Diurnal activity patterns, habitat use and foraging habits of Egyptian goose (Alopochena egyptiacus Linnaeus, 1766) in the Boyo wetland, southern Ethiopia

Egyptian goose (Alopochena egyptiacus) is a resident bird species in Africa South of the Sahara occurring throughout the entire Nile Valley. Despite the wide distribution, the available information on its behavioral ecology is limited in Ethiopia. A study on the activity patterns, habitat use and foraging  habits  of Egyptian goose was carried out in and around Boyo wetland, Ethiopia, during the dry and wet seasons. Scan sampling method was used to study the activity patterns and habitat use of Egyptian goose in  grassland, mudflat and shallow water habitats of the wetland. The feeding behavior of Egyptian goose was also observed in the surrounding farmland habitats using scan sampling method.  Generally,  Egyptian geese spent most of their time resting (39.81%) followed by foraging (32.64%). They spent 10.43% of their time in comfort movement preening or stretching. The rest of their time was allocated for locomotion (6.63%), vigilance (5.75%), and social behavior (1.59%), and other activities (2.86%). Most of the birds were engaged in foraging activity in the morning (07:00-9:00 h) and afternoon (16:00 - 18:00 h) hours both during the wet and dry seasons.  About 39% of Egyptian geese were scanned in mudflat, 31.5% in grassland, and 30.05% in shallow water habitats engaged in different activities. Most individuals  used the grassland habitat for foraging during the dry (59.5%) and wet (74%) seasons, while they used shallow water and mudflat habitats for resting both during the wet and dry seasons seasons. The birds were observed foraging  mainly  grass during the dry (93.62%) and wet (59.52%) seasons. The Egyptian geese show diurnal activity pattern with feeding peaks in early morning and late afternoon hours as is observed in many other avian taxa. The Boyo wetland is also as an important foraging ground for this species and other birds in the area. Further ecological studies on the species and impact of human activities on the Boyo wetland should be conducted for the conservation of the avifauna

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies in adolescent school girls from Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Scope and Method of Study: This cross-sectional study investigated the extent and severity of protein energy malnutrition and deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc nutrition in 10 - 15 year old school girls from Tigray, Northern Ethiopia using anthropometric, biochemical and clinical indicators. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information. Serum retinol was analyzed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); Urinary iodine (UI) concentrations were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods; ferritin was analyzed by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA); serum zinc was analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS); soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) and C- Reactive Protein (hsCRP) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).Findings and Conclusions: Prevalence of stunting and thinness in school girls was 23% and 27%, respectively. The prevalence of anemia in the school girls was 7% after adjusting hematocrit levels for elevation. Nearly 9% had depleted and 15% had low iron stores, and 6% had clinical signs of anemia. Parasites commonly associated with anemia were rarely detected. Nearly 3% were vitamin A deficient and 26% had serum retinol levels indicative of marginal vitamin A status. Clinical assessments showed that Bitot's spots and night blindness were prevalent in 3.7% and 3.2% of the girls, respectively. Total goiter rate as assessed by palpation was 45.3%, and 67% of the girls had biochemical iodine deficiency (UI < 100 microg/L). Only 16% of the households utilized iodized salt. More than 49% of the school girls were zinc deficient on the basis of serum zinc levels. In conclusion, protein energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies including iodine, iron, vitamin A and zinc were of public health significance with deficiencies of iodine and zinc being more severe than iron and vitamin A. Our results demonstrated a high level of concomitant micronutrient deficiencies in an age group which is not usually considered to be at risk for nutritional deficiencies

