IDEAS project - Community based newborn care evaluation: first round qualitative study field notes

The IDEAS project sought to improve the health and survival of mothers and babies through generating evidence to inform policy and practice. One strand of work was an evaluation of Community Based Newborn Care (CBNC), a care package rolled out across the country by the Federal Government of Ethiopia. Under CBNC, frontline health workers provide ‘Four Cs’: contact with newborns; case identification of neotnatal sepsis; and care and completion of treatment. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the challenges to and opportunities for delivering the Four Cs; factors affecting the motivation of frontline health workers in delivering the Four Cs; factors affecting demand for newborn care – from the perspective of the frontline health workers; and the opportunities and challenges for communication, supervision and referral linkages. This data collection contains interview field notes, pre-analysis templates and supporting information from 16 randomly selected woredas – four each from four regions in Ethiopia: Oromia, Amhara, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) and Tigray

Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis in Selected Dairy Farms of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study is carried out in selected dairy farms in and around Addis Ababa on the prevalence of fasciolosis in Ethiopia, in four sub-cities, locally called Kifele Ketemas. The dairy farms were under intensive and semi-intensive management systems. A total of 384 cattle were randomly selected and sampled which accounts for 95% (N=365) and 5% (N=19) of the samples for intensive and semi-intensive dairy farms, respectively. Fecal samples were examined using the direct fecal microscopic examination and Benedict's sedimentation tests. Out of 384 samples examined, 57 samples were found to be positive using both tests, giving a prevalence of 14.84% (N=57). The prevalence of fasciolosis in study areas (Kifele Ketemas) is 52.63% (N=30) in Yeka, 33.33% (N=19) in Bole, 10.35% (N=6) in Gullele and 3.51% (N=2) in Kality area. The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Yeka is significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the other three sub-cities. Statistically significant deference is observed (P<0.05) among sexes, 44.44% (N=4) in males and semi-intensively managed cattle 63% (N=12).The overall infection prevalence is higher (20.37%) (N=33) in animals categorized under body condition score (BCS) 2 than animals categorized under body condition score 3, 4, and 5.  BCS 2 accounts for 20.37% (N=33) of the total positive animals, BCS 3 accounts for 7.19% (N=11), BCS 4 accounts for 17.77% (N=8) and BCS 5 accounts for 20.83% (N=5) of the total animals sampled. No statistically significant difference (P>0.05) is observed between the age groups. Keywords: Bovine; Fasciolosis; Prevalence; Chi-square; Addis Ababa; Ethiopia

Technical Inefficiency of Smallholder Wheat Production System: Empirical Study from Northern Ethiopia

This paper estimates the level and determinants of technical inefficiency of wheat producers based on data collected from 320 randomly selected wheat-producing farm households in four districts of Tigray regional state, Northern Ethiopia. Technical efficiency in wheat production was estimated using Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier model while a technical inefficiency model was estimated to identify sources of inefficiency. The mean technical efficiency of wheat producers was estimated to be only 57%. Given the present state of technology and input level, the result suggests that there is plenty of scope to increase wheat output (efficiency). The technical inefficiency model results suggest that there is an opportunity to reduce inefficiency in wheat production; and in this regard, farmer education, livestock size, and access to market information were found to have a counter effect on inefficiency. These factors represent human capital, production assets and improved information access for enhanced decision-making capabilities as important areas of intervention to reduce inefficiency. Overall, the results indicate the important role that sources of information and knowledge play in reducing technical inefficiency

Combining Ability Study for Grain Yield and Agronomic Traits of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines Adapted to Mid-Altitude Agroecology of Ethiopia

