Arba Minch Zuria District Research Articles

Therapeutic efficacy of artemether–lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundArtemether–lumefantrine (AL) has been the primary anti-malarial drug used to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Ethiopia since 2004. However, there have been recent reports of AL resistance mutations in different African countries, including Ethiopia. This is concerning and requires periodic monitoring of anti-malarial drug resistance. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of AL in treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in the Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA single-arm prospective study with a 28-day follow-up period was conducted from July to October 2022. Capillary blood samples were collected for RDT and microscopic examination. The study enrolled monoinfected P. falciparum patients aged ≥ 18 years at Ganta Sira Health Post. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded, and a dried blood spot (DBS) was prepared for each participant. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) genotyping of the msp-1 and msp-2 genes was only performed for recurrent cases to distinguish between recurrence and reinfection. Data entry and analysis were performed using the WHO Excel spreadsheet and SPSS version 26.ResultsA total of 89 patients were enrolled, and 67 adequately completed the 28-day follow-up period. AL showed a 100% clearance rate for fever on day 2 and asexual parasites on day 3. Gametocytes were detected in 13.5% (12/89) of the participants. The gametocyte clearance rate was 58.3% (7/12) until day 7 and 100% (12/12) until day 14. Five participants developed recurrent malaria, three of whom experienced relapse and two of whom experienced reinfection. Based on the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the PCR-uncorrected and PCR-corrected cumulative incidence of success were 93.7% (95% CI 85.5–97.3) and 96.2% (95% CI 85.5–98.7), respectively.ConclusionAL was efficacious in treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in the study area. However, the detection of recurrent patients highlights the need for continuous efficacy studies in this area.

Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Associated Factors Among Older Adults in Southern Ethiopia, 2022.

Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye brought on by a disorder or disease that can make it more difficult to carry out daily tasks. Visual impairment causes a wide range of public health, social, and economic issues, particularly in developing nations, where more than 90% of the world's visually impaired people reside. Although many studies conducted in Ethiopia related with the topic, there were focused on childhood visual impairments. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with visual impairment among older adults. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Arba Minch Zuria District. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 655 adults aged 40 and above. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and visual acuity measurements, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with visual impairment. The overall prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 36.95% (95% CI=33.2-40.8%). Factors associated with a higher odds of visual impairment included aged 51-60 years (AOR=2.37,95%CI=1.29-4.44), aged 61 and above (AOR=8.9, 95%CI=4.86-16.3), low wealth index ((AOR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.14-3.2), divorced and widowed (AOR=4.67, 95%CI:2.77-7.86), no formal education (AOR=14.28, 95%CI: 2.82-71.46), not utilizing eyeglass (AOR=3.94, 95%CI (1.65-9.40). The most possible causes of visual impairment were found to be refractive error and cataract. The prevalence of visual impairment among study population was relatively high, and more than three-fifths of participants had unilateral visual impairment. Age, marital status, occupation, educational status, wealth index, and not wearing of prescribed eyeglasses were significantly associated with visual impairment. Refractive error is the leading cause of visual impairment. Awareness of spectacle use and expanding cataract surgery coverage are urgently needed in this area.

Evaluation of a community-based intervention package to improve knowledge of obstetric danger signs, birth preparedness, and institutional delivery care utilization in Arba Minch Zuria District, Ethiopia: a cluster-randomized trial

IntroductionMaternal healthcare utilization, particularly the institutional delivery, is disproportionately low in rural Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated package of community-based interventions on the improved knowledge of obstetric danger signs, birth preparedness, and institutional delivery services utilization in rural areas of Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted cluster-randomized controlled trial (NCT05385380) from 2019 to 2021 at the Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance System site. We randomly assigned the 10 kebele clusters to intervention and control arm. We used a package of interventions, which included providing information on safe motherhood via video and/or audio with a birth preparedness card for pregnant women, training for community volunteers and health extension workers, and improving maternity waiting home services. Women in the control arm received routine services only. We used generalized mixed-effects logistic regression models to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on the outcome variables.ResultsThe study enrolled 727 pregnant women across the 10 clusters, with a 617 (84.9%) successful follow-up rate. The proportion of institutional delivery in the intervention arm was increased by 16.1% from 36.4% (174/478) at the baseline to 52.5% (224/427) at the endline (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for McNemar’s Test = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 2; p < 0.001). In the control arm, however, there was a 10.3% fall in the proportion of institutional delivery (from 164/249 to 105/190). Pregnant women who received the intervention were significantly more likely to give birth in a health institution than those who did not (AOR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 6.4).ConclusionThe study demonstrates that an integrated community-based intervention package that included video-based storytelling and upgrading maternity waiting homes increased institutional delivery care utilization among rural women. We recommend that audio-visual storytelling, starting during pregnancy and continuing postpartum, be incorporated into routine maternal healthcare services to address access to care inequalities in rural settings.Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in the clinicaltrials.gov with registry number NCT05385380.

