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In this study a paper-based analytical device was developed using screen printing technique for the determination of particulate iron from welding fumes. The operational parameters such as volume and concentration of 1,10-phenanthroline, volume and concentration of hydroxylamine were optimized by the Box Behnken Design (BBD) using Minitab. Additionally, the μ-PAD's sample solution holding capacity and reaction time were also optimized. Under the optimized condition, particulate metal concentrations were colorimetrically quantified using a handheld mobile phone and image processing software, ImageJ. Very good analytical performance such as good linearity of the calibration curve and better selectivity was observed by the developed method. The limit of detection for Fe3+ assay was 4.6 mg/L; which is adequate to determine the threshold concentration limit of particulate iron set by the regulatory bodies (6 mg/L). The μ-PAD revealed 95-99% recovery compared with the UV-Vis spectrophotometry (98-100%). Furthermore, welding fume samples were collected in Addis Ababa over five days, using mixed cellulose ester filters and the findings show a high concentration that exceeds the standard levels. Analyzing particulate iron with μ-PADs yielded results consistent with UV-Vis spectrophotometry, suggesting μ- PADs' potential application for occupational particulate iron exposure measurement, eliminating the need for expensive analytical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global evidence on psychosis is dominated by studies conducted in Western, high-income countries. The objectives of the Study of Context Of Psychoses to improve outcomes in Ethiopia (SCOPE) are (1) to generate rigorous evidence of psychosis experience, epidemiology and impacts in Ethiopia that will illuminate aetiological understanding and (2) inform development and testing of interventions for earlier identification and improved first contact care that are scalable, inclusive of difficult-to-reach populations and optimise recovery. Methods: The setting is sub-cities of Addis Ababa and rural districts in south-central Ethiopia covering 1.1 million people and including rural, urban and homeless populations. SCOPE comprises (1) formative work to understand care pathways and community resources (resource mapping); examine family context and communication (ethnography); develop valid measures of family communication and personal recovery; and establish platforms for community engagement and involvement of people with lived experience; (2a) a population-based incidence study, (2b) a case-control study and (2c) a cohort study with 12 months follow-up involving 440 people with psychosis (390 rural/Addis Ababa; 50 who are homeless), 390 relatives and 390 controls. We will test hypotheses about incidence rates in rural vs. urban populations and men vs. women; potential aetiological role of khat (a commonly chewed plant with amphetamine-like properties) and traumatic exposures in psychosis; determine profiles of needs at first contact and predictors of outcome; (3) participatory workshops to develop programme theory and inform co-development of interventions, and (4) evaluation of the impact of early identification strategies on engagement with care (interrupted time series study). Findings will inform development of (5) a protocol for (5a) a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of interventions for people with recent-onset psychosis in rural settings and (5b) two uncontrolled pilot studies to test acceptability, feasibility of co-developed interventions in urban and homeless populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses aspects of the first outcomes of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) at the new measurement station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He says that the measurement technique of FTIR spectroscopy do not need a validation by satellite. The author recommends to republish the paper "Retrieval and validation of O3 measurements from ground-based FTIR spectrometer at equatorial station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia," by S. Takele Kenea and colleagues after major revisions.

Transport demand has been increasing in most third-world countries. However, poorly maintained facilities and poor planning exposed pedestrians to hightraffic accidents. This paper aims to evaluate pedestrian facilities using the pedestrian level of service to enhance pedestrian safety in Addis Ababa. Relevant data was collected through field measurement and direct observation from 13 purposively identified pedestrian sites across the Piyasa to Bole bridge and Megenagna to Torihayloch road corridors. Pedestrian level of service derivation considered capacity, traffic, comfort, safety, and security conditions and their sub-components. The weight of each criterion and sub-factor was decided according to the Saaty scale using the judgment of experts under the analytical hierarchical process. The result of the study strongly stipulates the presence of the problem of pedestrian facilities in Megenagna, Mexico, Urael Church, and Golagol which can affect the level of pedestrian safety. However, Denibel City, Legahare, Torhayloch, and National Theater sites have scored better Pedestrian level of service for the walking population. Finally, the study recommended the requirement of prior attention for the sites with very poor and poor pedestrian levels of service by the concerned sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing economies need to supply housing and ensure resource efficiency in the process. Industrialised construction, which increases productivity in construction, can be one means to deliver the needed housing. However, the resource efficiency of industrialised construction in developing economies is under-researched. This paper studies factors influencing resource efficiency in industrialised housing products from the perspective of value chain and environmental impact in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; and Cape Town, South Africa. Specifically, wall systems with varying degrees of industrialised construction implementation are studied. The study uncovers four main insights – first, the choice of materials influences the resource efficiency of industrialised wall systems; however, the current value chain does not promote the adoption of new materials. Second, products used for industrialised wall systems are imported and incur added transportation-related impacts and more. Third, industrialised construction wall systems often use lightweight materials and have the potential for disassembly; however, end users have reservations about such design strategies. Fourth, controlled production of wall systems reduces construction waste and increases the quality of products. Nevertheless, governments are currently promoting labour-intensive construction methods. Based on these insights, the paper concludes with recommendations, levers and action points for stakeholders to promote resource efficiency in industrialised construction adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper analyzes urban travel mode preference in Addis Ababa using a survey distributed to 457 public transit users. The article highlights the details of individual travel and then discusses the implications of the travel patterns for transport policy in the city. The study employed percentages and run multinomial logistic regression to analyze the relationship between mode choice, travel characteristics and socio-economic features of individuals. In terms of mode choice and the influential factors, the analysis shows that income, age, travel expenditure and distance are the determining factors that affect mode choice. It was also found that the privately owned public transport, Taxi (mini-bus) and Higer (midi-bus) form the dominant mode of transport used by closely half percent (41.3%) of the survey respondents. On the basis of our analysis, we suggest that policies have to be devised to make government owned public transport service better in order to support a shift from using low occupancy vehicles to high occupancy vehicles which ultimately solve the problem of congestion and environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To help distinguish vaccine-related adverse events following immunization (AEFI) from coincidental occurrences, active vaccine pharmacovigilance (VP) prospective surveillance programs are needed. From February to May 2021, we assessed the system and facility readiness for implementing active AEFI VP surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods Selected hospitals were assessed using a readiness assessment tool with scoring measures. The site assessment was conducted via in-person interviews within the specific departments in each hospital. We evaluated the system readiness with a desk review of AEFI guidelines, Expanded Program for Immunization Guidelines and Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration and Ethiopian Public Health Institute websites. Results Of the hospitals in Addis Ababa, 23.1% met the criteria for our site assessment. During the system readiness assessment, we found that essential components were in place. However, rules, regulations and proclamations pertaining to AEFI surveillance were absent. Based on the tool, the three hospitals (A, B and C) scored 60.6% (94/155), 48.3% (75/155) and 40% (62/155), respectively. Conclusions Only one of three hospitals assessed in our evaluation scored >50% for readiness to implement active AEFI surveillance. We also identified the following areas for improvement to ensure successful implementation: training, making guidelines and reporting forms available and ensuring a system that accommodates paper-based and electronic-based recording systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the transport system of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, taking factors such as the number of vehicles, roadway width, speed of vehicles, longitudinal