Exploring climate change adaptation pathways for the agricultural sector in Arba Minch Zuria and Bonke districts: Based on CCAFS climate analogue tool

Background. Male involvement is an important determinant of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Ethiopia is not well known. Objectives. To assess male partners involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and associated factors in Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria woreda. Methods. Community based study was conducted in Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district. Multistage sampling technique was used and data were collected using interviewer administered standard questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the presence of statistically significant associations between the outcome variable and the independent variables. Results. The level of male involvement in PMTCT program in Arba Minch town and Zuria district was 53%. Several factors appear to contribute to male involvement in the PMTCT program including age, residence, education level, knowledge on HIV, knowledge on PMTCT, accessibility of health facility, having weak perception for male involvement in PMTCT, having perception of ANC attendance being females' responsibility, ever use of khat, and ever use of cigarette. Conclusion. Geographical accessibility of health facility and male's knowledge on PMTCT should be improved to increase their involvement in PMTCT.

Background: Cervical cancer screening is a key to detect the pre-cervical cancer earlier, but it is almost not utilized in all developing countries and most cases were diagnosed at late stage of cervical cancer. The current screening level has no much effect to control cervical cancer unless addressing female health workers since they are a role model to the public. Objective: The study was conducted to assess the utilizations of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among female Health workers in Arba Minch town and Zuria woreda public health facilities in 2016/17. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Arba Minch town and Zuria district, among selected female health professions using computer generated technique of simple random sampling. The data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires and ethical issue had been given more emphasized during data collection time. Data was entered using EPI info version 7.2.0.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. The associations of explanatory and outcome variables were assessed by binary logistic regression and those variables with p value of less than 0.25 were included in multivariate analysis and Statistical significant was considered with odd ratio, 95% of confidence interval and p value of <0.05. Result: About 281 of the respondents were correctly completed the questionnaire of the total respondents, only 27 (9.6%) have had cervical screening within the past three years. There was an association between service year utilization of cervical cancer screening (AOR=4.99, 95% CI: 1.36-18.10), knowledge of cervical cancer screening and utilization of cervical cancer screening (AOR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05-3.02). Conclusion: The level of utilization of screening was low in female health workers, service year and knowledge were associated with the utilization of cervical screening. Sustaining awareness creation and sensitization of screening should be given emphasis broadly for female’s health workers to increase the number of utilization in health workers.

Many family members and the expectant mother view pregnancy as a time of joyful anticipation. However, it can also bring about a range of issues that may pose serious and potentially life-threatening risks for both the mother and the unborn child. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are an alarming public issue in different parts of the world and have a seriously harmful influence on both their health and well-being. Nevertheless, less is known about trends and determinates of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the Arba Minch zuria and Gacho Baba districts in southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to fill these gaps in the study setting. An open, dynamic cohort study design was employed among 8885 pregnancies from 2018 to 2022, health and demographic surveillance data were involved. Data to be collected at Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) using a structured questionnaire. A log-binomial regression model was used to identify determinates. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare a statistically significant association. In this study, the overall adverse pregnancy outcomes were 8.89 per 1000 live births [95%CI: 6.93, 10.84]. The stillbirth and abortion rates were 5.74 per 1000 live births (95%CI: 4.36, 7.54) and 3.15 per 1000 live births [95%CI: 1.97, 4.02], respectively. The trends of adverse pregnancy outcomes showed 11.1/1000 in 2018 and 14.1/1000 in 2022. Age > 34 years old (aPPR = 2.93, 95%CI: 1.67, 5.17), antenatal care (aPPR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.33, 0.83), and history of pregnancy loss (aPPR = 2.68, 95%CI: 1.36, 5.29) were identified as determinates for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes is still high, and trends vary from time to time. As such, attention is needed for the women who had a previous history of pregnancy loss, and addressing those determinants could potentially reduce the rates of stillbirths and abortions, ultimately promoting healthier pregnancies and better pregnancy outcomes.

