Amhara Region Research Articles

Perioperative Adverse Outcome and Its Predictors After Emergency Laparotomy Among Sigmoid Volvulus Patients: Retrospective Follow-Up Study.

Acute sigmoid volvulus is a surgical emergency with closed-loop obstruction of the colon that often requires emergency laparotomy, which is associated with a multitude of post-operative complications. Although sigmoid volvulus is the main cause of intestinal obstruction in Ethiopia, local studies of its management outcomes are limited. To assess the magnitude and predictors of adverse perioperative outcomes of emergency laparotomy for acute sigmoid volvulus in the Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (DMCSH), Amhara region, Ethiopia in 2023. This was a retrospective follow-up study. Descriptive statistics were used to measure perioperative outcomes and other study variables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the predictors of adverse surgical outcomes. Associations were considered significant at p < 0.05 (95% confidence interval). In total, 170 study participants were enrolled, with a response rate of 91.4%. Forty-nine patients (28.8%) developed perioperative adverse outcomes. Pneumonia (29 patients, 28.1%), surgical site infection (19 patients, 18.4%), and wound dehiscence (10 patients, 9.7%) were the most common complications. Pre-operative shock [AOR: 3.87 (95% CI: (1.22, 12.28))], pus or fecal matter contamination of the peritoneum [AOR: 4.43 (95% CI: (1.35, 14.47)], and a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score [AOR: 2.37 (95% CI: (1.05, 5.34))] were identified as predictors of perioperative adverse events. The perioperative adverse outcomes in this study were higher than those reported in Ethiopian national and global reports following emergency laparotomies. Hypotension at presentation, pus and/or fecal matter contamination of the peritoneum, and higher ASA scores are strong predictors of increased perioperative adverse outcomes. Therefore, healthcare providers and institutions involved in the delivery of emergency surgical care should emphasize the importance of early surgical intervention, adequate resuscitation, and patient monitoring to improve perioperative outcomes.

Academic Staff Engagement in Research and Its Relation to Classroom Teaching in Public Universities in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

This study’s primary objective was to investigate the existing context of academic staff engagement in research and its relation to classroom teaching at public higher institutions located in the Amhara national regional state. A cross-sectional type of survey design was used to achieve this objective. The sample units and individuals were chosen using stratified random sampling procedure. Injibara University, Debre Markos University, and Bahir Dar University were three sample public universities located in Amhara Regional State that provided 251 participants for the study. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain the data. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to assess the data that had been gathered. The findings showed that the sample universities had very low levels of academic staff engagement in research activities. Most importantly, the results of this study also showed a weak but negative correlation between academic staff engagement in research and classroom teaching. Finally, possible recommendations were made based on the key results and conclusions.

Examining efl teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived practices of differentiated instruction in English classrooms

The predominant intention of this study turned into to investigate English language teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of differentiated guidance in English training at some decided on trendy secondary colleges in Ethiopia's Amhara Region. A combined studies layout turned into used to perform this purpose. Using a scientific sampling technique, forty five grade 9 English language teachers from Dangila, Chagni, Tilili, BahirDar, and Gondar trendy secondary colleges had been selected as participants. Data turned into accumulated via interviews, questionnaires, and observation. The statistics found out that English language instructors had a excessive information of differentiated education, however little exercise with it. Teachers had a poor mindset closer to differentiated education, consistent with the findings. Furthermore, big elegance sizes, time constraints, a loss of determination and motivation because of inadequate remuneration, activity disappointment because of unmotivated college students had been all noted as deterrents to DI implementation in EFL lecture rooms at colleges. Finally, after thinking about the findings, pointers had been made.

Strengthening Formal Word Utilization in Amharic Language Classroom Instruction: The Case of Third Year Trainees of Debre Markos Teachers’ Education College, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study was aimed at identifying prospective teachers’ word utilization and improve their formal word selection and utilization in the Amharic language instructional process. This research was carried out in the Amharic Language Department of Debre Markos Teachers’ College. In doing this research, the researchers recorded the names of all the participants and coded them while they were learning about vocabulary in chapter two of the course entitled ‘Basic Mother Tongue’. The purpose of vocabulary and language learning is to help learners not to use informal vocabulary for social communication and properly utilize formal words and phrases, and as the informants are the will be language teachers, it is to help them become role models for their respective students at primary schools. The researchers tried to solve the observed problems using the regular class provision by simply focusing on the prospective teacher who made reflections in each session. After providing these strategies for the 16 sessions, all the prospective teachers showed significant improvement except one prospective teacher. As per our plan, for one of the prospective teachers who failed to show changes using the two strategies was made to hear a video of renowned Amharic Language professional’s speech. In spite of all these attempts, the prospective teacher did not show significant changes in formal word utilization while making reflections. As a result, the researchers made a plan to work with the remaining prospective teacher.

