Search

Rapid urbanization frequently results in unanticipated morphological traits that could have multifaceted consequences, especially in the urban physical transformation of cities in developing countries. This study aimed to examine these spatial transformation events and identify the related emergent urban forms in the morphogenesis of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia from the perspective of plan-led and spontaneous developments. The researchers conducted a thorough on-site investigation to gather the necessary physical information and supplemented it with a desk review and focus group discussion. We utilized the Spacematrix software to examine the data and pinpoint the evolving urban structures from different time periods. Overall, the research demonstrated that point-type low-rise development dominated organically developed sites, whereas plan-driven developments were dominated by block-type low-rise and block-type midrise forms. Furthermore, except for outlying areas, there has been a rising trend in the floor space index and spatial coverage patterns over the course of the city’s morphological eras. This may indicate a growing concern for space efficiency and sustainable development. The density of the street network in organically developed portions, on the other hand, was greater than that in formally planned areas. This shows the relevance of considering the concept behind organic development in planning and designing interventions besides the formal western planning philosophy.

Currently, a significant portion of Shared-Use Vehicle Systems (SUVS) providers make use of cutting-edge technologies (such as GPS monitoring, smartcard access and online reservation systems) to improve customer experiences. There is a growing need for interoperability between vehicle operators and suppliers of Shared-Use Vehicle Systems (SUVS) (e.g., smartcard accessibility across different car-sharing businesses) (i.e., transport fare collection via smartcards). Improved interoperability across systems is expected to increase customer satisfaction and adoption, which in turn will expand the market reach of such systems. In a similar perspective, we might expect to see some uniformity develop in areas such as vehicle interfaces, client contacts, and general operating procedures (for example, online reservation systems and insurance policies). However, the idea of SUVS is still in its infancy as a mobility option, therefore a comprehensive push toward standardization has not yet been implemented in the sector. In that case, the purpose of this research is to attempt to catalog a few of the key concerns that will be crucial to future interoperability conversations between SUVS and the establishment of industrial standards. This paper focuses on the fundamentals of operating an intelligent SUVS and details many of the concerns that have arisen throughout the formative stages of SUVS development.

A sustainable urban form needs to accommodate a mix of varied compatible land uses with ample open-space ratio (OSR) through transformation. This study, thus, aims to examine the sustainability of land-use transformation patterns from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities. It also analyses consequences of formal planning interventions and organic developments on OSR, both in the inner city and the periphery. Hence, land-use mix and OSR are compared over time at both plot and neighbourhood level, which is both scholarly and practical. The research study includes six cases from three morphological periods. The results indicate that the intensity of mixed-land use declined over time at the plot, while the figure increased at neighbourhood level. Besides, moving from the historic core to the periphery reduces the intensity of mixed-land use at the neighbourhood level. Across years, the intensity of mixed-land use showed a decreasing trend reflecting a reduction in the sustainable urban form. To avert this, cities need to integrate practices and principles of both organic development and formal planning endeavours. In addition, the existence of ample OSR helps to improve a balanced mix of uses at both the plot and neighbourhood level.

The objective of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of readiness for teaching in inclusive classrooms using a survey design. It also explored teachers’ views on factors that hinder them apply inclusive education. A questionnaire consisting of open and close-ended items was administered to collect data from participant eachers. The close-ended questions measured teachers’ perceptions of readiness and open-ended questions solicited information on factors that hinder teachers to implement inclusive education. Data collected from 80 sample teachers were analyzed. Findings indicated that teachers had lower levels of readiness for teaching in nclusive classrooms. While variables such as participants’ gender and grade level taught do not generate variations in teachers’ perceptions of readiness, teaching experience seemed to generate variations. It is revealed that the lack of short-term pieces of training and knowledge and skills teachers gained in teacher training programs which were insufficient and were not quite useful for teaching in inclusive classrooms were factors identified by teachers that affect inclusive education implementation. In general, teachers lack the readiness to teach in inclusive classrooms. So, to make inclusive education a success for students with special needs, it is high time to evisit the teacher education program in Ethiopia.

The deficit of the perceptual selection and inclusion of the logistics administration notion and philosophies were stated as the declaration of the challenge of the investigation. The objective was to investigate the chain of coffee supply operation management of the cooperative societies in the area of Oromia region (Ethiopia) from coffee planters to sell overseas phase. Mutually foundations of both principle and secondary information were used to gather the information from the 3 associates (coffee planters, principal cooperative societies, and association of cooperative societies) that engaged in the chain of coffee supply on cooperative societies functionalism. The investigators used purposive data collection method & random data collection method methodologies by SPSS was used to elucidate, comprehend and review the information that was gathered from respondents. With regard to interior operation, the explanatory information interpretation from the associates conveys that there is reasonable functionalism, the networking among the associates that engaged in the logistics is moderate in associates concerning cybernetics, Leadership operation of logistics administration in the area of a coffee cooperative is significant as the collective mean manifested in the experiment generate consciousness is a foremost phase for operation logistics administration, so each associate of cooperative coffee logistics must work on the logistics orientation on cooperative functionalism used 359 specimen size and it direct for future experiments.

This special issue of JDS provides several critical perspectives on the federal Constitution, the state, and contemporary politics of Ethiopia. All the contributors agree that Ethiopia’s federal system promotes ethnic conflict rather than fostering an Ethiopian identity and national unity. The federal Constitution establishes a legal foundation for secession and in effect the possible disintegration of the federal state and the country’s multi-ethnic political system. The current political actors, their ideology, and the prevailing political conditions in the country are leading the country down the path to a failed state. A fundamental issue in Ethiopian politics today is the prevailing ideology of revolutionary democracy, which has led its political actors to pursue policies and practices that aggravate the country’s ethnic conflicts, weaken its national unity, and accentuate the contradictions in its flawed federal system of government.