What factors are associated with pre-pregnancy nutritional status? Baseline analysis of the KITE cohort:A prospective study in northern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: To assess a broad range of factors associated with pre-pregnancy nutritional status, a key step towards improving maternal and child health outcomes, in Ethiopia. DESIGN: A baseline data analysis of a population-based prospective study. SETTING: Kilite-Awlaelo Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, eastern zone of Tigray regional state, northern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: We used weight measurements of all 17 500 women of reproductive age living in the surveillance site between August 2017 and October 2017 as a baseline. Subsequently, 991 women who became pregnant were included consecutively at an average of 14.8 weeks (SD: 1.9 weeks) of gestation between February 2018 and September 2018. Eligible women were married, aged 18 years or older, with a pre-pregnancy weight measurement performed, and a gestational age ≤20 weeks at inclusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measure was pre-pregnancy nutritional status assessed by body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Undernutrition was defined as BMI of <18.5 kg/m(2) and/or MUAC of <21.0 cm. BMI was calculated using weight measured before pregnancy, and MUAC was measured at inclusion. Linear and spline regressions were used to identify factors associated with pre-pregnancy nutritional status as a continuous and Poisson regression with pre-pregnancy undernutrition as a dichotomous variable. RESULTS: The mean pre-pregnancy BMI and MUAC were 19.7 kg/m(2) (SD: 2.0 kg/m(2)) and 22.6 cm (SD: 1.9 cm), respectively. Overall, the prevalence of pre-pregnancy undernutrition was 36.2% based on BMI and/or MUAC. Lower age, not being from a model household, lower values of women empowerment score, food insecurity, lower dietary diversity, regular fasting and low agrobiodiversity showed significant associations with lower BMI and/or MUAC. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pre-pregnancy undernutrition in our study population was very high. The pre-pregnancy nutritional status could be improved by advancing community awareness on dietary practice and gender equality, empowering females, raising agricultural productivity and strengthening health extension. Such changes require the coordinated efforts of concerned governmental bodies and religious leaders in the Ethiopian setting

Pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain:a prospective study in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia

Abstract Background In low-income countries, the high prevalence of pre-pregnancy undernutrition remains a challenge for the future health of women and their offspring. On top of good nutrition, adequate gestational weight gain has been recognized as an essential prerequisite for optimal maternal and child health outcomes. However, good-quality data on factors influencing gestational weight gain is lacking. Therefore, this study was aimed to prospectively identify pre-conception and prenatal factors influencing gestational weight gain in Ethiopia. Methods A population based prospective study was undertaken between February 2018 and January 2019 in the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Firstly, the weight of non-pregnant women of reproductive age living in the study area was measured between August and October 2017. Subsequently, eligible pregnant women identified during the study period were included consecutively and followed until birth. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements complemented with secondary data. Gestational weight gain, i.e., the difference between 32 to 36 weeks of gestation and pre-pregnancy weights, was classified as per the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guideline. Linear, spline, and logistic regression models were used to estimate the influence of pre-conception and prenatal factors on gestational weight gain. Results The mean gestational weight gain (standard deviation[SD]) was 10.6 (2.3) kg. Overall, 64.0% (95% CI 60.9, 67.1) of the women did not achieve adequate weight gain. Factors associated with higher gestational weight gain were higher women empowerment (B 0.60, 95% CI 0.06, 1.14), dietary diversity (B 0.39, 95% CI 0.03, 0.76), pre-pregnancy body mass index (B 0.13, 95% CI 0.05, 0.22), and haemoglobin (B 0.54, 95% CI 0.45, 0.64). Additionally, adequate prenatal care (B 0.58, 95% CI 0.28, 0.88) was associated with higher gestational weight gain. Conclusions Adequate gestational weight gain was not achieved by most women in the study area, primarily not by those who were underweight before pregnancy. Interventions that advance women’s empowerment, dietary quality, pre-pregnancy nutritional status, and prenatal care utilization may improve gestational weight gain and contribute to optimizing maternal and child health outcomes

Postpartum weight change in relation to pre‐pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain in women in low‐income setting:Data from the kite cohort in the northern part of Ethiopia

(1) Background: Postpartum weight may increase compared to pre-pregnancy due to weight retention or decrease due to weight loss. Both changes could pose deleterious effects on maternal health and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess postpartum weight change and its associated factors. (2) Methods: A total of 585 women from the KIlte-Awlaelo Tigray Ethiopia (KITE) cohort were included in the analysis. (3) Results: The mean pre-pregnancy body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy were 19.7 kg/m(2) and 10.8 kg, respectively. At 18 to 24 months postpartum, the weight change ranged from −3.2 to 5.5 kg (mean = 0.42 kg [SD = 1.5]). In addition, 17.8% of women shifted to normal weight and 5.1% to underweight compared to the pre-pregnancy period. A unit increase in weight during pregnancy was associated with higher weight change (β = 0.56 kg, 95% CI [0.52, 0.60]) and increased probability to achieve normal weight (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.37, 2.00]). Food insecurity (AOR = 5.26, 95% CI [1.68, 16.50]), however, was associated with a shift to underweight postpartum. Interestingly, high symptoms of distress (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.03, 0.48]) also negatively impacted a change in weight category. (4) Conclusions: In low-income settings such as northern Ethiopia, higher weight gain and better mental health during pregnancy may help women achieve a better nutritional status after pregnancy and before a possible subsequent pregnancy

Postpartum weight change in relation to pre‐pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain in women in low‐income setting:Data from the kite cohort in the northern part of Ethiopia

