Perceived Impacts of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management by Rural Communities in Ethiopia

In developing countries including Ethiopia changing pattern of rainfall, increasing temperature, recurrent drought, massive land degradation, and poor performance of agricultural sector contribute for failure to meet the growing demands for food for the rural communities and left dependent on foreign food aid and seasonal migration. This study aims at examining the perceived impacts of climate change and disaster risk management by rural communities in Ethiopia. Cross-sectional socio-economic data were used. Dejen district was purposively selected as it is highly susceptible to climate related problems. Stratified and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 398 households. Household survey was employed to collect data on climate change impacts perceived by local communities. Focus group discussions were carried out using guiding questions and seasonal calendar. Key informant interviews were used to triangulate households\u27 perceived climate change impacts. Field observations were used to observe biophysical, economic, social, and institutional features of the district. The results indicate that crop pests, soil erosion, crop disease, frost, drought, flood, hailstorm, and erratic rainfall were the major contributing factor for the loss of 50,555 quintals of agricultural cops over the period 2009-2016. The community seasonal calendar indicate that erratic rainfall, hailstorm, dry period, flood, landslide, livestock disease, crop disease and pests, and human diseases were the major climatic events in the study areas of rural communities. The lowland households were more susceptible to climate change impacts. Policy priority should be given based on the agro-ecology and households livelihood assets vulnerability level

LEVERAGING FROM GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION FOR BREAD WHEAT PRODUCTION in EASTERN AFRICA

Developing high yielding and stable genotypes for wide and specific adaptation is important in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) production. The objective of this study was to exploit the gains from genotype by environment interaction for increased bread wheat production in eastern Africa. Thirty-three advanced bread wheat lines, along with two check varieties (Danda\u2019a and Hidasse) were evaluated at ten locations in Ethiopia and Kenya. The experiment was laid out in alpha lattice design in three replications. The analysis of variance for AMMI model of grain yield showed that environment, genotypes and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effects were highly significant (P<0.01), and accounted for 62.4, 4.8 and 15.8% of the total sum of squares variations, respectively. High environmental and significant GEI indicated that the environment had major influence for inconsistent performance. Grain yield of the genotypes ranged from 1.58 t ha-1 (G30) to 9.05 t ha-1 (G31). Genotypes G31, G18 and G35 were the best performing lines across environments. The AMMI biplot, using the first two principal components, showed that testing sites Njoro and Arsi-Robe highly discriminated the tested genotypes. Njoro was negatively interacting with high yielding genotypes, and was a different environment from any of the testing locations of Ethiopia for these sets of genotypes. It may be difficult to develop high yielding and stable varieties for the two countries, but one should look for specific adaptation. Genotypes G31 and G18 produced high grain yield, with low stability across locations which were favouring high yielding environments. However, G21 and G8 had above mean grain yield and good stability across locations. Therefore, wheat breeding for specific adaptability is very important to exploit the genetic advantage of specific genotypic performances across the region. However, extensive testing considering many locations across East African countries is vital for delineating and exploiting wheat environments for marked developments.Le d\ue9veloppement de vari\ue9t\ue9s stables et a rendements \ue9lev\ue9s dans le but d\u2019adoption a grande \ue9chelle, est important dans la production du bl\ue9 tendre ( Triticum aestivum L.). L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude est d\u2019exploiter l\u2019effet de l\u2019interaction entre g\ue9notypes et environnements (IGE) pour accroitre la production du bl\ue9 tendre en Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trente-trois lign\ue9es avanc\ue9es de bl\ue9 tendre ensemble avec deux vari\ue9t\ue9s de r\ue9f\ue9rence (Danda\u2019a and Hidasse) ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9es dans dix locations. Le plan exp\ue9rimental \ue9tait en treillis alpha avec trois r\ue9p\ue9titions. La m\ue9thode de l\u2019interaction des effets additifs and multiplicative (AMMI) avait \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9e pour le rendement en grain. L\u2019analyse des variances selon ce mod\ue8le a montr\ue9 que l\u2019environnement, le g\ue9notype et l\u2019interaction des deux ont des effets significatifs sur le rendement en grains (P<0,01), et contribuent respectivement, 62,4\ua0; 4,8 et 15,8% \ue0 la variation totale. Un effet important de l\u2019environnement et une interaction significative indiquent que l\u2019environnement a un r\uf4le majeur dans les diff\ue9rences de rendements. Les rendements en grains des g\ue9notypes testes varient de 1.58 t ha-1 (G30) a 9.05 t ha-1 (G31). Les g\ue9notypes G31, G18 et G35 \ue9taient de fa\ue7on g\ue9n\ue9rale, les plus performants. Le biplot g\ue9n\ue8re par AMMI a montr\ue9 que les sites Njoro and Arsi-Robe discriminent nettement les g\ue9notypes test\ue9s. Njoro \ue9tait n\ue9gativement corr\ue9l\ue9 avec les g\ue9notypes a rendement \ue9lev\ue9 et constituait un environnement diff\ue9rent de toutes les autres locations de l\u2019Ethiopie ou ces g\ue9notypes ont \ue9t\ue9 testes. Il peut s\u2019av\ue9rer difficile de d\ue9velopper des vari\ue9t\ue9s \ue0 haut rendement et stable dans les deux pays, mais l\u2019on doit rechercher des vari\ue9t\ue9s adapt\ue9es \ue0 chaque milieu. Les g\ue9notypes G31 et G18 ont eu des rendements \ue9lev\ue9s mais n\u2019ont pas \ue9t\ue9 stables dans les milieux qui se sont av\ue9r\ue9s \ue0 haut rendement. N\ue9anmoins, G21 et G8 ont eu des rendements plus \ue9lev\ue9s que la moyenne et se sont montres stables d\u2019un milieu \ue0 un autre. Il s\u2019ensuit donc que le d\ue9veloppement de vari\ue9t\ue9 de bl\ue9 tendre adapt\ue9 \ue0 chaque milieu serait une bonne approche pour une exploitation efficiente des avantages g\ue9n\ue9tiques des g\ue9notypes \ue0 haute performance. N\ue9anmoins, il est important de faire des essais extensifs prenant en compte plusieurs localit\ue9s des pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est afin d\u2019explorer et identifier les milieux propices au bl\ue9 tendre

DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT GERMPLASM FOR STEM RUST RESISTANCE IN EASTERN AFRICA

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) rust outbreak is the primary production constraint in Eastern Africa. Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are hot spots for the epidemic of rusts, due to higher rates of evolution of new pathogen races, especially of the virulent stem rust (Puccinia graminis) race, Ug99. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to the major pathotypes of stem rust prevalent in some countries of Eastern Africa. Three hundred and six elite breeding lines, selected and advanced at the Wheat Regional Centre of Excellence (WRCoE) in Ethiopia, were planted in stem rust hot spot areas of the country (Arsi-Robe) and Kenya (Njoro) under natural infections. Stem rust scores of 18, 25.8 and 56.2% of lines at Arsi-Robe; and 35, 49 and 16.7% of lines at Njoro were resistant to moderately resistant, intermediate and moderately susceptible to susceptible category, respectively. Overall coefficient of infection (ACI) at Arsi-Robe (24) was greater than that of Njoro (13), indicating higher disease pressure in Ethiopia than Kenya. Among the lines, 67% at Njoro and 49% at Arsi Robe showed good levels of resistance, with a severity less than 20%. However, only 32% of the lines showed a good level of resistance (<20% severity) in both locations. These lines could have combined resistance to the multiple stem rust races prevailing at both locations. Generally, most of the lines, which showed better resistance at Njoro were susceptible at Arsi-Robe.La rouille de la tige chez le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum ) est l\u2019un des plus importants probl\ue8mes rencontres dans la production du bl\ue9 en Afrique de l\u2019Est. L\u2019Ethiopie, le Kenya et l\u2019Ouganda sont des pays \ue0 fort taux d\u2019\ue9pid\ue9mie de rouille de la tige. Ceci \ue0 cause du taux \ue9lev\ue9 de d\u2019agents pathog\ue8nes, ainsi que l\u2019apparition de nouveaux pathog\ue8nes, dont le plus redoutable (Puccinia graminis) race Ug99. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier des sources de r\ue9sistance aux pathotypes majeurs de la rouille de tige qui sevit dans certains pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trois cent six lign\ue9es \ue9lites, s\ue9lectionn\ue9es au centre r\ue9gionale d\u2019excellence du bl\ue9 (WRCoE) en Ethiopie, ont \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9es dans des zones a fort taux de pr\ue9valence de la rouille de tige en Ethiopie (Arsi-Robe) au Kenya (Njoro). Respectivement, 18, 25.8 et 56.2% des lign\ue9es a Arsi-Robe; et 35, 49 et 16.7% des lign\ue9es a Njoro se sont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9es r\ue9sistantes ou mod\ue9r\ue9ment r\ue9sistantes, interm\ue9diaires, mod\ue9r\ue9ment susceptibles a susceptibles. En somme, le coefficient d\u2019infection (ACI) \ue0 Arsi-Robe (24) \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 qu\u2019\ue0 Njoro (13), ceci indique que la pression de la rouille de tige est plus \ue9lev\ue9e en Ethiopie qu\u2019au Kenya. Parmi les lign\ue9es \ue9valu\ue9es, 67% \ue0 Njoro et 49% a Arsi Robe sont exhibe des bons niveaux de r\ue9sistance, avec 20% de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. N\ue9anmoins, seul 32% des lign\ue9es ont exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance (<20% s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9) dans les deux localit\ue9s. Ces lign\ue9es porteraient surement des g\ue8nes de r\ue9sistance multiple contre les diff\ue9rentes races de champignon pr\ue9sents dans les deux localit\ue9s. G\ue9n\ue9ralement, la plupart des lign\ue9es ayant exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance a Njoro \ue9taient susceptible a Arsi-Robe