In spite of the importance of quality protein maize to alleviate protein deficiency, almost all maize varieties cultivated in Ethiopia are normal maize varieties, which are devoid of lysine and tryptophan. Perusing the combining ability of QPM inbred for grain yield and its components is vital to design appropriate breeding strategies for the development of nutritionally enhanced maize cultivars. A line x tester analysis involving 36 crosses generated by crossing 9  elite maize inbred lines with 4 testers were evaluated for different desirable agronomic traits during the 2019 main season at BNMRC and JARC. The experiment was conducted using alpha lattice design with 3 replications. The objectives were to determine the combining ability of quality protein maize inbred lines, adapted to mid altitude agroecology of Ethiopia for agronomic traits. The crosses were evaluated in alpha lattice design replicated 3 times. Analyses of variances showed significant mean squares due to crosses for almost all the traits studied. GCA mean squares due to lines and testers were significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01) for most studied traits. SCA mean squares were also significant for most attributes across locations. The comparative importance of GCA and SCA variances observed in the current study for most studied traits indicated the preponderance of additive genetic variance in governing these attributes. Only L3 was the best general combiner for grain yield. Inbred line L3, for days to anthesis and L5 for days to silking had negative and significant GCA effects. L5 and L6 displayed negative and significant GCA effects for plant and ear height. Crosses, L2xT4, L3xT4, L4xT4, L5xT2, L6xT3, L7xT2, L9xT1 and L9xT4 were good specific combiners for grain yield. In general, these genotypes help as a source of promising alleles that could be used for forthcoming breeding work in the development of quality protein maize cultivars with desirable traits

Hybrid Performance and Heterosis for Yield and Agronomic Traits of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines Adapted to Mid-altitude Agroecology of Ethiopia

Maize is a primary crop in most farming systems and staple food of the rural population in abundant of the mid-altitude sub- humid agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. Nearly 88% of maize produced in Ethiopia is consumed as food, both as green and dry grain. Yet, it has low protein content since it is normal maize, with poor protein quality limited by deficiencies in lysine and tryptophan and has an excess of leucine and isoleucine. Suggestions on hybrid performance and heterosis of QPM inbred for grain yield and its components is vital to design suitable breeding strategies for the development of nutritionally enhanced maize varieties. A line x tester analysis involving 36 crosses generated by crossing nine elite maize inbred lines with four testers and four checks were evaluated for yield and yield related traits at Bako and Jimma. The objectives were to evaluate mean performance and the magnitude of heterosis for quality protein maize inbred lines, adapted to mid altitude agroecology of Ethiopia. The genotypes were evaluated in alpha lattice design replicated three times. Analyses of variances showed significant (p<0.05 or p<0.01) mean squares due to genotypes in each and across locations for most traits studied, indicating the existence of appropriate genetic variability. The crosses, L5xT2, L7xT2, L8xT1, L8xT2, L3xT2, L5xT1, and L1xT1 showed higher grain yield. The estimated mid and better parent heterosis for grain yield across locations for all crosses displayed positive and highly significant variances which ranged from 386.6% to 111.2% and 288.9% to 72.2%, respectively. From this study, about 77.78% of crosses had better potential for grain yield. The results attained in this experiment suggest that the hopeful potentials of the identified inbred lines for further breeding of QPM for the mid-altitude agroecology of Ethiopia

Effect of Salt Stresses on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Camelina sativa L.

Camelina sativa is a promising low-input, high yielding biodiesel crop that can be suitable to grow on marginal lands and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. But, saltiness is an overall issue of agriculture that constrains the germination, development and productivity of plant because of osmotic and ionic poisonous quality impacts. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of salinity (NaCl and KCl) on germination and early seedling growth of Camelina sativa. Camelina sativa seeds were obtained from agricultural research sector of Wachemo University. In the laboratory, six salinity levels of NaCl and KCl (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g/L) were prepared and arranged in completely randomized design with four replications. The result of the study revealed that C. sativa seedlings were differ significantly (p&lt;0.05) on speed of germination, germination percentage, germination index, shoot length, root length, vigor index, root shoot ratio and seedling fresh weight, relative injury rates &nbsp;of NaCl and KCl, shoot height reduction and root height reduction. However, there is no significant effect between salt type versus salinity level and salt type in all parameters tested except shoot length and shoot height reduction at 5% significant level. The increase in both salts (NaCl and KCl) concentration in culture medium causes a significant decreases in speed of germination, germination percentage, germination index, shoot length, root length, vigor index, root shoot ratio and seedling fresh weight of the salt treated C. sativa seeds as compared with the control (C. sativa seeds watered with distilled water). Similarly, relative injury rates NaCl and KCl shoot height reduction, root height reduction were highly increased as salinity level increases. Generally, as the concentration of NaCl and KCl was increased the overall germination and early seedling performance of C. sativa decreased. The effect of salinity on physiology, molecular and biochemical of properties of C. sativa should be studied. Keywords: Camelina sativa, Salinity effect, NaCl, KCl, Seed germination, Seedling growth

