The Implication of Governance for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in the Horn of Africa

The central theme of this study was to examine the implication of governance for conflict prevention, management and resolution in the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa is characterized by both intra-state and inter-state conflicts. The causes of such conflicts are the function of internally driven, externally induced and geo-politically motivated. This study gives emphasis the link between the mode of governance in the states of the Horn of Africa and conflicts. In order to understand the interplay between governance and conflict in the study area, the study employed descriptive qualitative approach and mainly based on secondary sources. On the basis of this methodology, the finding of the study revealed that conflicts in the Horn of Africa have a direct linkage with the mode of governance lied in the exercise of the public authority. Keywords: Governance, Conflict Prevention, Horn of Africa

Determination of selected essential and non- essential metals of honey in wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

Honey is a sweet natural product produced by bees. It has many beneficial health promoting effects. The essential and non-essential metals’ contents of bee honey samples collected from Damot Gale district were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The samples weredigested to obtain the essential and non-essential metals by optimum digestion condition. The digestion method for honey analysis was found to be efficient for all in the analyzed metals. Theanalysis was validated through the recovery experiments showing that a good percentage recovery (95.7-103%). The results obtained from honey samples collected from the bee farmers revealed that the values of pH, moisture and ash content of mid land to be 3.65 ± 0.062, 16.77 ± 0.06 and 0.42 ± 0.006, respectively while the low land part is 3.88 ± 0.057, 16.97 ± 0.034 and 0.46 ± 0.003, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the concentrations of most metals are higher in the honey samples collected from low land part than mid land part within the selected sites. This study’s result was compared with other reported values and found almost comparable. The results of current finding were also compared with international standards set by WHO/FAO and revealed that the levels of some essential and non- essential metals in honey samples were within permissible limits. Therefore, the finding of this study indicated that thehoney of the study areas was found safe for consumption regarding studied metal concentration

Common mental disorder and its association with academic performance among Debre Berhan University students, Ethiopia

Background: Common mental disorder (CMD) is prevalent in industrialized and non-industrialized countries. The prevalence of CMD among university students was 28.8-44.7% and attributed to several risk factors, such as schooling. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of CMD. In addition, the association between CMD and academic performance was tested. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 422 students at Debre Berhan university from March to April 2015. CMD was the primary outcome variable whereas academic performance was the secondary outcome variable. Kessler psychological distress (K10) scale was used to assess CMD. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed for modeling the primary outcome variable; independent samples T test and linear regression analysis were carried out for modeling the secondary outcome variable. The strength of association was interpreted using odds ratio and regression coefficient (beta) and decision on statistical significance was made at a p value of 0.05. Data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.01 software. Results: The prevalence of CMD was 63.1%. Field of study (p = 0.008, OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.04-0.61), worshiping (p = 0.04, OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.02-3.35), insomnia (p <0.001, OR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.21-6.57), alcohol drinking (p = 0.006, OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.33-5.66), and headache (p = 0.02, OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.10-3.86) were identified risk factors for CMD. The mean cumulative grade point average of students with CMD was lower by 0.02 compared to those without CMD, but not statistically significant (p = 0.70, beta = -0.02, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.10). CMD explained only 0.8% (r(2) = 0.008) of the difference in academic performance between students. Conclusions: At least three out of five students fulfilled CMD diagnostic criteria. The statistically significant risk factors were field of study, worshiping, insomnia, alcohol drinking, and headache. Moreover, there was no statistically significant association between CMD and academic performance. Undertaking integrated evidence-based intervention focusing on students with poor sleep quality, poor physical health, and who drink alcohol is essential if the present finding confirmed by a longitudinal study

Mental and Reproductive Health Correlates of Academic Performance among Debre Berhan University Female Students, Ethiopia:The Case of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Background. Globally 3 to 8% of reproductive age women are suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Several mental and reproductive health-related factors cause low academic achievement during university education. However, limited data exist in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to investigate mental and reproductive health correlates of academic performance. Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 667 Debre Berhan University female students from April to June 2015. Academic performance was the outcome variable. Mental and reproductive health characteristics were explanatory variables. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test of association was applied to examine group difference in academic performance. Result. Among 529 students who participated, 49.3% reported mild premenstrual syndrome (PMS), 36.9% reported moderate/severe PMS, and 13.8% fulfilled PMDD diagnostic criteria. The ANOVA test of association revealed that there was no significant difference in academic performance between students with different level of PMS experience (F-statistic = 0.08, p value = 0.93). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in academic performance between students with different length of menses (F-statistic = 5.15, p value = 0.006). Conclusion. There was no significant association between PMS experience and academic performance, but on the other hand, the length of menses significantly associated with academic performance