Pertussis outbreak investigation in south Gondar zone, Northwest, Ethiopia

Aims: Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Though vaccines are the most successful and cost-effective way of preventing pertussis, the outbreak of pertussis is still high in the Amhara region. The study aimed to investigate the pertussis infection in Simada district, North West Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based active surveillance was conducted in the Simada district from December 3/2020 to January 05/2021. A total of 43 cases was identified using the modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pertussis diagnosis criteria and line lists. The collected data were entered into the Epi-data (Epidemiological Data) version 3.1 and analyzed using R version 4.03 software and descriptive statistics computed. Results: A total of 43 cases were identified with an overall attack rate of 7.1 per 1000 population. All complicated cases occurred in children under four years of age. The most affected groups were females. There was an interrupted routine immunization service in the cluster at the health post-level to associate vaccination coverage with the occurrence of a pertussis outbreak. The outbreak was reported after three days of the occurrence of more transmission from person to person. Conclusion: The outbreak of pertussis was high and the children were suffering. It is advisable to build capacity, consolidate routine vaccination services, and enhancing the vaccine cold chain management system, surveillance and early treatment of infected patients to control the expansion of pertussis.

Geospatial variations and determinants of contraceptive utilization among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia: spatial and multilevel analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, 2019.

Contraception is the most effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancies and their associated disadvantages. It is critical to recognize one's desire to utilize contraceptives before drafting and implementing a good family planning program, especially in developing nations like Ethiopia. This study aimed to identify the geospatial variations and determinants affecting the utilization of contraceptives among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia. This study was based on an extensive national survey, the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A total weighted sample of 5,743 married reproductive-age women was included. Because of the hierarchical nature of the DHS data, a spatial analysis multilevel logistic regression model was used to study individual and community-level factors that may influence contraceptives. The Bernoulli model was used by applying Kulldorff methods using the SaTScan software to analyze the purely spatial clusters of contraceptive usage. ArcGIS version 10.3 was used to visualize the distribution of contraceptives. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. The overall utilization of contraceptives was discovered at 41.25% (39.98, 42.53). Participants age range of 25-34 years [AOR = 0.80, CI: (0.66, 0.96,)] and 35-49 years [AOR = 0.50, CI 95%:(0.66, 0.96)] times less likely to use contraceptives than 15-24 years old respectively. Having primary [AOR = 1.47, CI 95%: (1.25, 1.73)], secondary [AOR = 1.42, CI 95%: (1.09, 1.83)] and higher education level [AOR = 1.92, CI 95%: (1.41, 2.60)], middle wealth [AOR = 1.48, CI 95%: (1.14, 1.90)], richer [AOR = 1.41, CI 95%: (1.07, 1.86)] and richest [AOR = 2.17, CI 95%: (1.52, 3.11)], having 1-4 ANC follow up have [AOR = 1.60, CI 95%: (1.26, 2.03)], gave birth at age of 35-44 [AOR = 0.29, CI 95%: (0.22, 0.37)], having 3-5 children [AOR = 1.26, CI 95%: (1.03, 1.52)], being from community of high level women education [AOR = 1.61, CI 95%: (1.21, 2.15)] were associated positively. Participants from Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul and SNNPR regions have revealed [AOR = 2.40, CI 95%: (1.53, 3.77)], [AOR = 1.64, CI 95%: (1.05, 2.56)], [AOR = 1.62, CI 95%: (1.01, 2.62)] and [AOR = 2.04, CI 95: (1.31, 3.19)], in contrast, Somali and Afar regions have shown [AOR = 011, CI 95%: (0.05, 0.22)] and [AOR = 0.31, CI 95%: (0.18, 0.54)] times less likely to use contraceptive services than Tigray Region respectively. The spatial analysis of contraceptive usage discovered that the northern, central and southern parts of the country had higher utilization of contraceptives than the eastern and northeastern of the country. The study revealed that contraceptive usage among married women is comparatively low, with wide regional variation. Raising awareness among mothers about the importance of antenatal care and assisting mothers who are financially disadvantaged or do not have access to health facilities will aid in providing better family planning services. Improving contraceptive information dissemination at community and regional levels is key to averting potential barriers.