Physical and Proximate Characterization of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) Accessions Grown under Hawassa and Wondo Genet Conditions, Southern Ethiopia

This research was undertaken to investigate the effects of anchote accessions and growing areas on the physical and proximate composition of the roots. The physical properties were measured using standard measurements. The major and minor diameters as well as the root peel thickness were measured using a digital caliper. The proximate composition was assessed using standard methods. Both the physical properties (major and minor diameters, aspect ratio, root peel thickness, peel proportion to root and root densities) and proximate compositions of anchote roots were significantly influenced by accessions type and growing sites. Over all, better quality, in terms root peel thickness and peel to root ratio, were observed for the accessions grown at Hawassa. The anchote accessions grown at Wondo Genet site were observed to have higher levels of crude protein, crude fiber and gross energy than those grown at Hawassa. Higher ash content was associated to the accessions grown at Hawassa site. Keywords: Anchote, physical properties, aspect ratio, major diameter, minor diameter, root peel thickness, root density, proximate compositio

Alcohol use related injury in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Alcohol-related violence resulting in injury is a global public health problem and Africa is no exception. In the country of Ethiopia, there is a lack of statistical evidence regarding this issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury and its associative factors. Hospital based crosssectional research method was employed from January to June 30, 2014. The source population and study population were all interpersonal violence injured patients in the emergency department of University of Gondar Hospital. Data were collected using injury surveillance guidelines developed by the World Health Organization. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the presence and strength of association. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. A total of 395 participants were involved in the study. The proportion of ARVI was found to be 119 (30.1%); gender, poor behavioral control and poor family functioning were found to be independently associated with alcohol-related interpersonal violence injury. The prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury is high in Ethiopia. There is an urgent need to step up health advocacy with respect to reducing alcohol consumption in the country.Keywords: Alcohol, Emergency Department, injury, violenc

Genetic Purity Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrid Seed and Their Parents Produced in Different Seed Companies of Ethiopia

Genetic purity is one of the quality criteria required for successful seed production of maize. In hybrid seed production, genetic purity is contaminated due to out-crossing from other varieties or selfing events. In this study, Single nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) and Grow-out test (GOT) method was used for the objective to assess genetic purity of maize hybrid varieties with their parents produced by various seed growers in the country. Six three way cross hybrid (3WCH) maize varieties and seven single crosses were collected from different sources then planted with their parents in 2019. Genetic purity analysis by SNP revealed that 74% of an inbred line showed an acceptable genetic purity level (>95%). However, five inbred lines (CML395, A7033, F7215, SC22 and 124-b(113)) revealed heterogeneity >0.05 ranged from 0.13 to 0.20. All single crosses except A7033/F7215 and all the 3WCH varieties showed the genetic purity level ranging from 40 to 66% and 44 to 63% across seed sources, respectively. Based on GOT results, the level of type in single crosses and 3WCH variety across seed sources ranged from 7.1 to 46.4% and 3.6 to 35.7%, respectively. Generally, in the current result both SNP and GOT showed both heterogeneity and homogeneity of seed. This implies the presence of variation among seed producers in terms of producing high quality seed. Therefore, awareness should have to be given for each individual seed producers on quality seed production techniques and procedures that they have to follow. Similarly, genetic purity analysis could be conducted further in the seed system to provide error correction and to ensure seed quality assurance and control