(1) Background: Postpartum weight may increase compared to pre‐pregnancy due to weight retention or decrease due to weight loss. Both changes could pose deleterious effects on maternal health and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess postpartum weight change and its associated factors. (2) Methods: A total of 585 women from the KIlte‐Awlaelo Tigray Ethiopia (KITE) cohort were included in the analysis. (3) Results: The mean pre‐pregnancy body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy were 19.7 kg/m2 and 10.8 kg, respectively. At 18 to 24 months postpartum, the weight change ranged from −3.2 to 5.5 kg (mean = 0.42 kg [SD = 1.5]). In addition, 17.8% of women shifted to normal weight and 5.1% to underweight compared to the pre‐pregnancy period. A unit increase in weight during pregnancy was associated with higher weight change (β = 0.56 kg, 95% CI [0.52, 0.60]) and increased probability to achieve normal weight (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.37, 2.00]). Food insecurity (AOR = 5.26, 95% CI [1.68, 16.50]), however, was associated with a shift to underweight postpartum. Interestingly, high symptoms of distress (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.03, 0.48]) also negatively impacted a change in weight category. (4) Conclusions: In low‐income settings such as northern Ethiopia, higher weight gain and better mental health during pregnancy may help women achieve a better nutritional status after pregnancy and before a possible subsequent pregnancy.</p

Wealth-based equity in maternal, neonatal, and child health services utilization: a cross-sectional study from Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the pro-poor health policies in Ethiopia, the utilization of maternal, neonatal, and child health services remains a challenge for the country. Health equity became central in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals globally and is a priority for Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess equity in utilization of a range of maternal and child health services by applying absolute and relative equity indices. METHODS: Data on maternal and child health utilization emanated from a baseline survey conducted for a large project 'Optimizing the Health Extension Program from December 2016 to February 2017 in four regions of Ethiopia. The utilization of four or more antenatal care visits; skilled birth attendance; postnatal care within 2 days after childbirth; immunization with BCG, polio 3, pentavalent 3, measles and full immunization of children aged 12-23 months; and vitamin A supplementation for 6-23 months old children were stratified by wealth quintiles. The socioeconomic status of the household was assessed by household assets and measured by constructing a wealth index using principal component analysis. Equity was assessed by applying two absolute inequity indices (Wealth index [quintile 5- quintile 1] and slope index of inequality) and two relative inequity indices (Wealth index [quintile5: quintile1] and concentration index). RESULTS: The maternal health services utilization was low and inequitably distributed favoring the better-off women. About 44, 71, and 18% of women from the better-off households had four or more antenatal visits, utilized skilled birth attendance and postnatal care within two days compared to 20, 29, and 8% of women from the poorest households, respectively. Skilled birth attendance was the most inequitably distributed maternal health service. All basic immunizations: BCG, polio 3, pentavalent 3, measles, and full immunization in children aged 12-23 months and vitamin A supplementation were equitably distributed. CONCLUSION: Utilization of maternal health services was low, inequitable, and skewed against women from the poorest households. In contrast, preventive child health services were equitably distributed. Efforts to increase utilization and reinforcement of pro-poor and pro-rural strategies for maternal, newborn and immunization services in Ethiopia should be strengthened

Hypertension treatment practices and its determinants among ambulatory patients:Retrospective cohort study in Ethiopia

Objectives We examined determinants of achieving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension and of treatment intensification in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP).Design A retrospective cohort study in six public hospitals, Ethiopia.Participants Adult ambulatory patients with hypertension and with at least one previously prescribed antihypertensive medication in the study hospital.Outcome Controlled BP (&lt;140/90 mm Hg) and treatment intensification of patients with uncontrolled BP.Results The study population comprised 897 patients. Their mean age was 57 (SD 14) years, 63% were females, and 35% had one or more cardiometabolic comorbidities mainly diabetes mellitus. BP was controlled in 37% of patients. Treatment was intensified for 23% patients with uncontrolled BP. In multivariable (logistic regression) analysis, determinants positively associated with controlled BP were treatment at general hospitals (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.83) compared with specialised hospitals and longer treatment duration (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06). Negatively associated determinants were previously uncontrolled BP (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.43), treatment regimens with diuretics (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.94) and age (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.00). The only significant-positive-determinant for treatment intensification was duration of therapy (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09).Conclusions The level of controlled BP and treatment intensification practice in this study was low. The findings suggest the need for in-depth understanding and interventions of the identified determinants such as uncontrolled BP on consecutive visits, older age and type of hospital.</p