grade, and proportion of both fuel and electrical vehicles by dividing vehicles into seven classes, namely, car, minibus, small bus, coach, small truck, heavy truck, and truck trailer, to determine CO2 emission, CO emission fuel consumption, and electric consumption in addition to the percent to replace ICE vehicles. After selecting eight representative road sections in Addis Ababa city, input data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) is used to model the existing road transport system and two other scenarios, cases being 20% and 40% replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles by electric vehicles. Among the vehicle types studied under this paper, the SUMO results show that coaches are with the highest CO2 emission, releasing an average amount of 28.442 grams of CO2 every time step, while cars are with the lowest CO2 emission value of 6.542 grams. Minibuses are the top CO emitters, releasing an average of 0.420 grams of CO every time step, and truck trailers emit the smallest CO emission, 0.025 grams. Regarding electric consumption, the truck trailer is the vehicle type with the highest electric consumption, with a value of 2.282 kwh (watthour) consumption every time step, and cars are the least electricity-consuming vehicles, with a value of 0.151 kwh. The fourth point is fuel consumption; besides the high CO2 emission, coaches' consumption of fuel is leading by 8.946 grams, and cars use 2.087 grams of fuel every time step. Totally, public transport vehicles are responsible for higher emissions and huge fuel consumption. Therefore, if our transport system encourages the penetration of electric vehicles into the road transport system, a healthy and energy-efficient environment is reserved. Again, from a financial and environmental standpoint, the replacement of 40% of ICE vehicles by EVs enhances us with reduced costs and a green environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effect of land expropriation on the livelihoods of farmers expropriated from the peripheries of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A mixed methods approach, including household surveys, key informant interviews, field visits, and document reviews, was employed. A sample of 349 expropriated farmer household heads from four purposively selected sub-cities was drawn using systematic random sampling. The findings reveal significant adverse effects of land expropriation on the livelihoods of expropriated farmers, such as income losses, unemployment, and reduced agricultural production, primarily due to a lack of transparency and consultation during the expropriation process, inadequate compensation, and insufficient resettlement support provided by the city administration. Consequently, the living conditions of most farmers deteriorated in the post-expropriation. To address these effects, the study recommends enhancing procedural clarity, ensuring meaningful participation and consultation with affected farmers, and providing comprehensive resettlement support, including access to housing, employment opportunities, credit, and social services, to help affected farmers transition to new livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the effect of the selected aspects of human capital management on employee job performance and the mediating role of employee engagement. Likewise, this study tested the moderation role of perceived organizational support on the HCMemployee performance link. The research sample is the responses of 426 participants from twelve banking organizations operating in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, utilizing the social exchange theory and the theory of the resource-based view. This paper is structured quantitatively, with stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The research model analysis method applies structural equation modeling with AMOS to test the hypothesized relationships. The results showed that the Human Capital Management (HCM) practices, namely knowledge accessibility, learning capacity, workforce optimization, leadership practice, and career advancement, positively related to employee job performance. Moreover, the bias-corrected bootstrapping iteration revealed that employee engagement partially mediates this relationship between aspects of human capital management and employee job performance. The findings also show that perceived organizational support positively moderates the association between knowledge accessibility, learning capacity, leadership practice, career advancement, and employee job performance. Conversely, it has an insignificant moderation effect on the association between workforce optimization and employee job performance. Finally, the limitations and future research implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontier making in Ethiopia has historical roots from the formation of the modern Ethiopian state in the late-19th century through wars of conquest. The conquest, which was inspired by political and economic motivations of the highland Christian kingdom, used the notion of a "civilizing mission"—civilizing the "backward" and "underdeveloped" people, and "underutilized" spaces—through imposition of an imperial state system and Orthodox Christianity. The foundation and horizontal expansion of Addis Ababa or Finfinne by displacing Indigenous inhabitants was part of the state building project under successive regimes. Over the last century and a half, the city has continued its unchecked expansion in a process involving multilayered actors whose interests overlapped in terms of grabbing the land they considered "underutilized." More specifically, the last three decades evince commoditization of farmlands, grazing areas, and cultural and sacred spaces through land lease, which eventually dissolve existing customary systems, values, and practices. This paper critically analyzes the dynamics of frontier making in or from Addis Ababa or Finfinne, the political economy behind such unchecked frontier expansion and how it activated the power of resistance in 2014. The paper concludes that frontier making in or from Addis Ababa through dispossession of Oromo farmers has been part of the broader political establishment in Ethiopia and should be viewed within the same lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charcoal is a major source of energy for cooking, heating and lightening in sub-Saharan African countries. The livelihood of many rural and urban people also depends on the proceeds obtained from the sell of charcoal. Thus this, study was conducted with the objective to quantify the amount of charcoal supplied to Addis Ababa city, the capital of Ethiopia and its means of transportation. It is a result of a one week follow up study on the inlet of charcoal into the city. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SAS software. The result indicated that about 7,549 different sizes and weights of bags of charcoal were supplied to the city in a day, suggesting an equivalent of about 68,886 tones of charcoal per year and about 899, 818 trees to being cut to this supply, releasing about 125,717 - 167,623 tones of carbon to the atmosphere. About 35% of the total charcoal flowing into the city enters in the morning between 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. While, about 34%, 21% and 10% enters the city in the afternoon, during the night and evening, respectively. Of the 9,822 vehicles encountered, entering in to the city in a day, about 2,148 of them were coming with loads of charcoal, Isuzus and heavy Trucks such as tank Truck, daf Tractor, Mercedes-Benz Truck etc. being the major ones. The finding of the study also indicated, the high dependency of the city on charcoal as an energy source, negatively affecting the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing global coverage for ubiquitous users is a key requirement of the fifth generation (5G) and beyond wireless technologies. This can be achieved by integrating airborne networks, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite networks, with terrestrial networks. However, the deployment of airborne networks in a three-dimensional (3D) or volumetric space requires a new understanding of the propagation channel and its losses in both the areal and altitude dimensions. Despite significant research on radio environment map (REM) construction, much of it has been limited to two-dimensional (2D) contexts. This neglects the altitude-related characteristics of electromagnetic wave propagation and confines REMs to 2D formats, which limits the comprehensive and continuous visualization of propagation environment variation in spatial dimensions. This paper proposes a volumetric REM (VREM) construction approach to compute 3D propagation losses. The proposed approach addresses the limitations of existing approaches by learning the spatial correlation of wireless propagation channel characteristics and visualizing REM in areal and height/altitude dimensions using deep learning models. Specifically, the approach uses two deep learning-based models: volume-to-volume (Vol2Vol) VREM with 3D-generative adversarial networks and sliced VREM with altitude-aware spider-UNets. In both cases, knowledge of the propagation environment and transmitter locations in 3D space is used to capture the spatial and altitude dependency of the propagation channel's characteristics. We developed the Addis dataset, a large REM dataset comprising 54,000 samples collected from the urban part of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to train the proposed models. Each sample of data comprises a 512-meter by 512-meter areal resolution with different 3D obstacles (buildings and terrain), 15 simulated propagation loss maps at every 3-meter altitude resolution, and 80 different 3D transmitter locations. The results of the training and testing of the proposed models reveal that the constructed VREMs are statistically comparable. In particular, the Vol2Vol approach has a minimum L1 loss of 0.01, which further decreases to 0.0084 as the line-of-sight (LoS) probability increases to 0.95. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Promoting hand hygiene compliance should be a priority for health authorities and all healthcare facilities at all levels. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a pooled estimate of hand hygiene compliance and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Ethiopia. Methods. PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE, the Google search engine, and Google Scholar were used to retrieve studies that were eligible for the study. The searches included all studies published in English prior to July 2021. Using a structured data extraction format, two authors independently extracted the required data. STATA Version 16 software has been used for statistical analysis. To measure the heterogeneity of the studies, the Cochrane Q-test statistics and I2 test were used. Because of the significant heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used. Results. The pooled hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in Ethiopia was 38% (95% CI: 0.16–0.59). According to the study's subgroup analysis, Addis Ababa City administration health workers had the highest hand hygiene compliance, at 73% (95% CI: 0.50–0.96), while SNNP regional state had the lowest, at 9% (95% CI: 0.05–0.13). Presence of hand hygiene promotion (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.04–3.24), towel/tissue paper availability (OR: 3.97, 95% CI: 2.09–5.86), having a positive attitude toward hand hygiene (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.28–2.30), having good knowledge about hand hygiene (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.26–5.64), and being trained for hand hygiene (OR:4.97, 95% CI:1.81–8.14) were significantly associated with hand hygiene compliance. Conclusion. In this analysis, hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in Ethiopia was less than half. Providing hand hygiene promotion, towel/tissue paper presence, having a positive attitude toward hand hygiene, having good knowledge about hand hygiene, and being trained for hand hygiene were important variables for the increment of hand hygiene compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo elicitation interviewing (PEI), as a visual qualitative research methodology, has been used widely in various fields with different participants. However, little has been written about using the method in public health research, especially involving men in low-income settings. In this paper, the authors reflect upon the use of PEI in a study that explored fathers' experiences in child care and feeding in a low-income neighbourhood of Addis Ababa city in Ethiopia. The reflections focus on two overarching themes; (1) how PEI worked well as an effective technique in terms of addressing the research questions posed in this low-resourced setting and (2) how it served to enhance phenomenology in qualitative public health research. The researchers also discuss the limitations and lessons from employing this methodology through continuous reflexivity, which is valuable to qualitative work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the development of green technologies and replacing fossil fuel vehicles with electric ones can abate the environmental anxieties and issues associated with energy supply security. The increasing demand for electric vehicles requires an upgrade and expansion of the available charging infrastructure to accommodate the fast public adoption of this type of transportation. Ethiopia set a pro-electric cars policy and made them excise-free even before the first electric vehicle charging stations were launched by Marathon Motors Engineering in 2021. This paper presents the first ever technical, economic and environmental evaluation of electric vehicle charging stations powered by hybrid intermittent generation systems in three cities in Ethiopia. This paper tests this model using three different battery types: Lead-acid (LA), Flow-Zince-Bromine (ZnBr) and Lithium-ion (LI), used individually. Using these three battery technologies, the proposed hybrid systems are then compared in terms of system sizing, economy, technical performance and environmental stability. The results show that the feasible configuration of Solar Photovoltaic (PV)/Diesel Generator (DG)/ZnBr battery systems provide the lowest net present cost (NPC), with values of $2.97M, $2.72M and $2.85M, and cost of energy (COE), with values $0.196, $0.18 and $0.188, in Addis Ababa, Jijiga and Bahir Dar, respectively. Of all feasible systems, the Wind Turbine (WT)/PV/LI, PV/LI and WT/PV/LI configurations have the highest values of NPC and COE in Addis Ababa, Jijiga and Bahir Dar. Using this configuration, the results demonstrate that ZnBr battery is the most favorable choice because the economic parameters, including total NPC and COE, are found to be lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relocation from inner cities and rehousing in suburbs is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in developing countries. However, there is limited evidence about the perspectives of adolescents and most studies are from western contexts. In addressing this gap this study tracked adolescents before and after they were relocated over an eight-year interval from the centre of Addis Ababa to the outskirts, mainly to government-sponsored condominium housing. The paper also compares the views of those who were relocated with those who stayed behind. The paper argues that condominium housing enabled low-to-middle-income households to become house owners, while the poorest could not afford the costs, and the richest preferred building their own houses. From the perspective of adolescents who were relocated the move led to better housing and improved sanitation. However, students faced difficulties in the first year commuting, and schools and health centres were considered better quality in the previous locations; markets and shops were initially less well developed in the condominium areas, and there were fewer recreation options, though pollution and safety were greater concerns in the old neighbourhoods. A significant majority of the adolescents (79%) felt that the changes were positive or mainly positive and soon adapted to the new social environment, though social ties were less strong than in their previous neighbourhoods. Those who moved had better internet access and there were gender differences in decision-making, leisure activities and spending, with girls having less freedom, somewhat compensated for by mobile phones and social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, waste generation, management, and minimization approaches of the apparel industry in Ethiopia are investigated. 53 supervisors of four sections of 17 apparel manufacturers located in Addis Ababa participated in the survey. A checklist was used to record the fabric wastage and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect waste management and minimization strategies. Fabric was the major source of cut-and-sew waste accounting for 28.55% on average. The majority of the companies (63.6%) sell their wastes to small-scale enterprises, while few (9.1%) disposed to landfills. More than half of the companies (54.5%) had no waste minimization strategies. However, few of them use re-designing and minimum waste pattern cutting to increase fabric utilization. The jigsaw puzzle pattern layout technique improved the marker efficiency of the knit T-shirt manufacturing case company from 79.0% to 84.9%. This reduction in fabric wastage has implications for both profitability and environmental safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome is a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms after the acute phase of the COVID-19 infection has resolved, which lowers their quality of life and ability to return to work. This study assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) among severe COVID-19 patients who were discharged from Millennium COVID-19 Care Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data collected from patient charts and a follow-up telephone interview after two years of discharge. Systematic random sampling was used to select a total of 400 patients. A structured questionnaire developed from the case report form for PACS of the World Health Organization (WHO) was used. Frequency and cross-tabulation were used for descriptive statistics. Predictor variables with a p-value <0.25 in bivariate analyses were included in the logistic regression. Result: Out of the 400 patients, 20 patients were dead, 14 patients refused to give consent, and 26 patients couldn't be reached because their phones weren't working. Finally, 340 were included in the study. The majority (68.5%) were males and the mean age was 53.9 (±13.3 SD) years. More than a third (38.1%) of the patients reported the persistence of at least one symptom after hospital discharge. The most common symptoms were fatigue (27.5%) and Cough (15.3%). Older age (AOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07), female sex (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.00–3.29), presence of comorbidity (AOR 2.38, 95% CI 1.35–4.19), alcohol use (AOR 3.05, 95% CI 1.49–6.26), fatigue at presentation (AOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.21–3.95), and longer hospital stay (AOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.10) were found to increase the odds of developing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Higher hemoglobin level was found to decrease the risk of subsequent post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.99). Conclusion: The prevalence of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome is high, with a wide range of persistent symptoms experienced by patients. COVID-19 survivors with the identified risk factors are more susceptible to post-acute COVID-19 and require targeted monitoring and care in a multidisciplinary approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates a large urban public works program