Herd health and reproductive management associated with lamb weight gain and mortality in sub-Saharan drylands—a case from Ethiopia

Sheep are important for food and livelihood security in sub-Saharan Africa, and maximizing lamb weight gain while minimizing mortality is essential to improve production. Using the Menz sheep breeding villages of Amhara region in Ethiopia as a case study, the weight gain and mortality rate of 208 lambs were monitored during their first 5 months of life. The study was conducted in intervention and control villages, where the intervention villages were part of community-based breeding programmes and had participated in various projects aiming to improve sheep production and management. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to detect associations between weight gain from birth to 1 month, and birth to 5 months, and different lamb and ewe characteristics, farmer education, application of management routines, and presence of village level sheep management interventions. In general, lambs from intervention villages, without certain signs of diseases, whose mothers were 2 years or older, had a body condition score of more than 2 on a 5-point scale, and who originated from flocks where disease prevention strategies had been implemented, had gained more weight. Overall lamb mortality was 6.8% with most deaths occurring before 1 month of age. This study highlights that health interventions in ewes improve lamb survival and weight gain and that the care of lambs during the first month of life is crucial for overall herd productivity.

Adoption and impact of improved teff varieties adoption on food security: Micro level evidence from North Eastern Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia.

This study investigates the adoption and impact of improved teff varieties (ITVs) on food security in North Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The result of binary probit model shows that the adoption decision of improved teff varieties is determined by total family size measured in adult equivalent, off-farm income, number of traders known by farmers, variety information from development agents and research center affects positively and distance of farmer's residence from kebele office of agriculture negatively Endogenous switching regression (ESR)model was employed to evaluate the impacts of adoption of improved teff varieties on food security. The output from ESR asserted that had the adopter households decided not to adopt, their average daily calorie intake and annual food consumption expenditure per adult equivalent would have decreased by 417.908 kilocalorie and 1096.509 Ethiopian Birr(37.8.41 dollars) respectively. Thus, policies and development endeavors targeting to realize food security should facilitate the adoption of ITVs.

Consumed from within? Social and ecological drivers of internal clearings in Ethiopian Orthodox church forests

AbstractIn a largely deforested landscape, thousands of small pockets of indigenous forest remain in Ethiopia's northern highlands. These “church forests” are maintained by Ethiopian Orthodox church communities, and they provide valuable reserves of indigenous species diversity and ecosystem services. However, there are important trade‐offs between the different ecosystem services church forests provide: the size of community‐made clearings within church forests used for prayer and other church services have to be balanced with services derived from intact forest cover and dense vegetation. This research uses a spatial, social–ecological model to examine patterns in church forest size and vegetation density across 2743 church forests in the Amhara Region. Results suggest that larger internal clearings correlate with larger forest area, and clearings also scale with population size. We also find that greater elevation and distance to population centers are associated with higher church forest density, while greater community wealth is associated with reduced forest density and area. These trends initially suggest that internal clearings can support conservation efforts, but they are nuanced by prevalent non‐native Eucalyptus planting and increasing internal deforestation for graveyard space for wealthier communities. Additionally, we find that internal clearings are an important source of omitted variable bias in estimating the relationship between density and area in church forests. As a consequence, incorporating church clearings into social–ecological models leads to meaningful differences in church forest density and area estimates. Ultimately, this study suggests that church forests in Ethiopia may be sustained rather than consumed from within.

The entrepreneurial ecosystem and the performance of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Amhara region, Ethiopia: the political–legal perspective

All other parts of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in any country are commonly governed by the political and legal aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is a novel approach that examines the integrated effect of the entrepreneurial ecosystem's political–legal subsystem on the performance of MSEs based on system theory and the mediating role of entrepreneurial competence taking a resource-based view in to account. There has been no detailed examination of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of MSEs in Africa in general, and Ethiopia in particular. A total sample of 499 MSE operators engaged in the three priority sectors: manufacturing, construction and urban agriculture was selected from the population of 4086 operators in three metropolitan cities of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia, using a proportional stratified sampling. Though the political–legal aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem have a major impact on both entrepreneurial competency and MSE’s performance, the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and MSE performance was found to be insignificant. The role of entrepreneurial competency in mediating the relationships between policy and business performance and other business environments and business performance was shown to be insignificant. It is suggested by the study that the policies that the government designs concerning MSEs should be workable and attractive including the provision of different incentives. Lastly, other researchers in the area are suggested to further clarify the contradictions in the findings regarding the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and the performance of SMEs.