BackgroundImmunization averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year globally. In Ethiopia only quarter of children are fully immunized; the rest are remained at risk for vaccine-preventable mortality. To increase the immunization, its coverage and predictors has to be identified. This study has measured immunization coverage and identified the predictors.MethodsCross-sectional community based study has been conducted within 630 age 12–23 months children in 15 districts of Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district, Southern Ethiopia in March 2013. Census was done to identify eligible children. The 2005 world health organization expanded program of immunization cluster sampling method has been used. Data were collected using semi-structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire by interviewing index children’s mothers/caretakers, copying from vaccine card and observing BCG vaccine scar. Data were processed using SPSS version 16. Associations between dependent and independent variables has been assessed and presented using three consecutive logistic regression models.ResultNearly three fourth (73.2%) of children in Arba Minch Town and Arba Minch Zuria district were fully immunized. The rest 20.3% were partially immunized and 6.5% received no vaccine. Mother education, mothers’ perception to accessibility of vaccines, mothers’ knowledge to vaccine schedule of their site, place of delivery and living altitude were independent predictors of children immunization status.ConclusionExpanded program of immunization (EPI) coverage at Arba Minch town and Arba Minch Zuria district is better than the national immunization coverage but still below the goal. Educating mother, promoting institution delivery could help to maintain and enhance current immunization coverage. More emphasis should be given to the highland areas of the area.

This study was conducted in Gamo Gofa, Segen Area People and South Omo Zones of Southern Ethiopia. The study is of practical value and has got significant importance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of distribution of Prosopis juliflora and assess its impacts on community perception. Distribution of P. juliflora was recorded with systematic sampling techniques at regular interval of 5km with the help of Global Position System tools. Distribution of P. juliflora was determined. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socioeconomic impacts of P. juliflora and data was analysed using SPSS version 15. Observations of P. juliflora were made along the main road sides in Arba Minch Zuria, Mirab Abaya, Gidole, Konso, Hamer and Nyangatom districts. P. juliflora was distributed along the road sides, grazing lands, waste lands, and around habitations. It was observed spreading along the roads to Nech Sar National Park. From the distribution data Prosopis was low in Mirab Abaya, Gidole, Konso, and Hamer Districts. The infestation level of Prosopis was high in Arba Minch Town and Nyangatom districts mainly on grazing lands and around urban settings. One hundred and forty-six respondents were interviewed. Questionnaire and observation data showed that Prosopis has taken over large grazing lands and blocks movement routes in Nyangatom district. The current study also investigated that no control activities had been employed. It is concluded that the menace of P.juliflora is increasing at alarming rate, thus control methods have to be designed to stop further spreading into Nech Sar and Mago National Parks.

The population status of Osyris quadripartita (Africa sandalwood) is endangered in some places due to overexploitation for commercial values. The study aim was to assess distribution, association and structure at Arba Minch Zuria and Banna-Tsemay Districts, Southern Ethiopia. An inventory of species was carried out for determining the relative proportion of the selected woody species in communities. Systematic sampling was used to collect data from 62 quadrats (20 m x 20 m) established along transects. Woody species DBH of >2.5 cm and Height of >1.5 m were measured at each sampled plots. The result showed that 75 woody species from 29 families were recorded from both sites; Fabaceae (17%) and Combretaceae (12%) had the highest number of species. From five major plant community identified, Community type IV was highest in species richness while diversity and evenness were highest in community type III. Likewise, Osyris species highest richness was recorded in community IV. The stem density and DBH classes of the species showed the reversed J-shaped plots. But, basal area and regeneration status of the species showed Gaussian curve (Mayile site) and inverted J-shape (Shara site). The analysis results showed fair regeneration status, but high disturbance on matured trees. We conclude that current over harvesting of mature trees from parenttree influenced the regeneration status of species. If this unsustainable harvesting by local people continues, the capacity of the species to maintain its wild population is significantly reduced. Therefore, management and conservation strategies that incorporates to supporting the livelihood peoples under such environment.

The study was carried to characterize sheep breeding practices and reproductive performances in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda of Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia. The district was selected based on its potential for sheep production and distribution of different sheep breeds in the most of villages of the district. It was stratified in to three distinctive agroecologies; highland (HL), midland (ML) and lowland (LL). A total of 138 households were interviewed using structured questionnaire and probability proportional to size sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data wereanalyzed using statistical procedures for social science (SPSS) version 20. The overall purpose of sheep rearing across all AEZs was source of income, saving, meat production, sharing the risk and manure production which were ranked first to fifth in the given order. Observed sheep breeding system was generally uncontrolled and no planned selection of breeding stock is practicing. Rams are herding together with ewes. Body size, coat color and long and fatty tail type (for bonga/dawuro and doyagana/wolaita) were the most frequently reported traits in selecting breeding rams; whereas size, color, tail size and twining rate were mentioned as traits given due emphasis in choosing future breeding ewes. The overall age at first lambing was 12.81±0.14 months, lambing interval was 7.52±.08 months and litter size was 1.50±.08 lamb per sheep (P&lt;0.05). A high lambing month was extended from April to May. As per the current findings, the reproductive performance the sheep of the study area could be categorized as medium level of productivity. Therefore; further confirmatory study is recommended to identify and select the superior breeding animals based on well documented information for economically important traits.