randomly rolled out across neighborhoods of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We find the program increased public employment and reduced private labor supply among beneficiaries and improved local amenities in treated locations. We then combine a spatial equilibrium model and unique commuting data to estimate the spillover effects of the program on private sector wages across neighborhoods: under full program rollout, wages increased by 18.6 percent. Using our model, we show that welfare gains to the poor are six times larger when we include the indirect effects on private wages and local amenities. (JEL H76, I38, J22, J31, O15, O18, R23) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since their geometrical structure is different to the ordinary line track, crossings are sensitive to failure and can be damaged easily by the train wheel. In this research paper, the existing failures of switches and crossings have been discussed. The aim of this study is improving the maintenance trend of standard switch rails and crossings by analyzing the existing failures and their effects. To conduct this study the failure mode and effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) method has been employed with appropriate techniques. The failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) model helps to understand the most critical failures by categorizing based on their risk priority number. From the results of the analysis six failure modes have been laid under high risk categories whereas two failure modes have been laid under moderate risk categories and four failure modes have been laid under low risk categories. In the end it is possible to conclude that the failure modes under high risk category need special attention during maintenance planning and need improvement in the previous rectification techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have attempted to assess how gender affects urban and peri-urban agriculture in Ethiopia. On the basis of a household survey, data were collected from 54 urban farmer households using a structured questionnaire, and nine case studies and focus group discussions were randomly selected from three sub-cities in Addis Ababa and one district in the Oromia Special Zone surrounding Finfine. Data from both primary and secondary sources were employed to generate the paper. The findings revealed that the most common types of agribusiness in urban and peri-urban areas were cultivating grass and vegetable crops. It also suggests that those involved in urban and peri-urban agriculture are creating job opportunities and extra income for middle- and low-income people. The decision-makers therefore must implement sustainable livelihood systems for these very poor communities, which reside in peri-urban and urban centers in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the factors constraining public service and commercial television channels in constituting the public sphere in Ethiopia. It focuses on three television stations and their respective programs, such as the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation's Ethiopian television (ETV)'s Medrek, Fana Broadcasting Corporation's Zuria Meles, and LTV's Sefiw Mehidar. The data was collected starting from 2019 to 2020 in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, where the three TV stations are located. These programs were designed to entertain different views, including ideologies, policies, and strategies to be deliberated and critiqued. They have created opportunities for debate and discussion as the Ethiopian media did not have new program formats for public deliberation-related shows previously. However, results showed that these platforms remained ineffective to entertain a diversity of views. One of the major challenges for this is that the production process encounters multiple obstructions from the media, the guests, and the government authorities. Guests fear to deliberate their views openly and prefer to remain abstinent. Also, the hosts lacked the courage, professionalism, and basic knowledge about the topics for discussion. Government authorities do not want the programs to be critical and deliberative. Equally, failures to achieve an inclusive public sphere are the outcomes of the unstable political landscape in the country. Therefore, due to different factors, including a highly controlled media landscape in Ethiopia, creating platforms for public debate seems unattainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A new coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Since the times of the 1918 influenza pandemic, malnutrition has been known as a risk factor for severity and mortality from viral pneumonia. Similarly, the recently identified SARS-Cov2 infection (COVID-19) and related pneumonia may be closely linked to malnutrition. Therefore, this study will contribute to new knowledge and awareness of the recording and evaluation of each COVID-19 patient's nutritional status by assessing the effect of malnutrition on ICU admission and death of COVID-19 patients in developing countries. Method: We conducted a prospective cohort study in adult COVID-19 patients admitted to selected COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Baseline data of the patients were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and data on the adverse outcomes of follow up were extracted from follow up chart. The main clinical outcomes (ICU admission and death) were captured every week of follow up. We ran a multivariate Cox's regression analysis to determine the relationship between malnutrition at admission and its effect on ICU admission and death. Results: A total of 581 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. From the total of recruited patients, 346 (59.6%) were males and 235 (40.4%) were females. The mean age of the respondents was 55 years (16.45) years. The Cox proportional hazard model controlled for sex, age group, number of co-morbidities, and number of medications found that malnutrition at admission was associated with ICU admission and death. When compared to well-nourished patients, the rate of ICU admission was significantly associated and found to be higher among underweight [(adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 10.02, 95% CI: (8.64–12.10)] and overweight [(AHR = 7.7, 95% CI: (6.41–9.62)] patients. The rate of survival probability was significantly associated and was found to be better among well-nourished patients (AHR = 0.06, 95% CI : (0.01–0.44) when compared with malnourished COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Malnutrition at the time of admission was shown to increase the risk of ICU admission and mortality among COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate patients' nutritional condition early in their admission and provide timely intervention to minimize the effects on patients and the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia, emulating the developmental state model of East Asian states, attracted labor-intensive manufacturing industries to create job opportunities for its young people by providing a class of "cheapened laborers" for global production. Many young rural girls and university graduates work for foreign companies that have relocated their factories to Ethiopian industrial parks. Drawing on fieldwork in two foreign garment companies in the Bole Lemi Industrial Park (BLIP) in Addis Ababa, this paper illuminates how the government's policy of attracting companies with cheapened factory workers' wages exploits local workers and extracts unpaid surplus labor from them. In this context, various subtle forms of workers' resistance on the shop floor are emerging that counter foreign management's labor control practices intended to produce disciplined industrial workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex interdependency between water and energy poses new challenges for policymakers to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable supply of water and energy in the future. The water-energy nexus can be typically characterized by efficient use of energy and water resources. Hence, this paper aims to explore quantitative results of the nexus in terms of energy intensity on existing water systems within urban water cycles. The energy requirement for water treatment and water conveying to the city (from Legadadi water treatment, Gefersa water treatment and wastewater treatment area) as well as the energy requirement for water distribution within the city were quantified. The energy intensity for groundwater extraction, water transmission and water distribution were computed using Energy Intensity method. This led to identify the best technologies to insure the security of water-energy nexus. The annual energy demand and energy intensity values for groundwater extraction were estimated to be 0.6 PJ and 1.2 kWh/m³ respectively. These values for operating all pumps in the water transmission were 0.13 PJ and 0.32 kWh/m³ respectively. Similarly, the energy intensity value for water distribution was 0.27 kWh/m³ and distributes water to residential, commercial and industrial end-users. Determining the energy intensity predicts the future energy demand in urban water system. In 2030 and 2050, the predicted energy demand will be 0.50 and 0.83 PJ respectively for water transmission whereas it will be 0.41 and 0.67 PJ for water distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial behaviours are determined, to a large extent, by entrepreneurial intentions. The aim of this research is, therefore, to study those antecedents that influence entrepreneurial intentions of university students (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture Building Construction and City Development - EiABC) in the context of a developing African country, Ethiopia. The research is based on the framework of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and effectual measure of entrepreneurial intentions. By employing the theory of planned behaviour, the paper addressed how personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control affect students' intentions of becoming an entrepreneur. Additionally, the entrepreneurial intention of students was measured via an effectual entrepreneurial scale. As a result, the independent variables were personal attitude, behavioural control, and subjective norms, whereas the dependent variable was entrepreneurial intention. The study is conducted among 162 graduating students from the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture Building Construction and City Development, Addis Ababa. Quantitative survey method was employed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis. The result indicates that all independent variables, personal attitude, subjective norms, and behaviour control, significantly affect the formation of entrepreneurial intention when taken individually. However, only personal attitude and subjective norms significantly contribute to the formation of entrepreneurial intention when combined. Finally, recommendations for EiABC, policy makers, and researchers have been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the mediating role of competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination between leadership styles and Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation. The empirical data for this study were drawn from a survey of 203 leaders from manufacturing and service firms in Addis Ababa and its surrounding cities to examine the reliability and validity of the independent constructs; mediating constructs (i.e., competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination); and implementation of TQM. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the mediating role of competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination between leadership styles and the implementation of TQM. The result of this study revealed that servant and transactional leadership did have a positive and direct effect on the implementation of TQM, while the relationships were further positively mediated by interfunctional coordination for the servant leadership-TQM relationship and negatively mediated by competitor orientation for the transactional leadership-TQM relationship. On the other hand, transformational leadership had only a positive and indirect effect on implementing TQM through competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination. Our sample companies came from different industries (both manufacturing and service sectors). Hence, future studies could consider samples from manufacturing and service sectors independently to control and reduce the bias resulting from industry differences. The results can be beneficial for the current organizational leaders to achieve appropriate leadership styles and understand the mediating role of competitor orientation and interfunctional coordination between leadership styles and the implementation of TQM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade an increasing number of adolescent girls in Ethiopia have moved from villages and rural towns to Addis Ababa to improve their own lives and those of their families. While girls' migration is in a way a 'normality', with historically girls migrating for domestic work, the dominant discourse in Ethiopia describes the migration of girls mainly in terms of trafficking and exploitation, in particular when they are doing sex work. As a result, adolescent migrant girls are reduced to passive victims. In this paper we analyse the agency of adolescent migrant sex workers in three 'phases' of their migration process, namely in the decision to migrate, in their lives in the city, and in their future aspirations. We argue that the decisions of adolescent girls to migrate to Addis Ababa is a way of asserting their agency in moving forward with life, yet this agency is taking place in highly constrained circumstances which are strongly related to the gendered ideologies that affect their position in the household, their educational opportunities and their labour market perspectives. The paper is based on a qualitative study conducted in Ethiopia in 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The industrialized housing system (IHS) is regarded as an effective building philosophy based on off-site construction techniques to achieve rapid and cost-effective housing development. The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi-criteria decision-making support system (DMSS) model for the evaluation of housing systems to select the relevant decision factors and to identify the types and characteristics of suitable IHSs for application in a mass housing development. Design/methodology/approach: A multi-criteria DMSS model with the analytical hierarchy process was designed. Based on the literature review and also the response of the ten experts' interviews, 30 decision factors were identified for evaluation. In addition, 5 IHSs were considered as a case study for testing the model. Then, 30 professionals participated in a questionnaire survey conducted to evaluate the priority vector importance level of the decision factors and housing systems. Findings: The result of the decision-making process showed that the top three decision factors are customer needs, supply chain and the construction industry. In addition, both precast concrete beam and slab blocks, as well as agro stone panels are identified as suitable housing systems. The systems have the characteristics of being lightweight, easy to produce and erect, and cost-effective, and they use local input resources and semi-skilled labor. The findings also revealed the potential and practicality of the model among multiple alternatives across multiple decision factors. Research limitations/implications: The study has faced the limitations of available professionals and experts who have rich experience in the application of IHSs. In addition, there were few types of alternative IHSs and limited practice of IHSs implementation in large-scale housing construction. These challenges caused limitations to the relevant data collection. In order to address these challenges, all the available experts from the different sectors of the construction industry with the experience of IHSs construction are invited to participate and the available alternative IHSs in the market are selected for evaluation. Practical implications: The rational evaluation method used to determine the important decision factors and the general characteristics of the suitable housing systems can help housing developers and decision makers in developing countries to make informed and effective decisions. Social implications: The findings of the study help to address the challenge of lack of sufficient housing supply to the overwhelming housing demand that exists and identify the most important decision factors and suitable housing systems that can be applied for the rapid and decent large-scale housing developments at an affordable price. Originality/value: This paper bridges the knowledge gaps that exist regarding the identification and evaluation of IHSs in Ethiopia. This study can help practitioners, housing developers, and decision makers to make informed and effective decisions regarding the evaluation and selection of IHSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addis Ababa is urbanizing at an increasing rate. Mobility problems and related negative impacts of motorized traffic and associated road safety issues remained to be a big challenge to the city. Improved cycling environment can play a greater role in solving those issues through reducing the exposure to risk of crashes and leading to a sustainable urban transportation. Among others, the benefits of increased level of bicycling are; health and physical fitness, clean environment, safe and cheap mode of transportation, particularly for a developing city like Addis Ababa. Regardless of the significant benefits of bicycling, the use of the bicycle as a mode of transportation in Addis Ababa is currently negligible and understudied. Furthermore, the cycling environment of the city faces many challenges. Some of the challenges are; lack of bicycle infrastructures, poorly maintained infrastructure, lack of bicycle policy and strategy. The supply of bicycle with reasonable price and lack of awareness of the benefits of using cycling as a mode of transportation are also another issue in the city. This paper is prepared to provide a review of the literature on the opportunities and challenges of bicycling in Addis Ababa. It focuses on evidence of (i) the opportunities of bicycling along with its challenges, and (ii) the current status of the cycling environment in the city. The main objective of this paper is to collect evidences that outline the potentials and problems the city faces to achieve a better cycling environment. It is expected to provide important information that can be used by transport planners, policy makers and researchers of the city improve the cycling environment. Going forward, the city has the intention to prioritize Non-Motorized Transport, including cycling in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the demand for industrial labor among dispossessed peasants and how the non-absorption of peasants' labor into industrial production intertwined in and around the Bole Lemi industrial park (BLIP) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The scores of peasants who were dispossessed to enable the establishment of BLIP were promised to get compensatory jobs. The park's expansion ensures capital accumulation for the companies but produces a 'pile of pain' for the dispossessed peasants. Drawing on fieldwork in Addis Ababa, this article illustrates that the promised transformation of dispossessed peasants' lives from farm to factory and rural to urban lifestyle did not happen. This is due to companies' ignorance of dispossessed peasants' labor because they are illiterate, 'unskilled' and beyond the productive capitalist age as well as companies' preference for employing young women. While rural women migrate to the