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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, and mental health disorders pose a significant global health challenge, accounting for the majority of fatalities and disability-adjusted life years worldwide. These diseases arise from the complex interactions between genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors, necessitating a thorough understanding of these dynamics to identify effective diagnostic strategies and interventions. Although recent advances in multi-omics technologies have greatly enhanced our ability to explore these interactions, several challenges remain. These challenges include the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of multi-omic datasets, limitations in analytical approaches, and severe underrepresentation of non-European genetic ancestries in most omics datasets, which restricts the generalizability of findings and exacerbates health disparities. This scoping review evaluates the global landscape of multi-omics data related to NCDs from 2000 to 2024, focusing on recent advancements in multi-omics data integration, translational applications, and equity considerations. We highlight the need for standardized protocols, harmonized data-sharing policies, and advanced approaches such as artificial intelligence/machine learning to integrate multi-omics data and study gene-environment interactions. We also explore challenges and opportunities in translating insights from gene-environment (GxE) research into precision medicine strategies. We underscore the potential of global multi-omics research in advancing our understanding of NCDs and enhancing patient outcomes across diverse and underserved populations, emphasizing the need for equity and fairness-centered research and strategic investments to build local capacities in underrepresented populations and regions.

Because of environmental and personal factors, EFL teachers are often exposed to job burnout. However, the problem and factors that form causal associations seem ignored in the context of the study. This study, thus, aims to investigate EFL teachers' burnout and its associated factors among public primary schools in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. A mixed methods research design was used for the study. Cluster sampling and judgmental sampling techniques were employed to select 100 EFL teachers, and a questionnaire and an interview were utilized to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The finding shows that the majority of EFL teachers underwent a high level of burnout, and all the hypothesized factors had a significant association with burnout and its dimensions. The major finding is that job burnout negatively affected EFL teachers' work engagement. Considering this finding, the provision of training on coping strategies is recommended. The pedagogical implication of the finding is to incorporate content on emotional intelligence and stress-coping mechanisms in EFL teaching methodology courses. Finally, further study is recommended to be undertaken on a large scale to understand the magnitude of expansion of the problem in the region and nationwide as the sample is small to generalize to these contexts.

Postpartum depression is a significant public health issue that occurs within the first 12 weeks after childbirth. It is more prevalent among teenage mothers compared to adults. However, the findings of the existing interventional studies cannot be readily applied to teenage mothers due to their unique psychosocial concerns. Furthermore, these findings have shown inconsistencies regarding the benefit of psychological and psychosocial interventions in reducing the incidence of postpartum depression. The current review is aimed at investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in preventing postpartum depression, specifically among teenage mothers. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis manuals were utilized to identify and select relevant articles for this review. The articles were retrieved using population, intervention, control, and outcome models. The quality of each article was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA version 17. The effect size of the intervention was estimated using the standard mean difference in depression scores between the intervention and control groups. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using the I[superscript 2] statistic and Q statistic, while publication bias was evaluated through funnel plot asymmetry and Egger's test. A total of nine eligible articles were included. While psychosocial interventions have been demonstrated to decrease the incidence of postpartum depression compared to usual maternal health care, it is worth noting that the mean difference in depression scores was significant in only three of the included studies. The meta-analysis revealed that psychosocial interventions were effective at preventing postpartum depression, with a pooled effect size of -0.5 (95% CI: -0.95, -0.06) during the final postpartum depression assessment. The heterogeneity was substantial, with an I[superscript 2] value of 82.3%. Although publication bias was not observed, small studies had a significant effect on the pooled effect size. The findings of this review suggest that psychosocial interventions can effectively prevent PPD, particularly within the first 3 months of the postpartum period. This review highlights the scarcity of interventional studies in low-income countries, indicating the need for further research in diverse communities.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a major disease burden in Ethiopia. Migration can influence malaria transmission dynamics, with individuals relocating from malaria-free highland regions to malarious lowlands potentially facing elevated risks of contracting malaria. Migrants may find it difficult to protect themselves against malaria and have limited access to diagnosis or treatment. Settlers in gold mining sites are one type of migrant and are often neglected in malaria research yet may have particularly high malaria risk. This study was a malaria prevalence survey among settlers in a new gold mining settlement in the highly malarious Gambella Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: n = 590 people were surveyed for demographic information and their knowledge and practices of malaria. Participants were tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy. Using logistic regressions, the influence of demographic characteristics on malaria infections and bed net access were analysed. A sub-sample of participants was interviewed to comprehend settlement living conditions and healthcare accessibility. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was 37.5% (CI 32.4-42.3%). Young children were most likely to have malaria, with individuals aged 15-24 having 67% lower odds (aOR: 0.33; CI 0.13-0.86) of infection compared to those aged 1-4 years old. Meanwhile, those age 25-plus had 75% decreased odds of malaria infection (aOR 0.25; CI 0.10-0.65). Individuals with bed nets had ~ 50% decreased odds of testing positive for falciparum malaria than those reporting having no bed net (aOR: 0.47; CI 0.22-0.97). Individuals who relocated from low elevation with high malaria test positivity rate areas were more prone to testing positive for malaria, as were those residing in densely populated households with multiple malaria cases. Conversely, individuals from higher elevations with low malaria test positivity rates, and those living in households with 5-10 occupants and