Malaria misdiagnosis in the routine health system in Arba Minch area district in southwest Ethiopia: an implication for malaria control and elimination

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are coendemic in Ethiopia, with different proportion in different settings. Microscopy is the diagnostic tool in Ethiopian health centres. Accurate species-specific diagnosis is vital for appropriate treatment of cases to interrupt its transmission. Therefore, this study assessed the status of species-specific misdiagnosis by microscope compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).MethodsA health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to January 2020 in Kolla Shelle Health centre, Arba Minch Zuria district. The study population were suspected malaria cases, who visited the health centre for a diagnosis and treatment. Consecutive microscopy positive cases as well as a sample of microscopically negative cases were included for molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results254 microscopically negative and 193 microscopically positive malaria suspects were included. Of the 193 malaria positive cases, 46.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 38.9–53.4] (89/193) were P. falciparum infection, 52.3% (95% CI 45.0–59.5) (101/193) were P. vivax infection, and 1.6% (3/193) had mixed infection of P. falciparum and P. vivax. Of the microscopically positive cases of P. falciparum, 3.4% (3/89) were P. vivax and 11.2% (10/89) were mixed infections with P. falciparum and P. vivax and a single case was negative molecularly. Similarly, of the microscopically positive P. vivax cases, 5.9% (6/101) were P. falciparum and 1% (1/101) was mixed infection. Single case was negative by molecular technique. Of the 254 microscopically negative cases, 0.8% were tested positive for P. falciparum and 2% for P. vivax by PCR. Considering molecular technique as a reference, the sensitivity of microscopy for detecting P. falciparum was 89.2% and for P. vivax, it was 91.2%. The specificity of microscopy for detecting P. falciparum was 96.1% and for P. vivax, it was 97.7%. However, the sensitivity of microscopy in detecting mixed infection of P. falciparum and P. vivax was low (8.3%).ConclusionThere were cases left untreated or inappropriately treated due to the species misidentification. Therefore, to minimize this problem, the gaps in the microscopic-based malaria diagnosis should be identified. It is recommended to regularly monitor the competency of malaria microscopists in the study area to improve species identification and diagnosis accuracy.

Adoption and impacts of conservation agriculture on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the case of Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia

Adoption and impacts of conservation agriculture on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the case of Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia

Partial budget analysis of on-farm hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production under varying rates of NPS fertilizer application and improved varieties: The case of Arba Minch Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia

Hot pepper is among economically high value crops growing in Arba Minch areas and contributes alot to the livelihood of smallholder farmers who engaged in this on-farm business. In this important on-farm business, there are production costs related to purchasing inputs that can improve the productivity of crop and analyzing the financial profitability of the business is found to be very important. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess on-farm financial profitability of hot pepper production under different improved varieties and varied rates of NPS fertilizer at Arba Minch through partial budget analysis. The study consisted of three hot pepper varieties (Bako Local, MarekoFana and Melka Shote) and six rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1). The treatments were laid-out in factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of the partial budget analysis indicate that application of 200 kg NPS ha-1 for Melka Shote variety gave the highest net benefit (185,649.90 ETB ha-1) with a maximum marginal rate of return (5411.20%) as compared to other treatment combinations. Moreover, the net benefit curve also revealed that application of NPS fertilizer beyond 200 kg ha-1 decrease the net benefit obtained from the production of hot pepper across the three varieties. Therefore, production of Melka Shote variety with the application of 200 kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer could make the producers financially profitable and improve their income.

