Epidemiology of Major Small Ruminant Ectoparasites and Effectiveness of the Control Approaches Employed in Selected Pastoral Districts of Afar, Northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2014 to April 2015 aimed at determining the epidemiology of major ectoparasites of small ruminant and assessment of effectiveness of the control approaches employed in Zone four of Afar region state. Out of 614 goats and 446 sheep examined for ectoparasites, 564 (91.86%) goats and 422 (94.62%) sheep were found infested with one or more ectoparasites.  The overall prevalence was 93.02% (986/1060).  The overall prevalence of ectoparasite was significantly higher in adult (96.91% in sheep, 93.83% in goat) than young (88.52% in sheep, 86.25% in goat) (P< 0.05). No significant association between the ectoparasite prevalence among the woredas, sex and body condition was evidenced in both species. Higher tick infestation prevalence, 90.75%, were observed both in sheep (90.58%) and goat (90.88%) followed by lice prevalence rate of 6.41% (11.66% in sheep and 2.93% in goat) and mange (Demodex) (0% in sheep and 0.65% in goats). Overall eight genera of ectoparasites belonging to ticks (Boophilus, Amblyomma, Rhepicephalus, Hyalomma and haemaphisalis), lice (sucking and biting lice) and mange (Demodex) were identified. Even though there was irregular or unplanned application of diazionon application campaigns in the study area the burden/trend of ectoparasite infestation in the area were remain high (91.75%). Because of this and prevailing poor veterinary services in the area pastoralist forced to treat their animals traditionally which is unsafe and not effective.  Most of pastoralists in the study area were awarded of the effect of ectoparasite on the animal health and productivity and skin quality. The present study revealed that extremely high prevalence and widespread occurrence of ectoparasites in small ruminant and the employed control approaches were not effective in the study area. Therefore, control of ectoparasites requires integrated ectoparasite management systems that combine sanitation, application of ectoparasiticides appropriately, reduction of breeding sites, environmental sprays, weed and vegetation controls and other biological control. Keywords: Goat, Sheep, Ectoparasites, diazionon, prevalence, Afar, pastoral are

Prevalence and Risk Factor of Brucellosis in Dromedaries in Selected Pastoral Districts of Afar, Northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 813 camels from 63 herds in selected Afar pastoral areas from May 2012 to February 2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with camel brucellosis. Serum sample were collected and screened for brucellosis using Rose Bengal Plate Test followed by Complement Fixation Test of positive samples for confirmation. The herd level seroprevalence was 17.46% and varied significantly among different herd sizes (χ2=8.84; P<0.05) and contact with small ruminants (χ2=3.91; P<0.05). Camel herds in contact with small ruminants were 6.64 times (OR=6.64; 95% CI: 1.30-33.88) more at risk for brucellosis infection than those herds which had no contact with small ruminants. Animal level seroprevalence was 2.09% and varied significantly among different herd size (χ2=8.079; P= 0.018). The prevalence of brucellosis was significantly higher in camels with history of abortion (6.67%) (χ2=10.534; P= 0.032). Sex, age, body condition, physiological status and parity were insignificantly associated (P>0.05) with the prevalence of brucellosis. The present study suggests that Brucella infection is the likely cause of abortion in camel and small ruminants were the probable source of Brucella infection for camels in the study. On the other hand, based on the observation of the author, none of the camel herdsmen knew the disease and the prevailing habit of consumption of raw camel milk and the man-animal close contact in Afar pastoral area demonstrate the potential role of brucellosis as a zoonosis in the area. Therefore, improving management practices, public awareness, economic and zoonotic importance of the disease can assist disease prevention. Keywords: Afar pastoral, Brucellosis, Camels, Prevalence, Risk factors, zoonosi

Sanitary conditions of food establishments in Mekelle town, Tigray, North Ethiopia

No Abstract. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (1) 2007: pp. 3-1

