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Ketema Ayele Shibeshi,1,2 Yohannes Kebede Lemu,1 Lakew Abebe Gebretsadik,1 Abebe Mamo Gebretsadik,1 Sudhakar Morankar1 1Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Ketema Ayele Shibeshi, Tel +251-937282987, Email ketemaayele2001@gmail.comPurpose: This study aimed to compare knowledge and attitudes towards obstetric danger signs and care between females receiving maternal care and their male partners.Methods and Materials: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural setting of Jimma, Ethiopia. Female and their male partners were selected randomly. The number of participants included from each sex was 3235 totaling 6470. Face-to-face data collection was employed using open data kit (ODK) software. A pre-test was performed before the data collection. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was used to compare knowledge and attitudes regarding obstetric danger signs and care. Predictor variables were declared considering a 95% confidence interval, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and P-value less than 0.05.Results: On average, male and female participants identified at least two obstetric danger signs. More females could mention more antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal danger signs than their male partners. Both females and their male partners who listened to the radio at least once per week had a statistically significant positive attitude towards obstetric care. Nonetheless, both had an almost similar magnitude of attitude towards obstetric care irrespective of belonging to different occupational, educational, and other social strata. Males’ knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (95% CI = (1.07– 1.62), AOR = 1.32, P < 0.008) and postnatal care (95% CI = (1.16– 1.89), AOR = 1.48, P < 0.002) had a statistically significant association with the females utilization antenatal care (ANC) service, though not delivery care (DC) or postnatal (PNC).Conclusion: There were inequalities in obstetric danger signs knowledge between females and their male partners. Male partners’ knowledge of obstetric danger signs is not only significant during pregnancy and delivery but also has a lasting impact on post-natal service utilization, which underscores the importance of their involvement in maternal healthcare.Keywords: sex, obstetric danger signs, knowledge, attitude, Ethiopia

Ketema Shibeshi,1 Yohannes Lemu,2 Lakew Gebretsadik,2 Abebe Gebretsadik,2 Sudhakar Morankar2 1Dire Dawa University Department of Public Health, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; 2Jimma University Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Ketema Shibeshi, Dire Dawa University Department of Public Health, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, Tel +251-937282987, Email ketemaayele2001@gmail.comPurpose: Gender-based perceptions about maternal health care during pregnancy draw attention to the existence of gender inequity in maternal health care. This study aimed to understand the gender-based perception of gender roles and norms, gender relations, social support, and psychosocial variation in maternal health care during pregnancy.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in three rural districts of Jimma, Ethiopia. Participants were purposefully chosen from the community groups, including male and female health development armies, religious leaders, health extension workers, midwifery nurses, and primary health care unit directors. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The actual data was collected by men and women qualitative study experts. Atlas ti Ver 9 was used for the analysis. The data was initially coded then changed to a sub-category and at last converted to a category.Results: Four categories emerged: Gender-based roles and norms, psychosocial variation, social support, and gender relations. The informants described men’s and women’s independent and shared roles improve maternal health care service usage during pregnancy. Once the women became pregnant, men undertook a variety of demanding duties to enhance maternity service consumption. Gender relations and shared decision-making were essential in facilitating maternal healthcare utilization during pregnancy and beyond.Conclusion: This study revealed that maternal health care should not be limited to women alone. Men’s and women’s prior maternal health experiences, in addition to their knowledge and beliefs, have significantly impacted the utilization of maternal healthcare services during pregnancy. Policymakers and academics should consider men’s essential contribution to maternal health care during pregnancy. However, in order to increase their intention to use maternal health care services, it is necessary to clearly identify the interests of women in which men should be involved.Keywords: gender role, gender norm, gender relation, knowledge, belief

Achamyelesh Gebretsadik School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Southern Nation Nationalities People Region, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Achamyelesh Gebretsadik, School of Public Health, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 1466, Hawassa, Ethiopia, Tel +251 911303128, Email agtsadik@gmail.comBackground: Balneotherapy is the use of mineral water for the treatment of a wide range of diseases including skin lesions. Even though Ethiopia has a large number of places with natural hot springs, their therapeutic value has not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of balneotherapy among patients with skin lesions at hot springs in southern Ethiopia.Methods: A single-arm prospective cohort study design was used to assess patient’s progress from their skin lesion complaint after using the hot water for at least three consecutive days or more. An individual visiting the hot springs site and staying there for at least three days or more was included in the study. From four hot springs sites in Southern Ethiopia, 1320 study participants who were 18 years of age or older were enrolled. The data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire and a physical examination. A descriptive analysis was made.Results: Of the total, 142 (10.8%) of them had various skin lesions. Flexural lesions accounted 87 (61.3%), non-specific skin conditions 51 (35.9%), co-lesions at the scalp, external ear canal, trunk, and various locations, and psoriatic lesions comprised 4.8%. There were 72 (82.8%) typical eczematous lesions among the total number of flexural lesions. After using balneotherapy for 3– 7 days once daily, 69 (95.2%) cases of eczematous dermatitis and 30 (58.8%) cases of non-specific skin issues showed improvement from the lesion. Additionally, after 30 days of bathing once daily, the PASI score of more than 90% of the psoriatic cases dropped to a score of one.Conclusion: Patients with skin lesions benefit significantly from balneotherapy when it lasts for three or more days. In order to improve skin lesions, proper application for at least a week or longer is highly beneficial.Keywords: balneotherapy, hot springs, skin lesion, southern Ethiopia

Yusuf Haji,1 Fiker Taddesse,2 Simegn Serka,3 Achamyelesh Gebretsadik1 1Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Public Health, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Medicine, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3Hawassa University, College of Natural and Computational Science, Department of Chemistry, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Yusuf HajiSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaEmail yusufahaji438@gmail.comBackground: Low back pain (LBP) is an important musculoskeletal condition results in clinical, social and public health problems globally. Hydrotherapy, using water and heat together can be utilized to treat conditions, relieve pain and increase muscular power and a range of joint movement in patients with chronic lower back pain. Most patients with acute LBP improve spontaneously within four weeks; however, chronic LBP is extremely common and usually mechanical in nature.Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess effect of balneotherapy in decreasing the lower back pain and its improvements among adults using a spa in southern Ethiopia.Methods: We employed a single arm cohort study and convenient sampling method to select 442 study participants from four hot springs located in Sidama Region and Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used and administered face-to-face by trained data collectors. Data were entered using EpiData and transferred to SPSS for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were made.Results: A total of 427 participants were included in the study giving response rate of 96.6%. The mean (standard deviation) age of respondents was 42.55 (± 14.92) years. Perceived improvement from back pain was 332 (77.8%) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 74– 82%. Factors showing association with perceived improvement from back pain after spa therapy were, study site being near Hawassa (Burkitu) with crude odds ratio (COR) of 3.3 and 95%CI: 1.83– 5.98 and p-value < 0.001; and sex of respondents that the odds of perceived improvements among males were about twofold compared with females, (COR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.07– 2.74, p-value 0.025.Conclusion: Our study shows significant perceived improvement from back pain after utilization of spa water. This is associated with type of hot spring used, male sex, and having neurological symptoms. Therefore, hot spring spa water had better therapeutic effect for back pain and emphasis should be given to integrate it with modern medicine and further experimental study to be conducted to recommend it for medical purposes.Keywords: balneotherapy, chronic back pain, hot springs, Southern Ethiopia

Bedilu Deribe,1 Mohammed Ayalew,1 Dereje Geleta,2 Lalisa Gemechu,3 Netsanet Bogale,4 Kurabachew Mengistu,4 Anteneh Gadissa,4 Dubale Dula,5 Girma Ababi,6 Achamyelesh Gebretsadik2 1Hawassa University School of Nursing, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2Hawassa University School of Public Health, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3Hawassa University Department of Environmental Health, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 4Hawassa University Faculty of Medicine, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 5Hawassa University Department of Midwifery, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 6Yanet Medical Center, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Bedilu DeribeHawassa University School of Nursing, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, EthiopiaTel +251933220151Email bediluderibe2002@gmail.comBackground: Cancer has become one of the most common and the second leading cause of death. According to grounded theory, quality care is meeting all the needs of the patients. Low-quality nursing care relates omission of nursing care required to meet patients’ need. Quality of nursing care in oncologic setting was nursing practice area where studies are limited.Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the perceived quality of nursing care among patients with cancer attending Hawassa University comprehensive specialized Hospital.Methods: A quantitative Cross-sectional study was conducted. Among the proposed 422 patients with cancer, using a simple random sampling technique 415 patients were included in this study. Seven data were discarded due to incompleteness and inconsistency between collected data and patient medical record. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale. We carried out statistical analysis using SPSS V-20. We used descriptive analysis to examine the quality of oncology nursing care.Results: The mean age of patients was 42.51 (± 14.24) years, among patients diagnosed with cancer more than one-third 148 (35.70%) had breast cancer. The majority of patients with cancer 173 (41.70%) were in stage-III. Nearly two-third 266 (64.10%) of patients were on chemotherapy. Among study participants on treatment, 249 (60.00%) perceived they received good quality of nursing care. The mean score related to the domain of support and confirmation is 62.73 ± 7.26. In terms of spiritual care, the mean score is 21.03 ± 5.37.Conclusion: The perceived quality of nursing care was high however not all domains of oncology care were achieved. We recommend Detail and focused study to explore important predictors’ quality nursing care.Keywords: cancer, Hawassa, patents with cancer, quality of nursing care

Achamyelesh Gebretsadik,1 Nebiyu Melaku,2 Yusuf Haji1 1School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2Maternal and Child Health Core Process, Southern Nation Nationalities and People Regional Health Bureau, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Achamyelesh GebretsadikSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, PO Box 46, Hawassa, EthiopiaTel +251 911303128Email agtsadik@gmail.comPurpose: This study assessed the community acceptance and utilization of maternal and community-based neonatal care services, its barriers, and enablers in southern Ethiopia, 2019.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among mothers, health extension workers, their supervisors and coordinators in four districts of Sidama Zone, Hawassa University Demographic Surveillance Site. An in-depth interview has been carried out with eight health extension workers and eight program coordinators and supervisors, while four focus group discussions were held with eligible mothers. Digital recording was applied to record the interview and discussion followed by transcription and thematic analysis through open code.Results: Study findings reveal that services provided by health extension workers at community level for mothers and their children are highly appreciated and recognized by the community. Most of the communities are free from wrong perception regarding the practices. Their performance was better in focused antenatal care, but postnatal care and community-based neonatal care were reported to be insignificant. Knowledge and skills of HEWs was based on their extended experiences. The challenges and opportunities include workload, road inaccessibility, poor supervision, inadequate drugs and equipment supply, shortage of man power and budget at health posts, distance and topography factors of homes from health posts making the visits more difficult, etc. To improve uptake of the services, increasing the number of health extension workers in the heath post, supportive supervision, continuous essential drugsm and medical supplies were suggested by participants.Conclusion: This study shows that services provided by health extension workers for mothers and their neonates are highly appreciated by the community, and there is better change in focused antenatal care services, but postnatal care and sick newborn care are still low. Therefore, maternal and neonatal programs should focus on the postnatal home visits and sick newborn care through solving identified barriers.Keywords: knowledge of HEWs, community-based neonatal care, performance, improvement, Sidama, Ethiopia

Abebaw Abeje Muluneh,1 Zemenu Yohannes Kassa,1 Melese Siyoum,1 Achamyelesh Gebretsadik,2 Yewlsew Woldeyes,1 Zelalem Tenaw1 1Department of Midwifery, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Abebaw Abeje MulunehDepartment of Midwifery, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa Tel +251 921 194 571Email abejw16@gmail.comBackground: Birth spacing is key in ensuring the health of mothers and their children as well as determining population growth. Most of the mothers in developing nations including Ethiopia have been practicing short inter-birth intervals. There is a paucity of studies concerned with suboptimal birth spacing among women in reproductive age in the study area.Purpose: This study aims to identify the determinants of sub-optimal birth spacing among reproductive-age women in Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia.Materials and Methods: A community-based unmatched case–control study was undertaken among 814 reproductive-age women in Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia from October 1 to November 30, 2018. Cases were women practiced suboptimal/short birth intervals (< 33 months), whereas controls were women practiced inter-birth intervals of 33 months and more. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. A stratified, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 22 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. All ethical procedures were considered.Results: Women’s educational status, AOR (95% CI) =0.6 (0.43, 0.96), age at first marriage, AOR (95% CI) = 0.9 (0.85, 0.99), distance from the nearest health facility, AOR (95% CI) = 1.4 (1.04, 1.94), wealth index, AOR (95% CI) = 4.1 (2.66, 6.19), and postnatal care utilization after the previous birth, AOR (95% CI) = 0.4 (0.25, 0.53) were statistically significant with suboptimal birth spacing.Conclusion: Women’s educational status age at first marriage, distance from the nearest health facility, wealth index and postnatal care utilization after the previous birth were the determinants of suboptimal birth spacing.Keywords: suboptimal birth spacing, Gedeo, reproductive age women

Dubale Dulla Koboto,1 Bedilu Deribe,2 Achamyelesh Gebretsadik,3 Girma Ababi,4 Netsanet Bogale,4 Dereje Geleta,3 Lalisa Gemechu,5 Kurabachew Mengistu4 1Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia; 2School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia; 4Fuculty of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia; 5Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, SNNPR, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Dubale Dulla KobotoHawassa University, CMHS, Department of Midwifery, Hawassa, SNNPR, EthiopiaTel +251913850895Email dzmhkb2012@gmail.comBackground: Breast cancer affects the overall quality of life (QOL) among its survivors. Limited evidence is available about the QOL among cases. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the quality of life of breast cancer patients attending the cancer treatment center at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, southern Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer patients attending cancer treatment at the Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between April and June, 2019. All breast cancer patients attending treatment the center were included in the study by universal sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing demographic data, patient clinical factors and Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL)-BREF version 3.0. The collected data were entered into EpiData software version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables.Results: A total of 259 respondents with a mean age of (SD) 44.89 (12.56) participated in study. The mean score of overall global health scale was 75.3 (SD± 17.1) with the mean health satisfaction was 12.43 (SD± 3.98). The highest mean score was observed in environmental domain, 93.31 (SD± 19.76), despite social domain being very low, 36.69 (SD± 7.62). Most of the participants were highly satisfied with the health care service that was provided, with a mean score of 16.1 (SD± 3.1). In contrast, the majority of study participants were disappointed with the need for any medical treatment, body appearance, luxurious activities, and sexual life, with mean scores of 8.93 (SD± 3.68), 8.74 (SD± 4.26), 9.1 (SD± 4.22), and 8.1 (SD± 4.14), respectively.Conclusion: Breast cancer patients in southern Ethiopia suffered from poor social and psychological support that, in turn, highly affected their life value. Therefore, due attention should be given to enhance social and psychological support for breast cancer patients as a whole.Keywords: breast cancer, quality of life, domains of QOL, Hawassa

Achamyelesh Gebretsadik,1 Akalewoled Alemayehu,1 Million Teshome,2 Mekdes Mekonnen,3 Yusuf Haji1 1School of Public Health, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3School of Nursing, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia Background: Home-based neonatal care is associated with a reduction in neonatal mortality in settings with poor access to health facility-based care. The first day of a child’s life is a day of unparalleled opportunity to spare lives and sets the level for a sound future. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and timing of home-based neonatal care by health extension workers (HEWs) in the rural Sidama Zone of southern Ethiopia.Subjects and methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted, and a total of 2,040 mothers who had a live birth in the last 6 months were studied from 1 to 31 January 2017. Interviewer-administered data were collected using a standard questionnaire developed by the Saving Newborn Lives Program. A descriptive analysis and logistic regression analyses were done.Results: It was found that 252/2,040 (12.4%) mothers and their neonates were visited by the HEWs during the first month of birth. Out of all households who had a history of visits, 139 (55.2%) had a single visit. Of these, only 66/252 (26.2%) of the first visit were within the first 24 hours. Mothers who received postnatal home visit by the HEWs were at 1.35 times greater odds to have good postnatal practice compared to unvisited mothers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.35, 95% CI [1, 1.71]). Mothers who gave their last birth at home were 36% less likely to have good postnatal practice compared to those who gave birth in a health institution (AOR 0.64, 95% CI [0.53, 0.79]).Conclusion: Majority of the neonates did not get the recommended number and frequency of home visits. Postnatal home visit by HEWs had a great role in mothers having good postnatal practice. Therefore, all stakeholders should give attention on strengthening supportive supervision, proper implementation of community-based maternal and neonatal care is very crucial. Keywords: home-based neonatal care, health extension worker, rural Sidama, Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction The eye consists of both internal and external compartments. Several variables, including microbes, dust, and high temperatures can cause eye illnesses that can result in blindness. Bacterial eye infections continue to be a major cause of ocular morbidity and blindness, and their prevalence is periodically rising. The objective of the study was to detect bacterial pathogens and assess their susceptibility profiles to antibiotics in the ophthalmology unit of Boru-meda Hospital in Dessie, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to April 30, 2021, among 319 study participants with symptomatic ocular or peri-ocular infections who were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. After proper specimen collection, the specimen was immediately inoculated with chocolate, blood, and MacConkey agar. After pure colonies were obtained, they were identified using standard microbiological methods. The Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, based on the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results The majority of participants developed conjunctivitis 126 (39.5%), followed by blepharitis 47 (14.73%), and dacryocystitis 45 (14.1%). Overall, 164 (51.4%) participants were culture positive, six (1.9%) participants had mixed bacterial isolates, giving a total of 170 bacterial isolates with an isolation rate of 53.3%. The predominant species was CoNS 47 (27.6%), followed by S. aureus 38 (22.4%) and Moraxella species 32 (18.8%). The overall Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) rate was 62.9%, with 33 (44.6%) being gram-negative and 74 (77.1%) being gram-positive isolates. Conclusion Conjunctivitis was the dominant clinical case and CoNS, was the predominant isolate. A higher rate of MDR isolates, particularly gram-positive ones, was observed. Efficient peri-ocular or ocular bacterial infection surveillance, including microbiological laboratory data, is necessary for monitoring disease trends.

In a population-based birth cohort study of respiratory syncytial virus surveillance in the United States, 897/1,680 (53.4%) children were infected during infancy; 25 (2.8%) of those were hospitalized. Among symptomatic infants, 143/324 (44.1%) had lower respiratory tract infections. These data provide benchmarks to monitor effects of maternal vaccines and extended half-life monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 250 million people, predominantly in impoverished communities, including those in Ethiopia. However, there is currently no available national data regarding its prevalence in Ethiopia or its potential association with anemia. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-2020) guideline was followed in our study. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted using international databases (PUB Med, Embase, Scopus, and Science Direct) and websites (Google Scholar and Google) from their date of inception to April 22, 2024. The quality of the retrieved studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Publication bias and statistical heterogeneity were statistically assessed. A random effects model was applied, and all analysis was performed with STATA 17 statistical software. Result The prevalence of schistosomiasis was assessed in twelve studies with 5747 participants. S. mansoni was studied in 11 research papers, while S. hematobium was assessed in one study. Using a random effect model due to high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.46%; P

High quality, safe and sufficient drinking water is essential for public health and well-being. However, the war on Tigrai damaged the water sources of communities and pose people to health problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the quality of water of the town of Abyi Adi, Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia using physicochemical and biological parameters and water quality indices. A total of 36 water samples were collected from four major water sources. The physicochemical and biological parameters were determined using standard analytical procedures for water analysis. The mean values of electrical conductivity and pH ranged from 273.63 to 881.27 μS/cm and 6.68 to 7.42, respectively. Moreover, the experimental results of major cations (Na+ = 3.70–14.77 mg/L and Ca2+ = 8.50–15.77 mg/L), and anions (HCO3− = 21.52–40.77 mg/L, Cl− = 13.56–40.29 mg/L, NO3− = 0.14–0.25 mg/L, NO2− = 0.24–0.76 mg/L and PO43− = 0.34–1.32 mg/L) were recorded below the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits set for drinking water. The water quality index (WQI) that is determined using a weighted arithmetic water quality index method (WAWQIM) was also found in the range of 5.3–37.2. Subsequently, all groundwater sources except Adibakla are classified as excellent or “A” rating. However, the total coliform of Maylomin and Chiny water sources were found to be 6.33 MPN/100 mL and 3.67 MPN/100 mL, respectively. Both are higher than the WHO permissible limit set for drinking water. Considering the susceptibility of groundwater to pollution and its impact to human health, regular monitoring and supervision should be performed to keep the water safe for drinking. Accordingly, chlorination water treatment process is recommended to provide safe drinking water.

A feeding trial was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of replacing wheat bran with cactus pear meal on feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of Tigray highland sheep fed a basal diet of mixed grass hay. Twenty uncastrated, growing male sheep (14.56 ± 1.54 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with five treatments in four replications. Wheat bran was replaced with cactus pear meal at a ratio of 0% (T1), 25% (T2), 50% (T3), 75% (T4) and 100% (T5) on a dry matter basis. The data were analysed using SAS statistical tools. The result showed that there was no statistical difference in feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility or carcass characteristics among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). However, crude protein intake was slightly higher in the control sheep group than that of the cactus-containing supplement groups (P 0.05). It is concluded that in situations where conventional feeds are neither readily available nor reasonably priced, cactus can be a good substitute for wheat bran as a source of energy for smallholder livestock production.

BACKGROUND: Childhood wheeze, asthma, and allergic rhinitis are common and likely have prenatal origins. Oxidative stress is associated with respiratory disease, but the association of oxidative stress during the prenatal period with development of respiratory and atopic disease in childhood, particularly beyond the infancy period, is unknown. This study aims to investigate associations between prenatal oxidative stress, measured by maternal urinary F2-isoprostanes, and child respiratory outcomes, including effect modification by maternal race. METHODS: We prospectively studied Black (n = 717) and White (n = 363) mother-child dyads. We measured F2-isoprostanes in 2nd-trimester urine (ng/mg-creatinine). At approximately age 4, we obtained parent report of provider-diagnosed asthma (ever), current wheeze, current asthma (diagnosis, symptoms and/or medication), and current allergic rhinitis (current defined as previous 12 months). We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) per interquartile range (IQR) increase in F2-isoprostane concentration, controlling for confounders. We examined modification by maternal race using interaction terms. RESULTS: The prevalence of provider-diagnosed asthma and current wheeze, asthma and allergic rhinitis was 14%, 19%, 15%, and 24%, respectively. Median (IQR) F2-isoprostane levels were 2.1 (1.6, 2.9) ng/mg-creatinine. Associations between prenatal F2-isoprostanes and provider-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, and current asthma were modified by maternal race. Results were strongest for current wheeze (aOR [95%CI]: 1.55 [1.16, 2.06] for White; 0.98 [0.78, 1.22] for Black; p-interaction = 0.01). We observed no association between F2-isoprostanes and allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Prenatal urinary F2-isoprostanes may be a marker associated with childhood wheeze/asthma in certain populations. Research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and racial differences.

Gebretsadik A, Worku A, Berhane Y. Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. 2015;6:9–13.On page 9 in the third sentence of the results section “(AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.6 and AOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.01–0.6, respectively)” should be “(AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–1.0 and AOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.01–0.6, respectively)”.On page 11 left column, second paragraph P

BACKGROUND: Postnatal exposures, including breastfeeding, may influence asthma development. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and child asthma. METHODS: We studied 2021 mother-child dyads in the ECHO PATHWAYS consortium of prospective pregnancy cohorts (GAPPS, CANDLE, TIDES). Women reported the duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding and child asthma outcomes during follow-up at child age 4 to 6 years. Outcomes included current wheeze (previous 12 months), ever asthma, current asthma (having ≥2 of current wheeze, ever asthma, medication use in past 12-24 months), and strict current asthma (ever asthma with either or both current wheeze and medication use in past 12-24 months). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals) between breastfeeding and asthma outcomes adjusting for potential confounders. We assessed effect modification by mode of delivery, infant sex, and maternal asthma. RESULTS: Among women, 33%, 13%, 9%, and 45% reported 0 to less than 2, 2 to 4, 5 to 6, and more than 6 months of any breastfeeding, respectively. The duration of any breastfeeding had a protective linear trend with ever asthma but no other outcomes. There was a duration-dependent protective association of exclusive breastfeeding and child asthma outcomes (eg, current asthma adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.64 [0.41-1.02], 0.61 [0.38-0.98], and 0.52 (0.31-0.87) for 2to 4 months, 5 to 6 months, and more than 6 months, respectively, compared with

This paper seeks to examine and reflect the historical exploration of curriculum implementation and the challenges of teacher education development in Ethiopia, particularly focusing on elementary school teacher training. Unlike other areas of educational study, the history of teacher training curriculum and challenges to teacher education development in Ethiopia has not been studied in detail, and the evidence may be insufficient to form a clear picture when it is studied in Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular. For this study, the researchers used a descriptive design, it helps to describe and interpret the educational practices of the teacher training programme through the passage of time. This study was based on using primary data from letters, original research, archival documents, and educational bulletins were used. Whereas secondary sources (documents and research studies). The collected data was analysed using the document analysis technique. The findings revealed that the changes in teacher education in Ethiopia were implemented without a formal needs assessment based on societal needs or deep research findings. Furthermore, when the government formulates general education policies, they do not pay much attention to making the lower primary teacher education strong in terms of budget and fulfilling facilities. Therefore, the main implication of this research for individuals doing research is that in order to have good systems of teacher education, thinking and doing research related to teacher education helps to strengthen the teaching profession and teacher professionalism.