Organoleptic and palatability properties of drinking water sources and its health implications in Ethiopia: a retrospective study during 2010-2016

Background: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of drinking water sources in Ethiopia and compare the water quality with the health-based target. For this purpose, the water quality database of Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) from 2010 to 2016 was used. Methods: The concentration and other properties of the water samples were analyzed according to the Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater analysis. Quality control and quality assurance were applied in all stages following our laboratory standard operation procedures (SOPs). Results: The concentration of the selected parameters varied based on the type of water sources. The mean concentration of turbidity was higher in spring water (21.3 NTU) compared to tap (12.6 NTU) and well (3.9 NTU) water sources. The mean concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na+), and sulfate (SO4 -2) was found to be higher in spring water sources than tap and well water sources. Comparably, the concentration of hardness, calcium, and magnesium was found to be higher in well water sources than spring and tap water sources. The bivariate analysis indicated that out of 845 analyzed water samples, more than 50% of the samples from Oromia region had turbidity, pH, TDS, hardness, Ca++, K+, and Na+ within an acceptable limit. In addition, the logistic regression analysis showed that water quality parameters were strongly associated with the type of water sources and regional administration at P < 0.05. Conclusion: More than 80% of the samples analyzed from drinking water sources were in agreement with WHO guidelines and national standards. However, the remaining 20% specifically, pH (25%), calcium (20%), hardness (18.1%), TDS (15.5%), and turbidity (13.3%) analyzed from improved water sources did not comply with these recommendations. Due to objectionable or unpleasant taste, people may force to look for alternative unprotected water sources that lead to health concerns. Keywords: Drinking water, Water quality, Water sources, Taste, Physicochemical properties, Retrospective study, Ethiopia, Logistic model

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Study on Feeding preference and Impact of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana, Blumenbach, 1797; Elephantidae) on Woody species in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

The focus of this paper is to study the feeding preference and impact of woody species on African elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES), Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected through purposive random and systematic sampling techniques. Seven sites from three different habitats in the sanctuary were selected by considering the availability of dung and consumed plant parts. The result showed, among 38 species browsed by elephants, 24(63.15%) were the most preferred elephant diet. Besides, from dissecting 75 dung boli of 24 plant species (yielding 2841seeds); 2009 (70%) of seeds were fed by elephants during the wet season. And, the seeds were analysed using the focal watch and indirect methods. Woody species, about 23(76.7%) in the riverine, 36 (68%) in woodland, and 19(54.3%) in bushland habitats were mainly impacted on parts of primary/secondary branches and main stem. Among these, a small size class of trees was more easily damaged by elephants. Based on research results, the following inference is drawn: identifying and documenting the dietary composition, feeding preference, and impact of elephants on woody species in BES is important to build gaps in knowledge for conservationists to design plans for restoring the species and sustaining elephants existence in the sanctuary

Study on Conservation Threats on African elephant (Loxodonta africana, Blumenbach, 1797) in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

The focus of this paper is to study the conservation threats on African elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling method was used to gather data from sampled households. Total of 138 households were selected for interview nearby the study area, and qualitative survey was collected. Focus group discussion and site observations were carried out. According to the result showed, all respondents (100%) were perceived that the population explosion around the sanctuary was increasing for encroaching the land. Following human population, settlement (89.13%), human-elephant conflict (87.7%), and agricultural expansion (87%) through deforestation (84.7%) were the major threats that faced the sanctuary. The result also revealed that livestock grazing, charcoal production, poaching, less community participation, ineffective law enforcement, illegal (uncontrolled) fire, excavation of sands, and fuelwood collection were other discerned threats. Besides, less than (45%) of them were believed as hunting (i.e., other than elephants), lack of management capacity, ineffective stakeholders &amp; partners involvement were brought less effect on present elephant conservation when related with other threats. However, only 22% of respondents were agreed with the existing management system. This might showed why the increased number and types of threats were observed in the sanctuary. Overall, this study disclosed the existence of conservation threats. Based on research results, the following inference is drawn: awareness creation for local communities and other stakeholders along with benefit-sharing for nearby communities around the sanctuary is important to lower the threats then conserve and protect elephant habitat and the values of the sanctuary. Moreover, strengthening the capacity of management and enforcing laws can minimize the intimidation and enhance opportunities

Organoleptic and palatability properties of drinking water sources and its health implications in Ethiopia: a retrospective study during 2010-2016

