Experimental Study of Heavy Metals Distribution Attenuation and Mobility in Two Oklahoma Soils Amended with Sewage Sludge

Environmental Scienc

Household Readiness to Care for Mild and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases at Home, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) continued with its notorious effects overwhelming health institutions. Thus, home-based identification and care for asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 has been recommended. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the level of household readiness for caring asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 at home.  METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March-June 2021 on randomly selected 778 households. Data entry and analysis were carried out using EpiData and SPSS version 25, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was modeled to identify independent predictors of community readiness.  RESULTS: Overall readiness of the community was very low (43.8%). Factors positively affecting household readiness were male household heads (AOR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.45), primary (AOR=2.0; CI:.62, 1.59) and higher (AOR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.45) educational level of the respondents, number of rooms within household (AOR = 1.22; CI: 1.03, 1.46), having additionally house (AOR = 2.61; CI: 1.35, 5.03), availability of single use eating utensils (AOR = 2.76; 95%CI: 1.66, 4.56), availability of community water supply (AOR = 8.21; 95% CI: 5.02, 13.43), and community participation and engagement (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.93, 4.08) in accessing transport, water and sanitation. CONCLUSIONS: The community was less prepared in terms of housing, infection prevention, water and sanitation. Considering alternative options including universal coverage of vaccine is important; designed behavioral change communications can enhance community participation and engagement in improving access to transport, water and sanitation to reduce risk of infections

Evidence of a cubic iron sub-lattice in t-CuFe2O4 demonstrated by X-ray Absorption Fine Structure

Copper ferrite, belonging to the wide and technologically relevant class of spinel ferrites, was grown in the form of t-CuFe2O4 nanocrystals within a porous matrix of silica in the form of either an aerogel or a xerogel, and com-pared to a bulk sample. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed the presence of two different sub-lattices within the crystal structure of t-CuFe2O4, one tetragonal and one cubic, defined by the Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions respectively. Our investigation provides evidence that the Jahn-Teller distortion, which occurs on the Cu2+ ions located in octahedral sites, does not affect the coordination geometry of the Fe3+ ions, regardless of their location in octahedral or tetrahedral sites

Evaluation the Performance of Regional Climate Models in Simulating Rainfall Characteristics over Upper Awash Sub-Basin, Ethiopia

To obtain reliable estimates of the likely impacts of climate change on the hydrological regime in the basin determination of the most appropriate climate model was needed. This study aims to evaluate the performance dynamically downscaled simulations of General Circulation Models (GCMs) by Regional Climate Models (RCMs) over Upper Awash sub-basin. The evaluation is based on how well the RCMs simulate the characteristics of the rainfall pattern in Upper Awash sub-basin for the period of 1985 to 2005. For performance assessment the observed rainfall data was obtained from National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia. Future climate data from CORDEX Africa was dynamically downscaled and corrected for bias using delta change approach. The models were evaluated using statistical measures such as coefficient of variation (CV), root mean square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient and bias. Findings of this study indicates that the MPI-ES-LR climate model performed best in terms of correlation coefficient and CNRM-CM5 best in terms of coefficient of variations. All models were found best in capturing the observed rainfall, but no individual model is best in all performance measures. The ensemble of models is better in simulating the characteristics of rainfall rather than individual models and best in all performance measures. Therefore, in order to capture different aspects of the basin rainfall it is recommend to use ensemble of models simulations rather than individual model. Keywords: Climate change, GCM, RCM, Ensemble, Upper Awash DOI: 10.7176/JEES/14-1-01 Publication date: January 31st 202

The role of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for women labor market participation: A case of Ethiopian women MHM experiences in the formal sector

Purpose: Investigating the impact of functional MHM facilities and access to affordable MHM materials on the equitable labour market participation of Ethiopian women in the formal sector. Theory: Liberal feminist theory with the concept of intersectionality as well as women empowerment are used. To understand the role of cultural influence of the society towards menstruation and MHM, sociocultural approach has also been used to analyse the results. Method: Semi-structured interview method, Result: In most developing countries, women have a lower percentage of labour market participation compared to men due to various reasons. The lack of MHM and adequate Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) facilities is one of these reasons. This research is conducted in various workplaces in the formal sector of the second most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia. Furthermore, my result showed that the lack of functional WASH facilities, lack of communication due to deep-rooted cultural taboo and patriarchy has contributed to lower women participation in the Ethiopian labour market. The women who overcome these challenges have used different coping mechanisms such as female solidarity, using extra time outside of workhour as well as taking responsibility upon themselves to facilitate MHM. However, despite the coping mechanisms, my findings also showed that women personal health are impacted and resulted in lower work performance. To address the lack of WASH facilities Ethiopian government needs to prepare a clear policy regarding MHM. This includes abolishing deep-rooted cultural taboos and stigma to facilitate discussion about MHM in the workplace and beyond

Renal Function Impairment and Associated Factors Among Adult HIV-Positive Patients Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital: Cross-Sectional Study

Bilisumamulifna Tefera Kefeni,1 Kifle Woldemichael Hajito,2 Masrie Getnet2 1Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia; 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Bilisumamulifna Tefera Kefeni Tel +251-911-537-978Email [email protected]: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects every organ system in the body through impairment or by rendering the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections. The kidney is the vital organ in the excretion of waste products and toxins (urea, creatinine and uric acid), and regulation of extracellular fluid volume, serum osmolality and electrolyte concentrations. The risk of kidney disease is greater in HIV-infected individuals than in the general population. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of renal function impairment and its associated factors among adult HIV-positive patients attending an ART clinic in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, Mettu town, south-west Ethiopia.Methods: The institution-based, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from March 8 to May 30, 2020. A total of 352 clients participated and a systematic sampling technique was used to allocate study participants. Data were entered into Epi data and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify candidate variables for multivariate analysis at P < 0.25. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of renal function impairment with ART. P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Results: A total of 352 HIV-infected patients participated in this study with a response rate of 98.1%. Out of 352 HIV patients on ART, 73 (20.7%) were found to have renal function impairment. Cigarette smoking [AOR = 9.60, 95% CI: 4.73– 19.48], diabetes mellitus [AOR = 6.16, 95% CI: 2.79– 13.59], hypertension [AOR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.98– 11.17] and low CD4 count [AOR = 6.47, 95% CI: 3.31– 12.64] were found to be independent predictors of renal function impairment among adult HIV positive patients.Conclusion: The prevalence of renal function impairment among HIV patients on ART is high. Hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking and low CD4 count were associated factors of renal function impairment. HIV patients on ART should be regularly screened for early diagnosis and management of renal function impairment.Keywords: renal impairment, HIV positive, ART, Mett