A SURVEY ON BIRDS OF THE YAYU FOREST IN SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

A survey of birds in the Yayu forest, southwest Ethiopia, was conducted between August and December 2009. Timed Species Count (TSC) method was used. The survey was conducted in seven selected sampling blocks, each with an area of 0.5 km2. The blocks were representative of vegetation types (afromontane forest, transitional rain forest and riverine forest) and conservation zones (core, buffer and transition). A total of 112 bird species were recorded. Species composition of birds showed significantly higher number during the wet season than the dry season. The number of bird species records of the seven blocks also showed significant difference. The study reinforces the designation of the Yayu forest as a biodiversity hotspot and it is recommended that ongoing conservation and biodiversity documentation efforts should continue

POPULATION DENSITY, STRUCTURE AND GROUPING PATTERN OF MENELIK’S BUSHBUCK IN THE MENAGESHA-SUBA STATE FOREST, ETHIOPIA

The population density, sex and age ratio and grouping pattern of Menelik’s bushbuck (Traglaphus scriptus meneliki) was studied in the Menagesha-Suba State Forest (msf) during August 2009 – April 2010. Data were collected during wet and dry seasons. Total-count method was used in four selected study sites within the forest. A total of 110 and 156 Menelik’s bushbucks were recorded during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The seasonal difference in abundance was statistically significant. Sighting records did not show significant differences between study sites. The overall density of Menelik’s bushbucks in msf was estimated to be 12 km-2. Based on the density estimate, the population of Menelik’s bushbuck in the msf is extrapolated to be 296 individuals. The adult sex ratio was nearly 1:1 while the adult female to young ratio was 9.6:1.0. More than 65% of the sightings were those of single individuals. In comparison to previous studies, the findings of the present study indicate that the population status of Menelik’s bushbuck in the msf is within the expected range and hence there is no need for immediate conservation intervention

Estimation of stature by anatomical anthropometric parameters in first-year regular undergraduate students at Debre Markos University, North West Ethiopia

Introduction: The stature of an individual is an inherent characteristic and is considered as an important parameter of personal identification. Estimating stature from the measurement of various body parts is of particular interest to forensic scientists, anatomists and medical researchers in order to complete biological profiles after death or when measuring standing height is impossible. However, establishing the identity of an individual from mutilated, decomposed and amputated body fragments is a challenging task in medico-legal cases, and a necessity when measuring standing height is difficult.Objectives of the study: To assess the relationship between anatomical anthropometric measurements and stature in undergraduate students at Debre Markos University (DMU), Ethiopia.Materials and Methods: An institutional-based, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted among first-year undergraduate students at DMU. The sample size was 572 and data were collected from April to June 2018. Height, weight, head circumference, head length, inter-acromial length, humeral length, ulnar length, hand length and breadth, tibial length, and foot length and breadth were measured in both sexes. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 statistical software. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The mean age of study participants was 21.27±1.74 years for males and 20.41±1.58 years for females. The mean height of study participants was 168.36±5.89cm for males and 165.24±4.01cm for females. The correlation coefficients (R) of anatomical anthropometric measurements with height were: head circumference (males R = 0.404, females R = 0.127), head length (males R = 0.422, females R = 0.168), inter-acromial length (males R = 0.530, females R = 0.140), right humeral length (males R = 0.539, females R = 0.163), left humeral length (males R = 0.535, females R = 0.159), right ulnar length (males R = 0.496, females R = 0.147), left ulnar length (males R = 0.498, females R = 0.144), right hand length (males R = 0.276, females R = 0.125), left hand length (males R = 0.243, females R = 0.122), right hand breadth (males R = 0.349, females R = 0.129), left hand breadth (males R = 0.331, females R = 0.124), right tibial length (males R = 0.634, females R = 0.259), left tibial length (males R = 0.632, females R = 0.258), right foot length (males R = 0.579, females R = 0.185), left foot length (males R = 0.581, females R = 0.186), right foot breadth (males R = 0.311), left foot breadth (males R = 0.306). The highest correlation was found in the right tibial length in both males and females. Conclusions: All anatomical anthropometric parameters were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with height in both sexes, except foot breadth in females. Therefore, all anatomical anthropometric parameters, including head circumference, head length, inter-acromial length, humeral length, ulnar length, hand length, hand breadth, tibial length, foot length and foot breadth, can estimate stature in both sexes, except foot breadth in females. Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2019; 33(3):188-197]Key words: Estimation of stature, anthropometry, anatomical anthropometric parameter

Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of a New Series of N-Alkyl-2-alkynyl/(E)-alkenyl-4-(1H)-quinolones

To gain further insight into the structural requirements of the aliphatic group at position 2 for their antimycobacterial activity, some N-alkyl-4-(1H)-quinolones bearing position 2 alkynyls with various chain length and triple bond positions were prepared and tested for in vitro antibacterial activity against rapidly-growing strains of mycobacteria, the vaccine strain Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, EMRSA-15 and -16. The compounds were also evaluated for inhibition of ATP-dependent MurE ligase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The lowest MIC value of 0.5 mg/L (1.2–1.5 µM) was found against M. fortuitum and M. smegmatis. These compounds displayed no or only weak toxicity to the human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5 at 100 µM concentration. The quinolone derivatives exhibited pronounced activity against the epidemic MRSA strains (EMRSA-15 and -16) with MIC values of 2–128 mg/L (5.3–364.7 µM), and M. bovis BCG with an MIC value of 25 mg/L (66.0–77.4 µM). In addition, the compounds inhibited the MurE ligase of M. tuberculosis with moderate to weak activity showing IC50 values of 200–774 µM. The increased selectivity towards mycobacterial bacilli with reference to MRC-5 cells observed for 2-alkynyl quinolones compared to their corresponding 2-alkenyl analogues serves to highlight the mycobacterial specific effect of the triple bond. Exploration of a terminal bromine atom at the side chain of N-alkyl-2-(E)-alkenyl-4-(1H)-quinolones showed improved antimycobacterial activity whereas a cyclopropyl residue at N-1 was suggested to be detrimental to antibacterial activity

Preventive Practice and Associated Factors towards COVID-19 among College Students in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross- Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has taken unprecedented preventive measures like closure of higher education institutions to halt the spread of COVID-19. However, still, there is scarce information regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of students towards COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to assess the KAP and associated factors of preventive measures against COVID- 19 among students.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 students. The sample was proportionally allocated into the randomly selected four colleges, and the students were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique.Variables with pvalue < 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model.RESULTS: This study involved 408 students with response rate of 96.6%. The levels of good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice towards COVID-19 were 69.6%, 56.6% and 65% respectively. After adjusting for covariates, being in the late adolescent age group (16-20), living with > 5 family size, and being single were predictors of knowledge level. Besides, being single, attending diploma (TVET) level trainings, and being year-two students were predictors of attitude levels. Similarly, urban residence, being regular students, and being year-one students were the independent predictors of practice level of students.CONCLUSION: In this study, only two-third of the students had good preventive practice level towards COVID-19, which is below the Organization’s recommendation. Thus, the national, regional and local governments should develop effective and inclusive prevention strategies to address students who are at home due to COVID-19 pandemic

Bacterial sepsis in patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Northwest Ethiopia

Background and Objectives. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the neglected diseases affecting the poorest segment of world populations. Sepsis is one of the predictors for death of patients with VL. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with bacterial sepsis, causative agents, and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients with VL. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among parasitologically confirmed VL patients suspected of sepsis admitted to the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from February 2012 to May 2012. Blood cultures and other clinical samples were collected and cultured following the standard procedures. Results. Among 83 sepsis suspected VL patients 16 (19.3%) had culture confirmed bacterial sepsis. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (68.8%; 11/16), including two methicillin-resistant isolates (MRSA). Patients with focal bacterial infection were more likely to have bacterial sepsis (P<0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of culture confirmed bacterial sepsis was high, predominantly due to S. aureus. Concurrent focal bacterial infection was associated with bacterial sepsis, suggesting that focal infections could serve as sources for bacterial sepsis among VL patients. Careful clinical evaluation for focal infections and prompt initiation of empiric antibiotic treatment appears warranted in VL patients