Domestic Prevalence of Malaria Vectors and Self-reported Malaria Episode with Respect to Ownership and Utilization of Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets in Selected Resettlement and Indigenous Villages in Sasiga District, Western Ethiopia

Agricultural resettlement of none-immune population in malaria endemic lowlands has become one of the key challenges to malaria control and elimination efforts in Ethiopia. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are currently the best malaria control intervention in the country. We assessed indoor prevalence of malaria vectors and the disease incident with respect to possession and utilization of LLINs in selected resettlement and indigenous villages in Sasiga district, western Ethiopia. Adult mosquitoes were monitored indoors and outdoors from randomly selected samples of 12 houses using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps (CDC-LTs). Whereas LLINs possession and utilization survey was conducted concurrently with household survey of self-reported malaria episode. The study was conducted once during dry season (December-February), minor malaria transmission season (March-May) and the major transmission season (September-December) in 2011-2012. Data were analysed using One-way analysis of variance, logistic regression (odd ratio) and descriptive statistics via SPSS version 20.0. The results were considered significant at P < 0.05. Anopheles gambiae s.l. constituted 81.1% (n=270) of the anopheline collection and the rest 18.9% (n=63) were Anopheles coustani and Anopheles cinereus. The mean indoor density of the malaia vector, An. gambiae s.l. was higher in the resettled than the indigenous village. The overall coverage and utilization rate for at least one LLIN per household was 62.2% and 62.0% for the indigenous but 72.8% and 72.2% for the resettled village, respectively. Average prevalence of self-reported malaria episode per household in the villages were 31.1% and 41.1% for the indigenous and the resettled villages in that order. Logistic regression revealed that use of nets for other purposes, saving nets for future use and possession of radio had significant association with net ownership and utilization in the surveyed households. Indoor malaria vector and the disease prevalence tend to increase in the resettled village than the indigenous village regardless of significantly higher net ownership and utilization in the former village. Therefore, the impact of housing, insecticide resistance and feeding behavior of the target vectors need to be monitored as they might impact on protective efficacy of LLINs. Keywords: Ethiopia, long-lasting insecticidal nets, self-reported malaria episode, resettlemen

Review on Perception and Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers’ to Climate Change in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Smallholder farmers is highly vulnerable to climate variability and  change due to its great reliance on  climate sensetive economy .Different empirical evidence's has put forward about climate change perception and adaptation practices.However, the findings of  major  studies are highly aggregated and are of little help in addressing  local peculiarities of perception and adaptation strategies .While, others were vague to understandand  and finally difficult to implement at farm level. Hence ,this paper reviews the empirical literature on smallholder farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies of climate change in Ethiopia with specific objectives of; to review the Smallholder framers’ perception to climate change, to identify climate change adaptation strategies used by Smallholder farmers’ and to review factors that determine smallholder farmers choice of  climate change adaptation strategies in Ethiopia.This paper was prepared through wide spread review of  empirical  evidence's. The review found that the majority of farmers in Ethiopia are aware of climate change in average change in temperatures and rainfall pattern with passion of weather extremes such as droughts ,floods,pest and disease manifestation. To deal with up the unfavorable sound effects of climate change, farmers have adopted strategies like crop diversification, using improved varieties, changing planting and harvesting dates, irrigation, planting tree crops, water and soil conservation techniques,switching to non-farm income activities, marketing during forage shock, using drought tolerant breed andfodder preservation.But , preference of adaptation strategies differs from place to place, farms to farms, and households capacity. At household level, most of the empirical evidence revealed Agro-ecological setting, sex, education level, landholding, farm income, non-farm income, livestock ownership, access to credit, extension visit, farmer-to-farmer extension, access to climate information and average distance from home to the farm have significant influence on the choice of climate adaptation strategies.The review result depicted that  there is much dearth of empirical evidences regarding  livestock sectors so far as much of the research is focused on crop sector's.Therefore, it has been suggested to further investigate deep rooted emperical evidence's on adaptation strategies of livestock sectors and available indigenous knowledge especially in pastoral  areas.Further more, there is a need to explore impacts of climate change and single adaptation strategies on livelihood of smallholder's farmers at each farm level autonomously. Keywords: adaptation strategies; climate change; Ethiopia, perceptions; Smallholder farmer's DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/82-03 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Practice of Curriculum Contextualization in Selected Primary Schools in Rural Ethiopia

Relevance of the curriculum is one of the most important concerns in provision of primary education. ne means to maintain the relevance of the curriculum is through contextualization. Contextualization of the curriculum, as used here, embraces relating the content, the teaching learning process and the materials to meaningful situations that are relevant to students’ lives. The present study examined the status of curriculum contextualization in primary schools in rural Ethiopia. Data was collected from 640 students, 84 teachers, 16 school principals, 16 deputy principals, 10 Supervisors and 5 Heads of District Education Offices. The result indicated that effort at contextualizing the curriculum is terribly lacking. Though there is institutional concern over curriculum relevance, in practice, the attempt made to model the process through inclusion of elements of curriculum contextualization into teachers’ performance assessment criteria and textbook evaluation guides is extremely lacking. Teachers’ lack of know-how, poor administrative support, focus on regional examinations and shortage of resources are among the challenges identified to have curbed curriculum contextualization. The implication of this situation on the quality of primary education has been discussed; suggestions for improvement forwarded. Key terms: Curriculum relevance, curriculum contextualization, experiential learning, humanizing education

