Quality Status Evaluation of Gurage Coffee (Coffea arabica L.), Southern Ethiopia

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is originated from Ethiopia and used as export earnings in the national economy, contributing decisively to the country’s foreign exchange. It is the major cash crop for small holding farmers who live in south, central and southwest parts of the country. The experiment was conducted in Gurage Zone found in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, of Ethiopia located between 7.80 - 8.50 latitude and 37.50 -38.70 longitude. This research was designed to evaluate the status of Gurage coffee local land race in relation to growing altitude and shade effect on quality. Coffee type by altitude was highly significant for shape and make, raw quality, acidity, cup quality and total quality and also significant difference were achieved for screen size, body, flavor and overall quality. Coffee type by shade type was highly and significantly affects acidity, overall quality and cup quality and significant difference was exempted for body. Coffees grown in Gurage zone can be inter into specialty market if it is processed in recommended dry method. The effects of some soil properties were also evident on coffee quality, demonstrating the importance to consider soils for the sustainable production of high quality coffees. Keywords: altitude , local land race, quality and shade

BRONCHODILATOR AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ADHATODA SCHIMPERIANA

No abstract - Available on PD

Determinants of breast cancer among women attending oncology units in selected health facilities of Hawassa City, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia, 2023: case-control study

BackgroundThe incidence of breast cancer (BC) is rampantly increasing in developing countries particularly Ethiopia. Unfortunately, the morbidity and mortality rates are sharply increasing, and because of this, families are suffering from socioeconomic crises. Despite this, there is limited evidence on the determinants of breast cancer in Ethiopia as well as in the study area.ObjectiveTo identify the determinants of BC among women attending oncology units in selected hospitals in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, in 2023.MethodA hospital-based, case-control study with 300 patients (75 cases and 225 controls) was carried out in Hawassa from June to July 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select cases and controls. Data were collected via pretested and structured digitally installed questionnaires with Kobo collection/smartphones. The data were exported from the server to SPSS version 27 for analysis. Descriptive analysis of univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression data was conducted to determine the associations between breast cancer incidence and independent factors.ResultsA total of 300 women participated in this study for a response rate of 100%. The mean ( ± SD) ages of the respondents were 37.2 ( ± 14.8) and 36.6 ( ± 15.1) years for the cases and controls, respectively. According to the multivariate logistic regression model, postmenopausal status [AOR: 2.49; 95% CI (1.18, 5.23)], family history of cancer [AOR: 2.33; 95% CI (1.12, 4.82)], oral contraceptives [AOR: 2.74; 95% CI (1.34, 5.99)], overweight and/or obesity [AOR: 2.29; 95% CI: (1.14, 4.59)], and consumption of solid oil [AOR: 2.36; 95% CI (1.20, 4.67)] were independently associated with BC risk.ConclusionThis study revealed important risk factors for BC. Therefore, women should adopt healthier lifestyles through healthy nutrition and regular exercise to reduce the risk of developing BC. In addition, early detection and regular screening are proactive approaches for detecting BC

Vaccine safety practices and its implementation barriers in Northwest Ethiopia: A qualitative study

AbstractIntroduction: Even if immunization coverage increases over time, it is imperative to ascertain the safety and efficient coverage of immunization services. However, evidence on the safety practices of vaccines is limited. Assessing the implementation status of vaccine safety practices and its implementation barriers is crucial for program monitoring, interventions, and improvements. Therefore, this study aimed to assess vaccine safety practices and its implementation barriers in the public health facilities of Northwest Ethiopia.Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the safety practices of vaccines and to explore its implementation barriers.Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study. Face-to-face in-depth interviews with key-informants and immunization session-observations were the main data collection methods used in this study. Study participants were purposively selected based on their experience and knowledge about the subject matter and framework analysis was performed.Result: The study's findings revealed that the safety practices of vaccines from the cold chain system, vaccine administration and waste disposal and management perspective was suboptimal. Many barriers influencing vaccine safety practices were also explored. They are 1) vaccine storage and handling, 2). vaccine administration/delivery, 3) waste disposal and management, 4) communication, 5) monitoring and evaluation and 6) and resource.Conclusion: Efforts to promote the safety of vaccines and vaccination practices is a complex phenomenon and demands multidisciplinary action. Based on our findings, improved vaccine storage and handling, proper administration of vaccines based on guidelines, proper disposal and management of waste, and effective communication, and monitoring can contribute to the safe delivery of vaccination practices. Furthermore, improving the financial freedom of the facilities could increase the availability of essential resources and equipment that can safely store vaccines. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-3): 111-117]Keywords: Immunization safety practice, Qualitative study, Framework analysis, Northwest Ethiopi

