Trainee Teachers’ e-Skills, Participation and Views of e-blended Lessons: The Case of a Master of Arts Teacher Education Course

This case study aimed to explore English Language Trainee teachers’ e-skills, participation and views to locally developed e-blended lessons of a postgraduate Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course in an Ethiopian University. To do this, the teacher-researcher made a pre-course observation of the thirteen participants’ e-skills, conducted two sessions of post-course focus group discussions with nine randomly selected participants and analyzed the digital log data of all the participants of the course. The data from participant observation and focus group discussions were analyzed qualitatively while the digital log data was analyzed using frequency count and mean.  Hence, the study revealed that despite the variations in the sub-skills observed ten of the participants had the required e-skills at the start and most of them favored the approach of learning. However, some of them were also discontented by their limed access to computers and internet connection when they were off-campus.  The result also showed that the students viewed and posted on all the 19 online activities of the course an average of 59.58. This shows their level of participation in the e-blended activities. Therefore, teacher trainers should consider using e-blended learning in their teacher education courses. Key terms: e-blended, participation, trainee-teachers, views DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-07-04 Publication date:March 31st 2021

Prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among adult tuberculosis patients in some selected public health facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of undernutrition among adult tuberculosis patients is high in developing countries. However it has not been well explored in Ethiopian situation. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among adult TB patients in some selected public health facilities of Addis Ababa. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. The total sample size of the study was 360. The sample size was allocated to the selected health facilities proportional to their size and study subjects were consecutively enrolled to the study during the study period. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. The data were entered and cleaned by using EPI info version 3.6.1 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors that are associated with undernutrition. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition was 39.7 % (23.6 % mild, 8.6 % moderate and 7.2 % severe undernutrition). Functional status of the patients (AOR = 2.57; 95 % CI = 1.42, 4.68) and dietary counselling (AOR = 1.79; 95 % CI = 1.03, 3.12) were factors independently associated with undernutrition among adult TB patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of undernutrition was found to be very high. Regular nutritional assessment and dietary counselling should be part of the routine care of adult TB patients

Diversity, density and management of trees in different agro-forestry practices of Yem Special District, Southern Ethiopia

Conserving tree species diversity cannot be restricted to forest areas because of increasing encroachment to remaining forests. Agricultural landscapes can also maintain tree species diversity where the native habitats are heavily diminished and/or merit conservation. The present study was conducted in the agroforestry practices of Yem Special District, Southern Ethiopia, to determine the diversity, composition and density of trees, and assess farmers’ tree management practices. The data were collected through two consecutive field surveys involving structured household questionnaires administered in 126 households, and making inventory of the woody species. Data were analyzed using one way anova, and Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests. The status of tree species richness and diversity were quantified for the different agroforestry practices. A total of 100 tree and shrub species belonging to 57 families and 83 genera were recorded in the different agroforestry practices of individual household farms, of which 11 (or 11%) were exotic and 89 (or 89%) native species. The mean value of tree species per household for the overall agroforestry practices was 14.04 and it was found to be significantly different among sites, mainly due to differences in agroecology and road access. Tree species richness was influenced by distance to major roads, wealth status, farm size and family size. The study revealed that the agroforestry practices contribute to the conservation of agrobiodiversity

An Innovation Capability Development Process for Firms in Developing Countries: A Theoretical Conceptual Model

Firms in developing nations possess low innovation capabilities due to the absence of an adequate conceptual model that consolidates the innovation capability development (ICD) constructs tailored to their needs. To describe the ICD in these firms, research findings should have consolidated both the technical and financial aspects of innovation. However, they have provided only a little account of information on the ICD process via integrating the technical and financial aspects of innovation. The aim of this research is thus to develop a conceptual model of the ICD process which is highly valuable to firms in developing countries (FDC). Methodologically, this research is based on a broad literature review. Following this, two key findings were obtained. Firstly, three key constructs of ICD, namely knowledge accumulation, knowledge application and fund generation were identified. The first two constructs constitute the technical aspect and the third construct represents the financial aspect of innovation capability. Secondly, using these three key constructs, the research proposed a conceptual model that defines a process of ICD for the FDC. These findings imply that firms’ ICD effort can be better explained by integrating the technical and financial aspects of innovation. As far as our knowledge is concerned, this paper is unique regarding providing a detailed review and discussion regarding the ICD process for FDC. In conclusion, the model can place a great emphasis on the understanding of the key constructs and their relationships to enhance the attitudes and practices of firms to develop their innovation capability