The study was carried to characterize sheep breeding practices and reproductive performances in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda of Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia. The district was selected based on its potential for sheep production and distribution of different sheep breeds in the most of villages of the district. It was stratified in to three distinctive agroecologies; highland (HL), midland (ML) and lowland (LL). A total of 138 households were interviewed using structured questionnaire and probability proportional to size sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were analyzed using statistical procedures for social science (SPSS) version 20. The overall purpose of sheep rearing across all AEZs was source of income, saving, meat production, sharing the risk and manure production which were ranked first to fifth in the given order. Observed sheep breeding system was generally uncontrolled and no planned selection of breeding stock is practicing. Rams are herding together with ewes. Body size, coat color and long and fatty tail type (for bonga/dawuro and doyagana/wolaita) were the most frequently reported traits in selecting breeding rams; whereas size, color, tail size and twining rate were mentioned as traits given due emphasis in choosing future breeding ewes. The overall age at first lambing was 12.81±0.14 months, lambing interval was 7.52±.08 months and litter size was 1.50±.08 lamb per sheep (P&lt;0.05). A high lambing month was extended from April to May. As per the current findings, the reproductive performance the sheep of the study area could be categorized as medium level of productivity. Therefore; further confirmatory study is recommended to identify and select the superior breeding animals based on well documented information for economically important traits.

In 2017, Ethiopia included scabies management within the responsibility of health extension workers. In Kamba (the intervention district) workers were trained on scabies management. Whereas, in Arba Minch Zuria (the control district) there was no such training. This study assesses whether decentralization of scabies management to communities would reduce the load on health facilities and allow earlier scabies treatment access. All individuals presenting with scabies before (January - June 2018) and after (August 2018-January 2019) the introduction of training (July 2018) in Kamba district and the Arba Minch Zuria district were included. We compared between the two districts in the period before and after training, the numbers of scabies cases presenting to health facilities, their demography, clinical characteristics and treatment. There were 1,891 scabies cases in the intervention district and 809 in the control district. Scabies cases declined in the intervention district from 7.6 to 1.6 per 1,000 population (a 4.8-fold reduction). In the control district, scabies cases increased from 1.3 to 2.4 per 1,000 population (a 1.8-fold increase). In intervention district, the proportion of scabies patients with secondary skin infections reduced from 1,227 (78%, n = 1,565) to 156 (48%, n = 326, P < 0.001). In the control district the difference was insignificant 39 (14%, n = 288) to 86 (17%, n = 521, P = 0.2). Introducing trained health extension workers at community level were associated with reductions in health facility load for scabies and secondary infections. This is a wider community health benefit.

Banana wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is one of the most important diseases of banana (Musa L.) worldwide including Ethiopia. Foc is responsible for sever yield losses of up to 90% in commercial and local banana cultivars planted in southern Ethiopia. However, there is limited research information about its epidemiology, distribution, and relative importance of the disease in the country particularly in Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia, where banana is dominantly grown. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate and analyze the distribution, importance, and intensity of the disease and its association with biophysical factors. Fields surveys were conducted in three major banana‐growing districts of Gamo zone in Arba Minch Zuria, Mirab Abaya, and Daramalo during the 2019/2020 cropping season in which a total of 90 fields were surveyed. The association of the disease incidence and severity with independent variables was analyzed using a logistic regression model in SAS under the GENMOD procedures. The results of the survey study indicated that Fusarium wilt was widely distributed all the three districts, regardless of agro‐ecological factors. The highest mean incidence (47.37%) and severity (46.31%) values were recorded at Daramalo, while the lowest incidence (20.75%) and severity (28.63%) values were recorded from Arba Minch Zuria district. Variables such as banana cultivars, age of plantations, weeding practices, and disease management methods were significantly associated with the incidence and severity of the disease. The use of improved cultivars reduced disease incidence by 43.60% and the severity by 30.10%, compared to that of local ones. Regression analysis of the biophysical factors with Fusarium wilt severity implied the necessity of effective and feasible integrated management options to be developed against the disease and as well as the importance of awareness raising with all stakeholders regarding its distribution, importance, and possible management options such as the usage of Foc‐resistant varieties in the study area.

