The status of hygiene and sanitation practice among rural model families of the Health Extension Program (HEP) in Wolayta and Kembata Tembaro Zones of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region of Ethiopia

Background: Since the Health Extension Program (HEP) started the training and graduation of model families, little is known about the status and maintenance of hygiene and sanitation practice to inform future directions and decisions.Objective: to assess the status and maintenance of hygiene and sanitation practices among rural model families of the Health Extension Program.Method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from Dec.-June 2010/11 in Wolayta and Kembata Tembaro Zones of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State of Ethiopia. Two types of comparisons were involved in the study; comparison of hygiene and sanitation practices of a randomly selected 690 model families and 686 non-model families, and comparison of similar practices among model families at the time of graduation, assessed in retrospective interview, versus at the time of survey. Quantitative data were collected from the two zones from Dec- Jan. 2010/11. Qualitative data were also collected in June 2011 to complement the findings of the quantitative data from a purposively selected group of women and men among model families in the study areas. Descriptive and analytics statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data using STATA version 10 while the qualitative data were analysed using Open Code version 3.6.2.0Results: The study showed that among model families, 82% of them had pit latrine, 23.1 % had solid and liquid waste disposal pits, 19.0% had shelves for storing utensils and 34.1 % had separate dwelling for people and cattle as compared to 55.6 %, 9.1%, 6% and 18.5 % of similar practices among non-model families respectively (p<0.001). Latrine availability, storage of water in a narrow necked covered container, possession of shelves for storage of utensils and fuel saving stoves declined from 96.6% to 82.3%, 92.7% to 78.6%, 33.6% to 19.1% and from 6.1% to 3%, respectively among model families after graduation (p<0.01). During FGDs and in-depth interviews, socio-economic and cultural reasons were mentioned as factors that hindered the maintenance of the practices.Conclusion: Generally, model families performed better in most of the hygiene and sanitation practices than nonmodel families. The study also indicated a decline in the maintenance of certain practices among some model families

Evaluation of Community-Based Trichiasis Surgery in Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Surgery to correct trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is recommended to prevent blindness caused by trachoma. This study evaluated the outcomes of community-based trichiasis surgery with absorbable sutures, conductd in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.Methods: A simple random sample of 431 patients was selected from surgical campaign records of which 363 (84.2%) were traced and enrolled into the study. Participants were interviewed and examined for trichiasis recurrence, complications of TT surgery and corneal opacity. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between trichiasis recurrence, corneal opacity and explanatory variables at the eye level.Results: The prevalence of trichiasis recurrence was 9.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 6.6-12.8) and corneal opacity was found in 14.3% (95% CI 10.9-18.3) of the study participants. The proportion of participants with complications of TT surgery was: granuloma 0.6% (95% CI 0.1-2.0); lid closure defects 5.5% (95% CI 3.4-8.4) and lid notching 16.8% (95% CI 13.1-21.1). No factors were identified for trichiasis recurrence. Corneal opacity was associated with increased age (Ptrend=0.001), more than 12 months post surgery (OR=2.7; 95%CI 1.3-5.6), trichiasis surgery complications (OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.4-5.9) and trichiasis recurrence (OR=2.5; 95%CI 1.0-6.3).Conclusion: Prevalence of recurrent trichiasis and granuloma were lower than expected but higher for lid closure defects and lid notching. The majority of the participants reported satisfaction with the trichiasis surgery they had undergone. The findings suggest that recurrence of trichiasis impacts on the patients’ risk of developing corneal opacity but longitudinal studies are required to confirm this.Keywords: Corneal opacity, Trichiasis, Trichiasis recurrence, Ethiopi

Empirical analysis of the relationship between real exchange rate and real interest rate differentials in inflation targeting countries

