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Objective Attending antenatal care helps to reduce the occurrence of maternal morbidity and mortality by providing chances for health promotion and information about danger signs, birth preparedness and where to seek care for pregnancy complications. Therefore identifying factors affecting the utilization of focused ANC service is of supreme importance. Results A total of 317 mothers who had a history of antenatal care for their last birth during the previous 6 months were included in the study from which 112 (35.3%, 95% CI 30.6, 40.4) of mothers attended focused antenatal care services. Age of mother [AOR = 4.7, 95% CI 1.87, 11.88], Educational status [AOR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.00, 6.19], history of still birth [AOR = 13.1, 95% CI 2.14, 80.20] and planned pregnancy [AOR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.23, 11.12] were found to be major predictors for focused ANC service utilization. Proportion of focused antenatal care was low (35.3%). Age of mother, education, history of stillbirth and planned pregnancy were identified as predictors affecting focused antenatal care service utilization. Encouraging women’s educational status, behavioral change communication at grass root level and improving the capacity and quality of ANC service are some of the recommendations forwarded. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3928-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Malaria is one of the killer diseases in Ethiopia and it is still the first leading cause of death in health facilities. However, there is no information yet regarding the trends of malaria prevalence at health institution and particularly at Felegehiwot referral Hospital. Hence , knowing the trends of malaria prevalence at each health facilities is essential to design appropriate interventions. Therefore, the present study addressed the above gaps. Results Overall, 14,750 blood films were diagnosed for malaria. Of these, 740 (5%) were confirmed with microscope. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax accounted for 397 (53%) and 331 (45%), respectively. Age groups >20 year (p

The study was conducted in West and East Gojjam Zones of Amhara Region Ethiopia to determine commonly used agro-chemicals and timing of applications, their effects on honeybee by itself and beekeeper farmers used cultural practices to minimize agro-chemical side effects on honeybee; Questionnaire survey methods, key informants interview and focus group discussion were used for the study. In the questionnaire survey, 384 respondent beekeepers from 4 Woredas, 20 Kebeles (376 male and 8 female) were interviewed. Descriptive, frequency with SPSS version 20 were used. The majority of farmers spray herbicides before blooming in August and insecticides at diseases and pests observed in October, November and December. Surprisingly, almost all respondents interviewed (98.7%) have confirmed that they know the negative effects of agro-chemicals on the health status and life of the honeybee. Apparently pesticides have been causing considerable damage by killing honeybees and causing yield decline due to miss use of agrochemicals. 90.9% of the non-beekeepers who use agro-chemical had no willingness to use non-chemical or alternative mechanisms to control pests and weeds. The main reported reason for the non-beekeepers not informing others about their plan to apply agro-chemicals is their laziness and jealousy; only 8.1% of respondents have willingness to use non-chemical or cultural weed and pest control mechanisms to save honeybee colonies as well as to keep their farmlands as organic. Overall the level of cooperation between beekeepers and non-beekeepers with regard to responsible use of agro-chemicals is very weak and certainly not considerate of mutual benefits and environmental protection. Essential to capacitate beekeepers in terms of technical knowledge and skills to better manage and need concerted action to develop appropriate agro-chemical application modalities that minimize side effects on honeybees and economic losses would be recommended.

The study was conducted in Gamo Goffa Zone of Southern Ethiopia to characterize traditional cattle breeding practices and cattle trait preferences of the Gamo Highland and Gamo Lowland cattle types. Data collected through group discussions and individual interviews were synthesized and summarized using descriptive statistics. Indigenous cattle in the study area provide multiple functions, are well adapted to their production environments, and managed under traditional and subsistent modes of production. Farmers' cattle trait preferences slightly differ across highland and lowland sites. Whereas lowland farmers prefer carcass yield and traction capacity, cattle farmers in highland areas give more weight to adaptation, milk production and manure contributions. Common breeding system in all sites was pure breeding, although very few farmers residing in mid and highland areas exercise crossbreeding with introduced Holstein Friesian bulls for dairy improvement. The main reported selection criteria of farmers for breeding their animals were body size and conformation, milk production, fertility and breeding history of animals. Cattle breeding and management practices of the study area are traditional and low input.

An exploratory survey of local cattle populations of Gamo Goffa Zone in south-western Ethiopia was conducted between April 2011 and May 2012 to identify and phenotypically characterize cattle populations. Ten focus group discussions with key informants as well as phenotypic data from sample mature animals were used to generate data, including quantitative trait data from 560 animals and qualitative trait data from 867 animals. Findings from focus group discussions revealed that, even if local cattle are found widely distributed throughout the study area, they are not known by any common name or breed type. Results from analysis of variance (ANOVA) on continuous variables showed significant (P

The rearing of indigenous chickens is an integral part of the smallholder farming system in the tropics, where they are kept by the rural poor to fulfil multiple functions. Their special adaptation...