Child sexual assault is a violation of fundamental human rights that leads to various negative consequences, including psychological and physical problems. While it is the least reported and addressed form of violence against schoolgirls in Ethiopia, it is a public health issue that affects millions of people globally each year. Thus, this study aims to provide information on the early life factors impact on the occurrence of childhood sexual assault among secondary school students. An institution unmatched case-control study was conducted in Arba Minch Zuria district among high school female students attending regular education from March 20, 2023 to May 20, 2023. The data were collected using structured, pretested self-administered questionnaire in all school in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda. Reports of schoolgirls being sexually assaulted were first obtained from the district police office. According to these reports, there were seventy-five (75) cases where the girls were attending or had attended the mentioned high school. In addition, female control students were randomly selected from non-case students. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used as a measure of association, and variables with a p-value of ≤0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant factors. Accordingly factors such as had consumed alcohol (AOR = 4.0, 95CI: 1.68-9.70), living with non-biological parents (AOR = 7.49, 95CI: 2.72-13.65) and living alone (AOR = 4.6, 95CI: 1.49-14.41), being street food vendors (AOR = 4.5, 95CI: 1.48-13.70) and visiting library at improper time (AOR = 5.0, 95CI: 1.87-13.47) were significantly associated with childhood sexual assault. Had consumed alcohol, living with non-biological parents and alone, being street food vendors and improper library time were identified as significant determinants of child sexual assault (CSA) among students included in this study. Thus, high schools and families with children should collaborate to develop a plan to reduce sexual abuse that violates children rights. Families should oversee their children to help prevent substance use during their school years. Additionally, parents should remain close to their children, as distancing can lead to exposure to risky relationships.

AimGoats are a crucial livestock resource for smallholder communities, providing significant livelihood support. However, abomasal nematode parasites in these animals are a major contributor to health problems and productivity losses. This study identified and quantified abomasal nematodes in slaughtered goats, assessed drug usage practices, and evaluated anthelmintic resistance in the Arba Minch Zuria district.Methods and ResultsA cross-sectional and laboratory-based experimental study design was used to collect data from October 2023 to August 2024 through structured questionnaires, postmortem worm recovery techniques, and in vitro drug resistance assays. Accordingly, of 120 examined goat abomasa, 108 (90%) harbored at least one nematode species. Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus axei were the worm species identified as sole (21%) or mixed infections (79%). The mean burden of H. contortus (757.5) was significantly higher than that of Teladorsagia circumcincta (415.8) and Trichostrongylus axei (363.3) (p < 0.05). Animals' sex, age, and body condition significantly influenced the mean burden of abomasal nematode infection (p < 0.001). The survey results reveal the majority of respondents (80%) used albendazole bolus to control parasitism in goats. In vitro assays on H. contortus showed that this drug significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited egg hatching in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximum rate of 97.9% at 60 μg/μL. The minimum concentration of albendazole that inhibits 50% of egg hatching and embryonation (IC50) was 0.0096 μg/μL. Additionally, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of H. contortus larval motility observed for ivermectin, with a predicted IC50 of 0.257 μg/μL. Moreover, the inhibition of larval motility by tetramisole hydrochloride did not significantly vary among different concentrations, with an expected IC50 value of 0.00068 μg/μL.ConclusionThe high burden of H. contortus in the abomasum of slaughtered goats indicates its endemic nature in the area. The higher IC50 value for ivermectin suggests a risk of ivermectin resistance in the study area. Therefore, caprine haemonchosis, teladorsagiosis, and trichostrongylosis should be considered during clinical procedures, and combining anthelmintic treatments, creating farmer awareness, and rotating anthelmintic drugs can help reduce the risk of ivermectin resistance.