Trend, determinants, and future prospect of child marriage in the Amhara region, Ethiopia: a multivariate decomposition analysis.

Child marriage is a harmful traditional practice, which compromises children of their childhood and threatens their lives and health. In Ethiopia, 58% of women and 9% of men get married before the age of 18 years. Surprisingly, parents in the Amhara region make marriage promises of their children before they are even born, which will hinder the region from attaining the Sustainable Development Goal of ending child marriage. Thus, this study aimed to assess the trends, determinants, and future prospects of child marriage in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted using four consecutive nationally representative Ethiopian demographic and health surveys (2000-2016). A logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis for a non-linear response model was fitted to identify factors that contributed to the change in child marriage over time. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05. The child marriage practice in the Amhara region by the year 2030 was also predicted using different forecasting features of Excel. The trend of child marriage over the study period (2000-2016) decreased from 79.9% (76.7, 82.8) to 42.9% (39.1, 46.9), with an annual average reduction rate of 2.9%. Approximately 35.2% of the decline resulted from an increase in the proportion of women who attained secondary and above-secondary education over the two surveys. A decrease in the proportion of rural women and a change in the behavior of educated and media-exposed women also contributed significantly to the decline in child marriage. The prevalence of child marriage in the Amhara region by the year 2030 was also predicted to be 10.1% or 8.8%. Though there has been a significant decline in child marriage in the Amhara region over the past 16 years, the proportion is still high, and the region is not going to eliminate it by 2030. Education, residence, and media exposure were all factors associated with the observed change in child marriage in this study. Therefore, additional efforts will be required if child marriage is to be eliminated by 2030, and investing more in education and media access will hasten the region's progress in this direction.

The effect of conflict on child and adolescent health in Amhara region, Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundCurrently, conflict become common phenomenon in the world affecting the lives of millions of children. Due the continued conflict in Ethiopia millions of children are suffering from extreme levels of violence, lack of basic humanitarian needs, and lack of health services.ObjectiveThis study was designed to assess the effect of conflict on child and adolescent health in Amhara region, September 2022.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was employed among children agedd < 18 years in conflict affected areas of Amhara region. The sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews of children or child legal guardians. Data was cleaned, verified, and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analysis was done using SPSS version 24 statistical software.ResultSeven hundred and ninety-eight children agedd less than 18 years were involved with a response rate of 94.33 percent. More than one thirds (276, 34.59%) of children were displaced due to the conflict. Three hundred and thirty one (41.48%) children get diseased with the majority didn’t receive treatment. More than two thirds (557, 69.80%) of children had experienced violence of different types. One hundred and thirty four (41.23%) children had acute malnutrition with two third (66.42%) of them had severe acute malnutrition.ConclusionConflict had deadly impacts on the lives of children and adolescents. It causes massive displacement, lack of basic humanitarian needs, extreme level of violence, hunger and malnutrition, and lack of health services. The government and other national and international humanitarian aids should give special attention to children living in war zone of Amhara region. In addition, rehabilitation services and resilience training should be designed and provided to children affected by the conflict.

Factors associated with preeclampsia among pregnant women in Gojjam zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia: a case-control study

Purpose Little is known about the factors contributing to preeclampsia in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine factors associated with preeclampsia among pregnant women in public hospitals. Methods and materials An institution based unmatched case-control study was conducted. Women with preeclampsia were cases, and those without preeclampsia were controls. The study participants were selected using the consecutive sampling method with a case-to-control ratio of 1:2. The data were collected through measurements and a face-to-face interview. Then the data were entered using Epi Info and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. The findings were presented in text, tables, and figures. Results About 51 (46.4%) of cases and 81 (36.8%) of controls had no formal education. Multiple gestational pregnancies (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.20–6.28); history of abortion (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.31–7.70); change of paternity (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.47–6.83); previous use of implants (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.13–0.96); and fruit intake during pregnancy (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18–0.72) were associated factors of preeclampsia. Conclusion History of abortion, change of paternity, and multiple gestational pregnancies were risk factors for preeclampsia. Fruit intake during pregnancy and previous use of implant contraceptives were negatively associated with preeclampsia. Further studies should be conducted regarding the effect of prior implant use on preeclampsia. Healthcare providers should give special attention to women with a history of abortion and multiple gestational pregnancies during the ANC follow-up period.