Physicochemical characteristics of honey produced in Arba Minch Zuria district of Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia

Honey is a food rich in nutrients essential for human life and its composition as well as quality varies greatly. The study was conducted in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia to determine the physicochemical properties of honey. A total of 20 honey samples were collected from farm gates and local markets. Honey quality parameters like moisture content, sugars (fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose), pH, free acidity, HMF and ash (mineral) contents were tested according to the procedures described by International Honey Commission (IHC) (2009). The overall mean values of moisture, pH, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde (HMF), total ash, electrical conductivity, fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose of the analyzed honey samples were 19.27±1.99%, 3.80±0.24, 34.04±14.21meq/kg, 13.09±4.47mg/kg, 0.23±0.09%, 0.55±0.16mS/cm, 39.95±4.09%, 33.75±5.71%, 0.99±0.38% and 2.08±1.73%, respectively. Moisture content was significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) affected by both agroecology and hive type for honey samples from farm gates. Honey samples from local markets had significantly (p&amp;lt;0.001) higher moisture, free acidity and sucrose content than honey samples obtained from households in three agroecologies. The study indicated that all honey samples obtained from farm gates and a majority of samples collected from local markets in the study area are of good quality and meet the national and international standard limits. However, some honey samples collected from local markets had a higher level of sucrose than recommended limit suggesting adulteration of honey.

Evaluation of soybean varieties at Arbaminch zuria district of Gamo zone in southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted using sixteen soybean varieties gained from Pawe Agricultural Research Center. The varieties were tested for yield and yield-related traits at Arbaminch zuria district during the 2017 and 2018 main production periods. The study was conducted by using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Variance analysis for the individual year on yield and yield component showed significant differences (p&lt;0.05) among genotypes except for seeds per pod in the year 2018. During the 2017 cropping season, the highest yield was obtained from Gazale (1948 kgha-1) and Niyala (1922 kgha-1 whereas the lowest grain yield was obtained from AFGAT (956 kgh-1). While in 2018 Nova (1110 kgha-1), Dhedessaa (1050.9kgha-1) and Nyala (988.9 kgha-1) showed better yield than other tested varieties while the lowest grain yield was observed on Korme (504.6 kgh-1). The combined test for analysis of variance showed a significant differences among genotypes for grain yield and components of yeild exculding the number of seeds per pod. The highest plant height was recorded for AFGAT (107.7m) whereas the highest number of pods per plant was obtained from Jalale (61.03) followed by Dhedessaa (60.23). The maximum hundred seed weight was gained from Nyala (15.67g while the highest branch number was obtained from Jalale (4.2) and Gishima (4.1). Nyala and Gazale had the highest grain yield of 1455 kgha-1 and 1445 kgha-1, respectively, while AFGAT (819Kgha-1 had the lowest grain yield. The result obtained from Niyala (1455 kgh-1) and Gazale (1445kgh-1) gave better yields than other tested varieties. Therefore, varieties Nyala and Gazale can be recommended for the study area and areas with similar agro-ecologies for demonstration.

Therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in Seacha area, Arbaminch Zuria District, South West Ethiopia

BackgroundDeclining efficacy of chloroquine against Plasmodium vivax malaria has been documented in Ethiopia. Thus, there is a need to assess the efficacy of alternative schizontocidal anti-malarials such as dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHA–PPQ) in P. vivax malaria-infected patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of DHA–PPQ drug in South West Ethiopia.MethodsThis is a single-arm, prospective therapeutic efficacy study in patients with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria. The study was conducted from May 2021 to August 2021, based on the standard World Health Organization study protocol for surveillance of anti-malarial therapeutic efficacy. The study endpoint was adequate clinical and parasitological response on day 42.ResultsA total of 86 patients with uncomplicated vivax malaria were enrolled. Of these, 79 patients completed the scheduled follow up; all showing adequate clinical and parasitological responses to day 42, with a successful cure rate of 100% (95% CI 96–100). Parasitaemias were cleared rapidly (86% by day 1 and 100% by day 3), as were clinical symptoms (100% by day 1). Gametocyte carriage decreased from 44% on Day 0 to 1% on day 1 and 0% on Day 2. Mean haemoglobin concentrations increased between day 0 (mean 12.2 g/dL) and day 42 (mean 13.3 g/dL). Treatment was well tolerated and no severe adverse events were observed.ConclusionIn summary, treatment with DHA–PPQ demonstrated excellent efficacy for uncomplicated P. vivax, with no recurrences to day 42, and no safety concerns. This treatment, which is also effective against P. falciparum, appears to be an ideal alternative for P. vivax as part of the malaria elimination programme.

Glossina pallidipes Density and Trypanosome Infection Rate in Arba Minch Zuria District of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

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.

Sheep breeding practices and reproductive performances in Arba Minch Zur ia District of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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.