The study focused on the analysis of production and marketing constraints of cotton among rural farmers in Arbaminch Zuria district of Southern Region of Ethiopia. A total of 68 respondents were interviewed using questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and to identify major production and marketing constraints. The main production constraints noticed were inadequate knowledge of recommended packages and practices, non-availability of improved seed both in quality and quantity, lack of technical knowledge regarding the crop and insects, pests and disease attack. The main marketing constraints that hampered smallholder cotton producers were non-availability of reliable market information, price fluctuation, involvement of large number of intermediaries/ brokers in marketing, smallness of quantity to be sold, product absence of cooperatives among producers and lack of value addition in the seedcotton product. Given the high local demand for cotton and the potential for expansion, it is important to address these challenges for producers to benefit from market opportunities and increase their income. However, dealing with these challenges will require a whole value chain approach. Keywords : Cotton, Production, Marketing, Constraints, Smallholder producers, Arbaminch Zuria DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/67-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Background African trypanosomosis is a disease of both animals and humans resulting from infection with parasitaemic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma transmitted mainly by the tsetse flies (Glossina species). The disease has been reported in different parts of the country. However, information on the apparent density and trypanosome infection rates of the vectors is very limited in the Southern part of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the apparent density, infection rate of trypanosomes in Glossina pallidipes, and the trypanosome species involved in Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2018 in two purposely selected kebeles of Arbaminch Zuria district and in the escarpments of Nech Sar National Park of Southern Ethiopia. For entomological survey, a total of 40 standard NGU traps were deployed around the watering and grazing areas. A total of 300 fresh Glossina pallidipes were examined for trypanosome infection using a dissection procedure as described by the FAO Training manual for tsetse control personnel. Results The study revealed the presence of only one Glossina species, known as Glossina pallidipes, and biting flies including Stomoxys and Tabanus. A total of 2176 flies were caught of which 1803 (82.86%) belong to Glossina pallidipes and the remaining 373 (17.14%) were biting flies. The overall apparent density of Glossina pallidipes and biting flies in the study area were 15.03 fly/trap/day (F/T/D) and 3.11 F/T/D, respectively. Relatively higher Glossina pallidipes and biting flies, respectively, were caught in a wood-grass land (15.87 F/T/D and 3.69 F/T/D) and riverine forest (15.13 F/T/D and 3.42 F/T/D) than bush land vegetation types (13.87 F/T/D and 1.76 F/T/D). The overall trypanosome infection rate of Glossina pallidipes was 17.67% (53/300). Two trypanosome species, namely, Trypanosoma congolense (66.04%) and Trypanosoma vivax (33.96%), were responsible for Glossina pallidipes infection in the study area. Trypanosome infection rate was significantly higher in female G. pallidipes than in male (OR = 3.39, 95%CI = 1.53‐7.52). Significantly, higher trypanosome infection rate was observed in flies older than 20 days (OR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.12‐5.56) and in hunger stage 1 flies (OR = 14.24, 95%CI = 4.01‐50.59). Glossina pallidipes infection was significantly higher in and around park grazing areas (OR = 3.41, 95%CI = 1.76‐6.6) and wood-grass land vegetation type (OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.2‐6.5). Conclusion The current study revealed high apparent density and trypanosome infection in Glossina pallidipes in Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia. So, this study warrants the need for strengthening both vector and parasite control strategies in the study area.

Asmare B, Meheret F. 2018. Smallholder farmers livestock production on the face of climate change in Bahir Dar, Zuria District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 19: 2329-2334. The objective of the study was to assess the livestock production and marketing system in smallholder systems of the area Bahir Dar Zuria district. Three kebeles were selected from Bahir Dar Zuria district based on livestock production experience and accessibility to the road. A total of 90 respondent farmers were used to conduct the assessment, and 4 key informants in each Kebele were used to get additional information. Primary data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and supplemented with key informants and secondary data sources. Descriptive statistics such as frequency (%) and mean were employed to present the qualitative variables obtained from the survey. The average land holding in the area was 0.73 ha of total land with 0.53 ha cropland and 0.2 ha private grazing land. With regard to labor allocation for livestock, family labor was involved in 91.18% of respondents while in the rest hired labor herded, fed, and watered livestock. With regard to water sources, the major source of water for livestock in the households was river (89%) while the remaining respondents use dug well for their livestock. The frequency of watering livestock was twice a day (51%) in the dry season and once a day (44.3%) in the wet season. Most of respondents (53.65%) sell their live animals during religious festivities followed by selling during the season of critical feed shortage (24.45%). Although smallholder farmers are vulnerable groups to climate change the majority (42%) had no information about climate change problem in the study area. The perception of household heads indicated that the livestock holding in the last five years of the family increased in most of the respondents (51%), followed by decreased condition (33%) and remained constant for the rest of the respondents (16%). Overall, it is important to assist livestock producer in enabling them benefit most from livestock and their products.