Intestinal helminthic infections among elementary students of Babile town, eastern Ethiopia

Introduction: Intestinal helminthic infections are important public health problems in developing countries. In Ethiopia, intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent because of low living standards and poor  environmental sanitation. There are several areas in Ethiopia from whichepidemiological information is lacking including Babile town. The aim of  this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthicinfection among students of Babile town.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May 14 to June 08, 2012. Stool samples collected from 644 students were examined by the McMaster method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Univariate analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test to check for presence or absence of association between exposure and the presence of infection and odds ratios with 95% CI were computed to measure the strength of association. Logistic regression was used to calculate predictors of helminthic infection. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminths was 13.8%, of which three students were infected with soil transmitted helminths with a prevalence rate of 0.47%. The prevalence of Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius  vermicularis, hookworm, and Trichiura trichiura infections were 13, 0.6, 0.3, and 0.2% respectively. Intestinal helminthic infection was significantly associated with grade and sex of the school children. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal helminths was low. Health  information dissemination is recommended. Since infection by  Hymenolepis nana is a long term health problem in the area, provision of regular treatment by anthelminthic drug of choice for hymenolepiasis is also recommended

Managing acid soils for reclaiming livelihoods in Ethiopia

Soil acidification is the result of a complex set of processes caused both naturally and by human activity. It limits plant growth because of conditions that increase base element deficiencies, Phosphorus-fixation and toxicities of Aluminum, Manganese and Hydrogen ions

Comparative evaluation of UNEX-based DNA extraction for molecular detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptosporidium parvum as contaminants of berries

Abstract The potential public health impact of foodborne parasites transmitted via contaminated fresh produces indicates the necessity for robust and reliable laboratory methods for their detection and identification on this infection vehicle. Standardization of methods for detection of common FBP in fresh produce is to be expected and ensuring that the DNA extraction approach is most appropriate for the FBP of interest and for the matrix being analyzed is also important. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of two commercially available DNA extraction procedures, the UNEX-based method and DNeasy PowerSoil kit in the detection of three protozoan parasites, C. cayetanensis, C. parvum, and T. gondii, on contaminated berries. Oocysts of each parasite were spiked into the pellets of raspberry and blueberry washes. The spiked pellets were then randomly assigned to DNA extraction using either the PowerSoil or UNEX method, with DNA extraction with both methods performed by two independent analysts. The detection rate when berry washes were spiked with 20 oocysts of C. cayetanensis, T. gondii, and C. parvum was 95%, 85%, and 40%, respectively, when using the PowerSoil kit; whereas the equivalent results using the UNEX method were 55%, 60%, and 5%, respectively. In addition, significantly lower Cq values were achieved for each parasite in the samples spiked with 500 oocysts when the PowerSoil kit was used. Possible reasons for these results are discussed, and include the composition of both the beads and the buffers in each method

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

Проблеми ісламу України в їх науковому відтворенні

The Pd/TOMPP-catalysed (TOMPP = tris(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphine) telomerisation of 1,3-butadiene was studied under solvent- and base-free conditions with phenolic substrates that can be potentially derived from lignin. Large differences in catalytic activity were observed, with reactivity increasing in the order of phenol, p-cresol, guaiacol, creosol and syringol. This reactivity trend can be attributed to the substrates’ relative nucleophilicities, as induced by the donating effects of the p-methyl and o-methoxy substituents. The chosen reaction conditions, i.e. temperature, ligand/metal and butadiene/substrate ratios, strongly influenced both the conversion and selectivity of the reaction. Remarkably, the composition of the reaction medium, i.e. the butadiene/substrate ratio, exerted a strong influence on the linear/branched ratio. High conversions and selectivities to the linear products are obtained when excess butadiene is used. The linear telomer products could be readily converted from O-alkylated to Calkylated phenolics via the thermal Claisen rearrangement. High conversions and selectivities were observed after 2 hours at 200 1C. Branched o-octadienyl phenols were obtained in all cases except for the syringol telomer which gave the linear p-octadienyl product exclusively

Women’s utilisation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) can be prevented when HIV-positive pregnant women use effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services. Approximately 50% of HIV-positive pregnant women used free PMTCT services in Ethiopia.   Aim: This study attempted to identify factors influencing women’s utilisation of PMTCT services. Addressing such factors could enable more Ethiopian women to use PMTCT services. The study investigated whether women’s utilisation of services was affected by socio-demographic issues, their partners’ known HIV status, disclosure of their HIV-positive status, stigma and discrimination, and satisfaction with services.   Setting: Prenatal clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.   Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was used and 384 questionnaires were completed by women who used PMTCT services in Addis Ababa.   Results: No socio-demographic characteristic prevented women’s utilisation of PMTCT services, nor did stigma, discrimination or disclosure of their HIV-positive status. Most respondents’ partners with unknown HIV status did not know that the respondents used PMTCT services. Most women were satisfied with the PMTCT services.   Conclusions: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission services should remain accessible to all HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Concurrent HIV partner testing should be encouraged with appropriate counselling. HIV-positive pregnant women should be encouraged to disclose their status to their partners so that they need not use PMTCT services secretly. Patients’ high levels of satisfaction with PMTCT services are a good indicator for rolling out PMTCT initiatives at other facilities. Future research should focus on HIV-positive pregnant women who do not use PMTCT services

