Search

This study aimed at assessing the characteristics of water hyacinth biomass in Lake Tana. Explanatory research design was used based on biomass samples and satellite images acquired along with field observation and literature reviews. The results showed that high amount of N and P nutrients, shallow nature of the Lake and suitable climatic conditions of the area are the causes for the weeds’ proliferation. The mean NDVI values were −0.542 to 0.828 and −0.628 to 0.877 in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The spatial distribution of the weed was 2126.9 ha and 592.4 ha during the wet and dry seasons. The weed has recorded a mean leaf length of 9.3 cm, petiole length of 28.1 cm, root shoot ratio of 3.3, leaf blade area of 55.6 cm2 and leaf area index of 11343.9 cm2. In addition, a mean of 10.9 leaves per plant and 18.6 plants per 0.25m2 was found. Furthermore, the biomass analysis revealed 1,990,787.8 tons of wet and 554,523.8 tons of dry water hyacinth biomass can be harvested from the Lake per year. Stakeholders shall work on control of water hyacinth biomass as a short-term measure and reduction of nutrient inflow into the Lake as a long-term measure.

Moges Gashaw,1 Fantu Mamo Aragaw,2 Ashenafi Zemed,1 Mastewal Endalew,3 Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega,4 Melaku Hunie Asratie,4 Daniel Gashaneh Belay2,5 1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Women’s and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 5Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Moges Gashaw, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia, Email mogesgashaw1@gmail.comBackground: Stiffness, or more precisely, a restriction in the range of motion, is a potential complication following any intra- or extra-articular injury. The passive or active range of motion of the physiological joint is an important factor in determining the significance of joint stiffness. The goals of this study were to assess the incidence of joint stiffness following a fracture, using a standard goniometer, and to identify potential predictors of joint stiffness among post-fracture patients.Methods: A prospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1, 2021 to September 13, 2021, at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 230 study participants participated in the study, and systematic sampling methods were used to recruit the study participants. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model analyses were conducted, with SPSS version 23, to identify factors associated with post-fracture joint stiffness.Results: The overall prevalence of post-fracture stiffness was 25.7% (n=59). Having a left-side fracture (AOR=10.83; 95% CI 1.71– 17.74), patients having no physiotherapy follow-up (AOR=6.72; 95% CI 1.79– 25.13), and patients using assistive devices (AOR=11.95; 95% CI 3.63– 39.35) were significantly associated with post-fracture stiffness, with p-values of less than 0.05.Conclusion: The study found that one-quarter of the study participants experienced post-fracture joint stiffness. A fracture on the left side, individuals with no physiotherapy follow-up, and the use of assistive devices were found to be independent predictors of joint stiffness. Early referral of fracture patients to the rehabilitation center is recommended to prevent post-fracture complications and joint stiffness.Keywords: physiotherapy, fracture, joint, stiffness, range of motion

Abstract Even though amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of the upper and lower motor neurons, to date none of the compounds in clinical trials have been tested for improving the health of diseased upper motor neurons (UMNs). There is an urgent need to develop preclinical assays that include UMN health as a readout. Since ALS is a complex disease, combinatorial treatment strategies will be required to address the mechanisms perturbed in patients. Here, we describe a novel in vitro platform that takes advantage of an UMN reporter line in which UMNs are genetically labeled with fluorescence and have misfolded SOD1 toxicity. We report that NU-9, an analog of the cyclohexane-1,3-dione family of compounds, improves the health of UMNs with misfolded SOD1 toxicity more effectively than riluzole or edaravone, -the only two FDA-approved ALS drugs to date-. Interestingly, when NU-9 is applied in combination with riluzole or edaravone, there is an additive effect on UMN health, as they extend longer axons and display enhanced branching and arborization, two important characteristics of healthy UMNs in vitro.