This study empirically tests the long-run relationship between real exchange rate and real interest rate (RERI) differentials using quarterly panel data over the period 1993- 2018 employing cointegration methods for a panel of 12 inflation targeting countries. The theoretical relationship of a long-run equilibrium relationship between real exchange rates and interest rate differentials is essentially derived from the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and uncovered interest parity theories. This theoretical relationship has become a standard and acceptable theory in open economy macroeconomics. Even so, empirical evidence on this long-run relationship has been mixed. Our study differs from previous studies in two respects. First, we investigate this relationship only for countries that have the same monetary policy framework (inflation targeting) (interest rates and exchange rates are theoretically important in the transmission of monetary impulses to the real economy). Second, we use both multivariate and panel cointegration methods in our investigation. The results show some evidence of cointegration in the country-by-country cases that we investigated using multivariate cointegration tests and weak evidence of cointegration between real exchange rate and real interest rate differentials for the sample of inflation targeting countries using panel cointegration tests. The findings in this study corroborates early works and recent studies on the long-run relationship between real exchange rate and real interest rate differentials. The empirical evidence from this study conclude that there is no clear evidence that the real interest rate – real exchange rate relationship in inflation targeting countries are different from other countries with well-developed financial markets.https://journals.co.za/content/journal/aa_ajber2021-04-08hj2020Economic

Epilation for minor trachomatous trichiasis: four-year results of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) needs to be managed to reduce the risk of vision loss. The long-term impact of epilation (a common traditional practice of repeated plucking of lashes touching the eye) in preventing visual impairment and corneal opacity from TT is unknown. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of epilation versus surgery for the management of minor TT (fewer than six lashes touching the eye) in Ethiopia. Here we report the four-year outcome and the effect on vision and corneal opacity. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 1300 individuals with minor TT were recruited and randomly assigned to quality trichiasis surgery or repeated epilation using high quality epilation forceps by a trained person with good near vision. Participants were examined six-monthly for two-years, and then at four-years after randomisation. At two-years all epilation arm participants were offered free surgery. At four-years 1151 (88.5%) were re-examined: 572 (88%) and 579 (89%) from epilation and surgery arms, respectively. At that time, 21.1% of the surgery arm participants had recurrent TT; 189/572 (33%) of the epilation arm had received surgery, while 383 (67%) declined surgery and had continued epilating ("epilation-only"). Among the epilation-only group, 207 (54.1%) fully controlled their TT, 166 (43.3%) had minor TT and 10 (2.6%) had major TT (>5 lashes). There were no differences between participants in the epilation-only, epilation-to-surgery and surgery arm participants in changes in visual acuity and corneal opacity between baseline and four-years. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: Most minor TT participants randomised to the epilation arm continued epilating and controlled their TT. Change in vision and corneal opacity was comparable between surgery and epilation-only participants. This suggests that good quality epilation with regular follow-up is a reasonable second-line alternative to surgery for minor TT for individuals who either decline surgery or do not have immediate access to surgical treatment