In the humid and subhumid tropics, trypanosomosis is an economically important zoonotic protozoan disease of the commonly kept farm animal species and their wild relatives. For example, more than 20% of the humid western and southwestern Ethiopia, which is home to more than 14 million heads of cattle, is under varying levels of trypanosomosis risk. Our study was, therefore, initiated to document farmers' perception on trypanosomosis and Sheko's trypanotolerance character. Our findings showed that trypanosomosis was the most frequently reported cattle disease in the Bench Maji Zone. Accordingly, 76.7% of the farmers reported the epidemiological importance of trypanosomosis, and they also noted that trypanosomosis on average accounted for 63.0% of annualized cattle death. The reported signs of trypanosomosis and trypanotolerance indicators were consistent with literature reports. Moreover, 66.7% of the farmers reported Sheko's trypanotolerance character. In the course of time, smallholder farmers have developed ethnoveterinary practices that are mainly used to prevent the landing of vector flies on the animal. Wet and warm seasons of the year, i.e., spring and, to some extent, the beginning of summer and autumn, were reported as peak periods of trypanosomosis risk. Therefore, this showed the need for incorporating farmers' knowledge in trypanosomosis control programs.

El inventario de las especies y razas, el tamano de sus poblaciones, su distribucion geografica y posiblemente su diversidad genetica es en general lo que se hace como primer paso en un programa nacional para la gestion de los recursos zoogeneticos para la alimentacion y la agricultura. El principal proposito de este tipo de evaluacion es documentar la situacion actual en terminos de conocimientos sobre la capacidad de sobrevivir y de reproducirse de una poblacion, y de proveer y producir servicios para los ganaderos. Iniciar un inventario requiere algunos conocimientos sobre los puntos de un inventario y la atribucion de sus caracteristicas. Por lo tanto, inventario y caracterizacion son procesos complementarios en los que el paso de la caracterizacion proporciona la informacion de base asi como los criterios que se utilizaran para establecer y poner al dia el inventario. La caracterizacion proporciona datos sobre el uso actual y potencial futuro de los recursos zoogeneticos en estudio, y establece cual es el estado actual de cada poblacion de razas y situacion de riesgo. Teniendo en cuenta que la utilizacion y gestion de los recursos zoogeneticos son procesos dinamicos, el seguimiento de la situacion de una poblacion debe llevarse a cabo sobre bases regulares. Por lo tanto, se necesitan definir indicadores sobre situaciones de riesgo para su utilizacion durante el seguimiento en base a los puntos del inventario y de la caracterizacion. El articulo discute metodos y criterios disponibles actualmente provenientes de la investigacion y de experiencias pasadas para inventariar, caracterizar y monitorear los recursos zoogeneticos, con vistas a asistir al desarrollo de una red mas efectiva. Se da particular consideracion a las nuevas herramientas y tecnologias. El objetivo de esta revision incluye todas las especies ganaderas y sus antepasados salvajes asi como especies salvajes relacionadas. Algunos ejemplos se han centrado en bovinos, ovinos, caprinos, porcinos y especies avicolas.

Genetic diversity is the basis for present day diversified living systems and future genetic improvement needs. This diversity should be properly utilized, improved and conserved. Conservation and improvement strategies ought to be based on proper genetic characterization in association with phenotypic characterization. The objective of this work was to assess between and within breed genetic variability of five indigenous Ethiopian cattle breeds (Horro, Sheko, Arsi, Abigar and Guraghe highland) using RAPD markers. The Guraghe highland and Arsi breeds fall under Zebu breed group, the Sheko come from Humpless Shorthorn, the Abigar from the Sanga group and the Horro from Zenga group. Genetic relationships were estimated using three primers which produced 33 loci. The gene diversity obtained in this study was found to be moderate and Analysis of Molecular Variance revealed that within breed genetic variation is much higher than that between breeds. Except few cases, genetic differentiation was highly significant. The smallest genetic divergence was between Guraghe highland and Abigar followed by Guraghe highland and Arsi. Sheko, historically considered to be humpless shorthorn, formed a distinct cluster whereas the remaining breeds formed another cluster. The RAPD markers were found to be useful to distinguish the breeds studied, but they failed to differentiate between Guraghe Highland and Abigar as they did the two zebu breeds -Guraghe Highland and Arsi. The Pearson’s correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.22) was found to be statistically insignificant (P > 0.05).