This preface provides a brief introduction to this special issue on contemporary Ethiopia. It highlights the role played by land, ethnicity, federalism, and political ideology in the constitutional development and politics of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian state with its ethnic federation of different ethno-linguistic regions is contextualized. The preface concludes by proposing the thesis that the current constitution of Ethiopia does not contribute to the continuation of Ethiopia as an integrated nation-state; rather it contributes to a loose collection of semi-autonomous warring ethnic regions.

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019.Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively.Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Yalew Muche,1 Yemataw Gelaw,2 Aytenew Atnaf,1 Zegeye Getaneh2 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; 2Department of Hematology & Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Yalew Muche, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, PO. BOX 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia, Tel +251927615910, Email enathager08@gmail.comBackground: Blood transfusion is the infusion of whole blood or its components into the veins of the patient to improve tissue oxygenation and maintain hemostasis. Besides its clinical use, it can pose a risk of transfusion complications with different factors.Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess blood transfusion complications, and associated factors among transfused adult patients at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia, 2022.Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on a total of 182 patients from March 20 to June 15, 2022. Patients were enrolled in the study using consecutive sampling method. The socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire and data extraction sheet, respectively. About 3 ml of anti-coagulated blood and 30 ml of urine samples were collected to assess transfusion complications. CBC and Coombs test were performed from blood and urinalysis from urine, respectively. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression were done using SPSS version 25. P-values less than 0.05 are declared as statistically significant.Results: An acute transfusion reaction (ATR) was encountered in 12 (6.6%) patients. It was 4.13, 7.78 and 3.96 times more likely to occur among patients with a previous history of transfusion, abortion, and transfused blood stored for more than 20 days compared to their counterparts, respectively. In addition, the odds of developing ATR increase by 2.07 as the number of transfused blood units increases by 1 unit.Conclusion: The incidence of acute transfusion reactions was high. During transfusion, clinicians should closely monitor patients who had history of transfusion, abortion, transfused old blood and more than 1 unit.Keywords: acute transfusion reactions, adults, transfusion outcome

Malnutrition in Ethiopia is still a major public health problem. Effective growth monitoring activities are difficult to integrate with local circumstances and a national program and are also given less weight. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the functionality of the nutrition steering and technical committees on the quality of the growth monitoring program in the central Gondar zone of northwest Ethiopia. A mixed-methods study was employed among 51 committee members using purposive sampling and 8 months data. The participation rate and the proportion of faltering rates were computed. A data extraction sheet and an in-depth interview guide were prepared, respectively. The overall participation rate was 44.94% in Gondar Zuria and 50.62% in East Demiba districts, respectively. Similarly, the percentage of children faltering was significantly higher in Gondar Zuria district (2.85%) than in East Dembia district (0.48%). Neither the nutrition steering committee nor the technical committee were fully functional to support the program. In addition, a lack of materials, knowledge, and skills in data analysis and interpretation, as well as refresher training, are barriers to program implementation. The overall participation rate is very low in the study area. Program materials were not available, and the technical and steering committees are not fully functional. As a result, preparing working documents, assigning a specific task to strengthen the existing steering and technical committees, providing refresher training, and ensuring the availability of important program materials are very crucial.

Microglia play a role in the pathogenesis of many retinal diseases. Fundus spots in mice often correlate with the accumulation of activated subretinal microglia. Here we use a semiquantitative fundus spot scoring scale in combination with an unbiased, state-of-the-science forward genetics pipeline to identify causative associations between chemically induced mutations and fundus spot phenotypes. Among several associations, we focus on a missense mutation in Lipe linked to an increase in yellow fundus spots in C57BL/6J mice. Lipe−/− mice generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology are found to develop accumulation of subretinal microglia, a retinal degeneration with decreased visual function, and an abnormal retinal lipid profile. We establish an indispensable role of Lipe in retinal/RPE lipid homeostasis and retinal health. Further studies using this new model will be aimed at determining how lipid dysregulation results in the activation of subretinal microglia and whether these microglia also play a role in the subsequent retinal degeneration.

The thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (tSZ) effect is a spectral distortion of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) resulting from inverse Compton scattering of CMB photons with electrons in the medium of galaxy clusters. The spectrum of the tSZ effect is typically calculated assuming the spectrum of the CMB is a blackbody. However, energy or photon number injection at any epoch after photon creation processes become inefficient will distort the blackbody, potentially leading to a chemical potential or $\mu$-distortion for early injection. These $primordial$ spectral distortions will therefore introduce a change in the tSZ effect, effectively a distortion of a distortion. While this effect is small for an individual cluster's spectrum, upcoming and proposed CMB surveys expect to detect tens of thousands of clusters with the tSZ effect. In this paper, we forecast constraints on the $\mu$-distortion monopole from the distortion of the tSZ spectrum of clusters measured by CMB surveys. We find that planned experiments have the raw sensitivity to place constraints on $\mu$ that are comparable to or better than existing constraints but control over foregrounds and other systematics will be critical., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' self-efficacy for practicing inclusive education at public primary schools in the Amhara region and examining the effect of teachers’ gender, level of education, and teaching experience. The study used a survey design. Participants included 336 public primary school teachers selected using a stratified systematic random sampling technique. The teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practice (TEIP) scale was administered to sample teachers. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Teachers showed low level of self-efficacy on the TEIP scale. While gender did generate variations in teacher self-efficacy for practicing inclusive education, level of education and teaching experience did not generate significant variations. The results generally revealed that teachers had low sense of self-efficacy to practice inclusive education. It implies that the knowledge and skills teachers gained in special needs and inclusive education in teacher training programs were not adequate enough to practice inclusive education. Therefore, to make inclusive education useful for all students including students with special needs, it is essential to revisit teacher training programs in Ethiopia.

