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Background: The consequence of the Great Ethiopian Famine (1983-1985) on mortality had been well documented. However, the long term assaults of the famine on adulthood health, particularly on the risk of hypertension, has never been documented. The aim of this study was twofold: to examine the association of prenatal-exposure to the Great Ethiopian Famine and hypertension in adulthood and investigate if there existed sex difference in the risk estimate.Methods: Participants were recruited using multistage stratified random sampling and grouped as prenatal famine exposed and non-exposed cohorts based on their reported date of birth and current age. Independent sample T test was employed to compare continuous outcomes between the groups. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between prenatal famine exposure and risk of hypertension in adults.Results: Compared to the non-exposed groups, prenatal famine exposed cohorts had higher systolic blood pressure by 1.05 mmHg, (95% CI 0.29, 4.42) and diastolic by 2.47 mmHg (95% CI 1.01, 3.95). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, both unadjusted (COR = 2.50; 1.575, 3.989) and adjusted model for covariates (OR: 2.306 95% CI (1.426, 3.72) indicated a positive association between prenatal famine exposure and the risk of adult hypertension. However, in sex disaggregated analysis, the positive association was only significant in females (AOR = 3.95 95% CI 1.76, 8.85) indicating nearly four folds of odds of hypertension among females, while the corresponding figure for males was not significant (AOR = 1.201 (0.69, 2.07).Conclusions: Famine exposure during prenatal period could have differential impact on the development of hypertension based on sex, where adult exposed females had higher risk of hypertension as compared to males. Contextualized primary prevention programs with special focus on gender is critical undertaking in hunger spots and regions with historical famine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, in low-income countries, there have been a rapid rise in prevalence of diabetes among adult population. Hence, understanding the context specific drivers of this change including the impacts of childhood nutrition adversaries on adult metabolic conditions is critical undertaking. This study investigates the potential effects of prenatal famine exposure to the Ethiopian great famine (1983–1985) on adulthood blood glucose level of survivors. A total of 441 adults (222 exposed and 219 controls) were included in the study. Self-reported place of birth and, date of birth and/or age were used to identify participants. A multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of prenatal famine exposure on the level of fasting blood glucose. In linear regression, unadjusted model (Model 1), fasting blood glucose level was increased by 4.13 (β = 4.13; 95% CI.41, 7.42) points in prenatal famine exposed groups, compared with non-exposed. Similarly, the positive association of prenatal famine exposure and fasting blood glucose level was maintained after adjusted for sex (Model 2) (β =. 4.08 95% CI.056, 7.50). Further adjusted for age, residence, educational status, wealth index and family size (Model 3) resulted in 4.10 (β =. 4.10 95% CI.45, 7.56) points increases in fasting blood glucose level. In model 4 adjusting for dietary pattern, physical activity level and family history of diabetes, alcohol and cigarette smoking resulted in 3.90 (β = 3.90, 95% CI 039, 7.52) points increase in fasting glucose level. In the he full adjusted model (Model 5) prenatal exposure to famine was resulted in 3.78 (β = 3.78, 95% CI.22, 7.34) increases in fasting blood glucose level after adjusted for BMI and waist to height ratio. There existed a positive association of prenatal famine exposure and adulthood blood glucose levels. In this population, establishing effective overweight/obesity prevention programs to minimize the co-impact of early famine exposure on blood glucose control are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major objective of this study was to examine the impact of Coffee exports on economic growth in Ethiopia. The study employed an extended generalized Cobb–Douglas production function model using data from the National Bank of Ethiopia and World Bank data base from 1980 to 2017. All the variables were non stationary at level and integrated of order I (1), and then co-integration test was conducted to ensure the existence of long-run relationship using Johansen's approach. Consequently, all the variables confirmed co-integartion, and the conventional VECM was estimated to extract both short-run and long-run relationships, and finally, Granger causality test was conducted to diagnose the direction of causation. The finding of the study revealed that coffee exports have insignificant short-run impact on economic growth, but significant positive impact in long run. The result from causality exerted bidirectional relationship holds in Ethiopia's coffee exports, likewise the result from IRF revealed coffee exports has a positive impact on long-run economic growth. Besides, labor force, capital formation, non-coffee exports and real effective exchange rates included in the model were found positive and significant impact in long run. Furthermore, the coefficient of ECT is −0.4883 that shows any deviations from long-run equilibrium is corrected at 48.83% annually and converges towards its long-run equilibrium. Based on the findings, it is recommended that a long-run policy towards exports in general and coffee export in particular is believed to provide significant impact on economic growth. Thus, increasing efficiency of the sector and exporting coffee would enable Ethiopia to sustain domestic economic growth. Besides, values had better be added to coffee beans before exporting and when this is done, it will lead to a higher economic growth in long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective risk communication is one of the critical strategies in the response to COVID-19. This