in separate total (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and type-specific models. Other forms of diabetes, including gestational and monogenic diabetes, were not explicitly modelled. Total and type 1 diabetes prevalence was estimated by use of a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to analyse 1527 location-years of data from the scientific literature, survey microdata, and insurance claims; type 2 diabetes estimates were computed by subtracting type 1 diabetes from total estimates. Mortality and prevalence estimates, along with standard life expectancy and disability weights, were used to calculate YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. When appropriate, we extrapolated estimates to a hypothetical population with a standardised age structure to allow comparison in populations with different age structures. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the risk-attributable type 2 diabetes burden for 16 risk factors falling under risk categories including environmental and occupational factors, tobacco use, high alcohol use, high body-mass index (BMI), dietary factors, and low physical activity. Using a regression framework, we forecast type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalence through 2050 with Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high BMI as predictors, respectively. Findings: In 2021, there were 529 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 500-564) people living with diabetes worldwide, and the global age-standardised total diabetes prevalence was 6·1% (5·8-6·5). At the super-region level, the highest age-standardised rates were observed in north Africa and the Middle East (9·3% [8·7-9·9]) and, at the regional level, in Oceania (12·3% [11·5-13·0]). Nationally, Qatar had the world's highest age-specific prevalence of diabetes, at 76·1% (73·1-79·5) in individuals aged 75-79 years. Total diabetes prevalence-especially among older adults-primarily reflects type 2 diabetes, which in 2021 accounted for 96·0% (95·1-96·8) of diabetes cases and 95·4% (94·9-95·9) of diabetes DALYs worldwide. In 2021, 52·2% (25·5-71·8) of global type 2 diabetes DALYs were attributable to high BMI. The contribution of high BMI to type 2 diabetes DALYs rose by 24·3% (18·5-30·4) worldwide between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, more than 1·31 billion (1·22-1·39) people are projected to have diabetes, with expected age-standardised total diabetes prevalence rates greater than 10% in two super-regions: 16·8% (16·1-17·6) in north Africa and the Middle East and 11·3% (10·8-11·9) in Latin America and Caribbean. By 2050, 89 (43·6%) of 204 countries and territories will have an age-standardised rate greater than 10%. Interpretation: Diabetes remains a substantial public health issue. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors. Preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes remains an ongoing challenge. It is essential to better understand disparities in risk factor profiles and diabetes burden across populations, to inform strategies to successfully control diabetes risk factors within the context of multiple and complex drivers. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation