Tillage Effect on Soil Moisture Storage and Wheat Yield on the Vertisols of North Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Vertisols are one of the agriculturally important soils in Delanta Dawunt, north central highlands of Ethiopia, for peasant farmers as almost all the cereal, soil and forage crops are grown on them. However, waterlogging during the growing season impedes the performances of cereal crops. It is crucial to seek for cost effective means to mitigate waterlogging for increased production. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to observe effectiveness of tillage on draining excess soil water. To this effect treatments, i.e., ‘flat seedbed, ‘traditional drainage system' (Shurube), ‘broadbed and furrow with 100 cm (BBF-100 cm)' and ‘broadbed and furrow with 80cm'(BBF 80 cm) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications on 6 m by 4 m plot. The study revealed that BBF-100 cm, BBF-80 cm and traditional drainage system significantly increased the grain yield of wheat by 51.4 %, 41.6 % and 11.2 % compared to the control, respectively. Therefore, this study recommends ‘BBF-100 cm followed by BBF-80 cm to fight against seasonal waterlogging and to boost wheat production in the North central highlands of Ethiopia. Keywords: Broadbed and furrow with 100 cm, Broadbed and furrow with 80 cm, Flat seedbed; Traditional drainage System; Tillage, Vertisols; WheatEthiopian Journal of Environmental Studies of Management Vol. 1 (2) 2008: pp.49-5

Effect of substrates on the yield, yield attribute and dietary values of oyster mushroom (pleurotus ostreatus) in the pastoral regions of Northern Ethiopia

Dry areas are vulnerable to climate change and are commonly hit by drought, which makes the inhabitants to rely on food aid. Mushroom cultivation is a profitable agribusiness that can improve the economic and food status of farmers in dry areas as an alternative technology. Research on the effect of substrates on the yield, yield attributes and dietary values of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was conducted to identify the best substrates. The experiment included 23 treatments with three replications. The substrates were sawdust, rice straw, cottonseed hull & maize cob with 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% combination ratios. The substrates were chopped, moisturized and filled into 40 cm X 60 cm polyethylene bags and sterilized for one hour at 100 oC. The substrates were cooled and inoculated with 75g mushroom spawn, and were kept in a dark place to enhance mycelium growth. The substrates were transferred to a growing room, with full light, lower temperature and higher relative humidity for fructification after mycelium growth was completed. Data on yield attributes, fresh yield and dietary values were collected and analyzed. The fruiting bodies were picked after 22 - 35 days of inoculation. The treatments had significant effect on the number of days for mushroom growth, stalk length, pileus diameter and number of fruiting body, fresh yield, biological efficiency and dietary values (P < 0.05). All consumers significantly preferred mushroom grown on 100% maize cob substrate. The 100% cottonseed hull substrate gave the highest profit (133.25US$ 100kg-1 substrate). The study concluded that 100% cottonseed hull substrate was the best substrate for oyster mushroom production at small-scale level. It was also the best nutritive source of substrate for oyster mushroom growth. Mushroom grown on a 100% maize cob substrate was a tasty and protein rich mushroom. Therefore, producers should be encouraged to use this substrate for maximizing the yield, for changing the agricultural wastes into food in the form of mushroom and for improving their livelihood. Oyster mushroom could play a pivotal role in supporting the food self-sufficiency, hence it should be included as a component of food security assurance strategy for the country.Key words: mushroom, substrates, yield, pastoral, dietary value, agricultural waste, livelihoo

Communication skills of physicians during patient interaction in an in-patient setting at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Teaching Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2009

Background: Physician-patient relationship is foremost among the numerous qualities needed for sound patient care. In the Ethiopian clinical setting, a vast majority of patients complain that physicians do not interact with them properly. Objective: Assess behavior of physicians (verbal and nonverbal) when interacting with patients. Methods: Randomly selected physicians were observed in doctor-patient interactions in an inpatient setting using a standardized check list at Tikur Anbessa Hospital in November, 2009.Mean comparison of total scores of each category as well as mean interaction and biomedical exam times were made using Pearson’s Chi square, and Student’s T test. Results: 211 interactions were observed. 22.7% were consultants, 49.7% were residents and 26.5% were interns. Mean total score of observed behavior ranged from poor to satisfactory across category and showed statistically significant variations. Average interaction time was 7.87 minutes while average biomedical exam time was 5.05 minutes. The means showed a significant variation (p=0.001 at 95% CI). Conclusion: The study has shown that there is a reasonable ground to suggest that physician-patient interaction has deficiencies. Due attention should be given to improve communication skills of physicians