Abstract Background Gastroesophageal varices are portosystemic collaterals formed due to portal hypertension. The primary consequence and leading cause of death in cases of gastroesophageal varices is bleeding. Although variceal hemorrhage mortality has decreased due to early diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices, prophylaxis, and therapy, these procedures are still difficult to perform in many underdeveloped nations. When the dose of nonselective b-blockers is optimized to the highest acceptable dosage to reach the therapeutic goal, the benefit of reducing the risk of variceal bleeding is greatest. B-blocker optimization is unknown in our nation and Africa. Objective To assess the optimization rate of non-selective B-blockers and associated factors among esophageal varices patients following at the University of Gondar referral hospital. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar referral hospital GI clinic, North West Ethiopia. A total of 150 patients were taken with consecutive sampling and the target populations of the study were all adult esophageal varices patients who were on non-selective B-blockers at the GI follow-up clinic. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and both descriptive and analytical data analysis was performed. Frequency, tables, and graphs were used to represent the data. Results A total of 150 patients were included in the study. From these 30.7% of patients took optimal doses of non-selective B -blockers. Patients with poor drug adherence (AOR = 4.293, [95% CI = 1.191–15.484], p-value = 0.026) and hospital admission in the last 01 year (AOR = 2.915, [95%CI = 1.076–7.893], P-value = 0.035) were significantly associated with sub-optimization of non-selective B- blockers. Conclusion Only one-third of patients received the optimal dose of non-selective B-blockers. Poor drug adherence and previous admission in the last year were significantly associated with sub-optimal dosing of non-selective B-blockers.

Abstract We examined the influence of mangrove encroachment into salt marsh areas along the northern Gulf of Mexico (USA) on waterfront property owners' perceptions of coastal health and preferences for shoreline management. Using mail‐in and online surveys, we targeted over 3000 waterfront property owners across four jurisdictions experiencing or anticipating mangrove encroachment. Our findings revealed a nuanced perception of coastal health, with many respondents recognizing the potentially environmental impacts of mangrove encroachment but favouring low‐cost management strategies, such as maintaining current shoreline or passive monitoring. This reluctance to engage in active management highlights a perception‐behaviour gap, likely influenced by the gradual nature of mangrove transitions, which diminishes urgency for active intervention. Socio‐demographic factors such as age, gender, income, residency and reliance on coastal resources significantly shaped preferences for shoreline management and regional responses. These preferences varied across jurisdictions, reflecting the importance of incorporating localized community values into management decisions. Our findings highlight the need for a balanced approach to shoreline management that integrates ecological insights with the socio‐cultural priorities of local communities. By aligning adaptation strategies with regional perceptions and values, it is possible to protect individual properties while enhancing the long‐term resilience of coastal ecosystems under climate change pressures. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

This study investigates the chloride penetration resistance and electrochemical behavior of self-healing engineered cementitious composites (ECC). The experimental program involved exposing cracked ECC samples to NaCl solution, while monitoring chloride penetration and self-healing using water-permeability tests. Electrochemical measurements, including open circuit potential, linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, were used to evaluate reinforcement corrosion over a 91-day period. Results show that water-tightness does not guarantee protection against chloride ingress, as cracks with widths exceeding 0.15 mm allowed chloride penetration despite self-healing. Reinforcement depassivation occurred within 1–3 days of chloride exposure, but self-healing reduced the corrosion current back to pre-crack levels within 1–2 months, highlighting its role in delaying corrosion propagation. These findings emphasize the importance of crack width control in achieving effective self-healing and suggest that electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is a useful technique for monitoring the self-healing process in reinforced ECC structures.