Ermias Solomon Yalew, Ashenafi Zemed Melese, Yisak Girma Guadie, Moges Gashaw Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Ermias Solomon Yalew, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia, Tel +251928991466, Email sermias131@gmail.comBackground: Adherence to prescribed exercise is linked to improved treatment results for physical performance and function. Failure to adhere to the home-exercise program will adversely affect the outcome of the treatment, decrease the treatment’s efficacy, and be a cause for physiotherapists to alter treatment unnecessarily. The effectiveness of physical exercise can be determined when the patient complies with exercise therapy. Hence, this study aimed to assess patient adherence to home-based exercise programs and identify the predictors that affect the adherence of patients to home-based exercise programs.Methods: From April 1st to May 30th, 2021, a prospective multi-institution cross-sectional study was conducted at the comprehensive specialized hospitals of Gondar University, Felege Hiwot, and Tibebe Ghion. Data from 300 participants were collected through face-to-face interviews and patient medical file reviews. Binary logistic regression was done to identify predictors of patient adherence to home exercise programs with SPSS version 20. The strength of the association was represented by the adjusted odds ratio.Results: A 95.84% (n=300) response rate with 18– 80 years age range participated in this study. Among the study participants, 35.3% (n=106) (95% CI: 29.7– 40.3) of them were found adherent to home-based exercise programs. Age (adjusted OR 3.13 (1.031– 9.507)), gender (AOR 2.67 (1.322– 6.923)), education level (AOR 4.34 (1.101– 17.070)), occupation (adjusted OR 4.89 (1.184– 20.228)), remembering exercise (adjusted OR 2.62 (1.116– 6.161)), and patient interest in exercise (adjusted OR 3.08 (1.103– 8.574)) were independent predictors of exercise adherence.Conclusion: The proportion of adherence to home exercise programs was relatively poor. Older age, being female, uneducated, employed, and busy work status patients had a high tendency of non-adherence. Forgetfulness, perceived exercise is boring, or no interest had negative affect on their adherence.Keywords: adherence, home-based exercise, physiotherapy, exercise, Ethiopia

AbstractRural households in Ethiopia are characterized by subsistence agriculture, while empirical evidence reveals that rural livelihoods are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the rural livelihoods diversification with evidence of households surrounding Lake Tana. Data was collected using a survey from 413 households. The results of the study revealed that the mean overall asset score of the households was 0.313. Crop production, livestock rearing and employment were the major livelihood strategies. The households practiced a mean of three livelihood strategies, and the evenness score of the households was 0.18 referring to the dominance of small livelihood strategies. The mean annual income of the households was 26,696 ETB which was found to have a strong positive correlation with the asset possession of the households (r = 0.56). In addition, the Simpson diversification index result showed that 46.3%, 43.8% and 9.9% of households were low, medium and high-income diversifiers, respectively. Diversification groups have shown a significant difference in asset holdings but not in the income of the households. Moreover, significant variations were observed between Tana Zuria Rice and Tana Zuria livelihood zone households in asset, number of strategies, income and diversification status. The study concludes that the asset ownership of the households is limited. Development of rural livelihood assets is recommended to improve rural livelihoods and, as a result, household income.

Mulatu Gashaw,1 Zufan Hailu Marame,2 Mubarek Abera,3 Solomon Ali4 1School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 2Ambo University Referral Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, Ambo University Referral Hospital, Ambo, Ethiopia; 3Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 4Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mulatu GashawSchool of Medical Laboratory Science, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, EthiopiaEmail mulatugashaw@gmail.comIntroduction: In the twenty-first century, antibiotic resistance is becoming one of the major global public health threats. Several complex factors are associated with the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Emerging evidences are indicating that drugs used for chronic illness conditions might have a contribution for antibiotic resistance either through drug–drug interactions or metabolism of the drugs by gut microbiota.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the bacteria profile and resistance patterns of gut bacteria isolated from participants using psychotropic drugs and apparently healthy controls.Methods: Socio-demographic data were collected from patients using psychotropic medications and apparently healthy persons. Clinical data were collected from patient records. Stool samples were collected from 107 patients using psychotropic medications and 107 apparently healthy controls. Gut bacterial flora were isolated and identified using oxidase, indole, and BD BBL crystal Enteric/Non-fermenter identification system. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the disk diffusion method, and Mast disks were used to identify extended-spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) and/or AmpC-producing isolates.Results: A total of 245 bacterial isolates were isolated and identified. From these, 124 (50.6%) bacteria were isolated from patients using Psychotropic medications. There was no bacteria profile difference between the two groups. Escherichia coli was the prevalent [100 (80.6%) and 102 (84.3%)] bacteria isolated from patients using psychotropic medications and apparently healthy controls, respectively. Escherichia coli isolated from patients using psychotropic medications showed significantly higher resistance against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cephalosporin (2nd, 3rd, 4th generations), meropenem, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. The odds of isolating ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae [(OR=2.3, 95% C.I: (1.4– 4.0)] and MDR [OR=5.4, 95% C.I: (1.5– 29.8)] were higher on patients using psychotropic medications.Conclusion: The observed antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from guts of patients using psychotropic medications was very high. The magnitude of antibiotic resistance is more pronounced among E. coli isolates.Keywords: antibiotic drug resistance, psychotropic drugs, gut bacteria

Tsegaye Melaku,1 Mulatu Gashaw,2 Legese Chelkeba,3 Melkamu Berhane,4 Sisay Bekele,5 Gemechu Lemi,6 Tekle Wakjira,7 Getnet Tesfaw,2 Zeleke Mekonnen,2 Solomon Ali,8 Arne Kroidl,9,10 Andreas Wieser,9,10 Guenter Froeschl,9,10 Esayas Kebede Gudina11 1School of Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 2School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 6Department of Surgery, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 8Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 9Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany; 10German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany; 11Department of Internal Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tsegaye MelakuSchool of Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaTel +251 913765609Email tsegayemlk@yahoo.comIntroduction: Inappropriate antibiotic use is a major public health concern and driver of antibiotic resistance. Excessive exposure to antibiotics results in the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms. This study aimed to measure the volume of antibiotic consumption at the outpatient settings in a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken from February 01, 2019 to March 31, 2019 at Jimma Medical Center in southwest Ethiopia. Antibiotics use was analyzed using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification and Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system. Antibiotic use was calculated as DDD per 100 outpatients per day. Antibiotics were classified based on World Health Organization “AWaRe” classification scheme as “Access”, “Watch” and “Reserve” group antibiotics and measured their consumption intensity.Results: A total of 496 adult patients were included in the study. The mean (SD) age of participants was 33.07 (14.05) years. The total amount of antibiotics consumed was 5.31 DDD/100 outpatients per day. Ciprofloxacin was the most commonly [122 (21.12%)] prescribed antibiotics with DDD/100 outpatients per day value of 1.13, followed by amoxicillin [68 (11.76%)] with DDD/100 outpatients per day value of 0.44, and azithromycin [61 (10.55%)] with DDD/100 outpatients per day value of 0.51. On antibiotic consumption index, antibiotics in the “Watch” group had 2.10 DDD/100 outpatients per day.Conclusion: There was high consumption of antibiotics in the study setting. Based on the use control criteria, half of the antibiotics used were in the “Watch” group. The high level of consumptions of antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and azithromycin, in particular, requires further scrutiny and calls for an urgent implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program at the hospital.Keywords: antibiotics, antibiotics consumption, antibiotic resistance, defined daily dose, Ethiopia

Yihalem Belete, Gashaw Jember Belay, Tamiru Dugo, Moges Gashaw Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Moges GashawDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, P.O. Box: 196, Gondar, EthiopiaTel +251924509390Email mogesgashaw1@gmail.comBackground: Lower limb fractures account for approximately one-third of all fractures. Lower limb fracture complications are one of the major reasons for hospital stays and have high impact on rehabilitation services. Functional limitations with lower extremities fractures are related to decreased functional mobility, the need for long term use of assistive devices, lack of independence, and the long term need for assistive care. This study aimed to assess the functional limitation and identify the possible predictors among lower limb fracture patients by using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).Methods: A prospective institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 30/2020, at University of Gondar, comprehensive specialized hospital. The data of 226 participants were collected through face-to-face interviews, patient record review and by physical examination with simple random sampling techniques. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of functional limitation among lower limb fracture with SPSS 25. The strength of the association was present by adjusted odds ratios (OR).Results: One hundred and eighty-two (n = 182 (80.5%): 95% CI (74.8 to 85.8) patients with following lower limb fracture have functional limitation. Level of education (AOR =5.50; 95% CI: 1.707– 17.742), presence of hospitalized complication AOR=3.26; 95% CI (1.147– 9.294), severity of pain AOR=3.19; 95% CI (1.399– 7.259), duration of onset AOR=9.512; 95% CI (3.585– 25.237), knee flexion limitation AOR=7.13; 95% CI (1.926– 26.368) were the independent risk factors for functional limitation.Conclusion: The magnitude of functional limitation in following lower limb fracture individual was considerably high in study setup. Level of education, presence of hospitalized complication, severity of pain, duration of onset, knee flexion limitation were the independent risk factors for functional limitation.Keywords: fracture, lower limb, functional limitation, range of motion, pain

Water hyacinth covers a significant portion of Lake Tana affecting the livelihoods of thousands of rural households. The general objective of the study was to assess the impact of water hyacinth on the livelihoods of rural households living around Lake Tana. Quasi-experimental research design was applied to achieve the specified objectives of the study. Data was collected from 413 survey households, thirteen key informants, six focus group discussions and field observation. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching (PSM) using STATA 15.0 were used for data analysis. Results of the study revealed that crop, livestock, and fishery production are the most important livelihood strategies of the study area accounting for 99.3, 95.2 and 9% of the sample households, respectively. The average annual crop production of the households was 2629.1 kg of rice equivalent. However, the weed affected the crop production of 34.1% of the sample households through covering the agricultural land and making the land preparation difficult. In addition, the weed affected 36.6% of the households’ livestock production. The impact was revealed in covering the grazing land, causing disease and/or death of the livestock and elevating the livestock production cost. Furthermore, water hyacinth was found as a reason for the reduction of fish population, blockage of fishing entry sites and disruption of the transport system. A statistically significant reduction of fish production, 45.7% in wet season and 49.9% in dry season, was generated because of water hyacinth. The PSM result showed that the water hyacinth significantly decreased the crop production (278.7–475.4kg of rice equivalent) and livestock production (0.083–0.114 TLU) of the affected households. The study recommended management of water hyacinth to control the impacts on rural livelihoods and further studies towards medication of water hyacinth cased livestock diseases and the possible ways of the weeds consumption as a feed.

Abstract Background Upper motor neurons (UMNs) are a key component of motor neuron circuitry. Their degeneration is a hallmark for diseases, such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Currently there are no preclinical assays investigating cellular responses of UMNs to compound treatment, even for diseases of the UMNs. The basis of UMN vulnerability is not fully understood, and no compound has yet been identified to improve the health of diseased UMNs: two major roadblocks for building effective treatment strategies. Methods Novel UMN reporter models, in which UMNs that are diseased because of misfolded superoxide dismutase protein (mSOD1) toxicity and TDP‐43 pathology are labeled with eGFP expression, allow direct assessment of UMN response to compound treatment. Electron microscopy reveals very precise aspects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial damage. Administration of NU‐9, a compound initially identified based on its ability to reduce mSOD1 toxicity, has profound impact on improving the health and stability of UMNs, as identified by detailed cellular and ultrastructural analyses. Results Problems with mitochondria and ER are conserved in diseased UMNs among different species. NU‐9 has drug‐like pharmacokinetic properties. It lacks toxicity and crosses the blood brain barrier. NU‐9 improves the structural integrity of mitochondria and ER, reduces levels of mSOD1, stabilizes degenerating UMN apical dendrites, improves motor behavior measured by the hanging wire test, and eliminates ongoing degeneration of UMNs that become diseased both because of mSOD1 toxicity and TDP‐43 pathology, two distinct and important overarching causes of motor neuron degeneration. Conclusions Mechanism‐focused and cell‐based drug discovery approaches not only addressed key cellular defects responsible for UMN loss, but also identified NU‐9, the first compound to improve the health of diseased UMNs, neurons that degenerate in ALS, HSP, PLS, and ALS/FTLD patients.

The nictitating membrane is a conjunctival fold, located at the medial canthus of the eyes, it serves to maintain healthy eyes in domestic animals. This study was conducted on 40 nictitans glands and cartilages, obtained from 20 clinically healthy local Anatolian Shepherd dogs and 20 Feral cats. The nictitans membranes were dissected, and macerated using Potassium hydroxide (KOH), and then the cartilage tissue was stained with Alcian blue stain. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffer formalin for histological purposes and then prepared for H&E, Verhoeff's- Van Gieson, and Masson trichrome stains. ImageJ analyzer and AmScopeTM were used for anatomical and histological morphometrics respectively. The morphometric analysis revealed a significant difference in the cartilage morphometric dimensions between dogs and cats in correlation to their ages and weights. Both species showed a medium to strong positive correlation, but in the dogs, the cartilage body width had a low positive correlation with age and weight. The histomorphometric study of both species for the acini, interlobular septa, intralobular septa, intralobular duct, chondrocyte number, and the capsule was a significant (P>0.05) variable between species and among different groups also. We conclude that the nictitans cartilage in dogs was longer and narrower vs. to the cats, and their nictitans gland was horizontally oval-shaped while vertically oval-shaped in the cat. The nictitans gland in the dogs was composed of compound tubuloacinar serous cells that were supported by hyaline cartilage, whereas the nictitans gland in the cats was made up entirely of compound acinar units with elastic cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been increasing in Sub-Saharan countries, including Ethiopia. However, the real mortality rate for CRC patients in Ethiopia has not been established. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall mortality rate and identify predictors among CRC patients in Ethiopia. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant articles. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) were followed. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale Critical Appraisal checklist. A random effect model was used to estimate the pooled mortality rate and adjusted hazard ratio (AHR). Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test, while heterogeneity was evaluated through the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. Results After reviewing 74 articles, only 7 studies met the criteria and were included in the analysis. The analysis revealed that the overall mortality rate among CRC patients in Ethiopia was 40.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.05, 48.87) while the survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 82.3% (95% CI: 73.33, 91.31), 48.8% (95% CI: 43.35, 54.32), and 26.6% (95% CI: 21.26, 31.91) respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated that studies conducted after 2017 had higher mortality rates compared to those studied earlier (43.0% vs. 38.2%). Older age (AHR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.27, 2.82); being married (AHR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.79, 3.57); having comorbidities (AHR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.35); having high CEA levels (AHR: 2.06, CI: 1.35, 3.13); being in stage II (AHR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.85, 9.22), III (AHR: 8.62, 95% CI: 3.88, 19.15), and IV (AHR: 8.06, CI: 2.89, 22.49) were the most important predictors. Conclusion In Ethiopia, the mortality rate among individuals diagnosed with CRC is high, with two out of five patients dying from this disease. Age, marital status, CEA level, comorbidities, and cancer stage were identified as predictors of mortality in CRC patients. Therefore, early detection and screening should be prioritized, particularly for older patients, those who are married, have comorbidities, elevated CEA levels, and advanced cancer stages.

Copyright of Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite the associated health risks of poor sleep quality during pregnancy, recent evidence suggests that its impact persists in most countries. However, poor sleep quality during pregnancy in Ethiopia is poorly understood because of the lack of comprehensive reviews. Hence, we aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: A comprehensive search using electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and African Journal Online) was performed covering articles indexed before January 20, 2023. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale. Cochrane Q and I2 test statistics were used to examine the heterogeneity of the studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed with Stats Direct statistical software and Open Meta [Analyst] to estimate the prevalence of the outcome variable, and the results are reported in a forest plot. Simple charts and tables were used to summarize the evidence on poor sleep quality during pregnancy and its associated factors. Results: After 27,211 studies were reviewed, seven studies involving with 2689 study participants were included. The combined prevalence of poor sleep quality among pregnant women was 52.30 % (95 % CI: 42.39, 62.19). Depression (OR = 4.53; 95 % CI: 2.07, 9.89), perceived stress (OR = 3.42; 95 % CI: 2.46, 4.74), age greater than 35 years (OR = 3.47; 95 % CI: 1.01, 11.86), unplanned pregnancy (OR = 2.94; 95 % CI: 1.85, 4.68), anxiety (OR = 4.71; 95 % CI: 1.19, 18.65), and having poor sleep hygiene practices (OR = 4.32; 95 % CI: 1.48, 12.6) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Conclusions: More than half of the pregnant women did not have adequate sleep quality at night. Being depressed, stressed, anxious, having poor hygiene practices, and being older than 35 years were influential factors for poor sleep quality. Therefore, healthcare providers’ regular early screening for poor sleep quality and its determinants is important for improving birth outcomes.

Objective To assess healthcare workers’ (HCWs) confidence level in diagnosing and managing mpox disease and its associated factors in hospitals in the Amhara Region.Design Institution-based cross-sectional study.Setting Hospitals in the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia.Participants A total of 640 HCWs, with a response rate of 96.9%, participated from 1 October to 30 December 2022. A multistage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used to recruit study participants. Data were collected using the KoboCollect toolbox and exported to STATA V.17 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe data. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of confidence level to diagnose and manage mpox at p

Abstract Introduction Despite strategies and recommendations for complementary feeding initiation were applied globally, mothers initiated complementary feeding to the infants on time was low. Previous works of literatures were not identified the effect of parity on time to initiate complementary feeding. Particularly, evidences regarding to this in Ethiopia is scanty. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effect of parity on time to initiate complementary feeding among mother-infants pairs in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based prospective cohort study was carried out among 732 primipara, and 1464 multipara mothers who had a live birth in Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using Kobo collect software at the start of and on a monthly bases until the end of the follow up period. Parity as exposure variable and other confounders were analyzed using cox proportional hazard regression. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the Schoenfeld residuals global test (P-value = 0.4861) was performed. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to declare statistical significance of predictors. Results The overall incidence rate of initiation of complementary feeding among primipara and multipara mothers were 16.27 (95%CI: 15.04, 17.61) and 13.30 (95%CI: 12.53, 14.12) person months’ observations respectively. The median time to initiate complementary feeding among primipara and multipara mothers for their infants was 5 and 6 months respectively. Primipara mothers had a 30% higher rate to initiate complementary feeding early (AHR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.43). Age from 15 to 24 and 25–34 years (AHR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.36, 2.09; and AHR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.81) and Birth type (twin) (AHR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.64) were statistically significant predictors for time to initiate complementary feeding. Conclusions Parity was identified as a statistically significant predictor for time to initiate complementary feeding. The incidence rate of early and late initiation of complementary feeding was higher among primipara than multipara mothers. Besides, the median time to initiate complementary feeding was earlier among primipara than multipara mothers. So, a parity based complementary feeding practice education should be advocated to tackle the gap and further reduce infants and children malnutrition. Relatively younger age and twin delivered mothers initiated complementary feeding against the recommendation. Therefore, intervention considering such statistically significant predictors could have a public health importance.

ABSTRACTCOVID-19 vaccine acceptance is crucial for patients with chronic diseases, but previous studies in Ethiopia have yielded inconsistent and inconclusive findings. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following established guidelines. Our search included relevant articles published between 2019 and 2023 from various sources. We assessed study heterogeneity and publication bias, and performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among patients with chronic diseases in Ethiopia was 55.4%. We also found that good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward the vaccine were positively associated with the acceptance rate. Based on these results, we recommend that healthcare professionals, policymakers, and healthcare guide developers should work more to address the relatively low acceptance rate. Improving the knowledge and attitude further about the COVID-19 vaccines is crucial. Future research should include community-based and qualitative studies to enhance our understanding of vaccines acceptance.

This study aims to analyze how park households perceive the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of ecotourism in Simien Mountain National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia. We combined qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection. A sequentially embedded mixed design that gives priority to quantitative data was used. We also employed a multistage sampling technique to select respondents from three districts or woreda, namely Debark, Janamora, and Beyeda woredas. Finally, 397 participants were involved in the study from a random selection of three villages from each district or woreda. Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including means, standard deviations, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression models. The findings from a logistic regression analysis revealed that ecotourism participation had a significant relationship with gender (B ​= ​1.850, P ​= ​0.023), level of education (B ​= ​0.238, P ​= ​0.032), geographical location (B ​= ​0.420, P ​= ​0.041), and occupation (B ​= ​0.920, P ​= ​0.019). This investigation suggested that males and individuals with a higher educational background are more likely to possess optimistic perspectives concerning the impacts of ecotourism. Furthermore, individuals residing in districts relatively near ecotourism destinations, those engaged in tourism-related work, and younger participants were recognized as having optimistic viewpoints regarding the impacts of ecotourism. In conclusion, the study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to maximize ecotourism's benefits and minimize negative effects in SMNP. To achieve this, it is recommended that the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Agency, the Ministry of Tourism, and local government should work together to develop sustainable tourism plans that enhance local livelihoods and park conditions. Efforts should focus on increasing the participation of women and individuals with lower education levels through training and resource provision.

Even though amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of the upper and lower motor neurons, to date none of the compounds in clinical trials have been tested for improving the health of diseased upper motor neurons (UMNs). There is an urgent need to develop preclinical assays that include UMN health as a readout. Since ALS is a complex disease, combinatorial treatment strategies will be required to address the mechanisms perturbed in patients. Here, we describe a novel in vitro platform that takes advantage of an UMN reporter line in which UMNs are genetically labeled with fluorescence and have misfolded SOD1 toxicity. We report that NU-9, an analog of the cyclohexane-1,3-dione family of compounds, improves the health of UMNs with misfolded SOD1 toxicity more effectively than riluzole or edaravone, -the only two FDA-approved ALS drugs to date-. Interestingly, when NU-9 is applied in combination with riluzole or edaravone, there is an additive effect on UMN health, as they extend longer axons and display enhanced branching and arborization, two important characteristics of healthy UMNs in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the fact that hyperglycemic crisis poses a significant threat to the health care systems of developing countries like Ethiopia, there is a dearth of reliable data regarding the poor treatment outcome and associated factors among hyperglycemic emergencies in Ethiopia. Therefore, this review aimed to assess poor treatment outcome and associated factors of hyperglycemic emergencies among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. Methods: Published articles regarding poor treatment outcome and associated factors of hyperglycemic emergencies among diabetic patients in Ethiopia were extensively searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, and African journal online. After extraction, data were exported to Stata software version 11 (Stata Corp LLC, TX, USA) for analysis. Statistically, the Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics were used to determine the presence or absence of heterogeneity. Results: 3650 duplicates were eliminated from the 4291 papers (PubMed [18], Google scholar (1170), African journal online [21], and Cochrane library (3082)). The pooled estimate of poor treatment outcome among hyperglycemic emergencies in Ethiopia is found to be 16.21% (95% CI: 11.01, 21.41, P 1.2 mg/dl, stroke, sepsis and comorbidity were associated factors of poor treatment outcome. Conclusion: Poor treatment outcome from hyperglycemic emergencies among diabetic patients was found to be high. Poor treatment outcome was predicted for those patients who had creatinine level >1.2 mg/dl, stroke, sepsis and comorbidity. As a result, we recommend healthcare providers to monitor thoroughly and have close follow-ups for patients with the identified predictors to improve poor treatment outcome from hyperglycemic crises

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of industrialization on human food security in Debre Berhan city, Ethiopia. The research design used to conduct the study was descriptive, with mixed data-gathering approaches and analytical methods. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to collect the required data through laboratory tests, questionnaires, interviews, and FGDs. 227 farming households and 328 factory employees were selected systematically from and around sample industries for the sample survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as percentages, means, and standard deviations. In addition, the study used inferential statistical techniques, including a logistic regression model to identify relationships and patterns within the data. Whereas thematic analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. The findings of the study revealed that 52% and 53% of households and 47% and 49% of factory workers failed to achieve the minimum quantity and quality of food, respectively. Whereas, based on a proxy measure of the percentage of budgets devoted to food purchases, 83% of employees and 77% of farming households were classified as food insecure. The findings of the binary logistic regression analysis also indicated that food insecurity had a significant relationship with family size (β = 0.441, p = 0.007), livestock number (β = −0.221, p = 0.001), farmland size (β = −1.292, p = 0.061), distance from factories (β = −0.691, p = 0.005), off-farm employment (β = −2.789, p = 0.014), compensation for lost asset (β = −3.037, p = 0.002) and access to training (β = −3.037, p = 0.000). The study indicates that households with larger families, fewer livestock, smaller agricultural lands, lack of off-farm income, proximity to industries, insufficient compensation, and inadequate training experience food insecurity. The study concludes that industrial expansion negatively and significantly affected the food security of the farming and employed households. The study recommends that fair compensation, create off-farm income, prioritize community well-being, and foster sustainable development amidst industrial expansion.

This paper explores the need for establishing a microwave link between Bahir Dar and Woretta as an alternative communication solution to the existing optical fiber infrastructure. Microwave links offer an effective way to overcome challenges posed by rugged terrains and unfavorable environmental conditions that hinder the deployment of fiber optics. As Woretta emerges as a key economic and investment hub within the Amhara Region, demand for reliable and efficient communication is expected to grow significantly. The study encompasses various aspects of planning and designing the microwave link, including site surveys, consideration of fade margins, frequency planning, link budget calculations, and assessing the feasibility and reliability of the proposed link. The paper employs LINKPlanner 5.4.1 software to simulate and validate the results. Due to terrain constraints, a direct link between Bahir Dar and Woretta is not feasible. Instead, a two-hop link is proposed, involving transmission from Bahir Dar to Zege, and then from Zege to Woretta. This alternative configuration ensures optimal connectivity while addressing the terrain limitations. By presenting a comprehensive analysis and simulation of the microwave link, this paper provides valuable insights into the planning and implementation of a robust communication infrastructure. The proposed microwave link will offer a reliable and efficient alternative to the existing optical fiber network, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity to support the region’s growth and development.

BackgroundHealthcare-Acquired Infections have a major negative impact on the global healthcare delivery system, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality and excessive healthcare resource utilization. Infection prevention and control is the main healthcare agenda nationwide. However, it remains a challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goals regarding healthcare issues. This study aims to assess nurses' knowledge and practice regarding infection prevention and associated factors at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May 1 2021 to June 30 2021 at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. A total of 219 nurses participated in this study. A stratified random sampling technique with a pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with the knowledge and practice of nurses regarding infection prevention.ResultThe current study shows that the overall knowledge and practice of nurses regarding infection prevention are 59.4% (95% CI: 53.0–65.8) and 53% (95% CI: 46.6–59.4), respectively. Educational level of diploma [AOR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.67–0.83], years of work experience ≤ 10 [AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–9.28], and being trained in infection prevention [AOR: 2.5 (2.3–8.0)] were found to be factors that affect the knowledge of nurses about infection prevention. Moreover, ≤ 10 years of work experience [AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–10.1] and being trained in infection prevention [AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.94–13.5] were found to be factors that affect the practice of nurses regarding infection prevention.Conclusions and recommendationsMost nurses were knowledgeable and had good practices. However, a substantial proportion of nurses had inadequate knowledge and practice regarding infection prevention. The nurses' knowledge and practice were associated with years of work experience and status of training on infection prevention. Moreover, the education level of nurses was another predictor variable of the knowledge of nurses. Therefore, healthcare workers in the hospital setting should adhere to the national infection prevention protocols. The policy designers should provide training for nurses on infection prevention to improve knowledge and practice in this area. Furthermore, to attain more detailed information, future research should involve a qualitative study.

Purpose: An in-depth investigation into locals' familiarity with and support for ecotourism development is necessary to ensure the long-term viability of responsible and sustainable tourism. This study aimed to assess the protected area communities' knowledge and level of support for eco-tourism and its development in the Semien Mountain National Park, North Gondar, Ethiopia. Findings: More than half of the respondents (57.2%) were unable to know what tourist is, even though the study found that 93.5% of respondents had a fair understanding of what tourism involved. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that their main sources of tourism-related information were their friends and the government. In the multiple regression model, all independent variables together account for about 38.7% of the total variance in the dependent variable. Only three factors significantly contributed to the prediction of the variation in ecotourism support: ecotourism benefit (β = 24, p = 0.001, gender (β =0.47, p = 0.000), and family size (β=0.12, p =.005. Research limitations/implications: Variables, time, and space were limitations on this study. All elements influencing local communities' support for ecotourism development were not exhaustively considered. This research may not apply to other places with differing social, cultural, and environmental settings. This study is also cross-sectional, which means it does not provide information on how local understanding and support for ecotourism may evolve over time. Originality/value: Many studies have examined the consequences of tourism on host communities and tourist attitudes toward ecotourism, but few have examined local understanding and support of ecotourism development. As a result, this study can provide novel perspectives and knowledge that can enhance comprehension of this phenomenon, influence policymaking and practical applications, and ultimately foster the progression of the field.

This study targeted to optimize process factors using response surface methodology and determining their effect on delignification and cellulose recovery. Optimization of pretreatment conditions with desirability value of 0.828 was done at temperature (A) 150°C, contact time (B) 2 h, and liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR) (C) 15 ml/g. The sample was soaked in an aqueous ethanol solution (48% ethanol). Chemical composition was determined to be 1.87 ± 0.20, 7.03 ± 0.99, 28.05 ± 0.27, 39.29 ± 3.39, and 23.77 ± 3.91 wt% for ash, extractives, lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, respectively. Experimental results were validated by comparing actual value with predicted value. The model was verified as the best for improving delignification and cellulose yield. Coefficient of determination (R2), analysis of variance (ANOVA), response plots, and optimization nodes were used to examine the experimental results. The quadratic equation was used to test the model, and ANOVA was used to evaluate the model’s statistical performance and correctness. Temperature, interaction term (BC), and quadratic terms (A2, B2, and C2) showed significance, while contact time, LSR, and interaction terms (AC and AB) indicated insignificance for cellulose recovery. Temperature, contact time, interaction term (AB), and quadratic terms (B2 and C2) showed significance, but LSR, interaction terms (AC and BC), and quadratic term (A2) showed insignificance for delignification. Pretreatment efficacy for delignification (6.0%) and cellulose recovery (151.80%) were achieved at optimal conditions. The pretreatment method is able to produce cellulose-rich coffee husk residues.

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, highland bamboo has been cultivated in various niches: farmlands, riverbanks, woodlot boundaries, and homesteads, and agroforestry systems. However, the biomass and carbon storage of potential of bamboo forests across niches is not well characterized in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the biomass and carbon storage potential of highland bamboo plantations in northwestern Ethiopia. To this end, a total of 60 circular plots measuring 100 m2 with a radius of 5.64 m were randomly established on the homestead, woodlot, and riverbank plantation niches to conduct the inventory. The biomass storage of bamboo was calculated based on previously published allometric equations. Biomass and carbon stock variations among age-classes and niches of bamboo forests were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent pairwise means comparisons of carbon stocks among niches were performed via post hoc Tukey test at p

Objectives Wasting is acute malnutrition that has harmful short-term consequences for children and is determined by an inadequate diet. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of wasting among children aged 6–59 months in Debre Tabor town, Ethiopia.Design This study was a community-based cross-sectional.Setting The study was conducted at Debre Tabor town, Ethiopia.Participants A total of 436 children aged 6–59 months participants were enrolled.Outcome measures A weight-for-height z-score, which is below −2 SD of the WHO median standard curve, was used to measure wasting. Logistic regression analyses were done to see which independent variables have an association with the dependent variable and a p value of

ABSTRACT: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of noug seed cake (NSC) with housefly maggot meal (HFLM) on the growth performance, complete blood count, carcass traits, and gizzard erosion. A total of 120 twenty-seven-day-old Sasso chickens were divided into 4 groups in a completely randomized design. Four diets were prepared to replace NSC with HFLM at the rate of 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%, labeled as C, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. During the 28-d trial, the chickens were provided feed and water ad libitum. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), final body weight (FBW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected by increasing the dietary level of HFLM (P > 0.05). However, there was a difference (P < 0.05) in body weight gain (BWG) between the control and treatment groups, in which a higher BWG was achieved in T1. In this trial, the crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and gross energy (GE) in HFLM were 34.06%, 26.85%, and 3871 (kcal/kg), respectively. Blood indices including white blood cells, granulocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were higher in treatment diets (P < 0.05) than in the control diets. No negative effects (P > 0.05) on carcass characteristics were found between the treated and control groups. Furthermore, no discrepancy (P > 0.05) in liver color scores and mortality rate were observed between the control and treatment diets. Surprisingly, feeding HFLM resulted in higher gizzard erosion scores (P < 0.05) in the group fed 40% HFLM. Overall, replacement of NSC at the rate of 20% HFLM in dual-purpose chicken feed produced higher BWG with no gizzard erosion and mortality.

Abstract Unplanned postoperative critical care admission poses a potential risk to patients and places unanticipated pressure on clinical services and it has become an important parameter to assess patient safety in perioperative services. This study was aimed to determine the incidence of unplanned intensive care unit admission following surgery and the associated factors. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted on postoperative patients admitted to the ICU of three hospitals located in the Amhara region. Data were collected via a structured survey tool and analyzed using SPSS version 23 software with binary logistic regression analysis. The statistical significance to identify patient, anesthetic and surgical related factors in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period was