LEVERAGING FROM GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION FOR BREAD WHEAT PRODUCTION in EASTERN AFRICA

Developing high yielding and stable genotypes for wide and specific adaptation is important in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) production. The objective of this study was to exploit the gains from genotype by environment interaction for increased bread wheat production in eastern Africa. Thirty-three advanced bread wheat lines, along with two check varieties (Danda\u2019a and Hidasse) were evaluated at ten locations in Ethiopia and Kenya. The experiment was laid out in alpha lattice design in three replications. The analysis of variance for AMMI model of grain yield showed that environment, genotypes and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effects were highly significant (P<0.01), and accounted for 62.4, 4.8 and 15.8% of the total sum of squares variations, respectively. High environmental and significant GEI indicated that the environment had major influence for inconsistent performance. Grain yield of the genotypes ranged from 1.58 t ha-1 (G30) to 9.05 t ha-1 (G31). Genotypes G31, G18 and G35 were the best performing lines across environments. The AMMI biplot, using the first two principal components, showed that testing sites Njoro and Arsi-Robe highly discriminated the tested genotypes. Njoro was negatively interacting with high yielding genotypes, and was a different environment from any of the testing locations of Ethiopia for these sets of genotypes. It may be difficult to develop high yielding and stable varieties for the two countries, but one should look for specific adaptation. Genotypes G31 and G18 produced high grain yield, with low stability across locations which were favouring high yielding environments. However, G21 and G8 had above mean grain yield and good stability across locations. Therefore, wheat breeding for specific adaptability is very important to exploit the genetic advantage of specific genotypic performances across the region. However, extensive testing considering many locations across East African countries is vital for delineating and exploiting wheat environments for marked developments.Le d\ue9veloppement de vari\ue9t\ue9s stables et a rendements \ue9lev\ue9s dans le but d\u2019adoption a grande \ue9chelle, est important dans la production du bl\ue9 tendre ( Triticum aestivum L.). L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude est d\u2019exploiter l\u2019effet de l\u2019interaction entre g\ue9notypes et environnements (IGE) pour accroitre la production du bl\ue9 tendre en Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trente-trois lign\ue9es avanc\ue9es de bl\ue9 tendre ensemble avec deux vari\ue9t\ue9s de r\ue9f\ue9rence (Danda\u2019a and Hidasse) ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9es dans dix locations. Le plan exp\ue9rimental \ue9tait en treillis alpha avec trois r\ue9p\ue9titions. La m\ue9thode de l\u2019interaction des effets additifs and multiplicative (AMMI) avait \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9e pour le rendement en grain. L\u2019analyse des variances selon ce mod\ue8le a montr\ue9 que l\u2019environnement, le g\ue9notype et l\u2019interaction des deux ont des effets significatifs sur le rendement en grains (P<0,01), et contribuent respectivement, 62,4\ua0; 4,8 et 15,8% \ue0 la variation totale. Un effet important de l\u2019environnement et une interaction significative indiquent que l\u2019environnement a un r\uf4le majeur dans les diff\ue9rences de rendements. Les rendements en grains des g\ue9notypes testes varient de 1.58 t ha-1 (G30) a 9.05 t ha-1 (G31). Les g\ue9notypes G31, G18 et G35 \ue9taient de fa\ue7on g\ue9n\ue9rale, les plus performants. Le biplot g\ue9n\ue8re par AMMI a montr\ue9 que les sites Njoro and Arsi-Robe discriminent nettement les g\ue9notypes test\ue9s. Njoro \ue9tait n\ue9gativement corr\ue9l\ue9 avec les g\ue9notypes a rendement \ue9lev\ue9 et constituait un environnement diff\ue9rent de toutes les autres locations de l\u2019Ethiopie ou ces g\ue9notypes ont \ue9t\ue9 testes. Il peut s\u2019av\ue9rer difficile de d\ue9velopper des vari\ue9t\ue9s \ue0 haut rendement et stable dans les deux pays, mais l\u2019on doit rechercher des vari\ue9t\ue9s adapt\ue9es \ue0 chaque milieu. Les g\ue9notypes G31 et G18 ont eu des rendements \ue9lev\ue9s mais n\u2019ont pas \ue9t\ue9 stables dans les milieux qui se sont av\ue9r\ue9s \ue0 haut rendement. N\ue9anmoins, G21 et G8 ont eu des rendements plus \ue9lev\ue9s que la moyenne et se sont montres stables d\u2019un milieu \ue0 un autre. Il s\u2019ensuit donc que le d\ue9veloppement de vari\ue9t\ue9 de bl\ue9 tendre adapt\ue9 \ue0 chaque milieu serait une bonne approche pour une exploitation efficiente des avantages g\ue9n\ue9tiques des g\ue9notypes \ue0 haute performance. N\ue9anmoins, il est important de faire des essais extensifs prenant en compte plusieurs localit\ue9s des pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est afin d\u2019explorer et identifier les milieux propices au bl\ue9 tendre

DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT GERMPLASM FOR STEM RUST RESISTANCE IN EASTERN AFRICA

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) rust outbreak is the primary production constraint in Eastern Africa. Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are hot spots for the epidemic of rusts, due to higher rates of evolution of new pathogen races, especially of the virulent stem rust (Puccinia graminis) race, Ug99. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to the major pathotypes of stem rust prevalent in some countries of Eastern Africa. Three hundred and six elite breeding lines, selected and advanced at the Wheat Regional Centre of Excellence (WRCoE) in Ethiopia, were planted in stem rust hot spot areas of the country (Arsi-Robe) and Kenya (Njoro) under natural infections. Stem rust scores of 18, 25.8 and 56.2% of lines at Arsi-Robe; and 35, 49 and 16.7% of lines at Njoro were resistant to moderately resistant, intermediate and moderately susceptible to susceptible category, respectively. Overall coefficient of infection (ACI) at Arsi-Robe (24) was greater than that of Njoro (13), indicating higher disease pressure in Ethiopia than Kenya. Among the lines, 67% at Njoro and 49% at Arsi Robe showed good levels of resistance, with a severity less than 20%. However, only 32% of the lines showed a good level of resistance (<20% severity) in both locations. These lines could have combined resistance to the multiple stem rust races prevailing at both locations. Generally, most of the lines, which showed better resistance at Njoro were susceptible at Arsi-Robe.La rouille de la tige chez le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum ) est l\u2019un des plus importants probl\ue8mes rencontres dans la production du bl\ue9 en Afrique de l\u2019Est. L\u2019Ethiopie, le Kenya et l\u2019Ouganda sont des pays \ue0 fort taux d\u2019\ue9pid\ue9mie de rouille de la tige. Ceci \ue0 cause du taux \ue9lev\ue9 de d\u2019agents pathog\ue8nes, ainsi que l\u2019apparition de nouveaux pathog\ue8nes, dont le plus redoutable (Puccinia graminis) race Ug99. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier des sources de r\ue9sistance aux pathotypes majeurs de la rouille de tige qui sevit dans certains pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trois cent six lign\ue9es \ue9lites, s\ue9lectionn\ue9es au centre r\ue9gionale d\u2019excellence du bl\ue9 (WRCoE) en Ethiopie, ont \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9es dans des zones a fort taux de pr\ue9valence de la rouille de tige en Ethiopie (Arsi-Robe) au Kenya (Njoro). Respectivement, 18, 25.8 et 56.2% des lign\ue9es a Arsi-Robe; et 35, 49 et 16.7% des lign\ue9es a Njoro se sont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9es r\ue9sistantes ou mod\ue9r\ue9ment r\ue9sistantes, interm\ue9diaires, mod\ue9r\ue9ment susceptibles a susceptibles. En somme, le coefficient d\u2019infection (ACI) \ue0 Arsi-Robe (24) \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 qu\u2019\ue0 Njoro (13), ceci indique que la pression de la rouille de tige est plus \ue9lev\ue9e en Ethiopie qu\u2019au Kenya. Parmi les lign\ue9es \ue9valu\ue9es, 67% \ue0 Njoro et 49% a Arsi Robe sont exhibe des bons niveaux de r\ue9sistance, avec 20% de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. N\ue9anmoins, seul 32% des lign\ue9es ont exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance (<20% s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9) dans les deux localit\ue9s. Ces lign\ue9es porteraient surement des g\ue8nes de r\ue9sistance multiple contre les diff\ue9rentes races de champignon pr\ue9sents dans les deux localit\ue9s. G\ue9n\ue9ralement, la plupart des lign\ue9es ayant exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance a Njoro \ue9taient susceptible a Arsi-Robe

