Milk yield performance of two and three breed crosses of dairy cattle in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Two and three way rotational crossing was carried out at the Holetta Research Center using the indigenous Boran (Bos indicus) and exotic dairy cattle breeds of Friesian and Jersey (Bos taurus). The Jersey was used as third breed, to produce three way crosses from Boran Friesian crosses. The Friesian was used as third breed for Boran cross Jerseys. All herds were allowed to graze 8 hours per day during dry seasons (September-June) and fed indoors during the wet season (July- August). Cows were hand milked twice per day and data were collected and recorded for each milking. A total of226 two way and 131 three way records were used to analyze lactation length, total milk yield, average daily milk yield and 305 days milk yield. Least square mean of 305 days milk yield for two and three breed crosses was 1827.00±40.68 and 1704.00 ±368 liters, respectively. Parity and calving season had marked effect on lactation length (P<0.05). Total milk yield was affected only by parity (P<0.05). Milk yield during 305 days lactation was affected by parity and exotic blood level. Cows with higher exotic blood level exceeded cows with low exotic blood levels for both crosses. Therefore, using three breed crossings accompanied with upgrading maintains heterosis achieved in two breed crossing and further improves with milk yield

Health sector readiness for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases: A multi-method qualitative assessment in Nepal

In Nepal, deaths attributable to NCDs have increased in recent years. Although NCDs constitute a major public health problem, how best to address this has not received much attention. The objective of this study was to assess the readiness of the Nepalese health sector for the prevention and control of NCDs and their risk factors. The study followed a multi-method qualitative approach, using a review of policy documents, focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted between August and December 2020. The policy review was performed across four policy categories. FGDs were undertaken with different cadres of health workers and IDIs with policy makers, program managers and service providers. We performed content analysis using the WHO health system building blocks framework as the main categories. Policy documents were concerned with the growing NCD burden, but neglect the control of risk factors. FGDs and IDIs reveal significant perceived weaknesses in each of the six building blocks. According to study participants, existing services were focused on curative rather than preventive interventions. Poor retention of all health workers in rural locations, and of skilled health workers in urban locations led to the health workers across all levels being overburdened. Inadequate quantity and quality of health commodities for NCDs emerged as an important logistics issue. Monitoring and reporting for NCDs and their risk factors was found to be largely absent. Program decisions regarding NCDs did not use the available evidence. The limited budget dedicated to NCDs is being allocated to curative services. The engagement of non-health sectors with the prevention and control of NCDs remained largely neglected. There is a need to redirect health sector priorities towards NCD risk factors, notably to promote healthy diets and physical activity and to limit tobacco and alcohol consumption, at policy as well as community levels

Neglected burden of injuries in Ethiopia, from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis of the global burden of diseases study 2019

BackgroundThe 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals has given injury prevention new attention, including halving road traffic injuries. This study compiled the best available evidence on injury from the global burden of diseases study for Ethiopia from 1990 to 2019.MethodsInjury data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years lost, years lived with disability, and years of life lost were extracted from the 2019 global burden of diseases study for regions and chartered cities in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2019. Rates were estimated per 100,000 population.ResultsIn 2019, the age-standardized rate of incidence was 7,118 (95% UI: 6,621–7,678), prevalence was 21,735 (95% UI: 19,251–26,302), death was 72 (95% UI: 61–83), disability-adjusted life years lost was 3,265 (95% UI: 2,826–3,783), years of live lost was 2,417 (95% UI: 2,043–2,860), and years lived with disability was 848 [95% UI: (620–1,153)]. Since 1990, there has been a reduction in the age-standardized rate of incidence by 76% (95% UI: 74–78), death by 70% (95% UI: 65–75), and prevalence by 13% (95% UI: 3–18), with noticeable inter-regional variations. Transport injuries, conflict and terrorism, interpersonal violence, self-harm, falls, poisoning, and exposure to mechanical forces were the leading causes of injury-related deaths and long-term disabilities. Since 1990, there has been a decline in the prevalence of transport injuries by 32% (95% UI: 31–33), exposure to mechanical forces by 12% (95% UI: 10–14), and interpersonal violence by 7.4% (95% UI: 5–10). However, there was an increment in falls by 8.4% (95% UI: 7–11) and conflict and terrorism by 1.5% (95% UI: 38–27).ConclusionEven though the burden of injuries has steadily decreased at national and sub-national levels in Ethiopia over the past 30 years, it still remains to be an area of public health priority. Therefore, injury prevention and control strategies should consider regional disparities in the burden of injuries, promoting transportation safety, developing democratic culture and negotiation skills to solve disputes, using early security-interventions when conflict arises, ensuring workplace safety and improving psychological wellbeing of citizens

Stigma against Tuberculosis Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND:Stigma attached to tuberculosis contributes to the limited effectiveness of current TB control approaches. However, there is a dearth of studies that explore the causes of stigma attached to tuberculosis and its effects on patients and tuberculosis control programs in Ethiopia. METHODS:An institution-based qualitative study was conducted at St. Peter Tuberculosis Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from July to August, 2015. Ten in-depth interviews and 6 key-informant interviews were carried out among tuberculosis patients and healthcare workers, respectively.The Open Code computer software package was used to analyze the data thematically. RESULTS:The study revealed that fear of infection and inappropriate health education messages by media were the main causes of tuberculosis stigma. The patients experienced isolation within their family and community, separation, and financial crisis. The stigma attached to tuberculosis may contribute to delayed healthcare seeking, poor treatment adherence, and poor prognosis. CONCLUSION:Interventions that reduce the stigma attached to tuberculosis should target on areas, such as creating community awareness, patient counseling on problem-solving and emotional skills, preparing culturally sensitive and scientifically sound media messages, providing financial support for the patients, and enhancing the qualities of the healthcare workers, such as empathy, concern, respect for the patient and cultural sensitivity