Hide and Skin Value Chain in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's economy is predominantly agricultural where the livestock sub-sector plays substantial role. Hides and skin is an important strategic sector for the economic and industrial development of Ethiopia. Though the country has very good potential for supplying finished skins and hides products to the world market, the quality of skins and hides supplied has rather deteriorated over time. Therefore, this seminar was conducted to review hide and skin value chain in Ethiopia, to review  hide and skin value chain actors, maps  and its value addition in Ethiopia, to review  the  major constraints and opportunities of hide and skin in Ethiopia ,to review hides and skins production ,utilization  and  its constraint  in Ethiopia and to review hide and skin marketing and its constraints in Ethiopia . Poor quality of hides and skins , Poor animal husbandry ,Improper preserved hides and skins ,Lack of price incentives ,absence of quality grading, reflections of the economic policy, market information, and requirements from the tanneries and end market are main challenge observed  hide and skin value chain . Creation of awareness among extension staff, butchers, collectors, tanners and other stakeholders and the general public of the economic importance of hides and skins are very important. Developing Clear pricing  system based on grading and standard of hide and skin and improving access to market information  As well as Clear policy and strategy for the development of hide and skin sector should be developed by Member State that have not done   so far. Keywords: Hide and skin, value chain, Actors, marketing constraints DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/53-0

Needs Assessment Survey for M.Sc. Studies in Entomology in Ethiopia

Needs assessment survey were conducted in Ethiopia for launching M.Sc. studies in Entomology at Wollega University (WU), one of the public universities that aims to develop graduate programs in the western part of the country. The objective of the survey was to obtain training needs, gaps, specialization options, program structure and courses that are relevant to the needs of stakeholders associated with entomology. A facility-based data survey, focus group discussion (FGD) with key informants and needs assessment questionnaire to the stakeholders were used for data collection for the study. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Facility survey results showed that average number of MSC holder Entomologists were very low. On average there were 0.19 MSc holder entomologists in Ethiopian universities, 0.33 in Ethiopian research sector and 0.15 in industrial sector. In line with these findings, participants of FGD revealed that most of the organization where they work need M.Sc. degree and above in entomology. Need assessment questionnaire survey results indicated 98.7% need for M.Sc level qualification in entomology, 96.0% need to employ new M.Sc graduates in entomology and 93.3% need for the Ethiopian organizations to upgrade their existing staff to M.Sc. level in entomology. In conclusion, the survey results underline high demand for M.Sc. training in Entomology in Ethiopia. Furthermore the concern of topsoil depletion and agricultural loss impacted by termite pests and white mango scale insects and biodiversity loss impacted by deforestation by insecticides warrant advanced entomological studies in western Ethiopia. Keywords: Insects, M.Sc. in Entomology, Need Assessment, Wollega Universit

Treatment outcomes of patients with MDR-TB and its determinants at referral hospitals in Ethiopia

Text in EnglishAim: The aims of this study were to investigate the treatment outcomes of patients with MDRTB and its determinants at referral hospitals in Ethiopia. The study also aims to develop a conceptual model for enhancing treatment of patients with MDR-TB in Ethiopia. Design and methods: A concurrent mixed methods design with quantitative dominance was used to investigate treatment outcomes of patients with MDR-TB and its determinants. Results: A total of 136 (n=136) patients with MDR-TB participated in the study, 74 (54%) were male and 62 (46%) were female. Forty-one (31%) of the patients had some co-morbidity with MDR-TB at baseline, and 64% had body mass index less than 18.5kg/m2. Eight (6%) of the patients were diagnosed among household contacts. At 24 months, 76/110 (69%) of the patients had successfully completed treatment, but 30/110 (27%) were died of MDR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the odds of unfavourable treatment outcomes were significantly higher among patients with low body mass index (BMI <18.5kg/m2) (AOR=2.734, 95% CI: 1.01-7.395; P<0.048); and those with some co-morbidity with MDR-TB at the baseline (AOR=4.260, 95%CI: 1.607-11.29; p<0.004). The majority of the patients were satisfied with the clinical care they received at hospitals. But as no doctor was exclusively dedicated for the MDR-TB centre, patients could not receive timely medical attention and this was especially the case with those with emergency medical conditions. The caring practice of caregivers at the hospitals was supportive and empathic but it was desperate and alienating at treatment follow up centres. Patients were dissatisfied with the quality and adequacy of the socio-economic support they got from the programme. Despite the high MDR-TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection rate, services for both diseases was not available under one roof. Conclusions: Low body mass index and the presence of any co-morbidity with MDR-TB at the baseline are independent predictors of death among patients with MDR-TB. Poor communication between patients and their caregivers and inadequate socio-economic support were found to determine patients’ perceived quality of care and patients’ satisfaction with care given for MDR-TB.Health StudiesD. Litt et Phil. (Health Studies