This study examined factors that drive exclusion-induced conflict and displacement in the Metekel zone. Data was collected from a sample of 435 respondents, i.e., 359 households’ surveys, 60 focus group discussants, and 16 key informant interviews. Evidence suggested that exclusion has been deep, and the scale of conflict, violence, and displacement was pervasive. Ethnicity was the main factor in excluding households from exercising rights to access resources. Light skin color (“qey” in Amharic) also served as a marker of otherness (non-indigenous). During times of conflict, the so-called qey were indiscriminately attacked. A case in point was what happened to the Shinasha, whose light skin color had a more devastating effect than their ethnicity. Legal frameworks, administrative and executive institutions were fused with ethnicity as facilitators of exclusion and inclusion. BGNRS’s constitution defined some ethnic groups as “indigenous” and the remaining as “others” or “non-indigenous”. During exclusion-induced conflict incidents of 2018 to 2021, households from Amhara, Agew, Oromo, and Shinasha were targeted based on their ethnicity and skin color, resulting in discrimination, restricted access to services and rights of mobility. The study concluded that political exclusion engendered by ethnic federalism has induced conflicts with devastating effects on economic, social, and political dimensions causing large-scale displacements, violent attacks, loss of lives and community divisions. In reconciliation engagements, displaced households were not made part of the peace-making process. The study recommends revisiting controversial articles of BGNRS’s Constitution that define some ethnic groups as indigenous (owner nationalities) giving them exclusive rights over others.

Abstract Background Thrombocytopenia is a common haematological abnormality in malaria patients that is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Given the endemic nature of malaria in Ethiopia, it is crucial to comprehend the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in this setting to enhance clinical care. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence of thrombocytopenia among malaria patients in Ethiopia. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed studies on thrombocytopenia prevalence in malaria patients, using databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, African Journals online database, and Hinary. STATA version 17 software was used for statistical analysis. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled effect sizes. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Galbraith, Cochran’s Q test, and I2 statistics. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to identify the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test. Results Of the 154 studies identified, 31 that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the meta-analysis consisting of 1173 study participants and 823 thrombocytopenic cases. The pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 70% (95% CI: 63, 77) with significant heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis showed the highest pooled prevalence of thrombocytopenia in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ region (78.34%) followed by the Amhara region (69.7%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in the Gambella Region (63.4%). The sample size was responsible for the observed heterogeneity among the studies, as indicated by the statistically significant result in the meta-regression analysis (p = 0.001). Conclusion Thrombocytopenia is a frequent abnormality finding among malaria patients in Ethiopia, affecting a substantial percentage of individuals. The high frequency found in this research emphasizes the significance of regular platelet monitoring in the treatment of malaria patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical implications of thrombocytopenia in malaria patients.

Abstract The nonlinear Telegraph equation appears in a variety of engineering and science problems. This paper presents a deep learning algorithm termed physics-informed neural networks to resolve a hyperbolic nonlinear telegraph equation with Dirichlet, Neumann, and Periodic boundary conditions. To include physical information about the issue, a multi-objective loss function consisting of the residual of the governing partial differential equation and initial conditions and boundary conditions is defined. Using multiple densely connected neural networks, termed feedforward deep neural networks, the proposed scheme has been trained to minimize the total loss results from the multi-objective loss function. Three computational examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy and applications of our suggested method. Using a Python software package, we conducted several tests for various model optimizations, activation functions, neural network architectures, and hidden layers to choose the best hyper-parameters representing the problem’s physics-informed neural network model with the optimal solution. Furthermore, using graphs and tables, the results of the suggested approach are contrasted with the analytical solution in literature based on various relative error analyses and statistical performance measure analyses. According to the results, the suggested computational method is effective in resolving difficult non-linear physical issues with various boundary conditions.

