Factors Affecting the Academic Performance of Female Students at Higher Education in Ethiopia

Education is one of the social factors whereby gender disparity is reflected The number and proportion of educated females is very low As the grade level of education increases the number of female students starts to decline Consequently higher education remains the level of learning where females are in a less academic performance when compared to males Problems female students encountered constitute personal university related factors academic factors previous academic background and economic factors The off-campus factors that affect female students academic performance include family background traditional Music Houses and economic problems and others In short the majority of problems female students encounter and those factors that affect female students academic performance are personal and the other problems are caused by the university environment Therefore I argued that despite the number of female students who attend higher education has been increased but the challenges that faced after entrance is very little investigated Thus the main purpose of this paper is to investigate the on-campus and off-campus factors that affect female students academic performance negatively in higher education in Ethiopia especially for undergraduate program For the purpose of the paper I used different sources such as interview with female students of Addis Ababa University and other literatures Finally suggested solutions my own reflection and conclusion are include

Effect of Cofee Residue and Cropping System on Crop Yield and Physicochemical Properties of the Soil in Southern Ethiopia

Dumping and burning of coffee residue brought a serious environmental problem. On the other hand, low soil fertility due to multiple cropping with low input coupled with moisture stress results in decline in production. This study was conducted to evaluate decomposition and mineralization of N from coffee residue, and its effect on soil physicochemical properties, crop yield, and apparent nutrient balance. Decomposition and release of N in soil was studied using five periods of incubation (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days) and four rates of residue (0, 3, 6, and 9 Mg ha-') in pot experiment. The same rates of residue and four rates of N fertilizer (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha-'), urea as source, were studied under field condition. In the pot experiment, coffee residue decomposed in two phases: viz. an initial faster phase, and a later slow rate of decay. Decomposition rate (KD) was controlled by lignin (L) and nitrogen (N) contents, and L/N ratio ( R =~ 0.975**, n = 36). Immobilization of soil N persisted for the entire 120 days, and release of N was controlled by lignin and cellulose contents, residue N and L/N ratio ( R=~ 0 .982**). In the field, coffee residue alone significantly increased the mean uptake of N (106%), P (165%), and K (93%) in both maize and haricot bean, and its combination with N fertilizer enhanced the uptake by 143, 172 and 102%, respectively, compared to the control (without both residue and N fertilizer). Water use efficiency (WUE) increased significantly by 78% for maize and land equivalent ratio (LER) by 7% using coffee residue alone; and by 95% for total WUE and 16% for LER using residue along with N fertilizer. Efficiency of intercrop was 13% higher than sole cropping. Grain yield of maize with residue only varied between 52 and 88% of the sole maize yield (4,330 kg ha-'). In both pot and field experiments, soil amended with coffee residue showed increase in moisture content, total N (TN) and OC content. In the field study, the residue increased the physicochemical properties of the soil such as moisture (38%), TN (7.6%), and OC (8%) compared to the control. Intercropping increased soil moisture (3%), available P (8%) and K (15%) but reduced soil N (19%) and OC (4%) relative to the contents in sole maize. Depletion of 20 and 70 kg N ha-' was obtained in soil treated with coffee residue and N fertilizer alone, respectively. On the other hand, a positive balance of 19.4 kg N ha-' was obtained from application of coffee residue followed by N fertilizer. The loss of K was high at 289 kg ha-' with coffee residue only and at 159 kg h i ' from coffee residue followed by N fertilizer. Application of 9 Mg ha-' coffee residue and 9 Mg ha-' coffee residue with 90 kg N ha-' gave the highest maize grain yields (3,807 and 4,133 kg ha-', respectively) and monetary values of 1,834 and 2,367 birr ha-' (lUSD= 8.40 Ethiopian birr), respectively, indicating the economic using coffee residues. Amelioration of soil with coffee residue and/or N fertilizer provided improvement in soil physicochemical properties and crop yields. Therefore, utilization of coffee residue would not only provide an alternative source of plant nutrients but also alleviates soil fertility and reduce environmental pollution problems

Assessment of Sustainability of Community Managed Potable Rural Water Supply Schemes: Points in Saharti-Samre Woreda

