Participatory Evaluation and Demonstration of Maize Forage Intercropping Practice at Adami Tulu Jiddo Kombolcha District, Central Rift Valley of Oromia, Ethiopia

An intercropping practice of maize with forages were evaluated and demonstrated at Adami Tulu Jiddo kombolcha district of East shoa zone with the participation of farmers in collaboration with district office of agriculture. The objectives were to to create awareness on maize forage intercropping, to evaluate grain and biomass yield of the intercropped maize and forage varieties under farmers condition, to analyze the cost-benefit  of the demonstrated practices and to assess farmers’ and other stakeholders’ feedbacks for further technology development/improvement. The results indicated that the forage intercropping practice have no significant effect on maize yield. Numerically better yield was obtained from sole maize (62.23qt/ha) followed by Maize intercropped with lablab (61.45qt/ha). Maize intercropped with cowpea gave the least maize grain yield (55.2qt/ha). However, the forage intercropping practices gave more than 4 ton/ha of forge biomass yield without significantly affecting the yield of Maize crop. Furthermore, intercropping maize with Lablab weighed better than intercropping maize with cowpea in terms of its grain yield, dry matter yield as well as financial performance. Therefore, further wider scaling up works on Maize lablab intercropping is recommended. Keywords: Intercropping, Pre-extension Demonstration, forages, rift valley DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/14-5-02 Publication date:March 31st 202

Fizička i kemijska svojstva gorskog bambusa (Yushania alpina) uzgojenoga u Etiopiji

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant currently known on earth, a property that enables it to be the best alternative as a future source of wood fi ber. This study investigated the effect of site and culm height on the physical and chemical properties of Yushania alpina culms grown in Ethiopia. Matured Yushania alpina 3 to 5-year-old samples were harvested from Hagere-Selam and Rebu-Gebeya sites. The culms were subdivided into three equal lengths (bottom, middle, and top), and the variations in physical and chemical properties between the two sites and the culm heights of Yushania alpina were investigated. The results showed that the average values of MC, basic density, tangential and longitudinal shrinkage of Yushania alpina culms for Hagere-Selam and Rebu-Gebeya sites were (91.78 and 80.32 %), (0.65 and 0.63 g/cm3), (6.63 and 5.84 %) and (0.63 and 0.56 %), respectively. The average values of cellulose, lignin, extractive and ash contents in the culms for Hagere-Selam and Rebu-Gebeya sites were (52.84 and 50.71 %), (26.55, and 26.04 %), (8.41 and 8.02 %) and (1.95 and 2.17 %), respectively. The results revealed that the site affected the MC, basic density, cellulose, lignin, extractive, and ash contents of Yushania alpina culms but not the tangential and longitudinal shrinkage. The culm height of Yushania alpina affected MC, basic density, tangential shrinkage, longitudinal shrinkage, cellulose, lignin, extractive, and ash contents. In the case of both sites, the highest percentages of MC, tangential and longitudinal shrinkage, and ash content were observed at the base and lowest at the top of the culms. On the contrary, both sites observed thehighest magnitude of basic density, cellulose and extractive at the top and lowest at the base of the culms. The variations in physical and chemical properties at different sites and culm heights infl uence the utilization of Yushania alpina culms for industries and end products.Bambus je trenutačno najbrže rastuća biljka u svijetu, što je čini najboljom alternativom za budući izvor drvnih vlakana. Ovom je studijom istraživan utjecaj staništa i visine bambusa Yushania alpina, uzgojenoga u Etiopiji, na fizička i kemijska svojstva njegove stabljike. Uzorci Yushania alpina stari tri do pet godina skupljeni su sa staništa Hagere-Selam i Rebu-Gebeya. Stabljike su podijeljene na tri jednake duljine (baza, sredina i vrh) na kojima su istraživane varijacije fizičkih i kemijskih svojstava stabljike s obzirom na dva staništa i visinu bambusa. Rezultati su pokazali da su prosječne vrijednosti sadržaja vode, gustoće te tangentnoga i uzdužnog utezanja stabljike Yushania alpina sa staništa Hagere-Selam i Rebu-Gebeya bile 91,78 i 80,32 %; 0,65 i 0,63 g/cm3; 6,63 i 5,84 % te 0,63 i 0,56 %, a prosječne vrijednosti sadržaja celuloze, lignina, ekstraktiva i pepela sa staništa Hagere-Selam i Rebu-Gebeya bile su 52,84 i 50,71 %; 26,55 i 26,04 %; 8,41 i 8,02 % te 1,95 i 2,17 %. Rezultati su pokazali da je stanište utjecalo na sadržaj vode, gustoću te sadržaj celuloze, lignina, ekstraktiva i pepela u stabljikama Yushania alpina, ali ne i na tangentno i uzdužno utezanje. Visina stabljike Yushania alpina utjecala je na sadržaj vode, gustoću, tangentno i uzdužno utezanje te na sadržaj celuloze, lignina, ekstraktiva i pepela. Za oba staništa utvrđen je najveći sadržaj vode, tangentno i uzdužno utezanje te sadržaj pepela u bazi stabljike, a najmanji u vrhu stabljike. Nadalje, u vrhu stabljike s oba staništa primijećena je najveća gustoća, sadržaj celuloze i ekstraktiva, a najmanje su vrijednosti izmjerene u bazi stabljike. Varijacije fizičkih i mehaničkih svojstava s obzirom na stanište i visinu stabljike utječu na upotrebu stabljike Yushania alpina u industriji i za završne proizvode

