Tapping local resources for HIV prevention among the Borana pastoral community

Background: HIV intervention over the years has contributed to declining infection in Ethiopia. Yet, there are settings in the country where the virus has continued to spread. This calls for identifying and tapping local resources to contain further spread of HIV infection.Objectives: The study aims to determine local opportunities and resources that could be mobilized to improve HIV and AIDS response among the Borana pastoral community.Methods: In-depth interviews and FGDs were employed to collect relevant information. Topic guides were developed to guide information collection. A total of sixty-nine in-depth interviews and sixty eight FGDs with men and women members of the community were carried out. Data so collected were coded, categorized and summarized with an application of MAXQDA 10 qualitative data analysis software.Key findings: In Borana, HIV prevention endeavors were found to be coordinated by the zonal health department. Health extension workers, local teachers and youth groups were important agents facilitating HIV awareness creation activities at community level. However, these facilitators were not recognized as credible sources of information in the community because of their age and status. This has contributed to weak reception of available information on HIV which contributed to limited level of awareness about mode of prevention, transmission and maintenance of ‘wrong’ local beliefs about HIV and AIDS. Gada leaders who are influential, and recognized source of relevant information at community level through their assistants (makala). Besides, Gada leaders organize and facilitate Gada General Assembly (Gumii Gaayo), every eight years to review major concerns in Borana and make major decisions. HIV prevention endeavors, however has failed to benefit from such local resources and opportunities,Conclusion: Every community is believed to have its own resources to deal with local problems. If mobilized and employed such resources, could facilitate mitigation of problem. Responses to HIV and AIDS in Borana could benefit from available resources and opportunities if local health authorities pay proper attention to such resources

The state of HIV awareness after three decades of intervention in Ethiopia: The case of the Borana pastoral community in Southern Ethiopia

Background: HIV continues to be the major public health challenge in Ethiopia. Despite positive developments in prevention efforts during the last three decades, the pandemic has continued to spread further expanding to remote pastoral communities.Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the current state of awareness on modes of prevention, transmission and ‘misconceptions’ about HIV among the Borana pastoralist community in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 502 households, 69 in-depth interviews and nine Focus Group Discussion sessions with 68 participants were carried out to generate data. STATA Version 10 was applied to analyze the survey data while MAXQDA 10 qualitative data analysis software was used to summarize and code qualitative data for further analysis and interpretation.Results: The survey data revealed that only 10% of the respondents identified all modes of HIV prevention. Logistic regression analysis showed that those over 41 years of age (AOR=O.4; 95% CI=0.2-0.9) and those who do not discuss about sex with their partners (AOR=0.6; 95%  CI=0.4-0.9) had significantly low knowledge about the modes of HIVprevention. Eighty nine percent of the respondents mentioned at most two modes without significant variation by sex, place of residence and discussion about sex with partners. Eighty two percent of the respondents were found to consider shaking hands, living and eating with someone living with HIV, and buying food stuff from an HIV positive shop keeper as a way for HIV transmission. Logistic regression analysis showed that those who are living in Arero and Teltele Districts (AOR=0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.6) were found to have more ‘misconceptions’ about the modes of HIVtransmission. Qualitative data underscored that knowledge about modes of HIV prevention, transmission and ‘misconceptions’ were widespread. Health extension workers, school teachers, youth AIDS club members and the radio were found to be key sources of HIV information. Yet, these sources other than radio are not trusted at community level since they areconsidered young learners themselves.Conclusion and recommendations: After three decades of HIV prevention intervention, the majority of people in Banora still manifest limited awareness on the modes of HIV transmission and prevention. This implies the threat under which the community live and the need for quick intervention. Results of this study will assist HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs to tailor their interventions according to local contexts. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2012;26(1):9-15

Extramarital sexual practices and perceived association with HIV infection among the Borana pastoral community

Background: Evidence has shown that in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV spreads mainly through heterosexual relationships. It is documented that, among others, the problem is more pronounced in connection to prevailing multiple sexual relations and marital infidelity. Despite evident association between such practice and spread in HIV infection, to date multiple sexual partnerships is a common practice. Among the Borana pastoral community, where awareness about HIV and AIDS is documented to be limited, engagement in extramarital sexual practice is believed to be the norm rather than exception. However, it remains unclear as to why the practice continues and if the community feels its consequences.Objectives: To explore if and why extramarital sexual practice is maintained and sustained and perceived vulnerability to HIV infection among the Borana pastoral community.Methods: An ethnographic study design was employed to responds to the objectives of this study. Such questions: whether extramarital sex is still practiced, if so why? Who practices it, whether the community is aware of the consequence of such practice vis-a-vis HIV infection, were set to be answered. A total of nine FGDs with sixty-eight participants and sixty in-depth interviews with men and women participated in the study. Information so generated was coded, categorized and summarized with an application of MAXQDA version 10 qualitative data analysis software, and interpretation of the results was carried out based on the objectives of the study.Results: Sex before marriage is considered as a taboo and those involved are out-casted (cabana) from the normal life processes of the community. While young men may engage in sexual activity with married women even before marriage and continues to maintain extramarital partner (jaalto) after marriage, women’s engagement in the practice follows marriage. Participants agreed that although local culture ‘disproves’ it and the community recognizes the fact that it would facilitate HIV infection, extramarital sexual practice remains common in the community. Its persistence is attributed to multiple factors including personal interest to prove that one is wanted by the opposite sex given fulfillment of socially prescribed gender roles, and economic transactions between families of those involved. Despite consistent denial of the cultural approval of such practice and the growing concern over its consequences to the spread of HIV infection, extramarital sexual activity remains to be valued and cherished in the community.Conclusion: Despite the widespread recognition of the consequences of extramarital sex on the spread of HIV infection, there is vested interest among the community numbers to maintain the practice. This calls for urgent action to launch culturally sound HIV interventions to mitigate further spread of HIV infection in Borana