Like their smallholder subsistence counterparts in developing countries, breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers have broad perspectives. Our study has documented breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers in southwestern Ethiopia--the natural breeding tract of Sheko cattle. Our results showed that due to their multifunctionality, cattle are the most preferred livestock species. Overall, farmers showed slightly more preference to local Zebus over Sheko breed. This is due to voracious feeding behavior of Sheko cattle, which make them less preferable in the face of worsening feed shortage, and due to aggressive temperament of Sheko cattle. This is despite Sheko's outperforming potential over local Zebus in their milk production, draft power, and hardiness. At trait level, overall milk production was consistently reported as the most preferred trait followed by fertility and traction. This trait preference rank has matched with the reported frequency count ranks for Sheko cattle use. However, breed preference rank has not matched with reported trait preference ranks because Sheko excels local Zebus in all the three most preferred traits, but it was ranked second. Therefore, to minimize these conflicting interests, breed management plans for Sheko cattle should target on strategies that help to solve feed shortage problem and to improve feeding practices, and on selection of less aggressive Sheko cattle. Therefore, these strategies should be considered in line with Sheko cattle conservation and genetic improvement programs.

We conducted a two-part study in the native home areas of four cattle breeds, Abigar, Gurage, Horro and Sheko, in south-western Ethiopia. The first part of the study investigated livestock keeper knowledge about trypanosomosis and trypanotolerance. For each breed 60 livestock keepers were interviewed, resulting in a total of 240 interviews. The second part of the study focused on biological evidence for trypanotolerance. Blood samples of about 100 head of cattle per breed were collected during peak trypanosomosis challenge period and analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV) and parasitaemia. In addition individual body measurements of the sampled animals were taken and the keepers provided some information regarding their animals. Livestock keeper interviews revealed that trypanosomosis was considered a major problem in all areas (95-100%). Almost all Abigar livestock keepers knew how trypanosomosis is transmitted, whereas only 34-52% of the keepers of the other breeds had that knowledge. Most Sheko keepers (75%) knew of trypanotolerance and claimed to have trypanotolerant animals in their own herds. Among the other three breeds the knowledge of trypanotolerance was much less (8-18%). A majority of the keepers were interested in purchasing trypanotolerant animals. PCV was highest among Horro (26.2) and Sheko (25.1) cattle whereas Abigar had the lowest PCV (20.0). Sheko were least infected by trypanosomes (6%) and had the lowest number of trypanocidal treatments per year (1 treatment/animal and year). Abigar cattle were most infected (23%) followed by Gurage (20%) and Horro (17%). Gurage had by far the highest number of treatments per animal and year (24). There were large differences between the number of cattle perceived by the keepers to be infected, and the number detected from blood sampled, among Abigar, Gurage and Horro. Sheko livestock keepers were better at correctly diagnosing trypanosomosis in their animals. It is concluded that Sheko cattle have higher trypanotolerance attributes of the breeds investigated and a better use of this breed could improve cattle health and household welfare in tsetse-infested areas.

Four cattle breeds indigenous to western and south-western Ethiopia - Abigar, Gurage, Horro and Sheko - were included in a study of the perceptions of smallholder cattle keepers regarding cattle management, production levels and constraints for production. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and 60 cattle keepers from each of the four areas were interviewed. Diseases were reported as the main constraint to cattle production by a majority of livestock keepers in all areas except in the Sheko area, where over-stocking was the main constraint. Among diseases, trypanosomosis was the main livestock disease according to more than half of Gurage, Horro and Sheko keepers, whereas anthrax was most important in the Abigar area. Gurage had highest age at first calving, longest calving interval and also the lowest milk production, whereas Sheko and Abigar had the most favorable characteristics both for milk production (600-700 kg) and fertility (age at first mating 3-3.5 years and above 8 calves/cow). Cattle keepers in the Sheko area reported relatively less problems with cattle diseases compared to the other areas, especially regarding trypanosomosis. Abigar showed a different disease pattern than the other breeds and may also have advantages as regards trypanotolerance.

We used a partial-budget analysis to evaluate profitability of different management strategies of three genotypes of sheep in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial experiment conducted at Debre Berhan research station in the central highlands of Ethiopia. This involved two anthelmintic-treatment levels (treated vs. non-treated), two supplementary nutrition levels (protein-energy supplementation yes/no) and three genotypes: indigenous Menz (n=40), 50% Awassi x 50% Menz crosses (n=38) and 75% Awassi x 25% Menz crosses (n=31). All sheep were exposed to natural sub-clinical helminthosis challenge. Supplemented sheep were offered a concentrate mix daily on an individual basis. Anthelmintic-treated sheep were drenched with fenbendazole against nematodes and with triclabendazole against trematodes. Data were collected during the experimental period (for 10 months from approximately 1 year of age) on feed intake, live weight, eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces, packed-cell volume (PCV), wool weight, and adult-worm burden. Actual market input and output prices were recorded. Supplemented sheep had significantly higher marginal profit (MP) per sheep than non-supplemented sheep (ETB 33 vs. 4). Likewise, anthelmintic treated sheep performed significantly better than their non-treated contemporaries (MP=ETB 28 vs. 8). The 75% Awassi crosses were least profitable.