Abstract Background Seasonal migrant workers are at increased risk of malaria and can play a substantial role in transmitting the disease to receptive areas. Assessments conducted among these workers showed a high prevalence of malaria. This qualitative study aimed to explore the contributing factors and challenges to the high malaria prevalence among seasonal migrant workers in agricultural farm areas. The study also sought to identify potential solutions. Methods A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to investigate the perceived causes, challenges, and solutions related to malaria prevalence among seasonal migrant workers in the development corridors of southwest Ethiopia. This approach emphasizes describing experiences as they are, without researcher interpretation. Data were gathered from 24 individuals purposefully selected for their close involvement with seasonal migrant workers and their experience with malaria issues in agricultural farm areas. Open-ended questions were used, and interviews were conducted in safe, quiet settings. Data management was performed using Open Code software version 4.03, and thematic analysis was applied to the contents. Results The study findings identified origin from highland areas, low health-seeking behaviour, working at night, and lack of use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) as the perceived causes of high malaria prevalence among seasonal migrant workers by the study participants. Limited collaboration among stakeholders, a lack of migrant-friendly malaria prevention strategies, and inconsistent support for medical supplies were challenges highlighted by the key informants. Therefore, seasonal migrant workers were faced with high risk of malaria due to factors such as lack of immunity, delayed treatment, exposure to mosquitoes, and limited prevention efforts. Addressing these challenges is crucial for reducing malaria prevalence among this vulnerable population. Conclusion The study findings highlighted the need for targeted interventions to address the specific factors contributing to high malaria prevalence among seasonal migrant workers and to overcome the challenges in implementing effective malaria prevention strategies in this vulnerable population. Further study should be conducted to include the views and positions of seasonal migrant workers, owners of the farm areas, host communities, and political leaders.

Abstract The research focused on examining the addition of various organic acids and their concentrations on the shelf life and overall quality of injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread. In this study, the injera batter was prepared by the standard procedures, and the organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid) at different concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) before baking. The baked/prepared injera quality and shelf life were determined according to the standard procedures. The analysis of the prepared injera revealed protein content ranging from 9.32% to 12.84%, crude fat from 0.40% to 2.04%, crude fiber between 1.03% and 7.64%, total ash within 1.27% to 2.16%, and carbohydrates spanning 73% to 80.64%. The energy content ranged from 350.66 to 372.31 kcal/100 g. The PH and Titrable acidity of injera range from 2.85–3.29 to 2.30–4.88 respectively. Furthermore, calcium content varied between 15.44 and 46.35 mg/100 g, iron from 30.75 to 75.89 mg/100 g, and zinc from 6.29 to 10.49 mg/100 g. Notably, Injera prepared with all concentrations of organic acids received positive sensory acceptance. However, Injera made with lactic acid stood out as the most preferred among the sensory evaluations. The study concludes that the utilization of 3% lactic acid is recommended for enhancing the shelf life of Injera while maintaining high sensory acceptability.

Abstract Background Thyroid diseases are the most common endocrine disorders worldwide. Thyroid hormones are essential for lipid synthesis, metabolism, and mobilization. Lipid levels in the blood may be altered when there is thyroid dysfunction. Lipid changes are linked to hyperthyroidism and primarily involve total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The serum lipid profile is negatively impacted by hypothyroidism, which may increase the risk of atherosclerotic disease development. Thus, hypothyroidism constitutes a significant cause of secondary dyslipidemia. However, the results obtained from different studies are inconsistent, and there are few data regarding lipid profiles in thyroid dysfunction patients in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the lipid profile of thyroid dysfunction patients at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1 to June 15, 2021. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 200 participants (100 thyroid dysfunction patients and 100 age- and sex-matched controls). Socio-demographic and related data were collected from the study participants via a pretested structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Independent sample T tests and Mann‒Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. P

Abstract Background Obsessive–compulsive symptoms are mental health conditions marked by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Even though significant portion people with schizophrenia are reportedly affected by obsessive–compulsive symptoms, there is scarce of information related to this topic in Africa, and particularly in study area. Objective This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of obsessive‒compulsive symptoms among people with schizophrenia attending services at referral hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia from February 15 to March 15, 2024. Methods An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with schizophrenia. Systematic sampling was used to select 422 study participants. The Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale was used to assess obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Data entry and analysis were performed by EpiData 4.6 and STATA 14, respectively. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed, and variables with p values

Abstract Background The cesarean section was associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. Uncertain differences exist between parturient who undergo a primary cesarean section and a repeat cesarean section in terms of post-operative pain. Objective To compare the degree of postoperative pain in patients who had primary and repeat cesarean sections. Method An institutional-based prospective cohort study was conducted on 336 patients who fulfilled eligibility criteria and underwent caesarian section under spinal anesthesia. Study participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. An independent sample t test and a Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare symmetric and asymmetric data, respectively. Time to first analgesic request was analyzed using log rank Kaplan–Meier survival curves and cox-regression for covariates. Comparisons of categorical variables between groups were done using the chi-square test. The significance was determined at a P value of