The concern in the provision of water to rural areas in Ethiopia is lack of sustainability due to an emphasis on construction with inadequate post-construction support and various other related factors. The main objective of this study was thus to assess and determine the sustainability of community managed rural potable water supply systems in Seharti-Samre woreda by examining the main factors and identifying the limitation and key challenges. A total of 12 Functional and 4 Non-functional water points were identified from four Tabias in Seharti- Samre woreda, as unit of analysis for this research. A sampling procedure with both probability and non-probability sampling method was used to identify the 4 Tabias and 16 water points, and the survey was carried out with 112 HH. Cross-sectional design with descriptive analysis was applied using different data collection methods. Findings of the study demonstrated that although water management Committees were initially established, Five of the committees were no longer fulfilling their roles and responsibilities and the majority of the rest were not also effective. As a result majority of the studied Water Committees were frequently not collecting and managing sufficient funds for maintenance and operation costs. From the finding of the study the bottle necks in village level maintenance practices asides to lack of skill and poor fund raising were lack of spare parts and a set of toolkits. The institutional support after construction was also found very weak mainly due to limited capacity of the woreda office. The survey result also showed that due to semi arid nature of the woreda, poor construction designs, and lack of soil and water conservation activities almost half of the studied water points experienced seasonal fluctuation of water sources. Based on the study finding the majority of user households from the non-functional & partially functional water points were not satisfied with management of the water service by water Committees. Moreover, results of the sustainability score showed that none of studied water points are likely to be sustainable in the long term, and 62.5% are possibly sustainable, and the rest 37.5% of the water points are unlikely that the community will be able to overcome any significant challenge. Generally, the ineffectiveness and inability of the water committee to ensure regular payment for O&M of facilities, lack of spare part chain and a set of toolkits, seasonal fluctuation of many water sources, and limited external support were identified in this study as major challenges adversely affecting the sustainability of facilities

Relationship between self-efficacy, academic achievement and gender in analytical chemistry at Debre Markos College of Teacher Education

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of students’ self-efficacy, gender difference in self-efficacy and achievement and also relationships between self-efficacy and achievement for second year students in the fall of 2012 in Analytical Chemistry I (ACI) at Debre Markos College of Teacher Education (DMCTE). The self-efficacy survey and the ACI achievement test were completed by 100 students. The self-efficacy survey data were gathered by Likert scale questionnaire. By using inferential statistics (t-test), difference of self-efficacy and achievement in gender is calculated and by using Pearson correlation, the relationships between self-efficacy and achievement were investigated. The analysis of the data indicated that students’ level of self-efficacy is medium (50.08), and there is no significant difference in their self-efficacy between sexes (t (98) = 0.161, p> 0.1), but there is a statistically significant difference in achievement between sexes (t (98) = 0.68, p< 0.1) and also a significant relationship exists between self-efficacy and achievement (r=0.385, at 0.01 level with 98 degree of freedom). Based on these results, recommendations which will improve the quality of our training specifically in the field of chemistry are forwarded.[AJCE, 3(1), January 2013

Indigenous institutions as an alternative conflict resolution mechanism in eastern Ethiopia: The case of the Ittu Oromo and Issa Somali clans

The study was conducted in eastern Ethiopia where the Somali and Oromo ethnic groups live. The main purpose was to examine the roles and challenges of the indigenous conf lict resolution mechanisms practised as an alternative to modern methods among the Ittu Oromo and Issa Somali clans. The study employed a qualitative research approach under which key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observations and informal discussions were conducted. Key informants and focus group discussants were selected purposively. It was found that territorial expansion, resource competition and cattle raiding were considered as the main causes of violent conf lict in the area. Boundary disputes between the two regions have been associated not only with the accessibility of resources, but also with issues of identity. According to the participants, the indigenous institutions can play a major role in preventing and resolving intra-ethnic conf licts. There are cases of government support for indigenous institution leaders, especially where there is proximity between such leaders and the current political system. Government intervention in the indigenous systems can also result, however, in the weakening of customary institutions in the area. The absence of a single common binding indigenous institution that governs inter-ethnic conflict in the area is another challenge for indigenous systems of conf lict resolution. Indigenous institutions can deal effectively with many conf licts caused by the above mentioned factors, but since they also have certain limitations, serious thought should be given to the option of appropriately integrating modern and indigenous institutions.Keywords: conflict resolution, indigenous institutions, resource competition, territorial expansion

The connection between circadian clock impairment and retinal disease

This thesis investigated how circadian clock misregulation, which has not been clearly associated with retinal genetic disease so far, could contribute to degeneration and influence development and function in the retina. The rod-specific knockout of Bmal1 clock gene (rod-Bmal1KO) from the mouse line carrying the P23H mutation of rhodopsin exacerbated the retinal degeneration phenotypes, such as reduction in ERG response and rods loss, induced by the P23H mutation alone. These observations were corroborated by RNA-Seq analysis, where we found major changes in expression of genes related to phototransduction and metabolic processes, between the (rod-Bmal1KO/P23H) double mutant and P23H retinas. We showed that during development, Per1 and Per2 clock genes deficiency in mice significantly affects gene expression of phototransduction and cell cycle components. We found that adult mice deficient for Per1 and Per2 genes lack a daily modulation of light sensitivity, under scotopic and mesopic conditions. We also found an impaired daily modulation of light sensitivity in mice deficient for Bmal1 clock gene in rods. Additionally, we investigated how rod degeneration could impact on the global rhythmic capacity of the retina by measuring PER2::LUC bioluminescence rhythms in P23H mice. We showed that the retinal clock in P23H/+ heterozygous mice displays circadian rhythms with significantly increased robustness and amplitude. These effects likely involve activation of glial cells

