Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and community awareness about zoonotic diseases in Chagni town, northwestern Ethiopia

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth species found in stray dogs and to assess the awareness of the community about dog parasitic zoonoses in Chagni town, northwest Ethiopia. Standard fecal and postmortem examination and questionnaire survey methods were used to collect data. A total of 202 fecal samples were collected and examined using the Kato-Katz methodology to indicate intestinal helminthes in dogs of the study area. Postmortem examination was done on 9 stray dogs to detect the presence of adult worms. Necropsy of the 9 stray dogs revealed that all of them (100%) were positive for at least one intestinal helminth parasite. The following cestodes were identified: Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia pisiformis, T. hydatigena, T. ovis, Dipylidium caninum and Mesocestoides. Other intestinal worms in dogs were Toxocaracanis, Tirchurisvulpis and Ancylostoma caninum. Most helminths were recovered from the large intestine. Of the interviewed community members, 68.3% reported that tapeworms locally called “kosso” were zoonotic agents, followed by roundworms, locally called “wosefat”. Majority of the respondents reported they feed their own dogs raw condemned offal’s and human. The findings showed that there is significant infestation of intestinal helminthes among the dogs of the study area coupled with the high levels of illiteracy among community members about canine parasites and transmission. This shows that immediate action needs to be taken to decrease infection rates in dogs and to raise education levels of the community about zoonotic diseases. Keywords: Chagni; Dog; Helminthes; Intestinal parasites; Prevalence; Zoonose

Development and evaluation of Indirect Hemagglutination Antibody Test (IHAT) for serological diagnosis and screening of bovine cysticercosis in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to develop and evaluate an Indirect Hemagglutination Antibody Test (IHAT) for the serological diagnosis of Cysticercus bovis in live animals. IHAT was set-up in-house and used to test serum samples of cattle against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) coated with crude extracts of C. bovis cyst. Serum samples for screening were collected from Addis Ababa abattoir (n=522), a dairy farm from the suburbs of Addis Ababa (n=101), and a traditional extensive farm (n=109). Postmortem inspection was conducted on a total of 522 animals slaughtered in Addis Ababa Abattoir, out of which 39 (7.5%) were positive for C. bovis.  Thirty-seven of these had viable C. bovis cysts. IHAT titres were determined from serially diluted sera, with a cut-off value set at a titre of 1:64. Cross reaction with other helminths was either absent or very low.  Sensitivity and specificity of the IHAT were 100% and at least 90%, respectively. Based on this test, 149 cattle (28.5%) from the Abattoir, 33 cattle (30.3%) from the extensive farm and 8 cattle (7.9%) from the dairy farm were positive for C. bovis. The difference in prevalence between the dairy farm and extensive farm was significant (

Unintended pregnancy among married women in Damot Gale District, Southern Ethiopia: Examining the prevalence and risk factors

The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and risk factors for unintended pregnancies among selected married women in Damot Gale Woreda (a district in Southern Ethiopia). A multistage sampling technique was used to select women respondents in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained using structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informants interview. The dependent variable is unintended pregnancy. Demographic, socio-cultural and service related characteristics were used as explanatory variables. Of 713 women surveyed, 302(42.4 %) reported that their most recent pregnancies were unintended. Most of the women (89%) knew at least one modern Family Planning (FP) methods. Further, we found that 84% of the women have never discussed FP with husbands, and 80% of women have never been visited by health workers. Major reasons mentioned for failure to avoid unintended pregnancy were lack of knowledge, disapproval by husband, difficulty to get method and method failure. The predicted probability, using logistic regression, has shown that women with delayed age at marriage, with lower parity, women exposed to radio, women who discus about FP issues with husband; those who have autonomy on their health care and those visited by FP workers are less exposed to unintended pregnancy. Finally, based on the key findings, some workable recommendations are given which includes: sustainable behavioral changes among community members, reforms in disseminating family planning and related information, enhancing women’s status at all levels through formal and non-formal education, strengthening the follow up system on FP workers and beneficiaries, improving inter- spousal communication through peer or informal education and community level orientation

Effect of processing methods on the trypsin inhibitor, tannins, phytic acid and ODAP contents of grass pea seeds

Abstract: Grass pea seeds were given different treatments including cooking boiling, autoclaving, dry heating and fermentation into tempeh. Changes in the levels of the antinutritional factors due to the treatments were estimated. Dry heat treatment completely eliminated phytic acid and greatly reduced tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity and ODAP (100%,64%,87.4% and 75%, respectively). Cooking reduced tannins (74%), trypsin inhibitory activity (81 %) and ODAP (77%) while phytic acid was less affected (59.4%). Autoclaving had the most pronounced lowering effect on trypsin inhibitor activity (91 %), whereas other anti-nutritional factors were less affected. Boiling also decreased the trypsin inhibitor activity by 89.3%. Preprocessing of grass pea for tempeh fermentation and fermentation into tempeh significantly removed large portions of the antinutritional factors in grass pea. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(2):97-103

Factors associated with women’s autonomy regarding maternal and child health care utilization in Bale Zone: a community based cross-sectional study