Long distance running in Ethiopian athletes: a search for optimal altitude training.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.ABSTRACT Background The extended dominance of Ethiopian and Kenyan middle- and long- distance athletes in world athletics has resulted in researchers proposing numerous explanations to explain this success. Genetic predisposition, anthropometric, physiological, biochemical and biomechanical characteristics, environmental factors like living and training at high altitude, active lifestyles during childhood as well as nutritional practices, have all been major focus areas of past studies that involved east African endurance athletes. Of all the proposed variables, researchers have acknowledged the positive role of environmental factors in the success of these athletes. Despite the past attempts to investigate the major factors that contributed to the successes of east African athletes, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, limited studies have addressed each of the proposed physiological and environmental variables in the Ethiopian athletes, compared with the number of studies conducted on Kenyan athletes. Purpose The primary purpose of this research was to test a natural altitude training model and examine whether it enhanced the long-distance performance of junior Ethiopian athletes. The research also examined a variety of environmental factors associated with these junior athletes that included daily distance travelled to and from school, mode of transport to and from school as well as physical activity patterns after school. These factors were compared between the junior athletes who participated in the altitude training study, current and retired World and Olympic level long-distance Ethiopian athletes. The energy intake, macronutrient breakdown and energy expenditure of the junior athletes during the altitude training camp were also analysed. Methods Demographic Characteristics Study: A total of 83 endurance runners were involved in this study. The athletes were classified into three separate groups based on their current performance status and age as retired elite (n = 32), current elite (n = 31) and academy junior athletes (n = 20). The average ages of the athletes in the three groups were 38±7.6, 25±4.5, and 18±1.2 years for retired elite, current elite and junior group athletes, respectively. The study primarily employed a xvi questionnaire survey design to gather the demographic characteristics of the athletes. Along with the questionnaire, the altitudes where the athletes were born and trained, as well as the home to school distance of the athletes were measured. Data were collected from the retired athletes through both self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires and forms. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the current elite and academy junior athletes. Only 46.8% of the retired elites (n=15) filled in the questionnaire and the rest 53.2% (n=17) of the retired elite athletes responded to the questionnaire via telephone. The home to school distance of 71.8% (n = 23) and 58.1% (n = 18) of retired and current elite athletes, respectively, was measured physically using a watch with Global Positioning System (Garmin forerunner, 910X). Macronutrient Intake and Energy Balance Study: In this study, twenty (male = 16 and female = 4) junior long-distance athletes participated. The athletes were attending an eight-week training in the camp where they were living in and training in and around Tirunesh Dibaba National Athletics Training Centre (TDNATC) located at an altitude of 2500m (7°57′N latitude and 39°7′E longitude). The study used the three-day direct dietary record method. Nude body weight measurements were taken before and after the three assessment days. All food measurements were carried out when the three meals were served: breakfast (8:00 – 9:00am), lunch (12:00 am – 1:00pm), and dinner (6:00 – 7:00pm). All the measurements were taken and recorded by the principal investigator, together with the head coach of the athletes, using a digital weighing scale readable to 1 gram (Salter Housewares LTD, England) and the dietary analysis of each individual athlete, including the total energy intake, and the energy contribution and gram values for carbohydrate, fat and protein from the consumed foods was performed using the nutritional software package Nutritics (v3.7, University Edition). Training type, intensity and duration, as well as external load, including distance, time covered and speed of the training were recorded in a daily training diary over the three consecutive days. Total energy expenditure of each study participant was calculated from basal metabolic rate (BMR) using the Schofield equation (1985) and the physical activity ratio (PAR), and physical activity level (PAL). xvii Altitude Training Study: A total of 20 (male = 16 and female = 4) junior long distance athletes lived and trained in and around the Athletes Tirunesh Dibaba National Athletics Training Centre were recruited for the study. The study applied the balanced, randomised, experimental design. Before the athletes were randomly assigned to the live high - train high (LH-TH) control (n = 10 ) and live high - train high train low (LH-THTL) experimental (n = 10 ) groups, they were tested on a 5km track race at baseline (end of four pre-experimental weeks) and then assigned equally into the two groups based on their 5km performance (time) and gender. The study lasted for a continuous eight weeks where all the athletes lived in every day of the week, and trained light and moderate intensity sessions at an altitude of 2500m a.s.l. four times per week. In addition, the LH-TH and LH-THTL groups trained separately at 2500m and 1470m a.s.l. in high intensity sessions two days per week, respectively. During the study time, different haematological, autonomic, neuromuscular, subjective training monitor and five kilometre performance time trial tests were conducted. Resting haematological