study examined risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 among the educated section of the society in Ethiopia.Methods: An internet-based survey was conducted from April 22 to May 04, 2020, in Ethiopia. A questionnaire addressing the perception of health threat-combination of perceived vulnerability (PV) and perceived seriousness (PS), and perceived efficacy-combinations of perceived response efficacy (PRE), perceived self-efficacy (PSE), and perceived collective efficacy (PCE). The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Descriptive statistics were computed after the standardization of the scores. The scores for overall efficacy and threat were split by median value and response classifications were generated through threat by efficacy interactions. For statistical significance, 95% CI and p-value < 0.05 were used.Results: A total of 929 respondents submitted their responses. Eight hundred and twenty-eight (89.1%) of the respondents were male and 753 (81.1%) were Christian. The perceived threat to COVID-19 was generally low (median = 58.3). The median score for overall efficacy, PRE, and PSE were 79.8, 87.5, and 80.0, respectively. However, the median value (66.7) for PCE was relatively low. Perceived threat significantly varied by age, education, occupation, and place of residence (p < 0.05). Perceived efficacy significantly differed by gender, residence, and use of some sources of information (p < 0.05). In terms of response to COVID-19, 290 (31.2%), 239 (25.7%), 175 (18.8%) and 225 (24.2%) of the respondents were in the responsive, pro-active, avoidant, and indifferent attitudinal categories, respectively. The avoidant and indifferent groups constituted a fear control response (mal-adaptive motivation towards COVID-19 protective behavior) whereas responsive and pro-active categories formed a danger control response (self-protective motivation). These responses varied significantly by residence, region, religion, and sources of information (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Understanding people's perceived health threat and efficacy is a critical step toward creating risk communication campaigns. Hence, this study provided an insight that has the potential to inform the COVID-19 risk communication campaigns targeting the educated section of the society, by ensuring a balanced combination of threat appeals and efficacy messages for improved self-protective responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Medical students often experience chronic stress. Self-esteem is one of the most important factors in the process of psychosocial growth and has remarkable effect on thoughts, feelings, values, and goals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low self-esteem (LSE) and mental distress among Medical Students of Jimma University. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma University from June to July, 2018. Self-esteem was measured with Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Self-administered Short form with General Health Questionnaire was used to assess presence of mental distress. RESULT: Out of 422 students enrolled to the study, 279 (66.1%) were male, and 413 (97.9 %) were 18 to 25 years of age. The prevalence of LSE and mental distress were 19.0%, and 19.7 %, respectively. Students who had LSE had 5 times higher risk of having mental distress, AOR= 5.1 (95% CI, 2.9-8.9). Moreover, female students had higher risk of developing mental distress (AOR=1.9, 95% CI, 1.1-3.3). Students who had poor social support were 4.3 times at higher risk of developing LSE, AOR=4.3 (95% CI, 1.9-9.8). Those who reported to have poor academic performance were also more likely to have LSE AOR= 3.7 (95% CI, 1.3-10.0). CONCLUSION: One in five medical students had LSE and it is strongly associated with metal distress. Female students were at higher risk of mental distress. Preventive, curative and rehabilitative mental health services should be available for medical students with particular attention to those with poor social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led individuals to suffer from different levels of mental health problems such as psychological distress, anxiety, depression, denial, panic, and fear. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among the Ethiopian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed through an online survey using different online platforms. The questionnaire was created through Google Form and the survey link was administered by e-mail, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Facebook. Educated Ethiopian population who have access to the internet were invited to participate through an online survey and addressed to 929 respondents. The study participants completed the survey anonymously without any personal identifier. The psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 10-item tool to measure psychological distress. Data were analyzed using SPSS and logistic regression to examine mutually adjusted associations, expressed as adjusted odds ratios. A generalized additive model was also employed to identify additional predictors using R. Results: The prevalence of high psychological distress among the study population was 236 (25.5%). Of all respondents, 421 (45.1%) had low psychological distress, 274 (29.4%) had moderate psychological distress, 164 (17.6%) had high psychological distress, and 72 (7.3%) had very high psychological distress. Psychological distress increased with being at young and middle-aged adults, getting information from social media, and not correctly practicing infection prevention and control measures to prevent COVID-19 infection. Respondents with high perceived severity had increased psychological distress. On the contrary, those with the highest score of perceived response efficacy had low distress. Conclusion: Prevalence of psychological distress was substantial. The need for intervention of psychological distress inline with the prevention of COVID-19 is critically essential. The intervention target groups are those whose information sources