SURVEY OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN BURE AREA, ILLUBABOR, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT: Population census and survey of intestinal parasites were conducted in October 1987 in Bure area, Illubabor. Altogether, there were 1063 households comprising 4119 residents, of whom 86.3% (3,555) were indigenous and 13.7% (564) were newly arrived settlers. Four villages among nine were taken randomly, and all individuals living in a 10% sample of households picked by systematic sampling underwent investigation for intestinal parasites. Of these, 8.5% (301) indigenous and 13.7% (77) settlers provided stool specimens which were collected, processed and examined by the formol-ether-concentration technique. Positive rates for one or more parasites turned out to be 82.7% and 67.5 % among the former and latter respectively, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both population groups combined, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Entameba coli were the predominant parasites. Multiple infection was common comprising 48.2 % in the indigenous and 53.8% in the settler population groups. Preventive and control measures are suggested. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1994;8(1):29-35

Strategies to improve effectiveness of hospital leadership in Addis Ababa

In hospitals of Addis Ababa, there is a high turnover of leaders while patient and health workers’ satisfaction is low, and safety and quality are in dire situations. The purpose of this study was to explore and propose strategies to improve effectiveness of hospital leadership in order to enhance the quality of health care provided in hospitals through improving health workers’ empowerment, job satisfaction and patient safety culture. Thus, a sequential explanatory mixed method research design was used. The research had three phases, in which the first phase used five structured questionnaires explored leadership styles, the health workers’ satisfaction and empowerment, patient safety culture, and the patient experience of quality of health care; while the second involved a qualitative study (content analysis); and third phase focused on the preparation of a strategy document. Data in the form of interview responses was gathered from 75 leaders, 542 health workers, 532 patients and 11 key informants. The analysis shows that, overall, hospital leaders considered themselves more transformational (M=2.98, SD=0.41) than transactional (M=2.85, SD=0.46). Job satisfaction of private and public hospital health workers were 70.8 % and 57.1 % respectively (P-value<0.001). In addition, private hospital workers had a higher score in structural and psychological empowerment than their pubic hospital counterparts; the difference was statistically significant in all dimensions (P-value <=0.03). The analysis reveals that public and private hospitals’ mean total patient safety scores were 3.58 and 3.77 respectively (P-value=0.02). Finally, the “overall rating of hospital” was better for private hospitals: 84.8% and 88.4 % respectively (P-value=0.03). The study makes a number of observations. It notes that, firstly, transformational leadership has direct and strong correlation with structural and psychological empowerment (r=0.70, P-value=0.04 and r=0.83, P-value=0.01 respectively). Secondly, structural empowerment has a direct and significant effect on psychological empowerment (β=0.28, P-value=<0.01); and minimal indirect effect on patient safety culture through psychological empowerment (β=0.05, P-value=<0.05). Thirdly, health worker job satisfaction also has had a direct effect on patient safety culture (β=0.44, Pvalue=< 0.01. The fourth and final observation is that psychological empowerment has had a direct and statistically significant effect on patient safety culture (β=0.19, Pvalue=< 0.01). These observations indicate that, although private hospitals are better in every dimension of this study, the current hospitals situation in Addis Ababa needs urgent attention. Hence, the identification and recommendation for the preparation of eight strategic priority areas along with key interventions seeking to improve the hospital leaders’ effectiveness.Health StudiesD. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies

Schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthic infections in Delo Awraja, Bale administrative region south Ethiopia

Abstract: A cross-sectional survey of schistosomiasis, intestinal helminthic infections and the snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis was conducted in Delo Awraja, Bale Administrative Region, South Ethiopia. Of 15 accessible communities studied, the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis exceeded 5% in five of them, reaching 48% in Meda. No S. haematobium infection was found except two imported cases diagnosed at Melkaaman at a temporary shelter for refugees returning from Somalia. Uninfected snail hosts of S. mansoni were collected from few water bodies. Other intestinal helminth parasites were also highly prevalent and widespread, the dominant ones being Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm species and Trichuris trichiura, infection rates reaching 84%, 67% and 64% respectively in some communities located at altitudes of 1500-1600 m.a.s.l. The apprehension that schistosomiasis may further spread with future development plans and the need for initiation of surveillance and/or control programmes for schistosomiasis in particular and intestinal helminthic infections in general are discussed. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(3):183-188

Praziquantel in the control of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Jiga, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract: The curative efficacy and side effects of praziquantel were observed in patients with intestinal schistosomiasis in Jiga town, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total survey of the inhabitants (4861) was done and all those positive for S. man.soni and with no serious contraindications (1248) were treated with praziquantel, single oral dose of 40 mg per kg body weight. The drug has a cure rate of 89% , with a significant reduction in prevalence (P &lt;0.001, OR: 3.58, CI:2. 77, 4.64) and a marked decrease in average intensity of infection (from 187 to 111 EPG). The most frequent (64.4% )' side effects were headache and dizziness, directly related to intensity of infection, and most often did not last more than 48 hours. Therefore, it is concluded that praziquantel is a safe and effective therapy for schistosomiasis and can be used as a key component in the control of the disease. [Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1996;10(2):105-110