tests were conducted three times (baseline, week four and week eight). Sample blood was drawn from a cubital vein under standard conditions (off-training days, between 08:30 and 09:30 a.m. before breakfast and after a 10 minute rest period in a sitting position) in the haematology laboratory of the College of Health Sciences of Arsi University, Ethiopia at the specified time for complete blood count ( CBC) analysis. Like the haematological tests, three consecutive vagal related heart rate measurements (heart rate variability and one- and two-minute heart rate recovery measurements) were taken at baseline, week 4 and week 8. The heart rate variability measurements were taken early in the morning, before the athletes left for training, in their bedrooms (before leaving their beds). The one- and two-minute heart rate recovery tests were taken as soon as the three 5km time trials were completed at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Along with the CBC and vagal-related heart rate measurements, five consecutive neuromuscular fitness tests (at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8) using the common vertical jump tests (counter movement (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) test) were conducted after 10 hours of light intensity training. For a total of 47 training sessions, subjective training load responses were collected using a session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) methods within 30 minutes after the end of the day’s workout. At baseline, week four and week eight xviii three 5km endurance performance tests were conducted on a 400m standardized synthetic track under standard conditions (at 2500m a.s.l. and between 07:00 – 08:00 a.m.). Results Demographic Characteristics Study: Although the demographic characteristics study identified significant difference between the three groups in the age at which formal training started (p < 0.001), no significant difference was identified between the groups (p > 0.05) regarding the altitudes where the athletes were born and raised. Moreover, the study reported no significant difference in the daily distance covered to and from school between the three groups during their primary education (p > 0.05) but not during their secondary education (p < 0.05). The study also revealed that there were significant regional distribution differences in the three groups (p = 0.002) where 81.3% of retired athletes and 55% of academy junior athletes were from central Ethiopia. There was also no significant difference (p = 0.05) between the three groups in the mode of transportation used to cover the daily distance to and from school. In addition to the above findings, this study also found no statistically significant difference in the types of major out-of-school activities between the three groups of athletes during their childhoods (p > 0.05). Macronutrient Intake and Energy Balance Study: There was a significant difference between the mean total energy intake (14593±895KJ.day-1 ) and mean total energy expenditure (13423± 1134 KJ.day-1 , p < 0.001) during the three days’ dietary assessment. Moreover, the daily total energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) throughout the three days for all subjects were also compared in the same way as the total EI and EE. In comparison to the daily energy expenditure, on day one there was a mismatch between EI (15682 ± 1599 KJ.day-1 ) and EE (12823 ± 1397KJ.day-1 , p = 0.000), and a positive energy balance was calculated. On day two there was no substantial difference between daily EI (14368 ± 1516KJ.day-1 ) and EE (13688± 1618 KJ.day-1 , p = 0.146). Similarly, there was also no significant difference between the EI (13728±412KJ.day-1 ) and EE (13757± 1390KJ.day-1 , p = 0.919) on day three. This study also confirmed no significant differences in the daily energy expenditure between the three days (p = 0.091). As compared to fat and protein, it appears that CHOs were the major energy source consumed during the three days. The overall proportion of the energy derived from the foods revealed that CHO provided 65.7% (±11.7 %); protein 18.7% (±6.9 %) and fat 15.4% (±4.9 %). xix When the overall proportions of energy intake (KJ) derived from the three macronutrients were analysed on a daily basis, there were statistically significant differences in CHO, protein and fat consumption across the three days, (p < 0.001). Moreover, substantial differences were identified in the day-to-day fat (p < 0.001) and protein (p < 0.001) consumption during the three dietary assessment days. Altitude Training Study Haematological Study: No statistically significant difference in RBC count was observed between the LH - TH and LH - THTL study groups following eight weeks of endurance training (∆0.05; CL ±0.029; p = 0.741; ES = 0.12). After eight weeks of endurance training no significant difference was observed in the haemoglobin concentration (p = 0.926), but substantially declined from baseline to week eight in both groups (Experimental: ∆-0.48; CL±0.46; p = 0.040; ES = - 0.35 and control: ∆-0.51; CL± 0.46; p = 0.030; ES = -0.37). This study also identified no substantial difference in haematocrit value between the two study groups following eight weeks of endurance training (∆0.2; CL±1.9; p = 0.832; ES = 0.06). Vagal-Related Heart Rate Response: The resting HRV (RMSSD) measurements revealed no meaningful differences between the LH-TH and LH - THTL groups (∆-0.18; CL±0.43; p = 0.407; ES = -0.29) from baseline to week eight in the experimental (∆0.05; CL±0.31; p = 0.761; ES = 0.08) and control (∆0.22; CL±0.31; p = 0.145; ES = 0.37) groups; although the changes in both groups were positive. The difference between the experimental and control groups, however, was negative and small (∆-0.29). The regression analysis also revealed no significant differences, both in the one-minute (∆4.4; CL±10.8; p = 0.413; ES = 0.47) and two-minute postexercise heart rate recovery (∆3.1; CL±10.4; p = 0.550; ES = 0.31), between the experimental