Insomnia and Its Temporal Association with Academic Performance among University Students:A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. Studies show that 9.4% to 38.2% of university students are suffering from insomnia. However, research data in developing countries is limited. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess insomnia and its temporal association with academic performance. Methods and Materials. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 388 students at Debre Berhan University. Data were collected at the nine colleges. Logistic and linear regression analysis was performed for modeling insomnia and academic performance with a p value threshold of 0.05, respectively. Data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. The prevalence of insomnia was 61.6%. Field of study (p value = 0.01), worshiping frequency (p value = 0.048), marital status (p value = 0.03), and common mental disorder (p value < 0.001) were identified associated factors of insomnia. There was no significant association between insomnia and academic performance (p value = 0.53, β = −0.04). Insomnia explained 1.2% (r2 = 0.012) of the difference in academic performance between students. Conclusions. Nearly 3 out of 5 students had insomnia. We recommended that universities would endorse sleep quality and mental health illness screening programs for students

Implementing the Urban Community Health Information System in Ethiopia: Lessons from the pilot-tests in Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and Hawassa

Background: The Strengthening Ethiopia’s Urban Health Program (SEUHP), supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), initiated the pilot testing of the Urban Community Health Information System (UCHIS) in three sites (Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and Hawassa) to support the Ethiopian Federal Ministry Health (FMOH) in its efforts to standardize and expand the Health Management Information System (HMIS) to urban areas. This paper aimed to document the lessons learned and the challenges encountered in the implementation process of UCHIS. Methods: UCHIS implementation guidelines, service delivery cards, monitoring tools, registers, data quality assessment, and progress reports were reviewed. To further understand the UCHIS implementation process, five key informant interviews and four focus group discussions were held between March and April 2018. Results and Discussion: The pilot program identified improvements in data quality and use at the urban health extension professional (UHE-p) level for decision-making and for reporting to city/town health offices and health centers. The prioritization of households according to their economic status and health needs helped UHE-ps to target health services and perform activities optimally. The development and standardization of health service cards for various communicable and non-communicable diseases and maternal, neonatal, and child health services enabled UHE-ps to provide health services in a comprehensive manner. Conclusions: The initiation of UCHIS as a pilot test enabled the UHE-ps to collect high-quality data and report to city/town health offices and health centers. Additionally, UCHIS helped UHE-ps to comprehensively focus on the 15 health service packages and target the neediest sections of the population. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(Special issue 2):49-53] Keywords: Urban community health, information system, pilot testing

Zingiber Officinale Roscoe and Echinops Kebericho Mesfin Showed Antiplasmodial Activities against Plasmodium Berghei in a Dosedependent Manner in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs necessitated the search for new drugs from natural products. Zingiber officinal Roscoe and Echinops Kebericho Mesfin are traditional herbal medicines widely used for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the toxicity profile and in vivo antiplasmodial activities of 70% methanol crude extracts of both plant materials against Plasmodium berghei.METHODS: Healthy male Swiss Albino mice of age 4-5 weeks and weight 25-36 g were infected by P. berghei. The extracts were administered orally at doses 5000, 2500 and 1250 mg/kg for acute toxicity of E. kebericho Mesfin. Graded doses at 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg used for four days suppressive studies. Parasitemia, body weight, packed cell volume (PCV) and survival time were determined. SPSS Version 20 was used for the analysis of data of parasitemia, body weight, PCV, and survival times. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA. Independent ttest was used to compare results. Results were presented as a mean ± standard error of the mean (M ± SEM). All data were analyzed at a 95% confidence interval (α= 0.05).RESULTS: At the dose of 5000 mg/kg, E. kebericho Mesfin showed no toxic effects. The LD50 of extract could go beyond the dose used. In vivo antiplasmodial activity of extracts showed excellent chemo suppression at 500 and 1000 mg/kg in a dose dependent manner compared with the negative control. The chemo suppressions of the 1000 mg/kg of both plant extracts were 49.53 ± 1.90% and 32.83 ± 1.03%, respectively. The survival times of P. berghei infected mice were also a dose dependent manner while failed to prevent weight loss.CONCLUSION: The extracts of both medicinal plants showed antiplasmodial activities against P. berghei. It confirmed the literature findings and their traditional uses.