Traditional medicine and HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: Herbal medicine and faith healing: A review

Background: Traditional, complimentary and alternative medicines (TCAMS) are increasingly being promoted by various Sub-Saharan African governments as a promising health resource in the control and amelioration of HIV/AIDS. The accessibility and cultural acceptability of both herbal medicines and faith healing and the scarcity of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in many communities have made them a favorite treatment option for people living with HIV (PLHIV).Objectives: This paper reviews the literature on the utilization and potential contribution of plant medicines and faith healing for treatment of HIV and opportunistic infections in Ethiopia.Methods: The published and unpublished literature on TCAM, faith healing and HIV/AIDS was reviewed from online sources and several bibliographies.Results and Discussion: Several studies indicate that both plant medicines and faith healing are widely used in Ethiopia for the treatment of HIV-related illness due to the long history, prevailing illness perceptions and religious beliefs. Primary phytochemical tests have identified several plant species with anti-HIV, anti-mycobacterial and antiprotozoal properties but their development as safe and effective medicines will require extensive toxicological and pharmacological drug interaction studies. Increasing evidence of positive outcomes of faith healing involving holy water and prayer reported by PLHIV, particularly spiritual and mental benefits, has potential application for chronic patient care but needs further study.Conclusion and Recommendations: Prevailing and evolving indigenous practices indicate the need for the implementation of appropriate policies and guidelines for the development of safe and effective herbal medicines and the integration of traditional medicine into the health services. Several areas requiring further study are identified

Perceptions and attitude towards violence against women by their spouses: A qualitative study in Northwest Ethiopia.

Introduction: To stop violence against women by their spouses we need to understand how the specific society perceives and views such violence. Then and only then can we institute effective and acceptable strategy to tackle the problem.Objective: To assess community perceptions and attitude towards violence against women by their spouses Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with women,family arbitrators, healthcare workers, psychosocial experts, victims and perpetrator of violence, and law enforcement bodies in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were analyzed thematically using the Open Code Software. Results: The normative expectation that conflicts are inevitable in marriage makes it difficult for society to reject violence. Acts of violence against women represent unacceptable behavior according to existing social and gender norms when there is no justification for the act and the act causes severe harm. There is considerable permissiveness of violent acts when the act is not regarded as wrong, there is socially acceptable premise, and the consequences are deemed mild. Marital rape is not understood well and there is less willingness to condemn it. Conclusions: We conclude that there is insufficient understanding of violence against women in its contemporary use and many people hold a non-disapproving stance regarding violence against women by their spouses calling for a culturally sensitive information, education and communication intervention. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010(1):39-45

Effect of Isosporiasis Prevention with Toltrazuril on Long-Term Pig Performance

The efficacy of toltrazuril treatment was assessed in two experiments in Polish swine herds. Experiment 1 included a toltrazuril treatment group, Group A (n = 410), and untreated control, Group B (n = 386). Time to sale in Group A was 108 days versus 120 days for Group B, with average body weights at sale of 114.2 kg and 108.8 kg, respectively (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, the health status and body weight gain of 238 piglets treated with toltrazuril (Group D) were compared to 235 untreated piglets (Group K). A similar difference was observed in average body weights of slaughtered animals, being on average 104 kg in Group D and 101 kg in Group K (P < 0.01). Animals from Group D were slaughtered 5 days earlier than animals from Group K (day 166 versus day 171). Data from clinical trials suggest treatment of coccidiosis with toltrazuril offering potential for improved animal welfare and yields, however this has remained unproven in field conditions in large swine production facilities. The present study confirms the efficacy of toltrazuril treatment when used in the field and the subsequent positive impact on time to weaning, time to market, and on weight gain at all time points

Integrating ICT in Insurance Management: Design & Development of an Online Insurance System for E. Africa Insurance Company

The insurance industry appears to be lagging behind, as it faces strategic challenges in utilizing the web. The current manual insurance system at Insurance Company of East Africa has not been quite effective in creating awareness of insurance.  The majority of insurers continue to build internet websites that are structured on a corporate orientation rather than customer needs. Customers are left on their own to figure out where they should find useful information. In the E-insurance System we create awareness of information about insurance mode of operation, policies and benefits. Using qualitative research methods like interview and document review the research found the need to develop and E-insurance system to create awareness about insurance to the public. The qualitative research method led to the derivation of the requirements need to develop the E-insurance system. The E-insurance system was developed using PHP, WAMP and MySQL. The data is stored in the insurance database and access to specific information for example viewing of claims is done by authorized users through a secure web interface. The database was designed using MySQL. The user interfaces were designed using html, JavaScript, CSS, PHP and JQuery. Keywords: Insurance, Management System