Community engagement in cutaneous leishmaniasis research in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka: a decolonial approach for global health

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic skin disease endemic in at least 88 countries where it presents an urgent, albeit often "neglected" public health problem. In this paper, we discuss our model of decolonial community engagement in the ECLIPSE global health research program, which aims to improve physical and mental health outcomes for people with CL. The ECLIPSE program has four interlinked phases and underpinning each of these phases is sustained and robust community engagement and involvement that guides and informs all activities in ECLIPSE. Our decolonial approach implies that the model for community engagement will be different in Brazil, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Indeed, we adopt a critical anthropological approach to engaging with community members and it is precisely this approach we evaluate in this paper. The data and material we draw on were collected through qualitative research methods during community engagement activities. We established 13 Community Advisory Groups (CAGs): in Brazil (n = 4), Ethiopia (n = 6), and Sri Lanka (n = 3). We identified four overarching themes during a thematic analysis of the data set: (1) Establishing community advisory groups, (2) CAG membership and community representation, (3) Culturally appropriate and context-bespoke engagement, and (4) Relationships between researchers and community members. During our first period of ECLIPSE community engagement, we have debunked myths (for instance about communities being "disempowered"), critiqued our own practices (changing approaches in bringing together CAG members) and celebrated successes (notably fruitful online engagement during a challenging COVID-19 pandemic context). Our evaluation revealed a gap between the exemplary community engagement frameworks available in the literature and the messy, everyday reality of working in communities. In the ECLIPSE program, we have translated ideal(istic) principles espoused by such community engagement guidance into the practical realities of "doing engagement" in low-resourced communities. Our community engagement was underpinned by such ideal principles, but adapted to local sociocultural contexts, working within certain funding and regulatory constraints imposed on researchers. We conclude with a set of lessons learned and recommendations for the conduct of decolonial community engagement in global health research

Technology generation to dissemination:lessons learned from the tef improvement project

Indigenous crops also known as orphan crops are key contributors to food security, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable with the current trend of population growth and climate change. They have the major advantage that they fit well into the general socio-economic and ecological context of developing world agriculture. However, most indigenous crops did not benefit from the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased the yield of major crops such as wheat and rice. Here, we describe the Tef Improvement Project, which employs both conventional- and molecular-breeding techniques to improve tef\u2014an orphan crop important to the food security in the Horn of Africa, a region of the world with recurring devastating famines. We have established an efficient pipeline to bring improved tef lines from the laboratory to the farmers of Ethiopia. Of critical importance to the long-term success of this project is the cooperation among participants in Ethiopia and Switzerland, including donors, policy makers, research institutions, and farmers. Together, European and African scientists have developed a pipeline using breeding and genomic tools to improve the orphan crop tef and bring new cultivars to the farmers in Ethiopia. We highlight a new variety, Tesfa, developed in this pipeline and possessing a novel and desirable combination of traits. Tesfa\u2019s recent approval for release illustrates the success of the project and marks a milestone as it is the first variety (of many in the pipeline) to be released

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially