Malaria prevalence pattern observed in the highland fringe of Butajira, Southern Ethiopia: A longitudinal study from parasitological and entomological survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Ethiopia, information regarding highland malaria transmission is scarce, and no report has been presented from Butajira highland so far whether the appearance of malaria in the area was due to endemicity or due to highland malaria transmission. Thus this study aimed to determine the presence and magnitude of malaria transmission in Butajira.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For parasitological survey, longitudinal study was conducted from October to December 2006. The entomological surveys were done from October to December 2006 and continued from April to May 2007. Both parasitological and entomological surveys were done using standard procedures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The parasitological result in all the survey months (October-December) showed an overall detection rate of 4.4% (48/1082) (CI 95%; 3.2-5.7%) malaria parasite. Among infected individuals, 32 (3.0%) of the infection was due to <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>and the rest 16 (1.5%) were due to <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>. The highest prevalence 39(3.6%) of the parasite was observed in age groups of above 15 years old. Among the total tested, 25(2.3%) of males and 23(2.1%) of females had malaria infection. Among tested individuals, 38(5.3%) and 10 (2.7%) of infection was occurred in Misrak-Meskan (2100 m a.s.l) and Mirab-Meskan (2280 m a.s.l), respectively which was statistically significant (X²= 3.72, P < 0.05). Although the prevalence pattern of <it>Plasmodium </it>species declined from October to December, the trend was non-significant (X²for trend = 0.49, P > 0.05). The entomological survey showed a collection of 602 larvae and 80 adult <it>Anopheles</it>. <it>Anopheles christyi </it>was the dominant species both in the first (45.3%) and in the second (35.4%) surveys; where as, <it>Anopheles gambiae sensu lato </it>comprised 4.7% and 14.6%, in the first and second surveys, respectively. <it>Anopheles gambiae </it><it>s.l </it>comprises 55% of the adult collection, and both species were collected more from outdoors (57.5%). The number of <it>An. christyi </it>was higher in Mirab-Meskan (58. 3%) than Misrak-Meskan (41.7%) (P < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Malaria parasite and its vectors were found to be common during transmission periods in the highland fringes of Butajira. Thus, health education about the risk of malaria and its control programme in the area must be given adequate attention to minimize potential epidemics. In addition, the current study should be complemented from sero-epidemiological, prospective longitudinal and retrospective studies along with metrological and ecological factors, and socio-demographic data before concluding in favour of highland malaria transmission in the area. In light of its abundance, which coincided with the malaria transmission seasons, the possible role of <it>An. christyi </it>as a secondary vector in the highlands must be further investigated by including blood meal sources detection.</p

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and risk behaviors towards HIV/AIDS and other sexual transmitted infection among preparatory students of Gondar town, north west Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The first case of HIV in Ethiopia was reported in 1984. Since then, HIV/AIDS has become a major public health concern in the country, leading the Government of Ethiopia to declare a public health emergency in 2002. Although the epidemic is currently stable, HIV/AIDS remains a major development challenge for Ethiopia. The spread of HIV in any community is in part determined by the knowledge of attitude towards sexuality of its members and by their actual sexual practices. The aim of the study was to assess students' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS and STDs in Gondar, North West Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross sectional study was conducted between February 1 to March 1, 2009 in preparatory high school students. Pre-tested questioner was used to generate the data and analysis was made by SPSS version 15. Chi -square value was calculated and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the students had heard about AIDS before the interview. Knowledge on some aspect of the disease was quite low in the study group. Only half of the students knew that at present, AIDs is incurable and that HIV infection can be acquired through sexual contact with a 'familiar' person. Knowledge about STI was also quite low, 39% knew that pus in the urine is a symptom of STI and 45.4% knew that acquisition of other STIs is increases the chance of HIV transmission following unsafe sex with known cases. 25% of the study group had previous sexual intercourse and exposed at least one risk behavior. About 34% of the respondents had negative attitude towards AIDS and STDs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Awareness about STDs and methods of prevention of HIV and STDs was low. More risk behavior was observed in male and those with alcohol and drugs of abuse.</p

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli O157 in beef at butcher shops and restaurants in central Ethiopia

Background: Ethiopia bears the largest burden of foodborne diseases in Africa, and diarrheal diseases are the second leading causes of premature deaths. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 causes an asymptomatic infection to severe diarrhea and/or hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. Methods: A total of 440 beef carcass and in-contact surface swabs from 55 butcher shops and 85 minced beef samples from 40 restaurants in central Ethiopia were collected and examined for the presence of E. coli O157. Standard microbiological methods were used to isolate and identify E. coli O157 and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. Results: E. coli O157 was detected in 4.5% carcass swabs (n = 5) and 3.6% cutting board swabs (n = 4) samples from butcher shops. E. coli O157 was not detected in any of the minced beef samples obtained from restaurants. All isolates (n = 9) were 100% susceptible to five drugs, but five isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, two isolates to streptomycin and three isolates to chloramphenicol. One isolate was resistant to two drugs and another to three drugs. Conclusions: The present study shows a low prevalence of E. coli O157 in beef sold at butcher shops. Nevertheless, given the low infective dose of this pathogen and the deep-rooted tradition of consuming raw or undercooked beef, the current prevalence should not be considered lightly from a public health perspective