Background Hypertension, among diabetic patients, is a worldwide public-health challenge and a number one modifiable risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and death. The prevalence of hypertension among the diabetic population is nearly twice of nondiabetic patients. Screening and prevention of risk factors for hypertension based on evidence from local studies is required to minimize the burden of hypertension among diabetic patients. This study is aimed at assessing the determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients in Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. Methods Facility-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted from March 15 to April 15, 2022, at the outpatient diabetic clinic, Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 345 diabetic patients were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire by interviewing and extracting from the medical chart of patients. Bivariate logistic regression followed by multiple logistic analysis was used to identify the determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients. A p-value less than 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. Results The significant determinants of hypertension among diabetes patients were being overweight [AOR = 2.06, 95% CI (1.1, 3.89), P = 0.025], being obese [AOR = 2.64, 95% CI (1.22, 5.70), P = 0.013], lack of Moderate intensity exercise [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.36,4.24), P = 0.002], age [AOR = 1.03, 95% CI (1.01, 1.06), P = 0.011], Type 2 diabetes mellitus [AOR = 5.05, 95% CI (1.28, 19.88), P = 0.021], duration of diabetes mellitus ≥ 6 years [AOR = 7.47, 95% CI (2.02, 27.57), P = 0.003], diabetic nephropathy [AOR = 3.87, 95% CI (1.13, 13.29), P = 0.032], and urban residence [AOR = 2.11, 95% CI (1.04,4.29), P = 0.04]. Conclusion Being overweight and obese, lack of moderate-intensity exercise, age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, duration of Diabetes ≥ 6 years, presence of diabetic nephropathy, and being urban residents were significant determinants of hypertension among diabetic patients. These risk factors can be targeted by health professionals for prevention and earlier detection of hypertension among diabetic patients.

Income inequality is when individuals living in a given country earn disproportionate income levels. This accounts for the presence of high poverty, especially for households with lower incomes. Identifying the factors determining the existence of inequality is essential to reduce income inequality. With this objective, this study analyzes the determinants of income inequality in kobo town. To explore the determinants of income inequality, primary data obtained from the sample households for the city is applied. The inequality situation in this town is analyzed using income distributions, proving that income inequality in the city is high, and the Gini index of income is 0.38. then, marginal effects from the ordered logit model proved that households with houses have a higher probability of being in a high-income group than those who have lived in a rented house to be in a high-income stream. The effects of continuous variable reported as high education level is associated with a high probability of being a higher income earner.

Background: Casimiroa edulis fruit is an underutilized seasonal fruit of Ethiopia, is a rich source of many medicinal and nutritional properties. The fruit is found in different parts of the country, Ethiopia. However, there is no clear research evidences of the fruits on post-harvest handling, preservation, processing, and value addition. Purpose of the study: The present study is aimed at the characterization, optimization of enzyme assisted casimiroa fruit juice clarification process based on selected quality parameters of the final product. Methodology: D-Optimal Mixture Design and RSM were used to investigate level of ingredients and the effects of independent variables on physicochemical composition, functional properties, mineral values and acceptability tests of casimiroa fruit juice. Graphical and numerical optimization were conducted to find the best variables conditions. Casimiroa fruit was treated at various enzyme concentrations (0.01-0.2%), incubation temperature (30-55oC) and incubation time (30-100 mini.) of treatment. A second order Central composite (CCD) was employed to identify the effect of independent variables on the final product. Results: In this study, a statistical significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed within the process variables on nutritional profiles of casimiroa fruit juice. Furthermore, the enzyme treatment reduced the cloudy appearance of casimiroa fruit juice and improved the clarity of juice. The coefficient of determination, R2 values for the dependent variables were almost greater than 0.8. This study revealed that, clarity, viscosity, TSS, TA, pH, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, P and overall acceptability were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated to incubation temperature, incubation time and enzyme concentration. Incubation time and enzyme concentration were the most important factors affecting the characteristics of the casimiroa fruit juice as it exerted a highly significant influence (p < 0.05) on the dependent variables. Conclusion: In conclusion, enzyme-treatment improves qualities of fruit juice and the overall optimization suggests that enzymatic-treated juice made with 75% fruit pure, 21.25% water, 2.63% sugar and 1.13% citric acid with process variables of incubation temperature (44.01oC), incubation time (62.74 min.) and enzyme concentration (0.2%), respectively achieved the best formulation for this combination of variables with a desirable of 0.9029.

It is the purpose of this paper to introduce an iterative process which converges strongly to a common point of the set of solutions of a finite family of generalized equilibrium problems, the set of fixed points of a finite family of continuous asymptotically quasi- $$\phi$$ -nonexpansive mappings in the intermediate sense, and the set of zeros of a finite family of $$\gamma$$ -inverse strongly monotone mappings in uniformly convex and uniformly smooth real Banach space. Our results improve and unify most of the results that have been proved for this important class of nonlinear mappings.

Objective We aimed to assess the prevalences of foot ulcer and foot self-care practices, and identify associated factors in adult patients with diabetes attending a referral hospital in south-east Ethiopia. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of 267 diabetic patients. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer and foot self-care practice. Results The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.42–15.05). One hundred and forty-four (53.9%; 47.9, 59.9) patients demonstrated good foot self-care. Living rurally (adjusted odds ratio 2.27; 95% CI: 1.86–6.97), lack of regular exercise (3.91; 1.51–10.10), peripheral neuropathy (2.77; 1.05–7.33) and foot calluses (5.69; 1.74–18.59) were associated with diabetic foot ulcer. Urban inhabitants (2.01; 1.09–3.69), patients with diabetes for >10 years (2.92; 1.48–5.77), women (2.95; 1.66–5.22), and patients with a glucometer at home (2.05; 1.09–3.85) were more likely to have good foot self-care practice. Conclusion The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2%. This prevalence is lower than those identified in other Ethiopian studies. However, patient awareness regarding foot self-care practice and risk reduction should be improved.