The connection between circadian clock impairment and retinal disease

This thesis investigated how circadian clock misregulation, which has not been clearly associated with retinal genetic disease so far, could contribute to degeneration and influence development and function in the retina. The rod-specific knockout of Bmal1 clock gene (rod-Bmal1KO) from the mouse line carrying the P23H mutation of rhodopsin exacerbated the retinal degeneration phenotypes, such as reduction in ERG response and rods loss, induced by the P23H mutation alone. These observations were corroborated by RNA-Seq analysis, where we found major changes in expression of genes related to phototransduction and metabolic processes, between the (rod-Bmal1KO/P23H) double mutant and P23H retinas. We showed that during development, Per1 and Per2 clock genes deficiency in mice significantly affects gene expression of phototransduction and cell cycle components. We found that adult mice deficient for Per1 and Per2 genes lack a daily modulation of light sensitivity, under scotopic and mesopic conditions. We also found an impaired daily modulation of light sensitivity in mice deficient for Bmal1 clock gene in rods. Additionally, we investigated how rod degeneration could impact on the global rhythmic capacity of the retina by measuring PER2::LUC bioluminescence rhythms in P23H mice. We showed that the retinal clock in P23H/+ heterozygous mice displays circadian rhythms with significantly increased robustness and amplitude. These effects likely involve activation of glial cells

Micro watershed to basin scale impacts of widespread adoption of watershed management interventions in Blue Nile Basin

High population pressure, inappropriate agricultural policies, improper land-use planning, over-dependency on agriculture as source of livelihood and extreme dependence on natural resources are inducing deforestation, overgrazing, expansion of agriculture to marginal lands and steep slopes, declining agricultural productivity and resource-use conflicts in many parts of Blue Nile. Increased land degradation from poor agricultural practices and erosion results in increased siltation and the reduced water quality in the river basin. The rainfall, runoff and sediment are highly variable both in time and space. Poor water and land management upstream severely affect runoff characteristics and the quality of water reaching downstream. The result is a downward spiral of poverty and food insecurity for millions of people both within the upper catchment and downstream across international borders. Quantification of the erosion, sedimentation processes and evaluation of impacts of interventions are difficult tasks. This paper schematizes the Blue Nile Basin (BNB) at various spatial levels as micro watershed, watershed, sub-basin to basin. It is revealed that sediment in the river systems are temporally varying phenomenon and strongly related to the early onset of rainfall. The hydrographs of the systems shows that the peak of sediment reaches first followed by peak of rainfall and then runoff. Furthermore, the sediment cumulative curve shows that most of the sediment volume passes in the river in the first three months of the rainy season. The paper also considers a particular watershed to model runoff, sediment and impact of watershed intervention. The result shows that runoff can be reasonably simulated with calibration of R2=0.87 and validation of result of 0.82, and comparable sediment modelling results. The study also demonstrates, by undertaking spatial analysis using topographic, soil and land use parameters it is possible to identify the high sediment risk sub-watersheds. Impact of typical watershed intervention using various widths of vegetative filter and application on high erosion risk watersheds shows reduction of sediment yield from 52% to 74

Self-Medication Practices In Addis Ababa: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Self-care is a response of individuals to promote or restore their health. Self-medication, one form of self-care, it is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms of illnesses. Although there are arguments for and against self-medication, its contribution in the promotion of health is beyond doubt. This study deals with self-medication on modern drugs and it attempts to assess self-medication practices of drug consumers. METHODS: A multi-stage stratified sampling of drug retail outlets in Addis Ababa was employed. Convenient sampling was used to select respondents from among those who came to the community pharmacies to purchase drugs for self-medication. Respondents were interviewed after they made their requests but before they were provided with information on the drugs they requested. Data were collected using a pre-tested semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents revealed that drug consumers consisted of all age categories of both genders; as well as pregnant and breast-feeding mothers of varying educational background levels. The most frequently reported illnesses that prompted self-medication of respondents were gastrointestinal diseases, headache, fever and respiratory tract infections. Slightly greater than 30% of illnesses/symptoms of illnesses were less than 24 hours and around one-fifth, one or more weeks of duration. The most common reasons reported for self-diagnosis and selfmedication were non-seriousness of the disease, emergency use and prior experience on the drug. Two-thirds of the drug consumers requested drugs by specifically mentioning the name of the drug or category to which it belongs and 20.7% by telling their illness or symptoms of illnesses. More than 100 different types of drugs were requested, the most frequent category of drugs being analgesics or antipyretics 30.1%, antimicrobials (26.4%) and gastrointestinal drugs (17.7%). CONCLUSION: Self-medication is widely practised for a wide range of illnesses or symptoms of illnesses, and for both over-the-counter and prescription only drugs. The public as well as the health care providers have to be educated on the scopes of selfmedication; i.e., the type of illnesses to be self-diagnosed and self-treated, and the type of drug products to be used in order to promote responsible self-medication.Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 14, No. 1 January 200