Prevalence of wound, its associated risk factors and wound management practices in carthorses of ten selected towns of Ethiopia

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Household food insecurity and mental distress among pregnant women in Southwestern Ethiopia : a cross sectional study design

Background: There are compelling theoretical and empirical reasons that link household food insecurity to mental distress in the setting where both problems are common. However, little is known about their association during pregnancy in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the association of household food insecurity with mental distress during pregnancy. Six hundred and forty-two pregnant women were recruited from 11 health centers and one hospital. Probability proportional to size (PPS) and consecutive sampling techniques were employed to recruit study subjects until the desired sample size was obtained. The Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to measure mental distress and a 9-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to measure food security status. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed accordingly. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of food insecurity on mental distress. Results: Fifty eight of the respondents (9 %) were moderately food insecure and 144 of the respondents (22.4 %) had mental distress. Food insecurity was also associated with mental distress. Pregnant women living in food insecure households were 4 times more likely to have mental distress than their counterparts (COR = 3.77, 95 % CI: 2.17, 6.55). After controlling for confounders, a multivariate logistic regression model supported a link between food insecurity and mental distress (AOR = 4.15, 95 % CI: 1.67, 10.32). Conclusion: The study found a significant association between food insecurity and mental distress. However, the mechanism by which food insecurity is associated with mental distress is not clear. Further investigation is therefore needed to understand either how food insecurity during pregnancy leads to mental distress or weather mental distress is a contributing factor in the development of food insecurity

Density and Seasoning Characteristics of Pinus caribaea Lumber Grown at Suba Forest, Oromia, Ethiopia

Determination of the seasoning characteristics, physical and mechanical properties of lumber species is helpful in identifying the main factors affecting the quality, suitability and overall performance of wood and wood-based products. The Pinus caribaea has been considered as industrial lumber species and there is a little study conducted in identifying the physical characteristics which on turn affects the quality of product derived from the lumber. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the density and seasoning characteristics of P. caribaea lumber. Sample trees were harvested from Suba Forest Oromia, Ethiopia. The experiments were carried out using air and kiln seasoning methods. To measure the initial moisture content, seasoning rate, shrinkage, wood density, and seasoning defects, six replicates of samples from each tree portions were prepared when green and promptly weighed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been employed in interpreting the experimental results. The obtained results have shown that the mean initial moisture content for air stacks was 78.2% while for the kiln seasoning stacks 82.9%. Seasoning time for sawn boards of 3 cm thick to reach 17% moisture continent (MC) required 61 days, while for kiln seasoning took 4.3 days to reach 14.62% MC. This showed that kiln seasoning was about 14 times faster than air seasoning. In air seasoning the MC (%) of the lumber from 78.2% to 16.9%; and, the obtained mean values of shrinkages were tangential (3.6%), radial (1.9%) and volumetric (5.4%). The initial moisture content (IMC) and green density (GD) of the lumber were significant difference along the tree height at a 95% probability level. The seasoning rate % and final MC (%) along the tree height were significant difference at 95% probability level, while the seasoning rate % and final MC were significant difference between seasoning methods at 99% probability level. Seasoning defects such as cup, bow, twist, and crook were observed on kiln seasoned. In addition, end checks and splits were observed on air seasoned boards. Therefore, the experimental factors should be monitored and optimized properly to obtain the lumber with good quality and utilize it for different purposes, including construction and industrial applications

Bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients admitted at MaddaWalabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Background: Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are one of the global concerns in resource limited settings. The aim of the study was to determine bacteria profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients admitted at surgical and medical wards. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to July 2017 in MaddaWalabu University Goba Referral Hospital. Urine and wound swabs were processed and standard disk diffusion test was done to assess susceptibility pattern. Association among variables was determined by Chi-square test. Results: Among 207 patients enrolled, 24.6% developed HAI, of which, 62.7% and 37.3% were from surgical and medical wards, respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age ranged from 19 to 74 years with a mean of 41.65(\ub116.48) years. A total 62 bacteria were isolated in which majority of the isolates were gram negative bacteria. Most isolates were resistance to most of the antibiotics tested but sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: Due to the presence of high level drug resistant bacteria, empirical treatment to HAI may not be effective. Therefore, treatment should be based on the result of culture and sensitivity

Wheat rust epidemics damage Ethiopian wheat production: A decade of field disease surveillance reveals national-scale trends in past outbreaks.

Wheat rusts are the key biological constraint to wheat production in Ethiopia-one of Africa's largest wheat producing countries. The fungal diseases cause economic losses and threaten livelihoods of smallholder farmers. While it is known that wheat rust epidemics have occurred in Ethiopia, to date no systematic long-term analysis of past outbreaks has been available. We present results from one of the most comprehensive surveillance campaigns of wheat rusts in Africa. More than 13,000 fields have been surveyed during the last 13 years. Using a combination of spatial data-analysis and visualization, statistical tools, and empirical modelling, we identify trends in the distribution of wheat stem rust (Sr), stripe rust (Yr) and leaf rust (Lr). Results show very high infection levels (mean incidence for Yr: 44%; Sr: 34%; Lr: 18%). These recurrent rust outbreaks lead to substantial economic losses, which we estimate to be of the order of 10s of millions of US-D annually. On the widely adopted wheat variety, Digalu, there is a marked increase in disease prevalence following the incursion of new rust races into Ethiopia, which indicates a pronounced boom-and-bust cycle of major gene resistance. Using spatial analyses, we identify hotspots of disease risk for all three rusts, show a linear correlation between altitude and disease prevalence, and find a pronounced north-south trend in stem rust prevalence. Temporal analyses show a sigmoidal increase in disease levels during the wheat season and strong inter-annual variations. While a simple logistic curve performs satisfactorily in predicting stem rust in some years, it cannot account for the complex outbreak patterns in other years and fails to predict the occurrence of stripe and leaf rust. The empirical insights into wheat rust epidemiology in Ethiopia presented here provide a basis for improving future surveillance and to inform the development of mechanistic models to predict disease spread