Examination and Analysis of Charities and Societies Proclamation of Ethiopia

It is argued that civil society organizations (CSOs) are crucial for ensuring good governance in any society. They can also contribute towards enabling accountable and transparent government and thereby enhancing employment opportunities and solve societal problems in any given country. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia the relationship between CSOs and Government is rather dubious and filled with mistrust. So it is found out via empirical investigation. The CSO law has been accused of over regulating and of hindrance to charities and societies operating in Ethiopia. The law, some contend, is framed with ill motive of controlling and subjugating. Nevertheless, the law is also argued for and that it put some sense to wild wishes and whims of CSOs (ulterior motives and criminal intents). This research is set out to examine and analyze the Charities and Societies Proclamation of Ethiopia. Keywords: CSOs, charities, societies, proclamation, impact DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-3-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Mitigating Policies and Strategies for Challenges Encountering Ethiopian Urban Centers

Ethiopia is one of the less urbanized countries in the world in spite of the fact that urban population is increasing rapidly. If managed proactively, urban population growth presents a huge opportunity to shift the structure and location of economic activity from rural agriculture to the larger and more differentiated service sectors and urban industrial. Yet, if not managed proactively, rapid urban population growth may pose a demographic challenge as cities struggle to provide jobs, infrastructure and services, and housing to the residents. Inline of this reality, the paper attempted to provide mitigating policies and strategies to encounter existing challenges facing urban centers in Ethiopia. Keywords: Policies, Strategies, Urbanization, Challenges DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/81-02 Publication date:March 31st 2020

Implementation of Business process reengineering: An analysis of key success and failure factors, a case study of Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority Mekelle Branch

This study of Implementation of Business process reengineering (BPR): an analysis of key success and failure factors – A Case Study of Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority Mekelle branch is an attempt to explore the effectiveness of the practices in the organization. Prior studies made on the organization have indicated inefficient organizational structure and unnecessarily complicated procedures that had permitted insufficient service delivery, corruption, smuggling and serious tax evasion in the organization. These problems have depressed the attempt of the organization to be successful in achieving its objectives. To increase its efficiency, the organization has implemented BPR recently. However, the effect of the reengineering on quality service, employee satisfaction, and speed has not been so far investigated. The major theme of the research was to analyze the key success and failures factors while implementing BPR in the tax collection procedures, customer service, and employee satisfaction in the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority Mekelle branch (ERCA). To attain this objective, the study used descriptive method. Purposive sampling method was used because it is the best method to collect relevant information from the knowledgeable individuals willing to provide it. Primary data was the largest portion of information source and collected from managers, employees and customers. To collect primary data the study used questionnaire. Discussion was made with management of the organization to obtain key information. Finally, based on the findings, the organization’s Business process reengineering (BPR) implementation is just an improvement, not radical change in terms of tax collection procedures, customer service, employees’ beliefs and cultural change. Using other method of study, the researcher recommend the researchers to study the impact of Business process reengineering (BPR) implementation on cost reduction, the impact of Business process reengineering (BPR) on tax collection performance of the organization and the impact of Business process reengineering (BPR) in reducing tax evasion and avoidance

Measuring Male-Female Productivity Differentials in Ethiopian Agriculture: Policy Implications for Improving the Livelihood of Female Farmers

An understanding of the efficiency with which women farmers are operating, particularly where they account for the largest share of the labor force required for agricultural production, is essential for designing appropriate policies to improve the overall performance of agriculture as well as the livelihood of women farmers. This paper contributes to the gender productivity debate by drawing on crop production data collected in three districts (Ada, Akaki and Gimbichu) in East Shoa, Ethiopia during the 1999/2000 cropping season through detailed multi-visit surveys of 80 farm households of which 39 were female-headed households. Using the Tornqvist-Theil index, Total factor productivity (TFP) is measured to analyze crop production efficiency differentials between male and female headed households. The analysis demonstrates that there is little evidence that male-female differences per se account f or productivity differentials in crop production. The results imply that the variation in overall TFP can only arise due to differentials in access to the quality of human and physical resources and services, and differential control of the benefits from output by women versus men. Hence, appropriate institutional frameworks that reduce cultural and social barriers associated with women farmers' access to such resources and benefits should be developed. Policies targeted towards increasing female farmers' access to education, extension services, credit, adequate amount of quality land and other resources including control over the benefits, will improve the overall productivity and livelihood of female farmers.Agricultural efficiency, total factor productivity, gender, Ethiopian agriculture, Labor and Human Capital, D2, Q12, Q18,