are from social media, young and middle-aged adults, and those who do not correctly practice infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the patterns of global coffee trade flows and identifies the major determinants of global coffee trade by incorporating RTAs as important variable. Gravity modeling with OLS and PPML estimator was employed for the analysis using panel data on bilateral coffee trade flows of 18 major coffee exporters and 201 trading partners for the period 2001–2015. Both exporter GDP (and population) as well as importer GDP were found to be important determinants enhancing coffee trade. Of the bilateral distance variables, physical distance is found to impede coffee trade, while common border was found to enhance it. On the other hand, cultural (distance) variables like colonial link, common colonizer and common language were also found to enhance coffee trade. Other variables that were found to significantly enhance coffee trade include depreciation in exporting country's exchange rate, the amount of arable land in exporting country, infrastructure and global financial crisis. On the other hand, importing country tariff was found to significantly reduce coffee trade as expected. Surprisingly, the RTA variable had no significant impact on coffee bilateral trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The endeavor to tackle the spread of COVID-19 effectively remains futile without the right grasp of perceptions and beliefs presiding in the community. Therefore, this study aimed to assess myths, beliefs, perceptions, and information gaps about COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Methods: An internet-based survey was conducted in Ethiopia from April 22 to May 04, 2020. The survey link was promoted through emails, social media, and the Jimma University website. Perceptions about COVID-19 have considered the World Health Organization (WHO) resources and local beliefs. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 20.0. Classifications and lists of factors for each thematic perception of facilitators, inhibitors, and information needs were generated. Explanatory factor analysis (EFA) was executed to assist categorizations. Standardized mean scores of the categories were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-tests. A significant difference was claimed at p-value <0.05. Results: A total of 929 responses were gathered during the study period. The EFA generated two main categories of perceived facilitators of COVID-19 spread: behavioral non-adherence (55.9%) and lack of enablers (86.5%). Behavioral non-adherence was illustrated by fear of stigma (62.9%), not seeking care (59.3%), and hugging and shaking (44.8%). Perceived lack of enablers of precautionary measures includes staying home impossible due to economic challenges (92.4%), overcrowding (87.6%), and inaccessible face masks (81.6%) and hand sanitizers (79.1%). Perceived inhibitors were categorized into three factors: two misperceived, myths (31.6%) and false assurances (32.9%), and one correctly identified; engagement in standard precautions (17.1%). Myths about protection from the virus involve perceived religiosity and effectiveness of selected food items, hot weather, traditional medicine, and alcohol drinking, ranging from 15.1% to 54.7%. False assurances include people's perception that they were living far away from areas where COVID-19 was rampant (36.9%), and no locally reported cases were present (29.5%). There were tremendous information needs reported about COVID-19 concerning protection methods (62.6%), illness behavior and treatment (59.5%), and quality information, including responses to key unanswered questions such as the origin of the virus (2.4%). Health workers were perceived as the most at-risk group (83.3%). The children, adolescents, youths were marked at low to moderate (45.1%-62.2%) risk of COVID-19. Regional, township, and access to communication showed significant variations in myths, false assurances, and information needs (p <0.05). Conclusions: Considering young population as being at low risk of COVID-19 would be challenging to the control efforts, and needs special attention. Risk communication and community engagement efforts should consider regional and township variations of myths and false assurances. It should also need to satisfy information needs, design local initiatives that enhance community ownership of the control of the virus, and thereby support engagement in standard precautionary measures. All forms of media should be properly used and regulated to disseminate credible information while filtering out myths and falsehoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfinance programs in Ethiopia have existed since the late-1970s, but the relationship between microfinance and women's health has not been extensively investigated. This paper reports on a study evaluating the characteristics of a sample of women participating in microfinance operations with health outcomes, as measured by a health check up in the past year and knowledge about family planning methods. A total of 100 women were selected for the study at a microfinance office in Jimma, Ethiopia, to answer a 48-question survey designed to investigate the characteristics of participation in microfinance in relation to: (1) healthy habits, as assessed by medical check-ups and knowledge of family planning methods, (2) education, (3) demographics, (4) decision-making abilities within their household, (5) access to borrowing money from another individual or institution and (6) domestic violence. The study showed that women participating in microfinance operations were likely to have had a medical check up in the past year and that they were likely to acknowledge awareness of family planning methods. Additionally, we found that the women's education level is associated with knowledge of family planning. These results together suggest that the women participating in microfinance operations in Jimma, Ethiopia engage in healthy behavior practices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]