and control groups. Neuromuscular Fitness/Fatigue Response: The CMJ test results revealed no significant difference between the two study groups following eight weeks of endurance training (∆0.5; CL±4.8; p = 0.829; ES = 0.06), although meaningful changes were identified both in the experimental (∆8.3; CL ±3.4; p = 0.001; ES = 0.92) and control (∆7.8; CL ±3.4; p = 0.001; ES = 0.86) groups from baseline to week eight. Significant changes in squat jump ability were xx observed, both in the experimental (∆4.8; CL±2.8; p = 0.001; ES = 0.69) and control (∆2.9; CL±2.8; p = 0.039; ES = 0.42) groups, following eight weeks of endurance training; but not between the groups (∆1.8; CL±3.9; p = 0.353; ES = 0.26). This study also confirmed no significant difference between the two study groups in the eccentric utilisation ratio following eight weeks of endurance training (∆-0.05; CL±0.16; p = 0.511; ES = -0.39). Training Load Response: The results of the analysis identified significant differences between the groups, and for all weekly training load responses of all training sessions, i.e., light, moderate and high-intensity training sessions (p = 0.019) and high intensity training sessions (p = 0.000). However, no substantial difference was identified between groups (p = 0.133) in the weekly load responses to the light and moderate intensity training sessions. Based on the results of the least significant difference, post-hoc meaningful differences were identified between the groups in their weekly load response to the total intensity training at week seven and eight; as well as at weeks one, five, seven and eight for the high intensity training sessions. Out of the 47 training sessions, light intensity sessions (< 4 RPE, less than the first ventilatory threshold) made up 87.2% of sessions in the experimental group and 68.1% in the control group, while 12.8% (Experimental group) and 31.9% (Control group) of the training sessions were completed at RPE > 4 < 7 RPE (between first and second ventilatory threshold). Five Kilometre Endurance Performance: After eight weeks of endurance training no significant difference in the 5km endurance performance was identified between the LH-TH and LH-THTL study groups (∆-12; CL ±25s; p = 0.335). Even though times for the 5km decreased significantly in the experimental group (∆-19; CL±18s; p = 0.037) from baseline to week eight, performance in the control group did not improve significantly (∆-7; CL ±18s; p = 0.440). Conclusions Demographic Characteristic Study: Significant difference was observed between the three groups in the age at which formal training started. However, no significant differences were identified between the three groups in the altitudes where the Ethiopian long-distance athletes were born and raised, the daily distance travelled to and from school, the mode of transportation and the major out-of-school activities during their childhood. Thus, the findings of this study xxi confirmed that the 20 junior athletes who were involved in the study shared common demographic characteristics with the retired and current elite Ethiopian long-distance athletes. Macronutrient Intake and Energy Balance Study: In line with the previous studies conducted on Kenyan and Ethiopian endurance athletes, the young long-distance Ethiopian athletes met the recommended daily macronutrient intake for carbohydrates and protein for endurance athletes. However, the study also identified that the athletes’ dietary fat consumption was below the recommended amount for endurance athletes. Moreover, based on the three-day dietary assessment results, the young Ethiopian endurance athletes were found to be in a state of positive energy balance one week before their first major competition of the year (albeit during the preparation phase of their yearly training plan). Altitude Study: The overall results of the current altitude study revealed that in most of the study variables (i.e., haematological, autonomic, neuromuscular, and endurance performance), except the subjective based training load response, statistically insignificant results were identified between the two study groups. However, when the results of the altitude study variables across time (baseline to week eight) were examined, athletes in the LH-THTL experimental group showed better progress in neuromuscular and lower training load responses which were accompanied with significant five kilometer endurance performance change; and lower or similar progress in haematological and autonomic regulation responses as compared with the LH-TH control group. It is noted that the ultimate purpose of any type of altitude training is enhancing the running performance while minimizing athlete’s susceptibility to injury. Taking these core concepts of athletic training and the physiological and performance changes of the current study in to consideration, the LH-THTL altitude training model was potentially the preferred optimal altitude training model to further enhance the past and existing long-distance performance of Ethiopian endurance athletes although further comprehensive studies are required to confirm the results. Future Directions In order to exhaustively investigate optimal altitude training models that better enhance the longdistance performance of athletes’ native to high altitude, more comprehensive, similar studies xxii should be designed. Moreover, to achieve stronger results, further studies should be conducted using larger sample sizes with balanced gender proportions, along with more subjective and objective training monitoring methods. Furthermore, future studies should consider additional altitude training models, be conducted over longer periods and during different phases of the yearly training plan (preparation, pre-competition, and competition). It is also recommended that future studies should design endurance performance tests at different altitudes (low and high) to enhance the local and international competition performance of Ethiopian long-distance athletes

