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Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in the developing countries. Moreover, the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is challenging. However, there are no organized data on the trends of pulmonary tuberculosis and rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the study area. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to fill the information gap in Central Tigray at St. Mary General Hospital between 2018 and 2023. Data were collected from the GeneXpert™ tuberculosis registration logbooks using standard checklists and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 22. After performing logistic regression, a p-value

Abstract Background Food borne diseases is a challenging problem nowadays. Salmonella and Shigella species are great concern of food-born outbreaks. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility test and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella species in fruit juices and salads. Methods A community based cross sectional study design was carried out on 50 juice houses from December to March 2020 in Mekelle. One hundred fifty samples were collected aseptically from the juice houses for laboratory analysis. Information related to risk factors was obtained using a structured questionnaire. In the laboratory, samples were homogenized using peptone water and incubated overnight for enrichment. Then, Salmonella and Shigella species were isolated on Salmonella-Shigella agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar. Disc diffusion method was used to perform antimicrobial susceptibility test. Using SPSS (version 22) package, descriptive statistics and Chi square test (χ2) were used to analyze the data, and p

Cabbage aphid is attacks plants in the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), which includes such important crops such as oilseed rape, Brassica napus L., mustard, Sinapis (Brassica) alba (L.) and nigra (L.) and cabbage vegetables. Field experiments were conducted at Alamata Agricultural Research Center (AARC) during 2019 cropping season to evaluate and verification of insecticide on Cabbage aphid insects, and the corresponding yield of cabbage. The treatments (three insecticide treatments, including unsprayed plots as a control) were laid out in factorial arrangement in RCBD with three replications. The efficacy of Candidate and standard check were recorded 68.12% and 65.21%, respectively. Insecticide treatments significantly reduced the infestation of the insects. The lowest insect population and incidence values of 81.27% and 66.05% and 8.33% and 3.33% were recorded, when treated with lmida-win and Con-Fidence respectively. Candidate (lmida-win) and standard check (Con-Fidence) reduced cabbage aphid population by 94.6% and 91.2%, as compared to unsprayed plot. In conclusion, the results of the present studies revealed that lmida-win foliar spray was effective in reducing cabbage aphid infestation and increased yield. However, more extensive studies are recommended for developing better management of cabbage aphid through integration of insecticide spray schedules and cultivars to enhance sustainable cabbage production in Ethiopia.

Abstract Background Adequate nutrition during early childhood ensures growth and development of children and breast milk is better than any other products given to a child. However, studies on exclusive breastfeeding practice are limited in Somaliland. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and its associated factors among children 6–24 months of age in Burao district, Somaliland. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 26 August to 10 October 2018, in Burao district among randomly, selected 464 mothers with children 6–24 months of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. Results The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 20.47% (95% CI 18.84, 23.63%). Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with: having female child (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29, 0.80)), lack of formal education (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), household monthly income 100$-200$ (AOR 0.35;95% CI 0.18, 0.68), lack of husband’s support (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.19, 0.53), and mothers who were not counselled on breastfeeding during antenatal care (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.16, 0.66). Conclusions Exclusive breastfeeding practice was very low as compared to recommendations of infant and young child practice (IYCF) which recommends children to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding practice was associated with a mother’s lack of formal education, monthly income less than 100$, being a female child, lack of advice on exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care and lack of husband support. The promotion of education for women, husband’s engagement, encouraging antenatal care follow-up and counseling of exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care was recommended to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice.

Abstract Objective In Ethiopia skilled deliveries are increasing but stillbirth is not reducing as required. However; there are limited numbers of up to date studies done related to stillbirth in the study area. Therefore this was aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of stillbirth using facility based cross-sectional study among women attended deliveries at Aksum General Hospital in 2018. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 573 study participants from the deliveries attended during the study period. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify significant predictors and strength of association was measured based on adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level and statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. Results The prevalence of stillbirth was 3.68% in this study area. Maternal age 20–35 (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI (0.08, 0.80)), not using partograph (AOR = 8.66; 95% CI (2.88, 26.10)) and gestational age

Abstract Objective Premarital sexual practice during adolescence time may lead to different sexual and reproductive health problems including HIV/AIDS. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of premarital sexual practice and associated factors among adolescents living in the refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Result The prevalence of premarital sexual practice was 47.6% [95% CI (43.3%, 51.9%)]. The age (mean ± SD) of the study participants was 17.4 ± 2.71 (15–24 years) and 68.8% of them were males. Being in the age group 14–19 years [AOR = 4.50, 95% CI (2.29–8.84)] or 20–24 years [AOR = 9.76, CI (4.58–20.82)], living with friends [AOR = 5.24, 95% CI (2.28–12.05)] or alone [AOR = 5.72, 95% CI (2.69–12.19)], being in primary school [AOR = 6.93, 95% CI (3.08–15.57)] or college [AOR = 4.33, CI (1.44–13.02)], getting pocket money [AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (2.31–7.41)], parents being either divorced [AOR = 5.11, 95% CI (2.42–10.80)] or widowed [AOR = 3.52, 95% CI (1.69–7.33)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.20–3.38)] were independent predictors of premarital sexual practice among the adolescents.

Abstract Objectives Most maternal and newborn deaths occur during labour and delivery. Birth preparedness and complication readiness practice getting early services when problems may arise is the most achievable components of safe motherhood strategies. However, there is limited evidence found particularly in the study area. Thus, a community based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 17 to June 30, 2017, to assess birth preparedness practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Medebay Zana district in Northern Ethiopia. Result The finding showed that about 176 (32%) of the respondents were prepared for birth based on the criteria set in this study. Preparation for birth was higher among married women (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (1.47–11.64)), among governmental employed women (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI (1.19–6.05)), those who attend antenatal care service (AOR, 0.11, 95% CI (0.05–0.22)), planned pregnancy (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.03–0.15), those who had saving habit (AOR = 15.81, 95% CI (7.20–34.72), duration of pregnancy near to 9 month (AOR = 5.86, 95% CI (3.25–10.58). Preparation for birth was lower among illiterate mothers (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI (0.07–0.30), among mothers who attended primary education (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI (0.01–0.04)). The prevalence of birth preparedness practice in the study area was low. Community-based health education about preparation for birth is important.

Abstract Objective Preterm deliveries were responsible for 3.1 million neonatal deaths that occurred globally in 2010, of them 35% were directly related to preterm. This study was aimed to assess the determinants of preterm birth among women delivered of Central zone. A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from March to May 2018, in four randomly selected hospitals of Central zone. A total of 413 participants were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-info Version 3.5.3 and then exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the association. Statistical significance was declared by 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio. Result From the total (413) participants, 78.7% of participants were in the age group of 20-34 years and in this study the prevalence of preterm birth was 12.8%. Factors like, marital status of unmarried (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI 1.8–15.075), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) (

Abstract Objectives HIV remained the major cause of death in women of reproductive age worldwide. There is limited evidence regarding the fertility desire of HIV positive women receiving HIV care in the study area. Therefore, facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2017 to assess fertility desire of HIV positive women and associated factors among mothers in receiving HIV care Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was taken to draw the sample after stratification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was declared at P value less than 0.05. Results This finding showed that, 175 (46.8%) of the Antiretroviral therapy users had fertility desire with those significantly associated factors; women in the age 18–29 years [AOR = 4.05, 95% CI 1.24–13.33], being married [AOR = 0.32, 95% CI (0.13–0.78)], having diploma educational level [AOR = 5.34, 95% CI 1.10, 15.60], having only boys or girls children [AOR = 2.79, 95% CI (1.24–6.25)], having 18–36$ monthly income [AOR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.56–10.67)], Partner’s HIV status [AOR = 3.56, 95% CI (3.02–9.33)] and non use of contraceptives [AOR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.08–6.13)]. Fertility desire in the study area was high. Strengthening PMTCT service should consider fertility desire of mothers living with HIV.

