Assessment of vitamin A supplementation coverage and its association with childhood illness in Boloso Sore Woreda, Welayta Zone, SNNP Region, Ethiopia

Background: Vitamin A plays vital role in the physiology of vision and immunity. Globally quarters of a billion children are Vitamin A deficient. Vitamin A supplementation of children and mothers during postpartum period is a key strategy to avert the deficiency. However the effect of Vitamin A supplementation on incidence of childhood illnesses is controversial. Objective: To assess the effect of Vitamin A supplementation on the reduction of common childhood illnesses, and to measure the coverage of vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months and mothers during postpartum period. Methods: A retrospective cohort study which involves comparison between Vitamin A supplemented and nonsupplemented children was conducted in Feb 2008 in Boloso Sore Woreda, Wolayta Zone, SNNPR. A total of 1601 children aged 6-59 months were selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling technique. Results: Vitamin A supplementation coverage among children (6-59 months) was 83.1% and among women (in postpartum period) who had given birth in the preceding 12 months of the survey was 13.2%. In comparison with the corresponding level in 2005, the coverage in the area has increased significantly (

Performance evaluation of commercial sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars for yield and yield related traits in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is cultivated in Ethiopia as a cash crop, export commodity, and raw material for sesame oil industries. It has surged up as a silver line regarding its contribution to the export earnings for Ethiopians. Sesame cultivation was not widely known in Wolaita area although the area could be a potential cultivation location for wider production of sesame in the country. Therefore, to evaluate performance in terms of yield and yield related traits for selection of the best performing cultivars to enhance productivity and larger production, ten sesame cultivars were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two districts (Humbo and Kindo-Koysha) for two years (2017-2018). Analysis of variance showed that cultivars Mehado-80 (154 cm), Adi (153 cm), and Tate (149 cm) have grown to significantly higher heights over the rest of the cultivars. Mehado-80 and Tate had a significantly higher number of primary branches (mean values across locations 9.3, 8.7 and 8.6, respectively). The cultivar Tate had the highest number of capsules (97.9) per plant, which had also the highest genotypic variation (428.54). The highest genotypic coefficient of variance (45.58%) was recorded for seed yield. Days to 50% flowering and 90% maturity exhibited the lowest phenotypic coefficient of variation, 7.16%, and 3.69%, respectively. Heritability in a broad sense (h2b) ranged from 13.32% for plant height to 32.43% for thousand seed weight. The interaction effects had showed no significant difference (P>0.05) for most of the studied traits. Cultivars Tate (1200 kg/ha), Serkamo (917 kg/ha) and Kelafo-74 (875 kg/ha) scored significantly higher seed yield at Kindo-Koysha site whereas Tate (1208 kg/ha, S (1042 kg/ha) and Mehado-80 (1021 kg/ha) scored significantly higher seed yield at Humbo site. Hence these cultivars could, respectively, be used as a potential cultivar for Kindo-Koysha and Humbo districts of Wolaita zone, while cultivar Tate exhibited the highest seed yield at both locations and hence recommended for Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

Factors influencing the ownership and utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets for malaria prevention in Ethiopia

Background Utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is regarded as key malaria prevention and control strategy. However, studies have reported a large gap in terms of both ownership and utilization particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With continual efforts to improve the use of LLIN and to progress malaria elimination, examining the factors influencing the ownership and usage of LLIN is of high importance. Therefore, the current study was conducted to examine the level of ownership and use of LLIN along with identification of associated factors at household level. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mirab Abaya District, Southern Ethiopia in June and July 2014. A total of 540 households, with an estimated 2690 members, were selected in four kebeles of the district known to have high incidence of malaria. Trained data collectors interviewed household heads to collect information on the knowledge, ownership and utilization of LLINs, which was complemented by direct observation on the conditions and use of the nets through house-to-house visit. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated to LLIN use. Results Of 540 households intended to be included in the survey, 507 responded to the study (94.24% response rate), covering the homes of 2759 people. More than 58% of the households had family size >5 (the regional average), and 60.2% of them had at least one child below the age of 5 years. The ownership of at least one LLIN among households surveyed was 89.9%, and using at least one LLIN during the night prior to the survey among net owners was 85.1% (n = 456). Only 36.7% (186) mentioned at least as the mean of correct scores of all participants for 14 possible malaria symptoms and 32.7% (166) knew at least as the mean of correct scores of all participants for possible preventive methods. Over 30% of nets owned by the households were out of use. After controlling for confounding factors, having two or more sleeping places (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.58, 95% CI 1.17, 5.73), knowledge that LLIN prevents malaria (aOR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.17, 5.37), the presence of hanging bed nets (aOR = 19.24, 95% CI 9.24, 40.07) and walls of the house plastered or painted >12 months ago (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01, 0.71) were important predictors of LLIN utilization. Conclusions This study found a higher proportion of LLIN ownership and utilization by households than had previously been found in similar studies in Ethiopia, and in many studies in SSA. However, poor knowledge of the transmission mechanisms and the symptoms of malaria, and vector control measures to prevent malaria were evident. Moderate proportions of nets were found to be out of use or in poor repair. Efforts should be in place to maintain the current rate of utilization of LLIN in the district and improve on the identified gaps in order to support the elimination of malaria

Model variations in predicting incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria using 1998-2007 morbidity and meteorological data from south Ethiopia

Background: Malaria transmission is complex and is believed to be associated with local climate changes. However, simple attempts to extrapolate malaria incidence rates from averaged regional meteorological conditions have proven unsuccessful. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if variations in specific meteorological factors are able to consistently predict P. falciparum malaria incidence at different locations in south Ethiopia. Methods: Retrospective data from 42 locations were collected including P. falciparum malaria incidence for the period of 1998-2007 and meteorological variables such as monthly rainfall (all locations), temperature (17 locations), and relative humidity (three locations). Thirty-five data sets qualified for the analysis. Ljung-Box Q statistics was used for model diagnosis, and R squared or stationary R squared was taken as goodness of fit measure. Time series modelling was carried out using Transfer Function (TF) models and univariate auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) when there was no significant predictor meteorological variable. Results: Of 35 models, five were discarded because of the significant value of Ljung-Box Q statistics. Past P. falciparum malaria incidence alone (17 locations) or when coupled with meteorological variables (four locations) was able to predict P. falciparum malaria incidence within statistical significance. All seasonal AIRMA orders were from locations at altitudes above 1742 m. Monthly rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature was able to predict incidence at four, five and two locations, respectively. In contrast, relative humidity was not able to predict P. falciparum malaria incidence. The R squared values for the models ranged from 16% to 97%, with the exception of one model which had a negative value. Models with seasonal ARIMA orders were found to perform better. However, the models for predicting P. falciparum malaria incidence varied from location to location, and among lagged effects, data transformation forms, ARIMA and TF orders. Conclusions: This study describes P. falciparum malaria incidence models linked with meteorological data. Variability in the models was principally attributed to regional differences, and a single model was not found that fits all locations. Past P. falciparum malaria incidence appeared to be a superior predictor than meteorology. Future efforts in malaria modelling may benefit from inclusion of non-meteorological factors