Livelihood Strategies and Food Security of Rural Households in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Despite the continuing economic dominance of agriculture in Wolaita, farm households widely engage in and pursue diverse livelihood activities to generate income and achieve food security. The major objectives of this study are to analyze households’ food security status as an outcome of livelihood strategies and identify factors affecting food security of rural farm households. For the purpose of this study primary data were collected from randomly selected 300 households in four woredas of the zone. The main tools of analysis for this study include descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. The finding of the survey result indicates that rural households in the study area practice diversified livelihood strategies, in that large part of the respondents (57.7%) combine agriculture with other activities (non/off-farm). Food security status of the households was analyzed based on nationally recommended calorie requirement (2200kcal) of the households. Based on this, about 57% of the sample households found to be food insecure. The relationship b/n rural households’ livelihood strategies and food security status depicted that majority of food secured households (62%) rely on farming alone as one of most important livelihood strategies. On the contrary, non-farming and off-farming activities were the common livelihood means which specifically practiced by food insecure households. Binary logit model results reveal that out of 25 explanatory variables included in the logistic model, 12 were found to be significant at less than 10% probability level. According to this, education, family size in AE, cultivated land size, frequency of extension visit, access for credit, access to farm plus off-farm activities, access to farm plus non-farm and off-farm activities, safety net aid, use of chemical fertilizer, cooperative membership and agro-ecological zone were found to be the most important determinants affecting the state of food security positively. On the other hand, family size in AE was found negatively and significantly affected food security status of the household. The finding of the study considers government and other concerned bodies to design appropriate development policies and strategies in relation to significant variables to bring sustainable livelihood improvement in attaining household food security goals. Keywords: Livelihood strategies, determinants of food security, rural households, binary logit model, Woliata, Ethiopi

Prevalence and factors affecting use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods in Jinka town, Southern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Introduction: In Ethiopia, knowledge of contraceptive methods is high though there is low contraceptive prevalence rate. This study was aimed to assess prevalence and associated factors of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods in Jinka town, southern Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and factors affecting long acting and permanent methods of contraceptives utilization from March to April 2008. Eight hundred child bearing age women were participated in the quantitative study and 32 purposively selected focus group discussants were participated in the qualitative study. Face to face interview was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed to analyze the data. Results: The prevalence of long acting and permanent contraceptive method was 7.3%. Three fourth  (76.1%) of the women have ever heard about implants and implant 28 (50%) were the most widely used method. Almost two third of women had intention to use long acting and permanent methods. Knowledge of contraceptive and age of women have significant association with the use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods.Conclusion: The overall prevalence of long acting and permanent contraceptive method was low.  Knowledge of contraceptive and age of women have significant association with use of long acting and permanent contraceptive. Extensive health information should be provided.Key words: Long acting, permanent, contraceptive, women, Ethiopi

Predictors of stunting among pediatric children living with HIV/AIDS, Eastern Ethiopia

Globally, there were about 3.4 million pediatric children (<15 years of age) who were living with HIV/AIDS. Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. As of 2013, there were about 160,000 pediatric children living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Even though undernutrition makes it difficult to combat HIV/AIDS, there is paucity of information on the magnitude of stunting and its predictors among seropositive pediatric children in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Institution based quantitative cross sectional study design was employed on 414 randomly selected pediatric (5-15 years) children living with HIV/AIDS in Harari Region and Dire Dawa City Administration Public Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaire and patient card review was held to collect data. Data were entered through Epi-data and exported to SPSS for analysis. The WHO Anthros plus software was used to calculate the anthropometric indices. Bivariate and Multivariable analysis along with 95%CI were done to identify predictors of stunting. Level of statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05. The prevalence of stunting was found to be 30.9% (95%CI: 26.0-36.0%). Rural residence [AOR=4.0, (95%CI: 2.22, 7.17)], family monthly income of ≤500 ETB [AOR=5.79, (95%CI: 2.82, 11.60)], being anemic [AOR=3.17, (95% CI: 2.13, 4.93)] and the presence of diarrhea [AOR=6.21, 95% (CI: 3.39, 9.24)] were predictors of stunting. Thus, collaborative measures should be undertaken (to decrease frequent infections and to improve the economic status) to combat chronic malnutrition during HIV/AIDS treatment

Quality of Tuberculosis Care in Private Health Facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ensuring provision of good quality tuberculosis (TB) care, especially in private for profit health facilities, is an important component of TB control strategy to reduce poor medical practice which results in multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). The aim of this study was to investigate quality of TB care in private health facilities of Addis Ababa. A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model of health care quality. Quality of care was determined by adherence to National TB Program guidelines, treatment success rate, and client satisfaction. Exit interview was conducted on 292 patients on the intensive phase of treatment and 384 patient records were reviewed in eight private health facilities. Initial diagnostic AFB test was done for 95.4% of pulmonary TB patients. Most important components of TB care recommended by national guidelines were delivered for a significant proportion of patients. Majority (75%) of the clients were found to be satisfied with each component of TB care. The treatment success rate was 90.9%. The quality of TB care was fairly good. However, only 77.7% of the patients were counseled for HIV testing. Strengthening HIV counseling and testing, tackling shortage of streptomycin and laboratory reagent at private TB clinic is crucial