Beginning in March 2020, to reduce COVID-19 transmission, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief supporting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services was delayed in 15 sub-Saharan African countries. We reviewed performance indicators to compare the number of VMMCs performed in 2020 with those performed in previous years. In all countries, the annual number of VMMCs performed decreased 32.5% (from 3,898,960 in 2019 to 2,631,951 in 2020). That reduction is largely attributed to national and local COVID-19 mitigation measures instituted by ministries of health. Overall, 66.7% of the VMMC global annual target was met in 2020, compared with 102.0% in 2019. Countries were not uniformly affected; South Africa achieved only 30.7% of its annual target in 2020, but Rwanda achieved 123.0%. Continued disruption to the VMMC program may lead to reduced circumcision coverage and potentially increased HIV-susceptible populations. Strategies for modifying VMMC services provide lessons for adapting healthcare systems during a global pandemic.

ObjectiveGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is becoming a public health concern in low/middle-income countries, and is known to cause severe morbidity and mortality for mothers and newborns. However, evidence reported for the incidence and risk factors of GDM is scant in Ethiopia. We aimed to assess the incidence of, and risk factors for, GDM in Goba town, Southeast Ethiopia.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingGoba town, Southeast Ethiopia.ParticipantsFour hundred eighty pregnant women on antenatal care follow-up from 30 April to 30 September 2021.Primary and secondary outcomesIncidence and risk factors of GDM using fasting capillary blood glucose. Log-binomial model was used to identify the risk factors of GDM. Adjusted relative risk (aRR), along with 95% CIs, were calculated to estimate the strength of associations.ResultsThe cumulative incidence rate of GDM in this study was 15.7% (95% CI: 12.3% to 19.2%). Being unemployed (aRR=2.73; 95% CI: 1.36 to 5.47), having a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (3.01; 2.09 to 4.35), low physical activity (2.43; 1.11 to 5.32), inadequate dietary diversity (1.48; 1.29 to 1.92), anaemia (2.51; 1.32 to 3.54) and antenatal depression (4.95; 3.35 to 7.31) were significantly associated with GDM.ConclusionThe cumulative incidence of GDM was relatively high among the study participants. Having antenatal depression symptoms, low physical activity, inadequate dietary diversity, being unemployed, anaemia and a family history of DM were significant risk factors for GDM.

Biniyam Sahiledengle,1 Tesfaye Assefa,2 Wogene Negash,2 Anwar Tahir,2 Tadele Regasa,3 Yohannes Tekalegn,1 Ayele Mamo,4 Zinash Teferu,1 Damtew Solomon,3 Habtamu Gezahegn,3 Kebebe Bekele,5 Demisu Zenbaba,1 Alelign Tasew,1 Fikreab Desta,1 Zegeye Regassa,2 Zegeye Feleke,2 Chala Kene,6 Fekata Tolcha,7 Degefa Gomora,6 Diriba Dibaba,1 Daniel Atlaw3 1Public Health Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 2Nursing Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 3Biomedical Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 4Pharmacy Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 5Surgery Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 6Midwifery of Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 7Pediatrics and Child Health Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Biniyam Sahiledengle, Public Health Department, Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Bale Goba, Ethiopia, Email biniyam.sahiledengle@gmail.comBackground: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most prevalent microvascular consequence of diabetes mellitus, and it can result in blindness that is irreversible. Due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to diabetic care, the situation is even worse in developing countries. Scientific evidence on the prevalence of DR and its associated factors among diabetes patients in low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DR and associated factors among adult diabetes patients in southeast Ethiopia.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetes patients who visited Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital. Fundus and slit-lamp examination were performed for screening of DR. Multivariate binary logistic regression was computed to identify factors associated with DR.Results: A total of 256 patients (144 men, 56.2%) aged 50.15± 15.71 years were included in the study. The prevalence of any DR was 19.9% (95% CI 15.4%– 25.3%), mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) 10.9% (95% CI 7.6%– 15.4%), moderate NPDR 5.9% (95% CI 3.5%– 9.5%), severe NPDR 0.9% (95% CI 0.2%– 3.9%), and proliferative DR 2.3% (95% CI 1.0%– 5.1%). Duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years (AOR 10.22, 95% CI 1.70– 61.44), central obesity (AOR 5.42, 95% CI 1.38– 21.19), overweight/obese (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.02– 6.92), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (AOR 5.82, 95% CI 1.86– 18.24), moderate triglyceride:HDL cholesterol ratio (AOR 4.13, 95% CI 1.13– 15.15), and urban dwelling (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.04– 7.78) were significantly associated with DR.Conclusion: One in every five DM patients had DR. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and blood lipids were independently associated with DR. To reduce the burden of diabetes, strategies that focus on lifestyle modifications targeted at identified modifiable risk factors are essential.Keywords: diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, Ethiopia

This review aims to elucidate the contemporary methods of measuring and estimating methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants. Six categories of methods for measuring and estimating CH4 emissions from ruminants are discussed. The widely used methods in most CH4 abatement experiments comprise the gold standard respiration chamber, in vitro incubation, and the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) techniques. In the spot sampling methods, the paper discusses the sniffer method, the GreenFeed system, the face mask method, and the portable accumulation chamber. The spot sampling relies on the measurement of short-term breath data adequately on spot. The mathematical modeling methods focus on predicting CH4 emissions from ruminants without undertaking extensive and costly experiments. For instance, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides default values for regional emission factors and other parameters using three levels of estimation (Tier 1, 2 and 3 levels), with Tier 1 and Tier 3 being the simplest and most complex methods, respectively. The laser technologies include the open-path laser technique and the laser CH4 detector. They use the laser CH4 detector and wireless sensor networks to measure CH4 flux. The micrometeorological methods rely on measurements of meteorological data in line with CH4 concentration. The last category of methods for measuring and estimating CH4 emissions in this paper is the emerging technologies. They include the blood CH4 concentration tracer, infrared thermography, intraruminal telemetry, the eddy covariance (EC) technique, carbon dioxide as a tracer gas, and polytunnel. The emerging technologies are essential for the future development of effective quantification of CH4 emissions from ruminants. In general, adequate knowledge of CH4 emission measurement methods is important for planning, implementing, interpreting, and comparing experimental results.