Assessment Of Production Potentials And Constraaints Of Mango (Mangifera INDICA) At Bati, Oromia Zone, Ethiopia

Production potentials and constraints of mango were assessed at Bati wereda, Oromiya zone, Ethiopia in 2013 using data from sixty randomly selected mango producers in the area. Data were collected using questionnaire and focus group discussion. The result revealed that most of the producers belonged to the age group of 41-50 (28.3%) and 31-40 (266.7%). 95% of the producers were male and the rest 5% were female. Analysis of production system revealed that 90% of the respondents do not use fertilizer; the only 10% of the respondents do use organic fertilizer. All of the respondents use irrigation water; however the source, quantity and quality differ from farm to farm. 85% of the respondents replied that they did not control diseases except birds during the time of fruit maturation. Most of the respondents (95%) did not practice pruning. The orchards branch is so large and weak to support the fruit. Fifty percent of the respondent replied that they harvest the fruit at peak maturity but 33.33% of the respondents replied that the fruit harvest before peak maturity and only 16.67% response that the fruit harvest after peak maturity. The majority of the respondents (46.67) replied that all the listed factors (irrigation water scarcity, pest and disease and technology limitation) can influence the production of mango. The majority of the respondents (66.67) replied that hand picking method of harvesting produce and maintains good quality of fruit and protects the fruit from mechanical damage. Most of the respondents (30%) replied that all the listed (birds, wind, wounding, maturity stage and micro organisms) are major causes of mango production loss. 26.67%, 23.33%, 6.67%, 8.33% and 5% of the respondents response that birds, wind, wounding, microorganisms and maturity stage are the main causes of loss on mango respectively. Most of the respondents (45.00%) replied that major lost of mango occurs during harvesting and before harvesting. The majority (35) of the respondents use both pack animal and human back and shoulder to transport their produce. Most of the respondents (96.67%) sell their products at nearby local marke