The magnitude and correlates of internalized stigma among people with mental illness attending the outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Internalized stigma is an ongoing process of psychological assimilation of the community labels towards mental illness, in which people with mental illness (PWMI) gradually lose their current positive belief and confidence in themselves and their future wishes. It affects the treatment and help-seeking behavior which leads to poor drug adherence, social marginalization, unemployment, socio-economic devastation, and poor quality of life for PWMI. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the magnitude and correlates of high internalized stigma among People with Mental Illness (PWMI) attending the outpatient department of Amanuel mental specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 03 to March 28, 2019. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select an estimated 406 study participants. Internalized stigma was assessed using a 29 Item Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-29) tool. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 22 software. A Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify correlates of internalized stigma. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the strength of association and the level of significance was declared with a p-value <0.05. Result: Of the total study participants, 388 respondents agreed to participate in the study giving a response rate of 96%. The magnitude of high internalized stigma among the study participants was 61.3% (95% CI: 58.2, 64.4). Poor social support (AOR = 1.973; 95%CI = 1.189, 3.27) and being unemployed (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.192-6.931) were significant correlates of high internalized stigma among PWMI. Conclusion: Overall, around three in five PWMI experienced high internalized stigma. Poor social support and being unemployed were significant correlates of high internalized stigma. Large scale community-based study supplemented by qualitative design is highly recommended to identify additional correlates of internalized stigma and understand perspectives of PWMI

Anomalous magnetic ordering in PrBa_2Cu_3O_{7-y} single crystals: Evidence for magnetic coupling between the Cu and Pr sublattices

In Al-free PrBa_2Cu_3O_{7-y} single crystals the kink in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility chi_{ab}(T), connected with Pr antiferromagnetic ordering, disappears after field cooling (FC) in a field H || ab-plane. The kink in chi_c(T) remains unchanged after FC in H || c-axis. As a possible explanation, freezing of the Cu magnetic moments, lying in the ab-plane, caused by FC in H || ab, hinders their reorientation and, due to coupling between the Pr and Cu(2) sublattices, ordering of the Pr^{3+} moments. A field induced phase transition and a field dependence of the Pr^{3+} ordering temperature have been found for both H || c and H || ab.Comment: 11 pages (LaTex with elsart.sty), 5 EPS figs. Accepted to Physica

The Effect of Clerodendrum Myricoides Aqueous Extract on Blood, Liver and Kidney Tissues of Mice

Clerodendrum myricoides is a plant traditionally used for its medicinal value in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. Several human defects are treated in different regions of Ethiopia using the roots, leaves, twigs, fruits and root barks of Clerodendrum myricoides species. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Clerodendrum myricoides root on different tissue of mice in chronic administration. The root of the plant were collected in Bale area, Ethiopia dried and crushed into powder and soaked in water to yield aqueous extract. The extract was then administered to mice at doses of 100 and 400mg/kg bw/day for six weeks and 1134mg/kg bw/day (LD50) once. The 400mg/kg bw/day and LD50 treated mice showed hypoactivity (abnormally diminished activity), grooming, prostration (submissively prone position), piloroerection (elevation of hairs) and irritation, while 100mg/kg bw/day treated mice showed no behavioral changes. The dose of 100mg/kg bw/day produced significant weight gain, while 400mg/kg bw/day produced significant weight lost in chronic administration. The extract increased only urea at the dose of 100mg/kg bw/day, whereas it increases most hematological and biochemical parameters at 400mg/kg bw/day. The extract, however did not show significant change in platelet, HGB and MCHC value at both doses. Several histopathological changes in liver and kidney were also observed at both doses of the extract. There were inflammation and hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes at both doses. The LD50 of the extract produced hemorrhages and congestion in the glomeruli of the kidney

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES (KAP) ON FLUOROSIS AND ITS MITIGATION IN ENDEMIC AREAS OF ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Optimum fluoride intake plays an essential role in the prevention of dental caries while fluoride consumption above recommended level interferes with the normal formation of tooth enamel and bones and may increase risk of dental and skeletal fluorosis. The knowledge and practices of endemic communities on etiology of fluorosis will help in its mitigation and prevention. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices of endemic community on fluoride contamination, fluorosis and prevention practices in order to devise coordinated and targeted prevention mechanisms. Focus group discussions (FGD) and key-informant interview were conducted in three dietary areas to collect knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the endemic community in July 2013.The results indicated that health consequences of fluoride contaminated water are fairly understood. None of the discussants mentioned the word &quot;fluoride&quot;. The knowledge and perception of the community on fluoride ingestion is poor. Health extension workers (HEWs) did not teach about fluoride and related health consequences. Dental fluorosis was reported to start at early ages and not commonly perceived as a major problem. However, adolescents worried and felt that they might be singled out when going to other areas. Older people have a skeletal fluorosis, which interferes with their day to day activities. In severely affected people, the teeth were weak and fragile and thus create difficulty in chewing hard foods like unfermented dry flat bread, sugar cane and toasted grains. People prefer rain water rather than water from borehole because of the inconvenient taste of the latter. The endemic communities have no sufficient knowledge and skills on potential sources of fluoride intake, the debilitating effect of high fluoride ingestion, and preventive and mitigatory measures to reduce fluoride intake. The effect of fluoride contamination and mitigatory methods should get sufficient attention by the community, health workers and concerned governmental bodies. The trend of harvesting and using rain water should be encouraged as it reduces fluoride intake. Future studies should focus on information communication on possible fluoride risks, intervention and evaluation studies on defluoridation, rain water harvesting and mitigatory techniques