A comparative study on the response of four indigenous cattle breeds of Ethiopia, namely Abigar, Horro, Sheko and Gurage, to natural challenge of trypanosomosis in the Tolley-Gullele area of the Ghibe valley has been undertaken from August 2000 until August 2004. Fifty female yearlings each of Horro, Sheko and Abigar and 31 of the Gurage were purchased from their natural habitats and introduced in to medium to high tsetse-trypanosomosis challenge area of the Ghibe valley. While the natural habitats of first three breeds are naturally infested with tsetse flies and trypanosomosis, that of the Gurage is known to be very minimal, if any, and hence the Gurage breed was used in this study as the known susceptible breed. During the study animal health, production performance and tsetse fly situation were monitored monthly. The Sheko breed has manifested very significantly (p0.001) high overall average packed cell volume (PCV) values (25%) compared to that of Abigar (24%), Horro (23%) and Gurage (22%). It also had the lowest mean trypanosome prevalence rate of 9% against 23% of Horro, 26% of Abigar and 27% of Gurage, and the least number of Berenil treatments (1.36) compared to Abigar (4.0), Horro (4.6) and Gurage (6.7). While the Abigar manifested high sensitivity and frequent death to PCV depression, the Horro showed strong resilience to PCV depression and better response to Berenil treatment assistance. At this stage the Sheko breed was also found to be equal to the other breeds in its reproductive performance. These results need to be substantiated with further in-depth investigation including immune response, animal behavior and environmental influences.

Like their smallholder subsistence counterparts in developing countries, breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers have broad perspectives. Our study has documented breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers in southwestern Ethiopia—the natural breeding tract of Sheko cattle. Our results showed that due to their multifunctionality, cattle are the most preferred livestock species. Overall, farmers showed slightly more preference to local Zebus over Sheko breed. This is due to voracious feeding behavior of Sheko cattle, which make them less preferable in the face of worsening feed shortage, and due to aggressive temperament of Sheko cattle. This is despite Sheko's outperforming potential over local Zebus in their milk production, draft power, and hardiness. At trait level, overall milk production was consistently reported as the most preferred trait followed by fertility and traction. This trait preference rank has matched with the reported frequency count ranks for Sheko cattle use. However, breed preference rank has not matched with reported trait preference ranks because Sheko excels local Zebus in all the three most preferred traits, but it was ranked second. Therefore, to minimize these conflicting interests, breed management plans for Sheko cattle should target on strategies that help to solve feed shortage problem and to improve feeding practices, and on selection of less aggressive Sheko cattle. Therefore, these strategies should be considered in line with Sheko cattle conservation and genetic improvement programs.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is one of the common opportunistic fungal infections among HIV infected patients living in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. The magnitude of thedisease at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital (FHRH) in particular and in Ethiopia at large is not well explored.METHODS: A retrospective document review and analysis was done on records of 137 HIV infected patients who visited FHRH ART clinic from 1 Sep to 30 Dec 2016 and had registered data on their sex, age, CD4 count and cryptococcal antigen screening result. The cryptoccocal antigen (CrAg) detection was done by the IMMY CrAg® LFA (Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay) kit from patient serum as per the manufacturer’s instruction. All data were entered, cleared, and analyzed using SPSS v20. Descriptive data analysis and cross tabulation were done to assess factors associated with cryptococcal antigenemia. Statistical significance was set at p-value less than or equal to 0.05.RESULTS: More than half of the participants, 54.7% (75/137), included in the study were females. The median age of the participants was 32.0 years (ranged: 8-52 years). The mean CD4 count was 51.8 with SD of 26.3 (range 3-98). All the patients were HIV stage IV. The proportion of positive cryptococal antigen from serum test was at 11.7% (95% CI: 7.3-18.1%). The IMMYCrAg® LFA result was found statically associated with patient sex (p= 0.045). However, it was not associated with patient age group and the CD4 count (P>0.05)CONCLUSIONS: This study provided baseline data on the magnitude of cryptococcal antigenemia among HIV positive patients that is not touched before in the studied area. The results of the study showed that this opportunistic fungal infection is an important health concern among HIV patients. Further studies with sound design employing adequate sample size should be considered.

Background Louse- borne relapsing fever is an acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis and is transmitted by body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis. The disease has occurred as epidemic in different parts of the country.Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was conducted to assess the LBRF profile for the last four years. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with LBRF admitted from 2009–2012 at Felegehiwot referral hospital. The diagnosis was based on both clinical and laboratory methods. Patients with strong clinical suspicion of LBRF and positive for Borrelia species in their blood was diagnosed as LBRF cases. Data was collected from all patients with LBRF- like symptoms in their registration book. Data was checked for completeness, coded and analysed using SPSS version 16. P