HUBUNGAN PRODUKSI PADI DENGAN KESEJAHTERAAN HIDUP PETANI PADI DI KECAMATAN ARJAWINANGUN KABUPATEN CIREBON

Latar belakang permasalahan penelitian ini adalah mayoritas luas lahan Kecamatan Arjawinangun didominasi lahan sawah dan matapencaharian penduduk sebagaian besar merupakan petani padi, tetapi banyak penduduk yang bermatapencaharian sebagai petani padi yang memiliki kondisi kesejahteraan yang tidak ideal atau hidup dalam kemiskinan. Hal ini tentu saja disebabkan oleh berbagai faktor, salah satu diantaranya yaitu faktor produksi pertanian. Dengan melihat kondisi ini penulis tertarik untuk meneliti tingkat kesejahteraan penduduk petani di Kecamatan Arjawinangun dengan mengambil sudut pandang dari aspek produksi pertanian. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengidentifikasi besarnya produksi pertanian padi di kecamatan Arjawinangun, menganalisis luas dan status kepemilikan lahan pertanian, menganalisis tingkat kesejahteraan petani padi, dan menganalisis hubungan antara tingkat kesejahteraan petani padi dengan produksi tanaman padi. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode deskriptif analitik. Populasi dalam penelitian ini dibagi menjadi dua, yaitu populasi wilayah yang meliputi seluruh wilayah di Kecamatan Arjawinangun dan populasi manusia yang meliputi seluruh petani di Kecamatan Arjawinangun. Sampel wilayah diambil dari seluruh desa yang ada di Kecamatan Arjawinangun, serta sampel manusia diambil dari seluruh petani di Kecamatan Arjawinangun dengan teknik pengambilan sampel dengan menggunakan perhitungan Dixon dan B. Leach. Hasil dari penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa kurang dari setengahnya atau 45 % petani memiliki luas sawah < 1 Hektar. Lebih dari setengahnya atau 68,33% petani, lahan yang digarap berstatus lahan sewa. Klasifikasi tingkat kesejahteraan petani yaitu lebih dari setengahnya atau 55 % dari jumlah petani berada pada klasifikasi keluarga sejahtera I. Terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan tingkat pendapatan petani dengan klasifikasi kategori “Sangat Kuat”, terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan kemampuan mencukupi kebutuhan hidup diri petani serta dalam menanggung beban hidup keluarga dengan mengandalkan pendapatan di bidang pertanian dan termasuk kategori “Sangat Rendah”, tidak terdapat hubungan antara produksi padi dengan kecenderungan petani memilih tempat pengobatan, terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan pola konsumsi rumah tangga petani yang termasuk ke dalam ketegori “kuat”, terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan intensitas makan setiap hari dan termasuk ke dalam ketegori “sangat rendah”, terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan intensitas pembelian pakaian baru petani dan termasuk ke dalam ketegori “rendah”, hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan mata pencaharian sampingan petani dan termasuk dalam kategori “kuat”, dan terdapat hubungan signifikan antara produksi padi dengan kondisi rumah fisik petani termasuk kedalam kategori “kuat”

Forced displacement and community resilience: the case South Sudanese refugees in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia

Forced displacement has continued to be a security and development concern, and different interventions are undertaken to address the needs of the displaced people. Yet, there is debate on the impact of these interventions and on factors that could affect the resilience of displaced populations in a refugee context. Thus, this study intended to examine the resilience of South Sudanese refugees and the factors that impact their recovery in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia. The study applied a qualitative research design with data from both primary and secondary sources. The overall research finding is that due to policy restrictions, funding constraints, limited livelihood opportunities, and limited options to use refugee human capital, the resilience capacity of the South Sudanese refugees hosted in the Benishangul Gumuz region is not fully developed. Other factors such as access to social support, peaceful co-existence interventions also found to be influencing the resilience and recovery of the refugees. The results also show that the refugees are using mechanisms such as selling food rations, illegal gold mining and farming which involve child labour, low-paid incentive work with humanitarian organizations, small-scale farming inside the camp, remittances from abroad, farm activities with the host community, and running small shops in the camps to cope with the displacement related challenges. Therefore, it is recommended that UN organizations, donors, regional organizations, NGOs, the host government, and the refugees take practical actions of advocacy, allocation of adequate funding, utilisation of the refugee human capital, and easing policy-related barriers and restrictions. It is also recommended that a context-specific framework – the Refugee Resilience(2R) Framework and Matrix, which this study created, to be applied for studying and building resilience in refugee displacement caused by armed conflict.Development StudiesPh. D. (Developments Studies