A high moisture content in the unbound aggregate layers of pavements can lead to severe functional and structural damage, especially in pavement constructed in freeze-thaw environments, such as Minnesota. In these climates, the freezing temperatures can contribute to the formation of severe crack-heaving issues, and the early spring-thaw conditions can significantly reduce a pavement’s bearing capacity. A good understanding of subsurface seasonal moisture fluctuation is, therefore, essential for implementing effective maintenance and road load management techniques. Unfortunately, traditional pavement moisture testing approaches are expensive, time-consuming, invasive, limited in spatial coverage, and negatively affect the traffic flow. The present study builds on previous efforts to characterize moisture and frost conditions in pavement base layers using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and moisture sensing instruments. The paper offers a simple methodology for monitoring moisture variations in the base layer and assessing the moisture susceptibility of aggregate base materials from single-offset GPR measurements. The methodology was validated by comparing the GPR data with moisture content readings collected from four different pavement test sections over a period of approximately two years. Overall, the moisture contents obtained from the GPR were comparable with those obtained from sensors installed in the pavement section. However, the GPR approach offered the added advantage of covering long stretches of pavement in short times and with minimal impact on the pavement and traffic.

Introduction Out-of-pocket payments for healthcare remain a significant health financing challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), preventing women from using maternal health services. There is a paucity of empirical literature on the influence of health insurance coverage on the timeliness of antenatal care (ANC) attendance in low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we examined the association between health insurance coverage and timely ANC attendance among pregnant women in SSA. Methods Secondary data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2015 and 2020 in sixteen (16) sub-Saharan African countries with 113,918 women aged 15-49 years were included in the analysis. The outcome variable was the timing of antenatal care (ANC). A multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the association between health insurance coverage and timely ANC. Results The overall coverage of health insurance and timely antenatal attendance among pregnant women in SSA were 4.4% and 39.0% respectively. At the country level, the highest coverage of health insurance was found in Burundi (24.3%) and the lowest was in Benin (0.9%). For timely ANC attendance, the highest prevalence was in Liberia (72.4%) and the lowest was in Nigeria (24.2%). The results in the model showed that women who were covered by health insurance were more likely to have timely ANC attendance compared to those who were not covered by health insurance (aOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11-1.31). Conclusion Our findings show that that being covered under health insurance is associated with higher likelihood of seeking timely ANC attendance. To accelerate progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal targets by the year 2030, we recommend that governments and health insurance authorities across the sub-Saharan African countries actively implement health insurance policies as well as roll out health educational programmes that facilitate and ensure increased coverage of health insurance.

Ayele Mamo,1 Tesfaye Assefa,2 Wegene Negash,2 Yohannes Takelign,3 Biniyam Sahiledinigl,3 Zinash Teferu,3 Mesud Mohammed,1 Damtew Solomon,4 Habtamu Gezahegn,4 Kebebe Bekele,5 Demsu Zenbaba,3 Alelign Tasew,3 Anwar Tahir,2 Fikereab Desta,3 Tadele Regassa,4 Abule Takele,3 Zegeye Regassa,2 Daniel Atilaw4 1Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 2Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Nursing department, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 3Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Public Health Department, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 4Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Biomedical Department, Bale Goba, Ethiopia; 5Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital, Surgery Department, Bale Goba, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Ayele Mamo, Tel +251913512089, Email ayumam12@gmail.comBackground: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen failure is linked to an increased risk of disease progression and death, while early detection of ART failure can help to prevent the development of resistance. This study aimed to evaluate virological and immunological ART failure and predictors among HIV-positive adult and adolescent clients in southeast Ethiopia.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was implemented from January 2016 to November 30, 2020; all HIV-positive nave patients on follow-up during the study period from four hospitals were included. Virological and immunological treatment failure was the primary outcome of the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed for analysis. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported and variables with p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of treatment failure.Results: A total of 641 HIV patients’ charts were reviewed, 62.6% of the study participants were females. Of the total study participants, 18.4% and 15% developed virological and immunological ART regimen treatment failure respectively. The median time to virological failure was 40 months. WHO stage IV [AHR = 4.616; 95% CI: (2.136– 9.974)], WHO stage III [AHR = 2.323; 95% CI: (1.317– 4.098)], poor adherence to HAART regimen [AHR = 3.097; 95% CI: (1.349– 7.108)], and fair adherence [AHR = 2.058; 95% CI: (1.234– 3.432)] were significantly associated with virological treatment failure among adolescent and adult study participants in southeast Ethiopia.Conclusion: The prevalence of virological treatment failure was 18.4% (95% CI: 15.4 − 21.4) and the prevalence of immunological treatment failure was 15% (95% CI: 11.8– 18.4). WHO clinical stage III/IV and non-adherence were independent predictors of virological ART treatment failure. Early management of clinical WHO stages and improving patients’ ART regimen adherence are important to decrease the prevalence of ART regimen treatment failure.Keywords: treatment failure, antiretroviral, predictors, HIV, Bale zone