Prevalence and associated risk factoprs of Induced Abortion in Northwet Ethiopia

No Abstract Available Ethiop.J.Health Dev. Vol.19(1) 2005: 37-4

An assessment of social capital in rural Ethiopia: The case of Aresi and Menze

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThis dissertation explored the degree and distribution of social capital forms-social networks, volunteer associations, generalized trust, particularized trust and norms of reciprocity in rural Ethiopia. It aims to contribute to the academic understanding of social capital formation in Africa. Whereas the extent of literature focused on uncovering difference in the distribution of social capital at macro, meso and micro levels, this dissertation instead unpacks how political and economic conditions in rural Ethiopia shape the extent of the different forms of social capital at different levels

Study on performance enhancement of anaerobic digestion of municipal sewage sludge

This research focuses on investigating effects of combined microwave-ultrasonic pretreatment of municipal sewage sludge on anaerobic digester performance. Application of a novel combined microwave-ultrasonic pretreatment on thickened excess activated and mixed sludge significantly improved methane production, volatile solid and COD reduction, digestion kinetics, pathogen removal and dewaterability. Effects of Organic loading rate, sludge retention time and sludge mixing ratio were studied. Microwave and ultrasonic pretreatment conditions and digester operational parameters were optimized using experimental and modelling techniques

Building a hierarchical framework of corporate sustainability transition challenges using the qualitative information approach

Purpose: This study aims to form a valid measure and hierarchical framework to achieve corporate sustainability transitions (CSTs). Design/methodology/approach: The fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) is applied to validate and eliminate challenges in sustainability transition regarding qualitative information. Fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) is used to build a hierarchical framework under uncertainties. Findings: This study finds that technology investment, data management, eco-management and sociospatial embedding challenges are the highest hierarchical framework levels and affect CST. Practical implications: A lack of awareness and knowledge, a lack of commitment, a lack of strategy, tolerance of unsustainable practices, a lack of stakeholder participation and a fragmented market are perceived as the challenges that show the highest driving and dependence power. These challenges serve as a reference for government and construction firms in the transition to sustainable corporate practices. Originality/value: Unsustainable corporate practices have caused large amounts of energy consumption, resource depletion and environmental impacts. There are challenges in transitioning to corporate sustainability that must be addressed. The most significant challenges that need to be solved to facilitate the transition to corporate sustainability are identified and arranged in a hierarchical model. By identifying the hierarchical relationships among the challenges, a theoretical framework that extends the existing models is developed to assist decision-makers

Effect of combined microwave-ultrasonic pretreatment on anaerobic biodegradability of primary, excess activated and mixed sludge

This work deals with the effect of combined microwave-ultrasonic pretreatment on the anaerobic biodegradability of primary, excess activated and mixed sludge. The characteristics, biodegradability and anaerobic digester performance for untreated primary, excess activated and mixed sludge were compared to combined microwave-ultrasonic pretreated primary, excess activated and mixed sludge. All sludge samples were subjected to Microwave treatment at 2450 MHz, 800 W and 3 min followed by ultrasonic treatment at a density of 0.4 W/mL, amplitude of 90%, Intensity of 150 W, pulse of 55/5 for 6min. Methane production in pretreated primary sludge was significantly greater (11.9 ml/g TCOD) than the methane yield of the untreated primary sludge (7.9 ml/g TCOD). Cumulative methane production of pretreated Excess Activated Sludge (EAS) was higher (66.5 ml/g TCOD) than the methane yield from pretreated mixed sludge (44.1 ml/g TCOD). Furthermore, digested EAS showed significantly higher dewaterability (201 s) than digested primary sludge (305 s) or mixed sludge (522 s). The average Methane: Carbondioxide ratio from EAS (1.85) was higher than that for mixed untreated sludge (1.24). VS reduction was also higher for EAS than the other two sludge types. However, pretreatment of EAS resulted in significant reduction in dewaterability due to higher percentage of fine floc particles in the pretreated EAS

A Novel Approach To Measure Product Quality In Sustainable Supplier Selection

A gap remains due to the intangible and qualitative criteria used to measure product quality for supplier evaluation and selection. Improving product quality is a crucial strategy for achieving reduce, reuse, recycle, and recovery. Quality characteristics are described as functional relationships (called profiles), and with the advancements in measurement technology, high dimensional data are collected. Nonetheless, prior studies have not addressed sustainable supplier selection where a nonlinear profile characterizes the product quality. Hence, this study aims to provide a novel approach to measure product quality using the process yield index, presents multiple comparisons with the best and difference test statistics and proposes a Bonferroni correction method. This study applies a Monte Carlo simulation to find the selection power and the required number of profiles. The statistical properties are investigated, and a comparison study is performed. The results show that multiple comparisons with the best outperform the Bonferroni method regarding the sample size requirement and power, and the number of levels and profiles were found to impact the power of the statistical tests. The required number of profiles and the critical value are tabulated for decision-makers