Occurrence of fungal diseases of Coffea arabica L. in montane rainforests of Ethiopia

Coffee Berry Disease (CBD), Colletotrichum kahawae, Coffee Wilt Disease (CWD), Gibberella xylarioides and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), Hemileia vastatrix are the three major diseases reducing production and consumption of coffee in Ethiopia. A survey was conducted from July to September 2005 for CBD and CWD and from 2003 until 2007 for CLR in montane rainforest coffee areas of Ethiopia to estimate the occurrence and distribution of these diseases. Diseases were prevalent in all the surveyed forest coffee areas of Ethiopia: Harenna, Bonga, Berhane-Kontir and Yayu. Depending on the forest coffee area the mean percent incidence of CBD ranged from 2 to 40 % in general and from 2 to 17.9 % at Berhane-Kontir and Bonga, respectively. The mean incidence of CWD varied from 2.4 % at Berhane-Kontir to 16.9 % at Yayu forest coffee areas. The mean incidence of CLR also varied for instance in 2005 from 32.2 % at Berhane-Kontir to 96 % at Harenna forest coffee areas. The detection of the diseases during our surveys requires an integrated management of major coffee diseases for a sustainable conservation and wise use of coffee in montane rainforests of Ethiopia

Potential For Natural Products As Grain Protectants Against Stored Product Insects

Botanical insecticides such as neem, pyrethrins and essential oils of many plants kill storage pests when applied at high levels but not equal in effectiveness to synthetic insecticides when applied at low levels (Sehgal and Ujagir, 1990). Initial research with proprietary materials suggests that diatomaceous earth (DE) a naturally occurring insecticidal desiccant can act as a synergist for botanical insecticides. DE is effective on grain by itself but is not desirable because the levels that are needed for food insect control reduces the test weight and value of the grain. The objectives of this study were: 1. To evaluate the efficacy of natural products from three broad catagories as grain protectants against four-stored product insect species; lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L), red flour beetle, Tribolium castanum (Herbst), and Indian meal moth, P/odia interpunctel/a. 2. To examine potential synergistic effect of natural products combined with diatomaceous earth, or DE

Prevalence and associated factors of HIV-TB co-infection among HIV patients: a retrospective Study

Background: TB/HIV co-infection is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. But the prevalence of co-infection was varies among countries. This study was designed to assess prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection and to determine its factors. Methods: A retrospective study was done among HIV-positive patients at Hiwot Fana hospital from December, 2014 to 2018. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling. Patients with incomplete chart reviews were excluded and demographic, clinical and laboratory information were analyzed using SPSS and STATA. Uni-vitiate and bivariate logistic regressions were applied. Results: Five hundred fourteen patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 187(37.4%) had TB. Bivariate logistic analysis showed that HIV patients with regards to marital status[AOR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.19- 2.89] , education status [AOR = 3.74; 95%CI = 2.47\u20135.66], weight less than 50kg [AOR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.35 \u2013 4.81], CD4 level &lt; 200cells/mm3 [AOR = 4.57; 95%CI = 2.38\u2013 6.86] and patient who were at WHO clinical stage III [AOR = 7.8; 95%CI = 5.15 \u2013 8.55] were significantly associated with TB/HIV co-infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of TB among HIV patients was high and predicted by marital, education status, weight, CD4 cell count and WHO clinical stage III