city for industrial labor, on the contrary, the dispossessed peasants living in Addis Ababa are seasonally 'returning to the farm' as daily laborers in rural areas known for their labor shortages. The peasants become surplus to industrial production due to capitalists'2 preference for employing young women of 'productive age' (roughly between 15-30). As a result, a new precarious peasant class of 'three nos' – no land, no work, and no hope – is emerging. The aspiration, hope and expectation of modernity – city lifestyle, proletarianization and improvement in livelihoods turned into the reality of under/unemployment and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, the private healthcare sector's role in healthcare delivery is growing in Ethiopia. However, there are limited studies on private healthcare sector drug use patterns. This study aimed to evaluate the private healthcare sector prescribing practices and adherence to prescription format, using some of the World Health Organization (WHO) core drug use indicators in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used to collect quantitative data from prescriptions prescribed and dispensed by private healthcare sectors in the Lemi-Kura sub-city, Addis Ababa. The study was conducted from June to July 2021. The WHO criteria were used to evaluate prescribing and prescription completeness indicators. Prescriptions, kept for the last 1 year that were prescribed between January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2021, by private drug outlets, were analyzed. Simple random and systematic sampling procedures were employed in selecting drug outlets and prescriptions, respectively. Results: Of a total of 1,200 prescriptions, 2,192 drugs were prescribed and the average number of drugs per prescription was 1.83. Generic names, antibiotics, injections, and drugs on the Ethiopian essential medicines list accounted for 77.4, 63.8, 11.5, and 80.6% of all prescriptions, respectively. Among the patient identifiers, the patient card number (54.3%), weight (2.3%), and diagnoses (31.7%) were less likely to be completed. In terms of the drug-related information, the dosage form (35.5%) was the least likely to be completed. Only 36.6 and 25.8% of prescriptions contained the names and qualifications of the prescribers, respectively. It was difficult to obtain prescription papers with the dispenser identifier. Conclusion: The study findings indicated prescribing and prescription completeness indicators all considerably deviated from WHO standards and hence unsuitable. This situation could be critical since a similar pattern is reported from public healthcare sectors, which might imply the extent of non-adherence to WHO core drug use standards. Consequently, it could play a considerable role in increasing irrational medicine use in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric power consumption has been increasing rapidly across the globe; this increase specially accelerated in the last decade. Consequently, existing transmission lines are becoming overloaded beyond their power transfer capability. The inadequacy of the transmission lines has contributed to power interruptions and instability of the power system. Construction of new transmission lines can be a solution to mitigate these problems. However, to build the whole structure of a new transmission line, a huge investment is required. Besides this, environmental concerns would create further barriers that delay the accomplishment of the project. Therefore, the effective and quickest solution to tackle this problem is enhancing the power transfer capability and stability margin of existing transmission lines. This paper studied the techno-economic feasibility of converting an existing HVAC line into a simultaneous AC-DC power transmission system to enhance power transfer capability as well as to improve power system stability. Using the proposed method, the loadability of Tana Beles to Addis Ababa 400 kV, 476.2 km AC line has increased to more than double which is from 1091.66 MW to 2196.85 MW. The active power loss and corona loss evaluation of the two systems ensured that simultaneous AC-DC system is more efficient than HVAC system. It is also shown that the instability can be effectively improved by simultaneous AC-DC power transmission with fast DC power modulation. From the economic point of view, rather than constructing new HVAC line, converting existing HVAC line into simultaneous AC-DC transmission system has a price reduction of about 107,984,968.56 USD or 32.46% of the new HVAC line cost. Considering a 35-year project life cost analysis, it is observed that the life cycle cost of the simultaneous AC-DC transmission system is about 29.2% lower than the life cycle cost of a new 400 kV HVAC line. Thus, the designed simultaneous AC-DC power transmission system has better technical performance and also is less costly than constructing a new HVAC line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family psychology is in its infancy in Ethiopia mainly because local tools that assist in research and intervention are non-existent. As a result, family issues, which are vital to human development, are understudied in this context. Objective: This paper presents an adaptation study of the "Brief Family Relationship Scale" (BFRS) that purports to measure perceived quality of family relationship. Three specific issues were addressed in the validation process: establishing scale reliability, identifying the underlying factor structures, and evidence for validity. Materials and Methods: In the study, a sample of 101 (46 males and 55 females) who are working in government offices in Addis Ababa participated. Procedures involved forward and backward translation of the English version of the Scale into the local (Amharic) language, establishing content validity through expert ratings, administration of the scale to the target groups and then successive validation measures employing "Satisfaction with Family Life Scale" as an anchor variable. Results: The findings indicated that the full-scale (a = 0.70) as well as the three sub-scales (Cohesion a = 0.86, Expressiveness a = 0.69, and Conflict resolution a = 0.60) have an acceptable reliability index. Validity of the scale was checked through correlation analysis between the anchor variable and Brief Family Relationship Scale (BFRS) yielded a significant value. Exploratory factor analysis has confirmed the three original factor structure of the scale, explaining a total of 48.2% of the variance. Following Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was made to cross-check the obtained three dimensions. The modified index of CFA confirmed that, the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) (GFI) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) are within the desired minimum range. These values suggest that, after the removal of 3 items from the initial 16-items, the previously established domains were confirmed. Conclusion: It is concluded that the scale has reasonable psychometric properties; as a result, it could be useful for studies and interventions for family relationship issues in Ethiopian context. A further adaption process could be done on adolescents to make the scale valid for other age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Despite the large interest in urban food markets, there are, however still relatively few good studies that have empirically documented the functioning of retail markets in developing countries, especially in Africa. The purpose of this paper is to look in particular at the case of Addis Ababa, a city of more than four million people and the capital of Ethiopia, one of the most populous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. To better understand urban food retail, the authors rely on a large primary survey.Design/methodology/approach To better understand urban food retail, the authors rely on a large primary survey. Based on a stratified sampling scheme representative for the city as a whole, 1,226 urban food retail outlets were interviewed in March and April 2012.Findings The authors find increasing differentiation in food retail markets in recent years. Despite the prohibition of foreign direct investment in food retail, a domestic modern private retail sector is quickly emerging. However, its share is still very small and, in contrast to roll-outs of modern retail in other countries, it has not yet entered the cereal sector, which remains in the hands of local flour mills, cereal shops, and cooperative retail outlets. The importance of cooperative retail is growing even more rapidly. It is especially important for those products where supply chains are controlled by the government. On the high-end, domestic private modern retail outlets deliver high-quality products at significantly higher prices, ceteris paribus. At the other side, the authors see cooperative retail that delivers food at significantly lower – and subsidized – prices. However, the latter shops are characterized by typical price control problems, reflected in regular lack of supplies and queuing.Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the city of Addis Ababa and it seems useful if similar studies could be conducted in other cities in Africa.Originality/value Despite the large interest in urban food markets, there are still relatively few good studies that have empirically documented the functioning of retail markets in developing countries, especially in Africa. The paper therefore contributes to fill this lacuna by studying urban food retail markets using new and unique data for Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health and social interventions are critical to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Ethiopia has implemented a variety of public health and social measures to control the pandemic. This study aimed to assess social distancing and public health preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,573 government employees selected from 46 public institutions located in Addis Ababa. Data were collected from 8th to 19th June 2020 using a paper-based self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with outcome variables (perceived effectiveness of facemask wearing to prevent coronavirus infection, and COVID-19 testing). Majority of the participants reported facemask wearing (96%), avoiding close contact with people including handshaking (94.8%), consistently followed government recommendations (95.6%), frequent handwashing (94.5%), practiced physical distancing (89.5%), avoided mass gatherings and crowded places (88.1%), restricting movement and travelling (71.8%), and stayed home (35.6%). More than 80% of the participants perceived that consistently wearing a facemask is highly effective in preventing coronavirus infection. Respondents from Oromia perceived less about the effectiveness of wearing facemask in preventing coronavirus infection (adjusted OR = 0.27, 95% CI:0.17–0.45). About 19% of the respondents reported that they had ever tested for COVID-19. Respondents between 40–49 years old (adjusted OR = 0.41, 95% CI:0.22–0.76) and 50–66 years (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95% CI:0.19–0.95) were less likely tested for coronavirus than the younger age groups. Similarly, respondents from Oromia were less likely to test for coronavirus (adjusted OR = 0.26, 95% CI:0.12–0.56) than those from national level. Participants who were sure about the availability of COVID-19 testing were more likely to test for coronavirus. About 57% of the respondents perceived that the policy measures in response to the pandemic were inadequate. The findings showed higher social distancing and preventive practices among the government employees in response to COVID-19. Rules and regulations imposed by the government should be enforced and people should properly apply wearing facemasks, frequent handwashing, social and physical distancing measures as a comprehensive package of COVID-19 prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neural tube defects are common group of central nervous system anomalies of complex etiology and major public health importance worldwide. The occurrence of multiple neural tube defects, however, is an extremely rare event and has never been reported in Ethiopia so far. This study gives an insight into how the embryogenesis, management, and postoperative complications of multiple neural tube defects differ from the ordinary single neural tube defects on the basis of up-to-date existing literature.Case Presentation: This paper highlights a case of an 8 days old female black race Ethiopian neonate who was brought by her mother with the chief complaint of lower back and lower neck swelling since birth. The findings were a 5 × 4 × 5 cm sized ulcerated placode at the mid-lumbosacral area and a 1.5 × 1.5 × 1 cm sized fluctuant, nontender, transilluminating mass with overlying unruptured defect dysplastic skin at the cervicothoracic junction. With a diagnosis of multiple neural tube defects secondary to unruptured cervicothoracic meningocele and ruptured lumbosacral myelomeningocele, single-stage repair of the defects was done with good outcome.Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence as to the exact mechanism of development of multiple neural tube defects. Similarly, whether patients with multiple neural tube defects had increased risk of post repair hydrocephalus compared with patients who have single neural tube defect is unknown. Hence, more research on the embryogenesis, management, and long-term outcome of multiple neural tube defects in particular and single neural tube defects in general should be done to better help patients with this costly and crippling problem. Lastly, the practice of folic acid supplementation is very low in resource-limited countries such as Ethiopia and, hence, should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing from qualitative analysis of constitutions, proclamations, archival documents and interview results, the study examines the role of local governments in containing coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Oromia regional state and Addis Ababa city Administration based on their powers and functional competences. It analyzes the efforts made by the local governments in containing coronavirus pandemic. The analysis indicates that the federal government has broad policy making power, and as a result, can impact local government actions. The regional governments and zonal administrations also oversee the activities of local governments through the respective sectoral bureaus. In addition, local governments in Ethiopia do not have adequate protection under the FDRE Constitution. However, their role in mitigating the corona virus pandemic and similar pandemics in the future cannot be undermined. The study also reveals that, during this COVID-19 pandemic, most of the activities are all managed from the center by a centralized task force which has a governance structure at federal, regional and local levels for decision making around the pandemic and meant to co-ordinate all the activities. This shows that the role of local governments is insignificant, and limited only to implementation as every activity is under the command of ministerial committee. Hence, both senior levels of governments are playing key roles in local governments' actions. Finally this paper recommends strengthening local systems and building the capacity of local governments to manage the policy responses and to improve their role as laboratories of innovative ideas and encouraging them to initiate new ideas and methods of confronting local problems such as coronavirus (COVID-19). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the mobile and embodied geographies of four able‐bodied dancers following their artistic encounters with disability in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uniquely, I work with the dancing body to examine the differentiated experiences of mobility, and to uncover the performative role of the able body in unravelling assumptions around the skills and artistry of disability dance. Empirical research developed in response to a choreographic dialogue held between the British dance company BalletBoyz and the disabled dancers of Ethiopia's Adugna Potentials. Post‐artistic exchange interviews and performance‐based observations with the BalletBoyz are mobilised here to advance geographical knowledge about the embodied, performative and practised dimensions of micro‐bodily mobility. Equally, I assert the creative potential of the dancing body to probe the social construction of imperfect mobility by exceeding an ablest mobile experience, and inverting expectations around bodily disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the paper is to investigate the influence of internal mobility on political social and economic problems in Ethiopia. In this research, major causes of internal migration and their ultimate consequences will be discussed based on the secondary data analysis and textual studies of documents. A new Constitution which was introduced in 1995, divided Ethiopia on ethnic lines into nine federal states and two multiethnic cities Addis Ababa and Diredawa. The state power was decentralized into separate administrative regions which created disputes of ethnic geographical locations. The influx of citizens from one regional state to the other, for different purposes mostly for permanent settlement, raised controversial problems which caused forced displacement of citizens. The analysis further tries to enlighten problems of the purposeful settlement intended for political gain in different towns and cities. In addition to the above, other factors causing internal displacement of citizens such as social and ethnic border conflicts, natural disasters, traditional internal mobility, as well as politically motivated conflicts contributing to internal migration and their consequences will be analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literatures on sustainability transition and transformation increasingly emphasise the role of spatiality and local agency. This paper argues that relational thinking has much more to offer this debate than presently acknowledged, particularly in revealing the geographical interconnections between dispersed nodes of action and innovation. We use relationality to show the interconnections at work in exchanging and negotiating sustainability interventions between cities and across scales. Using the mass transit planning process in Addis Ababa as a point of entry, we trace how the city's transformation is negotiated at the intersection of local agency, the Ethiopian national political setting and international networks. A host of actors from different scales come together as transformation is assembled by aligning extensive local experience with elements mobilised from elsewhere. This relational mobilisation perspective arguably infuses hope into the debate, because it opens new ways of identifying seemingly insignificant actions and actors elsewhere and recognising them as potential drivers of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the association between nutrition knowledge and consumer dietary behavior using large survey data from 996 respondents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We find that health was the most important factor in individuals' food choice. However, most consumers were found to have imperfect understanding of the link between food and health. Especially, the causes and consequences of obesity were poorly understood. A considerable proportion of respondents also endorsed harmful food taboos. We found that nutrition knowledge was positively associated with more diversified diets and healthy eating attitudes and practices. Individuals with higher levels of nutrition knowledge were also more likely to reject harmful food taboos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strongyloides stercoralis is a helminthic intestinal parasite that causes the disease strongyloidiasis. Its prevalence is high in tropics and sub-tropics