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains one of the most significant public health challenges globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although HIV testing is a vital step for both prevention and treatment, its uptake is still low in SSA. We therefore examined HIV testing in SSA and its individual/household and community factors among women of reproductive age groups (15–49 y). Methods Demographic and Health Survey data collected between 2010 and 2020 from 28 SSA countries were used for this analysis. We analysed the coverage of HIV testing and individual/household and community factors on 384 416 women in the reproductive age groups (15–49 y). Bivariate and multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to select candidate variables and to identify significant explanatory variables associated with HIV testing and the results were presented using adjusted odd ratios (AORs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The pooled prevalence of HIV testing among women of reproductive age in SSA was 56.1% (95% CI 53.7 to 58.4), with the highest coverage found in Zambia (86.9%) and the lowest in Chad (6.1%). Age (45–49 y; AOR 0.30 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.62]), women's education level (secondary; AOR 1.97 [95% CI 1.36 to 2.84]) and economic status (richest; AOR 2.78 [95% CI 1.40 to 5.51]) were some of the individual/household factors associated with HIV testing. Similarly, religion (no religion; AOR 0.58 [95% CI 0.34 to 0.97]), marital status (married; AOR 0.69 [95% CI 0.50 to 0.95]) and comprehensive knowledge of HIV (yes; AOR 2.01 [95% CI 1.53 to 2.64]) were significantly associated individual/household factors for HIV testing. Meanwhile, place of residence (rural; AOR 0.65 [95% CI 0.45 to 0.94]) was found to be a significant community-level factor. Conclusion More than half of married women in SSA have been tested for HIV, with between-country variations. Both individual/household factors were associated with HIV testing. Stakeholders should therefore consider all above-mentioned factors to plan an integrated approach to enhancing HIV testing through health education, sensitization, counselling and empowering older and married women, those with no formal education, those who do not have comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and those in rural areas.

Substance use is one of the public health issues among university students. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, influence of faculty, and identify possible risk factors for substance use among University of Antwerp students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among University of Antwerp students from March to April 2021. A total of 2769 students participated in the online survey. The outcome variable of interest was measured as recent use of alcohol (non-drinkers, low-risk drinkers, and risky drinker), cannabis use (yes/no), and use of stimulant drugs (yes/no) in the last one year prior to the study. A multilevel generalized linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the data. Based on the self-reported survey results, the overall prevalence of recent low-risk alcohol use was 68.40%, compared to 21.67% for risky alcohol use, whereas the prevalence of recent cannabis and stimulant drug use was 16.32% and 4.37%, respectively. In the full multivariable generalized linear mixed effect model, being male (OR = 1.77), being a working student (OR = 1.54), lifetime use of cigarettes (OR = 4.07), being a masters student (OR = 1.70), and living independently from parents (OR = 1.71) were identified as risk factors for recent use of alcohol. With regard to recent use of cannabis in the full model, ages between 26 and 30 years (OR = 3.69), master students (OR = 2.02), and following other programs (preparatory and bridging) (OR = 2.52) were determinant factors. Being a master's student was the only individual-level variable associated with lower odds of the recent use of stimulant drugs (OR = 0.40). In the full multivariable model, the proportion change variance for recent alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant drug use was estimated as 83.54, 20.93, and -38.32%, respectively. In addition, the final full model results showed a median odds ratio of 1.11, 1.28, and 3.00 for the recent use of alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant drugs, respectively. The magnitude of alcohol use among University of Antwerp students was found to be high, whereas the use of cannabis and stimulant drugs was moderate and low, respectively. Being male, being over the age of 26 years, working students, pursuing master's and other programs, smoking cigarettes, and living away from parents were risk factors for substance use among students.

Objectives Dietary control is regarded as one of the cornerstones of diabetes treatment. The lack of information on dietary habits of diabetes patients undersells the significance of these habits in the management of the condition. Therefore, this study examined the food habits and contributing factors of Type 2 diabetic patients in Hawassa City, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. Results Nearly forty-seven percent (46.8%) of the patients had poor knowledge about diabetes. More than half of the respondents (54.5%) were overweight and obese. The levels of dietary practice among 171 (44.2%) type 2 diabetic patients were poor. Very low monthly income [AOR = 4.87; 95% CI :(1.20-19.81], taking insulin regimen [AOR = 2.36; 95% CI :(1.13–4.91)], taking both insulin injection and oral medication [AOR = 11.26; 95% CI: (3.05–41.54)], not getting DM education in hospital [AOR = 2.72; 95% CI :( 1.08–6.85)], despondency [AOR = 3.71; 95% CI:(1.39–9.89), lack of support from family and friends about dietary plan [AOR = 5.64;95% CI (2.66,11.92)], unavailability of fruits and vegetables[AOR = 3.04;95% CI:(1.11–8.34)] were the factors significantly associated with the poor dietary practice.

Background: In the health care system, bypassing affects both the primary level and higher-level health care institutions. It compromises the quality of care rendering to the clients of lower and higher level health care system by causing an overcrowded. And overflow of delivering mothers to higher level causes unnecessary workload, overcrowding, shortage of medical supplies, equipment, drugs, and service dalliance in the health facility which may contribute to institutional maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities. Moreover, it causes a client to wait a long time, yet the health care providers devoted their time to looking at minor cases which decreases access to the needy clients. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing all these gaps, which are an important indicator of the quality of care in the health system. Method: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1-30/2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 391 study participants. Data were entered into Epi Info version-7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression was computed. Variables whose P-value is < 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were fitted to the multivariable analysis, and an adjusted odds ratio with their corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated to determine the statistical association. Results: 422 mothers were invited to participate in this study out of which 391 mothers respond properly giving a response rate of 96.65%. Overall 246 (62.9%, 95% CI: (58.1, 67.5)) mothers bypassed their catchment health center. Age of the mother, resident, educational status of unable to read and write and primary education, marital status, first time parity, informed where to deliver during ANC follow up and mothers who have no information about the availability of childbirth service at the health center were factors associated with bypassing of nearest health center. Conclusion: The proportion of women bypassing health centers is high. The individual characteristics that predicted increase in proportion of respondents who bypassed health facilities includes, age, educational and marital status, resident and first time parity. On top of these, information given to the pregnant mother where to deliver and the service availability were found to be important predictor variables; therefore, efforts has to be made with regard to these variables, and a special attention has to be given on information provision by the care provider during ANC care., Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Vol. 13 No. 1 (2023)