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef cattle at slaughter and beef carcasses at retail shops in Ethiopia

Background: There is paucity of information regarding the epidemiology of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of E. coli O157: H7 associated with beef cattle at processing plants and at retail shops in Ethiopia. Methods: Various samples were collected from beef cattle at slaughter/processing plants, carcass at retail shops and humans at health centers. E. coli O157: H7 was isolated, identified and characterized for antimicrobial resistance, using standard microbiological methods. Results: At the processing plants E. coli O157: H7 was detected in 1.89% of fecal, 0.81% of intestinal mucosal swab, 0.54% of skin swab and 0.54% of carcass internal swab samples. At retail shops it was detected in 0.8% of carcass and 0.8% of cutting board swab samples, while all samples from utensils, hands from workers, and fecal and stool samples were negative. All isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, moderately resistant to Cefoxitine and Nitrofurantoins but susceptible to other antimicrobials tested. Conclusions: E. coli O157: H7 occurs at low prevalence in beef cattle, and the current sanitary dressing procedures in the processing plants and storage conditions in the retail shops are effective against E. coli O157: H7

Soil transmitted helminths and schistosoma mansoni infections among school children in zarima town, northwest Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Ethiopia, because of low quality drinking water supply and latrine coverage, helminths infections are the second most predominant causes of outpatient morbidity. Indeed, there is a scarcity of information on the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia, special in study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of soil transmitted helminths and intestinal Schistosomiasis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 school children of Zarima town from April 1 to May 25, 2009. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and possible risk factors exposure. Early morning stool samples were collected and a Kato Katz semi concentration technique was used to examine and count parasitic load by compound light microscope. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS-15 version and p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 319 study subjects, 263 (82.4%) of the study participants infected with one or more parasites. From soil transmitted helminths, <it>Ascaris lumbricoides </it>was the predominant isolate (22%) followed by Hookworms (19%) and <it>Trichuris trichiura </it>(2.5%). <it>Schistosoma mansoni </it>was also isolated in 37.9% of the study participants. Hookworm and <it>S. mansoni infections </it>showed <it>s</it>tatistically significant associations with shoe wearing and swimming habit of school children, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths (STH) and <it>S.mansoni </it>was high and the diseases were still major health problem in the study area which alerts public health intervention as soon as possible.</p

Maintenance program developmentandImport /Export of Aircraft in USA

AbstractThis thesis discuss how United Parcel Service (UPS) develop its aircraft maintenanceprogram after import of McDonnell Douglas MD-11aircraft and the process of exporting newMD-11 aircraft from manufacturer in USA to European operator as passenger aircraft. It alsodiscusses the process of importing the same types of aircraft as freight carrier. The aircraftundergo, through different modifications at Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STA)conversion from passenger to freight carrier, a program specially designed for UPS airlinesbefore import to USA.The thesis work was carried out in close communication with the maintenance department atUPS in California and Kentucky, McDonnell Douglas manufacturing plant in Missouri and atBoeing in Washington.The aim of this thesis was to examine and discuss the rules and regulation of import andexports of aircraft in U.S. based on UPS import of MD-11 aircraft. Furthermore, to discussthe transformation of maintenance program from one airline to another, with emphasis onhow U.S. operator develop their maintenance program.McDonnell Douglas manufactures MD-11 aircraft, and as aircraft manufacturing companythey must comply with the United States of America Federal aviation regulation part 21requirements. Besides that, the company has bilateral agreement with the buying countrySwitzerland, facilitating the reciprocal airworthiness certification of civil aeronauticalproducts exported between the two parties. Bilateral airworthiness agreement or aviationsafety agreement with implementation procedure for airworthiness facilitate the airworthinesstechnical cooperation between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its counterpartSwitzerland Civil Aviation Authorities (SCAA).UPS buy MD-11 aircraft after being modified as freight carriers. In order to obtainairworthiness certification from FAA UPS and Boeing secures that the aircraft is airworthyand have got appropriate overall maintenance service through a careful investigation processof the technical history and background of the aircraft. After receiving the FAA certificateUPS in cooperation with Boeing develop the maintenance program, before the aircraft isassigned for service in the UPS fleet.During my work it has been difficult to find information about the technical history of theaircraft, mainly because the first operator Swissair became bankrupt and all documentationwas transferred to Boeing and then to UPS. There were also many companies involved in theprocess of converting passenger aircraft to freight carrier, like ST Aero Subsidiary, Sasco inSingapore and Boeing.The work can be used as a reference to check what part of FAA deals and documents areneeded for import and export of aircraft, and what should be done to start the import andexport process. It guides the reader to an immediate understanding of regulatory organizationand their particular departments or part numbers

MOESM1 of A retrospective study on tuberculosis treatment outcomes at Jinka General Hospital, southern Ethiopia

Additional file 1. 10 years (2004–2014) TB DOTS data of JGH, Ethiopia. This is a file which contains information has been used for data analysis