The Effect of Managerial Skills on Internal Service Quality: A Study of City Administrations in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, Based on Katz’s Managerial Skills Model and Yaoli’s Internal Service Quality Measures

Previous studies have yet to identify the managerial skills that significantly impact internal service quality in city administrations, creating a gap in understanding. The current study uses Katz&amp;#39;s Managerial Skills Model and Yaoli&amp;#39;s Internal Service Quality to identify correlations between managerial skills and Measures to determine practical abilities that affect internal service quality. The survey examines the effectiveness of managerial skills on internal service quality. The research design is a cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 4 municipalities, 196 employees, and 12 managers selected using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Three types of managerial skills and seven dimensions of internal service quality measures were considered, in which each of the skill types and sizes was measured with Likert scale self-administered questionnaires. Arithmetic mean, median and factor analysis were used to analyze inter-related Likert scale data, and their performance was compared. The result found that factor analysis is the best method to analyze the collected Likert scale data. Eventually, weighted least square (WLS) estimation was fitted where technical skill (&amp;beta; = 0.31, P &amp;lt; 0.01) and conceptual skill (&amp;beta; =0.3, P_value &amp;lt; 0.01) were found significant and had a positive effect. However, Human skill (&amp;beta; = -0.07, P_value = 0.073) was insignificant at a 5% significance level, meaning technical, managerial skills and human managerial skills significantly positively affect internal service quality; the conceptual managerial skill was insignificant at a 5% significance level. The weighted least square estimation showed better performance concerning R-square, MSE, AIC and BIC values; with the trimmer, the better. Multiple linear regressions and partial and semi-partial correlations were run, and the significance and direction of correlation were equivalent to that of WLS. The study&amp;#39;s conclusion highlights that enhancing managerial technical and human skills can improve internal service quality. This improvement can enhance external service quality, employee job satisfaction, and performance.

A Case Report of Coenurus Cerebralis in a Goat at Dembecha District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The Animal Health Institute received a report of an outbreak from Amhara Regional State, West Gojam zone, Dembecha district, with an unknown etiological agent on caprine death in February 2023. With the objective to conduct investigations and ascertain the reason for the caprine death, a team of experts was deputed to the affected area. Goat exhibiting seizures, lateral recumbency, and appetite loss during a clinical examination, symptoms of a central nervous system disorder including paddling, convulsions, and unconsciousness were noted. Based on clinical sign and presence of definitive hosts at the area the case has been defined for coenurosis cerebralis. For further confirmatory diagnosis postmortem inspection for the brain was undertaken. Cysts were found during necropsy in the left hemisphere’s occipital lobe. The cysts were filled with a clear fluid, and the inner layer of the cysts had several clusters of scolice growing out of it. Larval form of Taenia multiceps, known as Coenurus cerebralis, is found in the small intestines of dogs and other carnivores in the wild. Worldwide, coenurosis is endemic, and it is particularly prevalent in Ethiopia’s highlands, where there are many sheep. Commonly occurs in the life cycle of dogs and small ruminants. The larvae of this parasite are found in the brain and spinal cord of intermediate hosts, while the adult stage of the parasite lives in the small intestine of dogs, foxes, coyotes, and jackals. The intermediate hosts become infected when the dog eats the brain containing the Coenurus cyst, which then develops into Taenia multiceps and begins to pass proglottids containing eggs on pasture. If a person accidentally consumes a parasite egg, they become infected with coenurosis. The primary method of controlling coenurosis is the regular administration of canine anthelmintics and the proper disposal of sheep and goat brain.

GIS-Based MCDA Model to Map Soil Erosion Hotspot Area in Case Study of Temi Watershed in Hulet Ejju Enesie Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

GIS-Based MCDA Model to Map Soil Erosion Hotspot Area in Case Study of Temi Watershed in Hulet Ejju Enesie Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Risk Factors for Blindness and Partial Blindness in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia: Spatial and Regression Analyses

Seeing difficulties like blindness and partial blindness are affected by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether seeing difficulties are associated with extrinsic (external) factors like environmental, educational, and socioeconomic status of people.