Background: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of drinking water sources in Ethiopia and compare the water quality with the health-based target. For this purpose, the water quality database of Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) from 2010 to 2016 was used. Methods: The concentration and other properties of the water samples were analyzed according to the Standard Methods of Water and Wastewater analysis. Quality control and quality assurance were applied in all stages following our laboratory standard operation procedures (SOPs). Results: The concentration of the selected parameters varied based on the type of water sources. The mean concentration of turbidity was higher in spring water (21.3 NTU) compared to tap (12.6 NTU) and well (3.9 NTU) water sources. The mean concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na+), and sulfate (SO4-2) was found to be higher in spring water sources than tap and well water sources. Comparably, the concentration of hardness, calcium, and magnesium was found to be higher in well water sources than spring and tap water sources. The bivariate analysis indicated that out of 845 analyzed water samples, more than 50% of the samples from Oromia region had turbidity, pH, TDS, hardness, Ca++, K+, and Na+ within an acceptable limit. In addition, the logistic regression analysis showed that water quality parameters were strongly associated with the type of water sources and regional administration at P < 0.05. Conclusion: More than 80% of the samples analyzed from drinking water sources were in agreement with WHO guidelines and national standards. However, the remaining 20% specifically, pH (25%), calcium (20%), hardness (18.1%), TDS (15.5%), and turbidity (13.3%) analyzed from improved water sources did not comply with these recommendations. Due to objectionable or unpleasant taste, people may force to look for alternative unprotected water sources that lead to health concerns

Ecological studies and Threats on African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

A study was conducted on the ecological, and threats to African elephants in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary in eastern Ethiopia from March 2019 to December 2021. The research aimed to understand population size, age structure, movement, feeding preference, impact on woody plant species, and threats to elephants. For the study, before carrying out data collection, the habitat of the sanctuary was first divided into riverine, woodland, and bushlands.  A total area of 48 km2 divided into 16 km2 each, was sampled to compare and collect the dung of an elephant. The study used dung counting techniques and woody species assessment to estimate elephant population size, feeding preferences, and the impact of elephants on woody species. The sanctuary had 210 to 250 elephants or (i.e., 230±20) at a Mean of (?) =230 and SD=20, with 47% being younger and 2.6% sub-adult. Others were adult (19%), calves (17.2%), and Juveniles (13.4%). According to all (100%) key informants and observations revealed, the elephants’ movement followed the Erer and Gobele valleys. The result also showed that 24(63.15%) of the 38 woody species were selected by elephants as a diet. The Acacia seyel (PI= 3.3033) and Opuntia ficus- indica (PI= 2.0328) were the most frequently browsed tree and shrub species, respectively. Observations revealed elephants uprooted debarked trees and destroyed parts, particularly a small size class. The study found that the high human population and settlers' need for land for cultivation increased conflicts between people and elephants. Despite a remnant elephant population in the sanctuary, the species could be negatively affected by human activities. Therefore, rehabilitating woody plants consumed by elephants, reducing threats and conserving the remaining elephant population is crucial. 

Study on usage of Land and changes in Ecology in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

This study's main objective is to investigate how the land covers in Eastern Ethiopia's Babile Elephant Sanctuary (BES). The spatiotemporal patterns of land-cover changes involved using remote sensing, geographic information systems, and questionnaires. The Landsat images acquired in 1972, 2000, and 2021 were used. The result revealed that bushland and agricultural land areas expanded highest over the study period (1972–2021) at the expense of natural forests. With an average annual loss rate of 8343.12 ha, riverine forests and woods lost a substantial amount of land cover. The woodland and riverine forest cover decreased steadily from 59.85 and 20.56% in 1972 to 30.37 and 3.13% in 2021.From 1972, the coverage of bushland, agricultural land, bare land, and settlement increased to 17.57, 1.75, 0.23, and 0.04%, respectively, to the year 2021, when it occupied 34.68, 22.30, 4.95, and 4.57%, respectively, of the total land area. Several bushland areas in the sanctuary while data collected for this study, with likely impacts were observed (such as tree-cutting) on the forest and riverine habitat. As a result, there was currently a greater area covered by wilderness patches (i.e., 34.68 % in 2021). Since the result showed that the increasing agricultural land and settlements become a threat to the ecological integrity of elephant habitats, leading to habitat fragmentation and human encroachment on elephant habitats, and high pressure and competition over resources.&nbsp;Based on the study results, the following inference is drawn: identifying and documenting up-to-date information on the land cover change in BES is necessary to build gaps in knowledge for conservationists to design plans for the restoration of habitats and the species by lowering the impact on land cover change, immediate action, and restoring mechanisms to conserve biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp

Mental disorders and alternative medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Given the increasing burden and treatment gaps of metal disorders in low- and middle-income countries, the world health organization has developed and launched the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) and mhGAP Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) to help train non-specialists to deliver care (1). However, the role of alternative medicine such as traditional medicine and spiritual therapies is not comprehensively documented. Therefore, this scoping review will identify and map alternative medicine therapies used to manage mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa