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Introduction Under-nutrition (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m.sup.2) is a global problem with an increasing trend in recent years. The burden is high in low and middle-income countries, especially in Africa. Lactating mothers are among the most vulnerable groups for under nutrition; particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of under-nutrition among this group is inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition and its associated factors among lactating mothers in Ethiopia. Methods To write this review and meta-analysis, we followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines. Primary articles were searched from PubMed, Hinari, Cochrane Library, science direct databases, Google, and Google scholar. STATA version 16 software and a standardized Microsoft excel format were used for analysis and data extraction, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was checked. To determine the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition, we used a random-effect model. Begg's and Egger's tests were done to detect publication bias. Subgroup analysis was also steered and association was uttered by a pooled odds ratio with 95% CI. Results The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition among lactating mothers was 23.84% [95% CI (19.40, 28.27)]. Educational status (no formal education) {Pooled OR 2.30 [95% CI (1.34, 3.96)]} was significantly associated with under-nutrition. Conclusion The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition was high. Maternal educational status was significantly associated with under-nutrition. Therefore, the federal ministry of health and the concerned stakeholders should give attention to these most vulnerable groups and strengthen the implementation of the previously designed strategies., Author(s): Bekahegn Girma [sup.1] , Jemberu Nigussie [sup.1] , Alemayehu Molla [sup.2] , Moges Mareg [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.472268.d, 0000 0004 1762 2666, Department of Nursing, College of Medicine [...]

Developing an inclusive financial system is an important policy intervention to improve livelihood and reduce poverty. Despite this, the empirical evidence on the impacts of financial inclusion remains mixed. This study reports a meta‐analysis of studies on the impact of financial inclusion. The findings show that financial inclusion outcomes reflect small, positive and statistically significant average effects on consumption, income, asset and other poverty‐related indicators. The results of meta‐regression analysis also show that financial inclusion has a significant positive effect on household consumption. We discuss some of the sources of inconsistencies in financial inclusion studies, policy implications and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste collection (MSWC) service financing is a challenge for governments in developing countries, with little or no contribution from the service users. In most Ethiopian cities, residents do not pay for MSWC. This study aims to estimate households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved municipal solid waste collection service in Harar city. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 331 households employing the contingent valuation method with a double-bounded dichotomous choice format. The hypothetical program works to collect solid waste twice a week, house-to-house, and safely dispose of it to reduce environmental and health impacts. The Tobit regression model was used to account for the determinants of households’ WTP. Findings showed that 89% (95% CI: 85.4, 92.5) of households were WTP for the improved waste collection program, with an average yearly amount of US$12. The Tobit model shows that being married ( β = 6.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 13.7), having a monthly household income of >8000 ETB ( β = 31.9, 95% CI: 22.1, 41.7), attending education about MSWM ( β = 11.8, 95% CI: 5.6, 18.1), having temporary storage at household level ( β = 15.3, 95% CI: 9.5, 21.2), and recycling practices ( β = 5.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 10.8) positively influenced the WTP. Interventions like providing educational programs about waste handling and recycling and providing or encouraging households to have temporary storage at the household level are needed to enhance users’ WTP. The policy implication of the finding is that community contribution through service fees could be a strategy for sustainable financing.

Background: Malnutrition is one of the most significant child health problems in developing countries, accounting for an estimated 53% of child deaths per year. Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disability in women and adversely affects the health and well-being of mothers and their children. Studies have shown that maternal depression has an impact on infant growth and nutritional status. However, evidence is scarce regarding the relationship between maternal depression and child malnutrition. Objectives: The general objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression among mothers of undernourished children at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia in 2023. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 465 participants. Outcome variables were assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using SPSS-25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Variables with a pvalue less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence of maternal depression among mothers of children with undernutrition was 36.4% (95% CI = 32%-41%). According to a multivariate analysis, lack of maternal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.872, 95% CI = 1.502-5.492), unemployment (AOR = 2.581, 95% CI = 1.497-4.451), poor social support (AOR = 2.209, 95% CI = 1.314-3.713), perceived stigma (AOR = 2.243, 95% CI = 1.414-3.560), and stunting (AOR = 1.913, 95% CI = 1.129-3.241) were factors significantly associated with maternal depression. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of maternal depression was higher among mothers of children with undernutrition. This higher prevalence was associated with several factors, including lack of education, unemployment, poor social support, high perceived stigma, and stunted physical growth in the children themselves. To decrease maternal depression, we can address these factors by increasing the level of maternal education and employment opportunities, strengthening social support systems, reducing stigma, and providing interventions to reduce stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that agricultural innovations are vital to ensure food security and economic development. While farmers are among the key sources of agricultural innovations, many studies conducted in the past conceived them as adopters of externally generated technologies. They regarded farmers only as adopters of induced technologies. This study is designed to analyze farmers’ participation in agricultural innovation activities using survey and experimental data. Both descriptive and econometric techniques were employed to analyze the data. It appears that risk attitudes and time preferences are variables that enhance farmers’ participation in agricultural innovation activities. Wealth and socioeconomic variables such as access to information and irrigation facilities, input usage and age of household head are significantly correlated with farmers’ participation in agricultural innovation activities. The findings comply with the induced innovation hypothesis, which recognizes the importance of threats and opportunities to triggering farmers’ participation in agricultural innovation activities.

Abstract Enterprise innovation has gained the interest of development policymakers and scholars as the bases for the industrial development. This study comprehensively analyzes the drivers of enterprise innovation in developing countries. The study uses survey data to analyze the determinants of enterprise innovation in Ethiopia using a multivariate probit (MVP) model. For this study, enterprises were grouped into four categories: all-sized, large-sized, medium-sized, and micro- and small-sized enterprises. It appears that engagement in R & D, on-the-job training, and website ownership significantly determine enterprise innovation. This study, unlike previous studies, comprehensively analyzes drivers of innovation by considering enterprises in different sizes and all at the same time. This helps identify factors most relevant for enterprise innovation at all stage which help policymakers get focused on strategy development. Based on the findings, further emphasis on engagement in R & D would help enterprises to become innovative for all categories of enterprises. Furthermore, strengthening the available formal training and diversifying type of the training that is related to skills, knowledge, and techniques that help achieve the long-term objective of the enterprises are worth considering. Enterprises also need to subscribe to different sites that help learn more and access information.

Purpose - This study aims to examine the effect of climate variability on smallholders’ crop income and the determinants of indigenous adaptation strategies in three districts (Mieso, Goba-koricha and Doba) of West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. These three districts are located in high-moisture-stress areas because of crop season rainfall variability. Design/methodology/approach - Primary data collected from 400 sample households were used for identifying factors that affect households’ crop income. The study used ordinary least square (OLS) regression to examine the effect of climate variability. Given this, binary logit model was used to assess smallholders’ adaptation behavior. Finally, the study used multinomial logistic regression to identify determinants of smallholders’ indigenous adaptation strategies. Findings - The OLS regression result shows that variability in rainfall during the cropping season has a significant and negative effect, and cropland and livestock level have a positive effect on farmers’ crop income. The multinomial logistic regression result reveals that households adopt hybrid crops (maize and sorghum) and dry-sowing adaptation strategies if there is shortage during the cropping season. Variability in rainfall at the time of sowing and the growing are main factors in the area’s crop production. Cropland increment has positive and significant effect on employing each adaptation strategy. The probability of adopting techniques such as water harvesting, hybrid seeds and dry sowing significantly reduces if a household has a large livestock. Originality/value - The three districts are remote and accessibility is difficult without due support from institutions. Thus, this study was conducted on the basis of the primary data collected by the researchers after securing grant from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

This study analyzes the technical efficiency and production risk of 862 maize farmers in major maize producing regions of Ethiopia. It employs the stochastic frontier approach (SFA) to estimate the level of technical efficiencies of stallholder farmers. The stochastic frontier approach (SFA) uses flexible risk properties to account for production risk. Thus, maize production variability is assessed from two perspectives, the production risk and the technical efficiency. The study also attempts to determine the socio-economic and farm characteristics that influence technical efficiency of maize production in the study area. The findings of the study showed the existence of both production risk and technical inefficiency in maize production process. Input variables (amounts per hectare) such as fertilizer and labor positively influence maize output. The findings also show that farms in the study area exhibit decreasing returns to scale. Fertilizer and ox plough days reduce output risk while labor and improved seed increase output risk. The mean technical efficiency for maize farms is 48 percent. This study concludes that production risk and technical inefficiency prevents the maize farmers from realizing their frontier output. The best factors that improve the efficiency of the maize farmers in the study area include: frequency of extension contact, access to credit and use of intercropping. It was also realized that altitude and terracing in maize farms had influence on farmer efficiency.

The non-avoidable nature of climate change occurrences and their adverse effects on smallholder farmers’ livelihood and food security status calls for urgent interventions. In this study, we used a cross-sectional survey method. Data were collected from 365 sampled households in eastern Ethiopia to identify different climate change adaptation strategies and the associated factors in response to food insecurity. Three-stage probit model was employed for data analysis. Three adaptation strategies, namely: adoption of improved varieties, irrigation usage and intercropping were identified. The study result shows that Shantam, an improved potato variety, is the most widely grown in the study area. Frost, known as wurchi/amadey by its local name, was found to be the worst types of climate change incidence that severely affects potato production in the study area. The analysis of sociodemographic variables showed mixed results on each of the three adaptation strategies. Moreover, the regression revealed paradoxical results whereby irrigation usage and intercropping as climate change adaptation strategies recede the adoption of improved potato varieties.