Enabling equitable collective action and policy change for poverty reduction and improved natural resource management in the Eastern African highlands:

"The role of local and external institutions in natural resource management (NRM) is gaining attention in the literature, fostering greater understanding of the relationship between collective action and poverty, collective action and equity, and the conditions under which collective action institutions take root. It has also led to increased understanding of how uncritical practices by external development institutions can propagate social inequities in NRM. Yet little research has been conducted to understand how to foster local collective action institutions where they are absent, or to improve institutional practice. This research integrates empirical and action research in an effort to generate ‘working solutions' to problems facing rural communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources in the highlands of Ethiopia and Uganda. Following a brief introduction to the literature and the research, findings are presented according to two distinct phases of research. Data are first presented on existing forms of collective action, the influence of local and external institutions on economic development, and NRM problems that persist despite their negative livelihood consequences. Action research themes selected from a list of identified problems are then presented in greater detail, with lessons learnt thus far in attempting to overcome institutional barriers to improved NRM. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of findings for research, institutional practice, and policy." authors' abstractNatural resource management, Collective action, Equity, Livelihoods, East African highlands, Gender, Environmental management,

Brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa:Current challenges for management, diagnosis and control

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and affecting domestic and wild mammals. In this paper, the bacteriological and serological evidence of brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its epidemiological characteristics are discussed. The tools available for the diagnosis and treatment of human brucellosis and for the diagnosis and control of animal brucellosis and their applicability in the context of SSA are presented and gaps identified. These gaps concern mostly the need for simpler and more affordable antimicrobial treatments against human brucellosis, the development of a B. melitensis vaccine that could circumvent the drawbacks of the currently available Rev 1 vaccine, and the investigation of serological diagnostic tests for camel brucellosis and wildlife. Strategies for the implementation of animal vaccination are also discussed.Publishe

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Postexposure Prophylaxis against HIV Infection among Healthcare Workers in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia

Background. Postexposure chemoprophylaxis can prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in risk health care workers; however routine adoption of these practices by the workers has been limited. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 311 health care workers of Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital between February and March 2016. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using STATA 12. Results. In all, 83% of the participants had adequate knowledge of postexposure prophylaxis for HIV. All the respondents had heard about postexposure prophylaxis for HIV; however, only 37 (22.4%) workers know the definition of the postexposure prophylaxis. Among study participants, the majority of them, 272 (87.5%), knew the preferable time to initiate postexposure chemoprophylaxis. A significant number of the workers (43.4%) had an unfavorable attitude towards postexposure prophylaxis. Among 53 workers with a potential exposure to HIV, 38 (71.7%) took postexposure chemoprophylaxis and only 26 (44.8%) completed taking postexposure prophylaxis correctly. Conclusion. In all, most of the health care workers had adequate knowledge about postexposure prophylaxis against HIV/AIDS. The result shows that a significant number of individuals had a negative attitude and poor practice with regard to postexposure prophylaxis. Therefore, formal training that aims to improve attitudes and support to improve postexposure prophylaxis implementation and completion are needed. We would recommend the establishment of appropriate guidelines and the supply chain to ensure the availability of postexposure prophylaxis drugs for the protection of healthcare workers with potential high risk exposure to HIV

Combining green energy technologies to electrify rural community of Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Power shortages are a major problem in rural Ethiopia. Only about 45% of people living in around cities have access to the public power grid. The rest of the inhabitants lives in rural regions with limited access to grid-connected energy. To evaluate the potential of a standalone solar-wind hybrid energy system (HES) for a rural off-grid settlement in western Ethiopia, a feasibility study was performed. The electrical demand of a model household, comprising a school and health facility, was calculated. HOMER Pro is a tool for determining the viability of HES. When the software is executed, optimization results are obtained and sorted according to the lowest net present cost (NPC) and cost of Electricity (COE). The results reveal that the Photovoltaic (PV)/battery/converter combination is the most cost-effective, with the lowest NPC and COE. This setup's NPC is $9150, the COE is$0.173/kWh, and the renewable resource contribution is 100%. The study's findings can be used by interested parties, decision makers and investors to show the benefits of increasing renewable energy, modifying components, and reducing electricity bills