Women’s utilisation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) can be prevented when HIV-positive pregnant women use effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services. Approximately 50% of HIV-positive pregnant women used free PMTCT services in Ethiopia.   Aim: This study attempted to identify factors influencing women’s utilisation of PMTCT services. Addressing such factors could enable more Ethiopian women to use PMTCT services. The study investigated whether women’s utilisation of services was affected by socio-demographic issues, their partners’ known HIV status, disclosure of their HIV-positive status, stigma and discrimination, and satisfaction with services.   Setting: Prenatal clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.   Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was used and 384 questionnaires were completed by women who used PMTCT services in Addis Ababa.   Results: No socio-demographic characteristic prevented women’s utilisation of PMTCT services, nor did stigma, discrimination or disclosure of their HIV-positive status. Most respondents’ partners with unknown HIV status did not know that the respondents used PMTCT services. Most women were satisfied with the PMTCT services.   Conclusions: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission services should remain accessible to all HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Concurrent HIV partner testing should be encouraged with appropriate counselling. HIV-positive pregnant women should be encouraged to disclose their status to their partners so that they need not use PMTCT services secretly. Patients’ high levels of satisfaction with PMTCT services are a good indicator for rolling out PMTCT initiatives at other facilities. Future research should focus on HIV-positive pregnant women who do not use PMTCT services

Economic evaluation of short treatment for multidrugresistant tuberculosis, Ethiopia and South Africa : the STREAM trial

OBJECTIVE STREAM was a phase-III non-inferiority randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a shortened regimen for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and included the first-ever within-trial economic evaluation of such regimens, reported here. METHODS We compared the costs of ‘Long’ (20-22 months) and ‘Short’ (9-11 months) regimens in Ethiopia and South Africa. Cost data were collected from trial participants, and health system costs estimated using ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ costing approaches. A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted with the trial primary outcome as the measure of effectiveness, including a probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) to illustrate decision uncertainty. FINDINGS The Short-regimen reduced healthcare costs per case by 21% in South Africa (US$8,341 Long vs US$6,619 Short) and 25% in Ethiopia (US$6,097 Long vs US$4,552 Short). The largest component of this saving was medication in South Africa (67%) and social support in Ethiopia (35%). In Ethiopia, participants on the Short-regimen reported reductions in dietary supplementation expenditure (US$225 per case (95$13 (95%CI 11-14), South Africa US$64 (95$19,000 (Ethiopia) or <US$14,500 (South Africa). CONCLUSION The Short-regimen provided substantial health system cost savings and reduced financial burden on participants. Shorter regimens are likely to be cost-effective in most settings, and an effective strategy to support the WHO goal of eliminating catastrophic costs in T

Understanding the Attitudes of Communities to the Social, Economic, and Cultural Importance of Working Donkeys in Rural, Peri-urban, and Urban Areas of Ethiopia

This is the final version. Available on open access from Frontiers media via the DOI in this recordData Availability Statement: The datasets generated for this study will not be made publicly available as the study participants did not explicitly give their consent for the full interview transcripts to be made publicly available.Working donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) are vital to the development and support of people's livelihoods in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas of Ethiopia. However, despite their critical role in providing transport, food security, and income generation to some of the poorest and most marginalized households, donkey contributions to human livelihoods have been largely unexplored. Donkey users, veterinary surgeons, business owners, and civil servants were interviewed to investigate the role humans play in shaping donkey lives while furthering our understanding of the social and economic impacts of working donkeys to human lives. Findings are discussed through seven guiding themes; donkeys as generators of income, the relationship between donkeys and social status, donkeys and affect, empowerment through donkeys, the role of donkeys in reducing vulnerability and encouraging resilience, donkey husbandry, and gender dynamics all of which gave a broader and richer insight into the value of donkeys. Donkeys are an important support in rural, peri-urban, and urban settings through the creation of economic security, independence, and participation in local saving schemes. In addition, donkeys provide social status, empowerment to marginalized groups such as women and the very poor and provide a sense of companionship. Whether the interviewee was a donkey user or a key informant appeared to influence their views on donkeys and their welfare, as did their location. The variations in views and practices between urban and rural settings suggests that assessing the socioeconomic value of donkeys in different locations within the same area or country is critical, rather than assuming that similar views are held between compatriots. Despite their centrality to many people's lives in Ethiopia, working donkeys often hold lowly status, are misunderstood, and given little husbandry and healthcare.The Donkey Sanctuary