BackgroundOut of pocket payment for healthcare remains a barrier to accessing health care services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Women’s decision-making autonomy may be a strategy for healthcare access and utilization in the region. There is a dearth of evidence on the link between women’s decision-making autonomy and health insurance enrollment. We, therefore, investigated the association between married women’s household decision making autonomy and health insurance enrollment in SSA.MethodsDemographic and Health Survey data of 29 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed. Both bivariate and multilevel logistic regression analyses were carried out to investigate the relationship between women’s household decision-making autonomy and health insurance enrollment among married women. The results were presented as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe overall coverage of health insurance among married women was 21.3% (95% CI; 19.9-22.7%), with the highest and lowest coverage in Ghana (66.7%) and Burkina Faso (0.5%), respectively. The odds of health insurance enrollment was higher among women who had household decision-making autonomy (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI; 1.03–1.72) compared to women who had no household decision-making autonomy. Other covariates such as women’s age, women’s educational level, husband’s educational level, wealth status, employment status, media exposure, and community socioeconomic status were found to be significantly associated with health insurance enrollment among married women.ConclusionHealth insurance coverage is commonly low among married women in SSA. Women’s household decision-making autonomy was found to be significantly associated with health insurance enrollment. Health-related policies to improve health insurance coverage should emphasize socioeconomic empowerment of married women in SSA.

In the present era of climate instability, Canadian wheat production has been frequently affected by abiotic stresses and by dynamic populations of pathogens and pests that are more virulent and aggressive over time. Genetic diversity is fundamental to guarantee sustainable and improved wheat production. In the past, the genetics of Brazilian cultivars, such as Frontana, have been studied by Canadian researchers and consequently, Brazilian germplasm has been used to breed Canadian wheat cultivars. The objective of this study was to characterize a collection of Brazilian germplasm under Canadian growing conditions, including the reaction of the Brazilian germplasm to Canadian isolates/pathogens and to predict the presence of certain genes in an effort to increase genetic diversity, improve genetic gain and resilience of Canadian wheat. Over 100 Brazilian hard red spring wheat cultivars released from 1986 to 2016 were evaluated for their agronomic performance in eastern Canada. Some cultivars showed good adaptability, with several cultivars being superior or statistically equal to the highest yielding Canadian checks. Several Brazilian cultivars had excellent resistance to leaf rust, even though only a few of these tested positive for the presence of either Lr34 or Lr16, two of the most common resistance genes in Canadian wheat. Resistance for stem rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew was variable among the Brazilian cultivars. However, many Brazilian cultivars had high levels of resistance to Canadian and African - Ug99 strains of stem rust. Many Brazilian cultivars had good Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance, which appears to be derived from Frontana. In contrast FHB resistance in Canadian wheat is largely based on the Chinese variety, Sumai-3. The Brazilian germplasm is a valuable source of semi-dwarf (Rht) genes, and 75% of the Brazilian collection possessed Rht-B1b. Many cultivars in the Brazilian collection were found to be genetically distinct from Canadian wheat, making them a valuable resource to increase the disease resistance and genetic variability in Canada and elsewhere.

Diffusion damping of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectrum results from imperfect photon-baryon coupling in the pre-recombination plasma. At redshift $5 \times 10^4 < z < 2 \times 10^6$, the plasma acquires an effective chemical potential, and energy injections from acoustic damping in this era create $\mu$-type spectral distortions of the CMB. These $\mu$ distortions trace the underlying photon density fluctuations, probing the primordial power spectrum in short-wavelength modes $k_\mathrm{S}$ over the range $50 \ \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1} \lesssim k \lesssim 10^4 \ \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$. Small-scale power modulated by long-wavelength modes $k_\mathrm{L}$ from squeezed-limit non-Gaussianities introduces cross-correlations between CMB temperature anisotropies and $\mu$ distortions. Under single-field inflation models, $\mu \times T$ correlations measured from an observer in an inertial frame should vanish up to a factor of $(k_\mathrm{L}/k_\mathrm{S})^2 \ll 1$. Thus, any measurable correlation rules out single-field inflation models. We forecast how well the next-generation ground-based CMB experiment CMB-S4 will be able to constrain primordial squeezed-limit non-Gaussianity, parameterized by $f_\mathrm{NL}$, using measurements of $C_{\ell}^{\mu T}$ as well as $C_{\ell}^{\mu E}$ from CMB $E$ modes. Using current experimental specifications and foreground modeling, we expect $\sigma(f_\mathrm{NL}) \lesssim 1000$. This is roughly four times better than the current limit on $f_\mathrm{NL}$ using $\mu \times T$ and $\mu \times E$ correlations from Planck and is comparable to what is achievable with LiteBIRD, demonstrating the power of the CMB-S4 experiment. This measurement is at an effective scale of $k \simeq 740 \ \text{Mpc}^{-1}$ and is thus highly complementary to measurements at larger scales from primary CMB and large-scale structure., Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures

Background Maternal mortality remains high in sub-Saharan African countries, including Guinea. Skilled birth attendance (SBA) is one of the crucial interventions to avert preventable obstetric complications and related maternal deaths. However, within-country inequalities prevent a large proportion of women from receiving skilled birth attendance. Scarcity of evidence related to this exists in Guinea. Hence, this study investigated the magnitude and trends in socioeconomic and geographic-related inequalities in SBA in Guinea from 1999 to 2016 and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) between 1999 and 2012. Methods We derived data from three Guinea Demographic and Health Surveys (1999, 2005 and 2012) and one Guinea Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2016). For analysis, we used the 2019 updated WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT). We analyzed inequalities in SBA and NMR using Population Attributable Risk (PAR), Population Attributable Fraction (PAF), Difference (D) and Ratio (R). These summary measures were computed for four equity stratifiers: wealth, education, place of residence and subnational region. We computed 95% Uncertainty Intervals (UI) for each point estimate to show whether or not observed SBA inequalities and NMR are statistically significant and whether or not disparities changed significantly over time. Results A total of 14,402 for SBA and 39,348 participants for NMR were involved. Profound socioeconomic- and geographic-related inequalities in SBA were found favoring the rich (PAR = 33.27; 95% UI: 29.85–36.68), educated (PAR = 48.38; 95% UI: 46.49–50.28), urban residents (D = 47.03; 95% UI: 42.33–51.72) and regions such as Conakry (R = 3.16; 95% UI: 2.31–4.00). Moreover, wealth-driven (PAF = -21.4; 95% UI: −26.1, −16.7), education-related (PAR = -16.7; 95% UI: −19.2, −14.3), urban-rural (PAF = -11.3; 95% UI: −14.8, −7.9), subnational region (R = 2.0, 95% UI: 1.2, 2.9) and sex-based (D = 12.1, 95% UI; 3.2, 20.9) inequalities in NMR were observed between 1999 and 2012. Though the pattern of inequality in SBA varied based on summary measures, both socioeconomic and geographic-related inequalities decreased over time. Conclusions Disproportionate inequalities in SBA and NMR exist among disadvantaged women such as the poor, uneducated, rural residents, and women from regions like Mamou region. Hence, empowering women through education and economic resources, as well as prioritizing SBA for these disadvantaged groups could be key steps toward ensuring equitable SBA, reduction of NMR and advancing the health equity agenda of “no one left behind.”

Tadele Regasa,1 Yohannes Dinku,1 Bereket Gezahegn,1 Zegeye Feleke,2 Zegeye Regassa,2 Ayele Mamo,1 Tesfaye Assefa,2 Habtamu Gezahegn,1 Damtew Solomon,1 Daniel Atlaw,1 Mengistu Dessie3 1School of medicine, Madda Walabu University, Goba, Ethiopia; 2School of Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Goba, Ethiopia; 3School of Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tadele Regasa, Tel +251922311812, Email tdlrgs104@gmail.comIntroduction: Acute pancreatitis is auto-cell destruction that is manifested by increased leakage of amylase and lipase into circulation. During pancreatitis, the activity of serum amylase and lipase is elevated three times above the upper limit of the normal range. This elevation was observed in both prediabetic and diabetic patients. Severe acute pancreatitis can result in acute kidney injury and other multi-organ dysfunction, which is one of the reasons for death.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the elevation of serum amylase and lipase and their distribution at different stages of renal insufficiency among diabetic patients.Methods: This study included 286 diabetic patients (36 type 1 and 250 type 2), and data were collected from May 1 to June 30, 2019. The study design used was an institution-based cross-sectional study. A face-to-face interview was used to collect data, and serum creatinine, amylase, and lipase levels were measured using a chemistry analyzer. For data entry and statistical analysis, respectively, Epidata software version 3.02 and SPSS version 21 were used.Results: The mean serum amylase among diabetic patients suffering from G3b and G4 was 106.79 IU/L ± 118.18 IU/L and 104.85 ± 90.42 IU/L, respectively. Their mean serum lipase activity was 105.07 IU/L ± 127.54 IU/L and 106.98 IU/L ± 88.35 IU/L, respectively. Serum lipase activity was elevated above the normal range and three times above the upper limit of the normal range with a magnitude of 11.2% and 4.2%, respectively. Similarly, 9.1% and 0.7% of diabetic patients had increased serum amylase above the normal range and three-fold above the normal range, respectively.Conclusion: As glomerular filtration decreases, particularly in moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, serum amylase and lipase activity rise above the upper limit.Keywords: acute pancreatitis, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, serum amylase, serum lipase

BackgroundChildhood diarrhea remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Women empowerment reduces child mortality, and wife beating attitude is one of the indicators of women empowerment. There is a dearth of evidence about wife beating attitudes and childhood diarrhea in SSA. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the association between attitude towards wife beating and diarrhea among under-five children.MethodsWe used Demographic and Health Surveys from 25 countries in SSA that were conducted between 2010 and 2020. Using Stata version 14 software, we carried out the analysis on 153,864 children under five. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied, and the results were presented using adjusted odd ratios (aOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe pooled results show that 71.4% of married women disagreed with wife beating. About 20.5% of under-five children of married women had diarrhea. Childhood diarrhea varied from highest prevalence in Chad (27.9%) to the lowest prevalence in Sierra-Leone (8.5%). The study showed lower odds of diarrhea among children of married women who disagreed with wife beating (aOR = 0.66 95% CI; 0.54-0.80) compared to children of married women who agreed with wife beating. Moreover, the study results show that women's age (35-39 years-aOR = 0.48, 95% CI; 0.31-0.74, 40-44 years-aOR = 0.57, 95% CI; 0.35-0.93, 45-49 years-aOR = 0.35, 95% CI; 0.16-0.79) was negatively associated with childhood diarrhea, while husband's education (primary school-aOR = 1.36, 95% CI; 1.05-1.77), parity (ever born 3-4 children-aOR = 1.36, 95% CI; 1.09-1.70, and 5+ children-aOR = 1.56, 95% CI; 1.14-2.12), and religion (Muslim-aOR = 3.56, 95% CI; 1.44-8.83) were positively associated with diarrhea among under-five children.ConclusionsThe study shows association between women attitude towards wife beating and childhood diarrhea. Therefore, empowering women, especially young women by increasing awareness about domestic violence, their rights, and empowering them through education and economic advancement need to be considered in order to reduce childhood diarrhea. Moreover, fertility control or birth spacing and working closely with religious leaders are important factors to consider in reducing childhood diarrhea.