Spatial distribution of Glossina sp. and Trypanosoma sp. in south-western Ethiopia

Background Accurate information on the distribution of the tsetse fly is of paramount importance to better control animal trypanosomosis. Entomological and parasitological surveys were conducted in the tsetse belt of south-western Ethiopia to describe the prevalence of trypanosomosis (PoT), the abundance of tsetse flies (AT) and to evaluate the association with potential risk factors. Methods The study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. The parasitological survey data were analysed by a random effects logistic regression model, whereas the entomological survey data were analysed by a Poisson regression model. The percentage of animals with trypanosomosis was regressed on the tsetse fly count using a random effects logistic regression model. Results The following six risk factors were evaluated for PoT (i) altitude: significant and inverse correlation with trypanosomosis, (ii) annual variation of PoT: no significant difference between years, (iii) regional state: compared to Benishangul-Gumuz (18.0 %), the three remaining regional states showed significantly lower PoT, (iv) river system: the PoT differed significantly between the river systems, (iv) sex: male animals (11.0 %) were more affected than females (9.0 %), and finally (vi) age at sampling: no difference between the considered classes. Observed trypanosome species were T. congolense (76.0 %), T. vivax (18.1 %), T. b. brucei (3.6 %), and mixed T. congolense/vivax (2.4 %). The first four risk factors listed above were also evaluated for AT, and all have a significant effect on AT. In the multivariable model only altitude was retained with AT decreasing with increasing altitude. Four different Glossina species were identified i.e. G. tachinoides (52.0 %), G. pallidipes (26.0 %), G.morsitans submorsitans (15.0 %) and G. fuscipes fuscipes (7.0 %). Significant differences in catches/trap/day between districts were observed for each species. No association could be found between the tsetse fly counts and trypanosomosis prevalence. Conclusions Trypanosomosis remains a constraint to livestock production in south-western Ethiopia. Four Glossina and three Trypanosoma species were observed. Altitude had a significant impact on AT and PoT. PoT is not associated with AT, which could be explained by the importance of mechanical transmission. This needs to be investigated further as it might jeopardize control strategies that target the tsetse fly population

Lower back pain and associated factors among weavers working in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are widespread among workers of informal small-scale enterprises. Specifically, lower back pain is a prevalent occupational health problem across various industries, including weaving factories. Lower back pain significantly impairs the functioning, performance, and productivity of weavers. However, information on the prevalence and associated factors of low back pain among weavers of Bahir Dar City and nationwide is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain among weavers working in Bahir Dar City.MethodA multicentered institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 weavers in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia, from April to May 2023 using a structured face-to-face interview questionnaire. Samples were proportionally allocated to each institution, and study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Variables with a P-value &lt; 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were adopted for the multivariate logistic regression analysis after verifying the model fitness. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P-value &lt; 0.05 were considered to identify the associated factors of lower back pain among weavers.ResultThe results revealed that the overall annual prevalence of lower back pain was 63.5% (95% CI = 58.8–68.5). Longer working hours [AOR = 2.580 (CI = 1.517–4.384)], lack of back support [AOR = 1.938 (CI = 2.089–3.449)], repetitive movement of the back during weaving [AOR = 5.940 (CI = 2.709–13.02)], awkward posture [AOR = 2.915 (CI = 1.677–5.065), static working posture [AOR = 4.505 (CI = 2.298–8.831)], and job stress [AOR = 3.306 (CI = 1.896–5.765)] were significantly associated with lower back pain among weavers.ConclusionsLower back pain among weavers was found to be highly prevalent. Working longer hours, lack of back support, repetitive movement of the back, awkward posture, static posture, and job stress were significantly associated with lower back among weavers. The study recommends prompt interventions on weavers to ensure that they use sitting support, weave for &lt;8 h per day, change positions every 2 h, reduce job-related stress, and minimize task repetition, thereby enhancing their working conditions and minimizing the occurrence of lower back pain