Evaluation of Koga irrigation water in Mecha district, Amhara Region, as an example of irrigation water quality in Northwestern Ethiopia

Irrigation water quality impacts plant growth, crop production, and public health. Thus, understanding the trends in irrigation water quality is important to manage public health, and optimize crop production. The Koga region in Ethiopia is a developing area where crops are an important food source for a growing population, and irrigation is critical to supply additional food crops and secure food insecurity issues. This study measures physiochemical and biological parameters to assess the suitability of Koga irrigation water for crops intended for human consumption. In March 2022, irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical and biological qualities. Kelley’s ratio, magnesium danger, and sodium absorption ratio were calculated from the data obtained. Results showed that the turbidity (174.33–259.00 NTU), total suspended solids (80.33–175.00 mg/L), total alkalinity (143.33–195.33 mg/L), total hardness (150.67–224.6 mg/L), SO42−(43.96–73.00 mg/L), PO43−(56.27–87.43 mg/L), and BOD5 (63.23–95.40 mg/L) levels surpassed the recommended limit of FAO(35 NTU,50 mg/L,100 mg/L,100–150 mg/L,20 mg/L,3 mg/L and 30 mg/L, respectively). BOD5 levels of the tested water samples exceeded the permissible limit set by the EU (10 mg/L). The coliform and fecal coliform levels in all sampled waters were higher than the zero/100 mL limits of the EU and WHO set for irrigation water. The studied water samples were found to be unsuitable for the cultivation of crops and vegetables since TA, PO4−3, and NO3− levels exceeded the tolerance limit of the crops and vegetables cultivated in the site, while the coliform and BOD5 levels surpassed their tolerable limits. Consequently, it is not recommended to eat crops and vegetables without first properly preparing them. The results showed improper ratio of Mg2+:Ca2+ and Na+:Ca+2, and a magnesium hazard was foreseen. This study showed that the turbidity, total suspended solids, total alkalinity, total hardness, SO42−, PO43−, BOD5, and the coliform levels of the studied irrigation water samples of the Koga irrigation project were not found within the safe limits of FAO, WHO, EU, and irrigation water quality limits of different nations, even though additional samples evaluating seasonal fluctuations are needed to fully assess the water quality.

ARTICLE WOODY SPECIES STRUCTURE AND REGENERATION STATUS IN MEHAL WONZ - ZEGO FOREST, N/ SHEWA ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

This study was conducted on Mehalwonze- Zego forest in North Shewa zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, A Transect sampling method was used to collect vegetation data. Sixty seven(67) plots of 20m × 20m were laied each at 300m intervals and five subplots of 2m × 2m, one in the center and four in the corner of the main plots, were laid for seedling and sapling inventory. Vegetation parameters such as DBH &gt;2.5cm, H ≥2.5m of as well as seedling and sapling density with five sub plots of 2m × 2m. A total of 55 woody species belonging to 51 genera and 38 families were identified. The density of seedlings, saplings and matured woody plants in all of the plots were 1302, 1517 and 905 individuals, respectively. Importance Value Index (IVI) of each species were calculated, based on this value the conservation priority classes was done which indicated that there are woody species that require urgent conservation. The total basal area of the forest was 67.96 m2/ha. DBH and height class distribution of woody spcies confirms that the forest is under a secondary stage of development. Based on the results of regeneration assessment, conservation priority should be given for species with poor regeneration status.

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Schistosoma mansoni among Schoolchildren across Altitudinal Gradients in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Schistosoma mansoni infections are common parasitic infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Their distributions vary across altitudes in Ethiopia. Hence, ongoing updates of infection risk factors and prevalence data are necessary for successful intervention. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2019 involving 530 schoolchildren who were recruited by systematic random sampling from Amhara Regional State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, geographical and environmental factors. Stool samples were collected and processed by Ritchie's and Kato Katz techniques. Data were entered into EpiData and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to compute prevalence, and logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with STHs and S. mansoni infections. Variables with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among 530 schoolchildren, 169 (31.9%) and 78 (14.7%) were infected with STHs and S. mansoni, respectively. The prevalence of STHs (40.2%) in the semi-highlands and S. mansoni (30.4%) in the lowlands was high. Infrequent shoes wearing, exposure to soil, not washing vegetables before eating, and living outside in lowland areas were significantly associated with STHs infections (P < 0.05). Schoolchildren who fetched water to irrigate fields, swam in rivers, and lived in lowland areas were significantly associated with S. mansoni infection (P < 0.05). In conclusion, prevalence rates of STHs and S. mansoni infections differed across altitudes in Amhara Regional State. Therefore, current control strategies including deworming and provision of clean water and education on sanitation and hygiene should be intensified and adapted to the local context.