due to poor sanitation and hygiene. However, its true prevalence is not well known in Ethiopia as most health institutions use low sensitive diagnostic methods. This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis at country, and regional state levels. Papers published on S. stercoralis in Ethiopia from 2010 to 2020 were collected from PubMed, Google Scholar and Science direct databases and Addis Ababa repository. Identification, screening, checking the eligibility, and inclusion of the relevant literatures were done. Articles with S. stercoralis positive results from Ethiopian populations were included. Articles which focused on Strongyloides infection in foreigners, and other than stool samples were excluded. The pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis and heterogeneity between studies and across regions were computed. From the 43 articles, the overall prevalence of S. stercoralis in Ethiopia was 1.82 %. Across regions, relatively high prevalence of S. stercoralis (8.78 %) was recorded in Addis Ababa city. High prevalence of S. stercoralis was found to be 44.02 % with a combination of formol ether concentration, Baermann concentration, and molecular methods. Low prevalence of 0.26 %, 0.31 %, and 1.20 % was evidenced respectively with Kato-Katz, direct saline microscopy, and formol ether concentration methods. Using random effect analysis, the pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis in Ethiopia, across regions and across diagnostic methods was 2.1 % (95 %CI: 1.20 – 3.60), 2.6 % (95 %CI: 0.80 – 8.20) and 3.7 % (95 %CI: 1.10 – 11.70), respectively. The heterogeneity was high (P<0.001). This review revealed that Strongyloides infection is probably underreported and its prevalence could be higher than the reported in Ethiopia. Therefore, a revision of the best combination of diagnostic methods could be advisable as it gives better diagnostic results in routine diagnosis of Strongyloides infection in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consumers' health would be at risk unless food preparation and handling hygiene is ensured by food establishments. Literature indicates that poor food handling and sanitation practices are more common among food handlers in developing countries resulting in food-borne illness. Hence, food handlers can play a significant role in ensuring food hygiene. To this end, the paper aims to assess the level of food hygiene practices and its associated factors of food handlers working in food establishments in Bole sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Through across-sectional study design, a total of 394 food handlers selected randomly from food establishments have participated in the study. The data were collected between July and December 2017, through interview and observation. Percentage, cross tabulations, and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings show that among 394 study subjects only 27.4% (i.e., 108 food handlers), were found to have good food hygiene practices. In other words, majority of food handlers observed were poor in maintaining food hygiene. Food hygiene practices were highly influenced by level score of favorable attitude (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.93, 7.87), extensive knowledge towards food hygiene (AOR= 3.33, 95% CI= 1.93, 5.76) and availability of water storage equipment at food establishments (AOR= 2.67, 95% CI= 1.38, 5.15). Conclusion: Food handlers had poor food hygiene practices in the study area. Shortages of a continuous water supply at food establishments, poor knowledge, and unfavorable attitude of food handlers towards food hygiene practice were all contributing factors associated with poor food hygiene practice. However, these can be improved through health education programs and environmental health services, such as periodic inspections, effective enforcement of food safety regulations, and enhancing the capacity of food hygiene regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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From the Derg's restoration of Meskel Square for its military parades and Meles Zenawi's Light-Rail Transit (LRT) and condominium social housing projects to Abiy Ahmed's high-end luxury real estate and urban tourism schemes, megaprojects have collapsed Ethiopia's political history into an urban bricolage of shifting ideologies and new priorities. At this critical juncture, where questions of political rupture and continuity become salient, this paper examines what we can learn about Ethiopia's political dynamics through its latest urban megaprojects. Drawing on 'LaGare' and 'Beautifying Sheger' as case studies, this article argues that there is a new urban aesthetic emerging in Addis Ababa targeting domestic elites, the Ethiopian diaspora and tourists. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Gulf-emulated luxury real estate projects and major riverside renewal schemes are intended to generate revenue through increased land values and urban tourism. At the same time, issues around inclusive consultation with local stakeholders, the lack of coordination with the relevant bureaucracies and the highly centralized decision-making process are reminiscent of the modus operandi of previous Ethiopian regimes. These urban megaprojects are useful analytical lenses to disentangle political rupture from operational continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The involvement of service users and caregivers is recommended as a strategy to strengthen health systems and scale up quality mental healthcare equitably, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. Service user and caregiver involvement is complex, and its meaningful implementation seems to be a worldwide challenge. Theory of Change (ToC) has been recommended to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of such complex interventions. This paper aims to describe a ToC model for service user and caregiver involvement in a primary mental health care in rural Ethiopia. Methods: The ToC was developed in two workshops conducted in (i) Addis Ababa with purposively selected psychiatrists (n = 4) and multidisciplinary researchers (n = 3), and (ii) a rural district in south-central Ethiopia (Sodo), with community stakeholders (n = 24). Information from the workshops (provisional ToC maps, minutes, audio recordings), and inputs from a previous qualitative study were triangulated to develop the detailed ToC map. This ToC map was further refined with written feedback and further consultative meetings with the research team (n = 6) and community stakeholders (n = 35). Results: The experiential knowledge and professional expertise of ToC participants combined to produce a ToC map that incorporated key components (community, health organisation, service user and caregiver), necessary interventions, preconditions, assumptions and indicators towards the long-term outcomes. The participatory nature of ToC by itself raised awareness of the possibilities for servicer user and caregiver involvement, promoted co-working and stimulated immediate commitments to mobilise support for a grass roots service user organization. Conclusions: The ToC workshops provided an opportunity to co-produce a ToC for service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening linked to the planned model for scale-up of mental health care in Ethiopia. The next steps will be to pilot a multi-faceted intervention based on the ToC and link locally generated evidence to published evidence and theories to refine the ToC for broader transferability to other mental health settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of depression in prisoners is increasing and factors such as co-existence of medical illness, lack of social support and longer duration of sentences are contributing to it. However, no pooled evidence on the magnitude and factors of depression in prisoners existed in Ethiopia. The current meta-analysis was therefore aimed to have aggregate evidence on the magnitude and factors of depression in prisoners of Ethiopia. Methods: A search of databases on PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE was carried out systematically. Besides, grey literature sources were extensively investigated. Moreover, the reference lists of the articles selected were searched. Random effects and quality-effects models were used to describe the pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms with 95% CI. We also detect heterogeneity between studies using Cochran's Q- statistic and the Higgs I2 test. A sensitivity analysis was also implemented. Publication bias was checked with Egger's test and funnel plots visually. Results: Among 232 papers identified through the specified database searches only 17 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and only nine (9) studies fulfilled the prespecified criteria and incorporated in the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Depressive symptoms among prisoners was 53.40%(95% CI: 41.33, 65.46). The pooled prevalence of Depressive symptoms in prisoners was 41.9% in Southwest Ethiopia, 44.43% in North West of Ethiopia, 59.05% in Addis Ababa, and 72.7% Southern Ethiopia. Besides, the pooled Depression symptoms prevalence among prisoners was 51.24% as measured with PHQ-9 and 56.15% with BDI-II. Besides, studies that utilized a relatively large sample size (≥350) yields a smaller pooled prevalence of Depression symptoms, 51.93% than those which utilized smaller sample sizes (< 350); 54.13%. Conclusion: The pooled magnitude of depression in prisoner's population is very high, 53.40%. This pooled effect size for the Depression symptoms was significantly higher in the southern region of the country than in the southwest region. Besides, the pooled prevalence was significantly higher as measured by the BDI-II tool than by PHQ-9. Also, studies that utilized a larger sample size provided a significantly lower pooled magnitude of symptoms of depression than studies that utilized a smaller sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]