Real interest rate persistence in South Africa : evidence and implications

The real interest rate is a very important variable in the transmission of monetary policy. It features in vast majority of financial and macroeconomic models. Though the theoretical importance of the real interest rate has generated a sizable literature that examines its long-run properties, surprisingly, there does not exist any study that delves into this issue for South Africa. Given this, using quarterly data (1960:Q2-2010:Q4) for South Africa, our paper endeavors to analyze the long-run properties of the ex post real rate (EPRR) by using tests of unit root, cointegration, fractional integration and structural breaks. In addition, we also analyze whether monetary shocks contribute to fluctuations in the real interest rate based on test of structural breaks of the rate of inflation as well as Bayesian change point analysis. Based on the tests conducted, we conclude that the South African EPPR can be best viewed as a very persistent but ultimately mean-reverting process. Also, the persistence in the real interest rate can be tentatively considered as a monetary phenomenon.http://link.springer.com/journal/10644hb201

The Human Urine Metabolome

Urine has long been a “favored” biofluid among metabolomics researchers. It is sterile, easy-to-obtain in large volumes, largely free from interfering proteins or lipids and chemically complex. However, this chemical complexity has also made urine a particularly difficult substrate to fully understand. As a biological waste material, urine typically contains metabolic breakdown products from a wide range of foods, drinks, drugs, environmental contaminants, endogenous waste metabolites and bacterial by-products. Many of these compounds are poorly characterized and poorly understood. In an effort to improve our understanding of this biofluid we have undertaken a comprehensive, quantitative, metabolome-wide characterization of human urine. This involved both computer-aided literature mining and comprehensive, quantitative experimental assessment/validation. The experimental portion employed NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), direct flow injection mass spectrometry (DFI/LC-MS/MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) experiments performed on multiple human urine samples. This multi-platform metabolomic analysis allowed us to identify 445 and quantify 378 unique urine metabolites or metabolite species. The different analytical platforms were able to identify (quantify) a total of: 209 (209) by NMR, 179 (85) by GC-MS, 127 (127) by DFI/LC-MS/MS, 40 (40) by ICP-MS and 10 (10) by HPLC. Our use of multiple metabolomics platforms and technologies allowed us to identify several previously unknown urine metabolites and to substantially enhance the level of metabolome coverage. It also allowed us to critically assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of different platforms or technologies. The literature review led to the identification and annotation of another 2206 urinary compounds and was used to help guide the subsequent experimental studies. An online database containing the complete set of 2651 confirmed human urine metabolite species, their structures (3079 in total), concentrations, related literature references and links to their known disease associations are freely available at http://www.urinemetabolome.ca

Medicinal plant knowledge of the Bench ethnic group of Ethiopia: an ethnobotanical investigation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine in Ethiopia since early times for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their domestic animals. However, little work has been made in the past to properly document and promote the knowledge. Today medicinal plants and the associated knowledge in the country are threatened due to deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. Urgent ethnobotanical studies and subsequent conservation measures are, therefore, required to salvage these resources from further loss. The purpose of the present study was to record and analyse traditional medicinal plant knowledge of the Bench ethnic group in Southwest Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Bench informants selected during transect walks made to houses as well as those identified as knowledgeable by local administrators and elders to gather data regarding local names of medicinal plants used, parts harvested, ailments treated, remedy preparation methods, administration routes, dosage and side effects. The same method was also employed to gather information on marketability, habitat and abundance of the reported medicinal plants. Purposive sampling method was used in the selection of study sites within the study district. Fidelity Level (FL) value was calculated for each claimed medicinal plant to estimate its healing potential.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study revealed 35 Bench medicinal plants: 32 used against human ailments and three to treat both human and livestock ailments. The majority of Bench medicinal plants were herbs and leaf was the most frequently used part in the preparation of remedies. Significantly higher average number of medicinal plants was claimed by men, older people and illiterate ones as compared to women, younger people and literate ones, respectively. The majority of the medicinal plants used in the study area were uncultivated ones.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study revealed acculturation as the major threat to the continuation of the traditional medical practice in the study area. Awareness should, therefore, be created among the Bench community, especially the young ones, by concerned organizations and individuals regarding the usefulness of the practice.</p