Background Women's autonomy in health-care decision is a prerequisite for improvements in maternal and child health. Little is known about women’s autonomy and its influencing factors on maternal and child health care in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess women’s autonomy and identify associated factors in Southeast Ethiopia. Method A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 19th until March 28th, 2011. A total of 706 women were selected using stratified sampling technique from rural and urban kebeles. The quantitative data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS for window version 16.0. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with women’s autonomy for health care utilization. Result Out of 706 women less than half (41.4%) had higher autonomy regarding their own and their children’s health. In the multiple logistic regression model monthly household income >1000 ETB [adjusted odds ratio(AOR):3.32(95% C.I: 1.62-6.78)], having employed husband [AOR: 3.75 (95% C.I:1.24-11.32)], being in a nuclear family structure [AOR: 0.53(95% C.I: 0.33-0.87)], being in monogamous marriage [AOR: 3.18(95% C.I: 1.35-7.50)], being knowledgeable and having favorable attitude toward maternal and child health care services were independently associated with an increased odds of women’s autonomy. Conclusion Socio-demographic and maternal factors (knowledge and attitude) were found to influence women’s autonomy. Interventions targeting women’s autonomy with regards to maternal and child health care should focus on addressing increasing awareness and priority should be given to women with a lower socioeconomic status

Patient preferences for prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy for congenital anomalies and genetic diseases in Ethiopia

ObjectiveAs prenatal diagnostic services expand throughout low‐income countries, an important consideration is the appropriateness of these services for patients. In these countries, services now include prenatal ultrasound and occasionally genetic testing. To assess patient interest, we surveyed pregnant patients at a hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on their preferences for prenatal testing and termination of affected pregnancies for congenital anomalies and genetic diseases.MethodOne hundred one pregnant patients were surveyed on their preferences for prenatal testing and termination of affected pregnancies using a survey covering various congenital anomalies and genetic diseases.ResultsEighty‐nine percent of patients reported interest in testing for all conditions. Three percent of patients were not interested in any testing. Over 60% of patients reported interest in termination for anencephaly, early infant death, severe intellectual disability, hemoglobinopathy, and amelia. Patients were more likely to express interest in prenatal testing and termination for conditions associated with a shortened lifespan.ConclusionEthiopian patients were interested in prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy for many conditions. Advancing prenatal diagnostic capacities is a potential strategy for addressing the incidence of congenital anomalies and genetic disease in Ethiopia. Importantly, there exist many factors and technological limitations to consider before implementation.What’s already known about this topic?Prenatal genetic services are expanding throughout many low‐ and middle‐income countries.In low‐ and middle‐income countries, little is known on patient preferences for prenatal testing for congenital anomalies and genetic diseases and patient interest in termination of affected pregnancies.What does this study add?Patients at St. Paul’s Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were interested in prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy for many congenital anomalies and genetic diseases.Studying patient preferences for genetic services in a low‐income country is possible and should be considered prior to the introduction of a new service and/or technology.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150617/1/pd5472_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150617/2/pd5472.pd

Reducing Calf Mortality in Ethiopia

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Disease and death of young livestock cause financial and production difficulties to farmers around the world. High rates of disease and death occur in various production systems in Ethiopia, hampering livestock production, reducing incomes, and damaging livelihoods. Over the last 10 years, studies carried out in Ethiopia have reported death and disease incidence rates in young livestock as high as 31% and 67%, respectively. Diarrhea and respiratory infections are the two leading causes of disease and death in calves in all production systems. In this paper, we describe findings from the experience of the Young Stock Mortality Reduction Consortium. This unique group produced important information on the main causes of disease and death in Ethiopia and created activities for small-scale farmers to address these problems. We found that several diseases caused diarrhea and respiratory infections in young calves in Ethiopia. Improving farmer knowledge and behaviors with respect to basic livestock management led to considerable reductions in young livestock disease and death and has the potential to help improve livestock productivity and human livelihoods in Ethiopia. ABSTRACT: Morbidity and mortality of young stock present economic and production challenges to livestock producers globally. In Ethiopia, calf morbidity and mortality rates, particularly due to diarrhea and respiratory disease, are high, limiting production, incomes, and the ability of farmers to improve their livelihoods. In this paper, we present findings from the combined experience of the Young Stock Mortality Reduction Consortium, which conducted epidemiological and intervention testing in calves across three production systems. This innovative alliance identified Cryptosporidium parvum and E. Coli K99 as the most common causes of diarrhea in pastoral and peri-urban calves; Strongyloides spp. as the most common fecal parasite in mixed crop–livestock and peri-urban calves; and bovine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus-3, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus as the most common respiratory pathogens in peri-urban calves. Furthermore, by improving producer knowledge with respect to fundamental livestock husbandry, feeding, housing, and neonatal care practices, calf mortality risk across production systems was reduced by 31.4 to 71.4% compared to baseline (between 10.5 and 32.1%), whereas risk of diarrhea was reduced by 52.6–75.3% (baseline between 11.4 and 30.4%) and risk of respiratory disease was reduced by 23.6–80.8% (baseline between 3.3 and 16.3%). These findings have informed scaling strategies and can potentially contribute to improved livestock productivity and human livelihoods in Ethiopia