Suicidal ideation, attempt and associated factors among people with cancer attending cancer center, eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundSuicide is one of the most common public health problems and the second leading cause of death among individuals 15–29 years of age. Suicidal ideation and attempt are one of the common psychiatric emergence in patients with cancer that needs early detection and management before patients end their lives. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of suicidal ideation, attempts, and associated factors among people with cancer in Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 362 participants. A composite international diagnostic interview was used to evaluate suicidal ideation and attempt. Epi-Data version 4.6.2 was used for data entry, and SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors for both suicidal ideation and attempt. p-values less than 0.05 are considered statistically significant, and the strength of the association will be represented by an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe magnitude of suicidal ideation and attempt among people with in this study was 22.9% [95% CI, 18.7–27.4] and 9.8% [95%CI, 6.7–12.8] respectively. Being living alone [AOR = 4.90, 95% CI, 2.08–11.90], and having depressive symptoms [AOR = 3.28, 95% CI, 1.37–7.73], female ([AOR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.30–3.23], anxiety symptoms [AOR = 3.06, 95% CI, 1.35–6.73)] and having poor social support [AOR = 3.08, 95% CI, 1.72–5.05], were significantly associated suicidal ideation whereas, Being living alone [AOR = 2.89, 95% CI, 1.09–7.65], having a depressive symptoms [AOR = 4.88, 95% CI, 1.45–13.28], being divorced/widowed [AOR = 3.46, 95% CI, 1.09–10.09] and stage four cancer [AOR = 5.53, 95% CI 2.97–7.47] were significantly associated with suicidal attempt.ConclusionNearly one-quarter and one-tenth of people with cancer have suicide ideation and attempt, respectively. Suicidal behavior among cancer patients was found in this study to be a common problem. Living alone, having depressive and anxiety symptoms, being a female, having poor social support, and being in forth stage of cancer were risk factors for suicide. Therefore, early screening, diagnosing, and treating suicide and its factors will be mandatory and expected from health care providers and non-governmental organizations

Zoonotic tuberculosis in a high bovine tuberculosis burden area of Ethiopia

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of ill health and one of the leading causes of death worldwide, caused by species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), with Mycobacterium tuberculosis being the dominant pathogen in humans and Mycobacterium bovis in cattle. Zoonotic transmission of TB (zTB) to humans is frequent particularly where TB prevalence is high in cattle. In this study, we explored the prevalence of zTB in central Ethiopia, an area highly affected by bovine TB (bTB) in cattle.MethodA convenient sample of 385 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB, N = 287) and tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN, N = 98) were included in this cross-sectional study in central Ethiopia. Sputum and fine needle aspirate (FNA) samples were obtained from patients with PTB and TBLN, respectively, and cultures were performed using BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960. All culture positive samples were subjected to quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, targeting IS1081, RD9 and RD4 genomic regions for detection of MTBC, M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, respectively.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-five out of 385 sampled patients were culture positive and all were isolates identified as MTBC by being positive for the IS1081 assay. Among them, 249 (97.6%) samples had also a positive RD9 result (intact RD9 locus) and were consequently classified as M. tuberculosis. The remaining six (2.4%) isolates were RD4 deficient and thereby classified as M. bovis. Five out of these six M. bovis strains originated from PTB patients whereas one was isolated from a TBLN patient. Occupational risk and the widespread consumption of raw animal products were identified as potential sources of M. bovis infection in humans, and the isolation of M. bovis from PTB patients suggests the possibility of human-to-human transmission, particularly in patients with no known contact history with animals.ConclusionThe detected proportion of culture positive cases of 2.4% being M. bovis from this region was higher zTB rate than previously reported for the general population of Ethiopia. Patients with M. bovis infection are more likely to get less efficient TB treatment because M. bovis is inherently resistant to pyrazinamide. MTBC species identification should be performed where M. bovis is common in cattle, especially in patients who have a history of recurrence or treatment failure

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

As mortality rates decline, life expectancy increases, and populations age, non-fatal outcomes of diseases and injuries are becoming a larger component of the global burden of disease. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 328 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016