Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension Among Civil Servants Working in Arba Minch Town, South Ethiopia

Despite Hypertension is a global public health challenge and a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death attention was not given in developing countries. Therefore measuring the prevalence and identifying predictors of Hypertension is very important. Institution based cross sectional study design was employed from March–April, 2016 by taking 319 randomly selected civil servants working in in Arba Minch town. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and standardized instruments for physical examination by 5 trained nurses. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Bi-variable and Multivariate logistic regression was employed for analysis of risk factors. The mean SBP and DBP of study participants were 120.87 + 14.15 mmHg and 80.28 + 8.8 mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 27.8% (95% CI = 22.9-32.7%). Civil servants of age 50 years and above [AOR = 13.3], age 40-49 years [AOR = 5], age 30-39 years [AOR = 3.5], abdominal obesity [AOR=12.2], general obesity [AOR = 4.2], stress status [AOR = 12.3], current alcohol drink [AOR = 3.3], ex-drinker [AOR = 8.9] and family history of hypertension [AOR = 5.6] were found to be significantly associated with hypertension. The prevalence indicates that it is hidden epidemic in this population; therefore for screening and risk reduction program are needed

Incidence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Among Adult PLWHA at Public Health Facilities of Hawassa City

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequently diagnosed opportunistic infection (OI) and disease in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), world-wide. This study aimed at determining the incidence and predictors of tuberculosis among people living with HIV.A Six year retrospective follow up study was conducted among adult PLHIV. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors.A total of 554 patients were followed and produced 1830.3 person year of observation. One hundred sixty one new TB cases occurred during the follow up period. The overall incidence density of TB was 8.79 per 100 person-year (PY). It was high (148.71/100 PY) in the first year of enrolment. The cumulative proportion of TB free survival was 79% and 67% at the end of first and sixth years, respectively. Not having formal education(AHR=2.68, 95%CI: 1.41, 5.11 ), base line WHO clinical stage IV (AHR = 3.22, 95% CI=1.91-5.41), CD4 count <50 cell/ul (AHR=2.41, 95%CI=1.31, 4.42), Being bed redden (AHR= 2.89, 95%CI=1.72, 3.78), past TB history (AHR=1.65, 95% CI = 1.06,2.39), substance use (AHR=1.46, 95% CI=1.03,2.06) and being on pre ART (AHR=1.62, 95%CI:1.03-2.54 ) were independently predicted tuberculosis occurrence. Advanced WHO clinical stage, limited functional status, past TB history, addiction and low CD4 (<50cell/ul) count at enrollment were found to be the independent predictor of tuberculosis occurrence. Therefore early initiation of treatment and intensive follow up is important

Risky Sexual Behavior and Associated Factors Among High School Students in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

According to World Health Organization (WHO), youth are young people within 15-24 years old. Studies reported that more than half of all new HIV infections occur among people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Institution based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students in Gondar city. Multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants. Data were collected using pretested structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered in Epi Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe important variables in relation to the outcome variable, Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of the outcome variable. The overall prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 12.8%. Two out of five sexually active respondents ever had unprotected sexual intercourse. Ever used alcohol ((AOR, 3.53 95% CI (1.73-7.19)), had no parental monitor (AOR, 12.21 95% CI (6.55-22.78), ever watched pornographic film (AOR, 2.24 95% CI (1.15-4.35), had no parental discussion on sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR, 2.57 95% CI (1.36-4.85) and peer pressure (AOR,2.50, 95%CI (1.20-5.21), were factors which significantly increases the odds of risky sexual behavior among youth. Risky sexual behavior among high school students in Gondar city administration was very high and worrisome; so that collaborated effort is needed from parents, schools, health facilities and health policy makers to bring healthy sexual behavior among school youth

Replacement of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets in Malarious Kebeles of Gida Ayana District, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

The main objective of the study was to determine the sustainability of owning and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets in malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the replacement and utilization of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) in four malarious kebeles of Gida Ayana District. The study was conducted in June, 2013 on randomly sampled 420 households. Data were collected using structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and presences of LLINs in sleeping areas were checked. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 for windows software. Logistic regression analysis was used for determining LLINS ownership and socio-demographic characteristics. P values of less or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Of the 420 households included in the study, 69.3% possessed one or more LLINs which are owned primary (for the first time) or replaced (substituting the old bed nets after three years of use). There was no significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and LLINs owing (P >0.05). Attrition rate of households in LLINs owing was 101(24 %). Of the 291 households which possessed one or more insecticides, 60.8% have replaced the LLINs after three years of use. 57.8% of respondents knew as LLINs need replacement after 3 years of use. 81.3 and 19.7 % of respondent prefer free supply and cost subsidize supply of LLINs for sustainable owing respectively. Of 114 households who have possessed LLINs primarily, 70.2 % have used the LLINs for more than 3 years. Utilization rate of LLINs available in the households the night prior to the study was 64.9 % and in 69.75 % of households LLINs were hanged in sleeping areas. Proportion of pregnant women and under five children slept under LLINs the night preceding the study was 43.1 and 48.4 % respectively. Old, worn out LLINs have been replaced after three years of use to sustain malaria control in the study area. Utilization of LLINs among malaria risk group was low. Every household in malarious kebeles should be included during substituting LLINs. Regular monitoring of household is required from health extension workers to scale-up and sustain utilization of LLINs in malaria control.Keywords: Long Lasting Insecticide; Treated Nets; Replacement; Utilization; Malaria contro

Effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand Conversion into Crop Production on Growth and Yield of Maize: the case of Koga Watershed Areas in northwestern Ethiopia

Farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia commonly plant eucalypts on their farmlands. However, growing eucalypt is becoming a great concern due to its alleged long-term site effect. In view of this, a study was conducted in Koga watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, to investigate whether croplands afforested with Eucalyptus camaldulensis can be reused for annual crop production after its removal. In this study, we compared growth and yield of maize between adjacent clear-felled E. camaldulensis stands and continuously cultivated farms at three paired sites. Plant height, leaf area, dry matter production and grain weight were evaluated as parameters for maize growth and yield. Maize plants grown on clear-felled eucalypt stands were taller and developed larger leaf areas than those grown on  continuously cultivated farms. Dry matter production and grain yield were also significantly higher in maize plants established on clear-felled eucalypt stands. Farmers also responded that the growth and yield of maize grown on the clear-felled eucalypt stands were better than those grown on continuously cultivated farms. The results suggest that contrary to the popular belief, agricultural lands afforested with eucalypts can be re-used for annual crop production.Keywords: Clear-felled stands, Croplands, Crop performance, Farmers’ perception, Ethiopia

Clinico-pathological Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy in a 22-year-old Male

Background: Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is a rare hereditary disease with a prevalence of 2.03–6.8 per 100,000 individuals. FSHD is the third most common type of muscular dystrophy after the Duchene muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy. To the best of our knowledge, the current case report is the first to report probable FSHD case mainly diagnosed using clinico-pathological evidence from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Case Report: A 22-year-old right-handed male college student presented with progressive proximal muscular weakness associated with wasting. The weakness started from the bilateral facial muscles and progressively involved proximal upper and lower limbs muscles associated with scapular winging, waddling gait, and bilateral foot drops. His bulbar, sensory, autonomic, and cognitive systems were spared. Muscles EMG showed myopathic patterns and normal serum CK. Muscle biopsy from affected muscles showed variation in fiber size with groups of angular fibers, preserved fibers, and hypertrophic fibers with marked fibrosis and adipose tissue replacement with no apparent inflammation and necrosis which is consistent with pathological features of muscular dystrophy. Considering the clinical semiology, physical findings, EMG findings, and pathological findings diagnosis of FSHD of scapuloperoneal variant was made. The patient was managed with analgesics, nutritional advice, and ankle prosthesis for foot drops. Currently, the patient is in a similar condition with modest improvement in his musculoskeletal pain complaints. Conclusion: This case highlights the fact that a careful clinical evaluation with thorough utilization of diagnostic investigations available at our disposal may support the diagnosis of FSHD in resource-limited areas where the necessary genetic tests were not available. Keywords: facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, dystrophy, clinico-pathology, sub-Saharan Afric

Factors related to discontinued clinic attendance by patients with podoconiosis in southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Background Podoconiosis is a lymphoedema of non-infectious cause which results in long-term ill health in affected individuals. Simple, effective treatment is available in certain parts of Ethiopia, but evidence indicates that not all patients continue collecting treatment supplies from clinic sites once started. We used qualitative techniques to explore factors related to discontinued attendance at outreach clinics of a non-government organization in southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in four clinic sites through unstructured in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the involvement of 88 study subjects. Results Discontinuation of clinic visits is common among podoconiosis patients. The reasons were: remoteness from the clinic sites, unrealistic expectation of ‘special’ aid, worry about increasing stigma, illness and misconceptions about treatment. Conclusions Several of these factors are remediable through community and individual information and education. Appropriate routes to deliver this information must be identified. Certain factors (such as distance to clinic sites and stigma) require substantial expansion of services or liaison with village-level government health services

Screening of ethyl methane sulphonate mutagenized tef [ Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] population identifies Al-tolerant lines

About 15,000 M2 seeds of ethyl-methane-sulphonate (EMS)-mutagenized population were screened along with Al-tolerant and sensitive checks and the M0 variety. Strongly acidic soil with an external application of a toxic Al-solution and exposure to moisture stress was used to maximize selection pressure. Twenty-one M2 plants with root lengths of greater than the mean of the tolerant check were selected and planted for seed production. Candidate M3 plants were investigated for Al-tolerance and for morpho-agronomic traits under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Highly significant differences were observed for Al-tolerance between the candidate mutant lines and the M0 (P < .001), and between mutant lines and the sensitive check (P < .001). Similarly, significant differences were observed between the mutant lines for 16 of the 20 quantitative traits measured. This study is the first to report successful induction of enhanced Al-tolerance in tef by using EMS mutagenized population

Biology of barley shoot fly Delia flavibasis Stein (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) on resistant and susceptible barley cultivars

The biology of barley shoot fly Delia flavibasis was studied using resistant (Dinsho and Harbu) and susceptible (Holker) barley cultivars at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. A higher number of eggs was laid on Holker (17 eggs/female) than on Dinsho (11 eggs/female) or Harbu (12 eggs/female). However, there were no differences between cultivars in preoviposition and total reproductive periods. The shortest time required to complete larval, pupal and total developmental stages from egg to adult emergence occurred when the insect was reared on the cultivar Holker. Pupal weight, adult emergence and adult longevity did not differ between cultivars. The female to male sex ratio was 1:1. This study enabled us to understand the duration of each of the life stages of D.flavibasis, which will undoubtedly aid researchers and growers to design a sustainable management strategy against barley shoot fly