Excessive exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) gases is extremely dangerous in a confined space. An effective indoor air pollutant removal porous carbon filter was developed using NaOH impregnated on activated carbon (NaOH/AC) for the adsorption of H2S and CH3COOH. Activated carbon (NaOH/AC) filter was characterized using various methods, indicating good physical and chemical properties (especially ‐OH functional groups) for the adsorption of air pollutants. The prepared NaOH/AC filter was cured at different curing temperatures and residence times to understand the effect of the curing conditions on the adsorption performance. The best results were obtained with NaOH/AC filter cured at 100°C for 20 minutes as it eliminated the initial concentration of 400 ppm of CH3COOH in 15 minutes and H2S in 30 minutes at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. Isotherm and kinetic models were used to analyze the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second order kinetic models provided the best fit to the adsorption of CH3COOH and H2S on NaOH/AC filter. The adsorption mechanism was controlled by the intraparticle diffusion combined with film diffusion. The maximum adsorption capacity of NaOH/AC filter was 473 mg/g for H2S adsorption, and 550 mg/g for CH3COOH adsorption. In addition, the spent NaOH/AC filter was regenerated for reuse. This study is expected to develop low‐cost and effective porous carbon filter using NaOH‐modified activated carbon for indoor air purification.

Abstract Objective Weight at birth is a good indicator of the newborn’s chances for survival, growth, long-term health and psychosocial development. Therefore, the aimed of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Axum town, Tigray, North Ethiopia. Result The magnitude of low birth weight was 8.8%. Height of mother adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.607 (CI 1.34–15.8), gestational age AOR 4.7 (CI 1.08–20.44), anti-natal care (ANC) visit AOR 0.076 (CI 0.009–0.645), anemia during pregnancy AOR 14.5 (CI 3.821–55.6) and drinking alcohol AOR 6.4 (CI 1.235–33.94) were found to be significantly associated with low birth weight. Pre-conceptual counseling on nutrition, about the effect of short suture on birth outcome and personal maternal habit (drinking alcohol), effective treatment and prevention of anemia and awareness on the importance ANC follow up should be the target.

Abstract Background Satisfaction is the psychological state that results from confirmation or disconfirmation of expectations with reality. Patients’ satisfaction is a healthcare recipient’s reaction to salient aspect of the contexts, process and result of their service experience. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and associated factors among outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town. Objectives To assess patient satisfaction and associated factors among outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 outpatients receiving mental health services at public hospitals in Mekelle town from September 2013 to August 2014. The data were collected using standardized, structured pre-tested questionnaire. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Satisfaction rate was examined with the client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-8), having four responses ranging from poor to very good. Descriptive summary using percentages, frequency and graph were used to present study results. Multivariate logistic regressions with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength and p-value

Despite the complex nature of writing, many students are hesitant to tackle difficult subjects. To help those facing writing difficulties and increase their motivation, this study examines the effect of teacher-student collaboration through guided-writing instruction. A two-group quasi-experimental design was used with a pre-treatment-post-tests format. The participants in this study were 50 11th-grade students (aged 17-24; 28 male and 22 female) from Data Sana Memorial School in Wolaita Sodo City, South Ethiopia. Writing skill tests and questionnaires about writing motivation were used to collect data, which was then analyzed using independent samples t-test analysis to determine the effectiveness of guided-writing on students' writing improvement and motivation. Although the pre-test results did not show a significant difference between the mean scores of the control and experimental groups, the post-test results of the writing skill tests showed a statistically significant difference between the means of the experimental and control groups. Additionally, the results of the writing motivation questionnaires revealed that the mean score of the experimental group increased significantly in the post-test compared to the pre-test. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of guided-writing instruction in assisting students with writing difficulties and motivation. In conclusion, the findings have implications for teaching writing through guided-writing instruction and it is recommended to help students struggling with writing and a lack of motivation. Moreover, further research into writing instruction through guided-writing in various ecological aspects and grade levels is required.

Bioethanol is one of the most important alternative renewable energy sources that substitute the fossil fuels. Sugarcane bagasse has a content of cellulose and hemicelluloses, which make it suitable as fermentation substrate when hydrolyzed. The objective of work is ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by the fermentation process. Eight laboratory experiments were conducted to produce bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse. By using Design Expert, it was formulated the dilute acid hydrolysis step to investigate the effects of hydrolysis parameters on a yield of ethanol and optimum condition. All the three hydrolysis parameters were significant variables for the yield of ethanol. The optimum combinations of the three factors maximum ethanol yield were 10.86 ml at 50 g sample, 92.59 °C hydrolysis temperature, 30 min hydrolysis time and 1%v/v acid concentration. From this study following point were concluded: • Lignocellulosic containing material are sustainable for clean energy production • Production of bioethanol from waste sugarcane baggage’s is possible • Operating parameters (time, temperature and acid concentration) can be optimized by surface response methodology. • Process parameters hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation have significant role on bioethanol yield.