Sheep breeding practices and reproductive performances in Arba Minch Zur ia District of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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.

Maternal Continuum of Care as Independent Determinants for Timely Initiation of Modern Contraceptive Methods Utilization Among Postnatal Women in Arba Minch Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Initiation of family planning use during the postpartum period is crucial for both maternal and child health. Moreover, this period is the extension of maternal health care and its level of uptake is built up on the level of continuum of care of maternal health care utilization. Continuum of maternal health care including, antenatal care, skilled delivery and postnatal care is crucial for women’s reproductive health. Despite that, there was no data regarding with the importance of continuum of care of maternal health care on the postpartum modern contraceptive utilization. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the association of the continuum of maternal care on subsequent timely use of postpartum family planning. Methods: a community based cross sectional study was employed on 828 women. A multistage sampling technique was used to enroll the study participants. The data were collected by a semi-structured and pretested, face-toface, interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS 23 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to declare the association between dependent and independent variables. Odds ratio, its 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value &lt;0.05 were used to determine the significance level. Results: the prevalence of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive methods was 16.1%. Having of postpartum care (AOR: 2.0(95%CI: 1.2, 3.2)), completion of delivery level continuum of care (AOR: 2.9(95%CI: 1.4, 6.1)), and completion of postnatal level continuum of care (AOR: 4.0(95%CI: 2.0, 7.8)) were factors of timely intuition of postpartum contraceptive methods. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of timely initiation of postpartum contraceptive methods was low. The finding of this study implies that the need of strengthening the connection between maternal continuum of care and reproductive components of continuum of care.

Prevalence of prelacteal feeding and its associated factors among mothers of under-24-month-old children at Arba Minch Zuria District, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background. Introduction of prelacteal feeds to newborn babies negates the recommendation of the World Health Organization that breastfeeding should be initiated within an hour after childbirth. As a result, many known health benefits of breastfeeding for infants, children and mothers are precluded. Therefore, to obviate the harmful effects of prelacteal feeding, it remains of paramount concern to identify the current status of prelacteal feeding and its contributing factors. Objective. To assess the prevalence of prelacteal feeding and associated factors among mothers of under-24-month-old children in Arba Minch Zuria District, Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 mother/caregiver-child pairs. A structured and pretested questionnaire uploaded on mobile devices pre-installed with open data kit software was used for data collection. Factors associated with prelacteal feeding practices were explored using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to determine whether the model adequately described the data or not. Results. A total of 400 mothers/caregivers participated in the study, of whom 67 (16.8%) practised prelacteal feeding. Mothers who had poor knowledge of breastfeeding were nearly four times more likely to practise prelacteal feeding than those who had good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82 - 8.54). Mothers who did not receive counselling on breastfeeding during antenatal care (ANC) follow-up were 4.1 times more likely to provide prelacteal feeds than those who received counselling (aOR 4.1; 95% CI 1.70 - 9.76). Furthermore, mothers who did not receive immediate postnatal care were 6.46 times more likely to give prelacteal feeding than those who received immediate postnatal care (aOR 6.46; 95% CI 2.85 - 14.63). Conclusions. One out of six neonates was given prelacteal feeds in the study area. Poor knowledge among mothers about breastfeeding, lack of counselling on optimal breastfeeding during ANC visits, and lack of immediate postnatal care mainly led to prelacteal feeding. Therefore, attention should be given to improving maternal knowledge of breastfeeding through the refining of skilled counseling during ANC and immediate postnatal care

Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Associated Factors Towards Trachoma Among People Living in Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BackgroundTrachoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world affecting the poorest communities. Despite many interventions undertaken on prevention and control for trachoma, Ethiopia has failed to achieve the 2020 elimination goal.ObjectiveTo assess knowledge, attitude, practice and its associated factors toward trachoma infection among people living in Arba Minch Zuria district Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to June 2020. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire from 796 randomly selected individuals. Epi Info version 7 was used to enter and clean the data and exported to SPSS V20 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was fitted to identify factors associated with the outcome variables.FindingsAmong 796 interviewed participants, 611 (76.8%) had inadequate knowledge toward trachoma infection and 244 (30.7%) had unfavorable attitude. Individuals who had no formal education (AOR=0.365, 95%CI: 0.212–0.626) and primary education (AOR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.35–0.962) were negatively associated with adequate knowledge towards trachoma infection. Being a farmer (AOR=0.063, 95%CI: 0.008–0.52), merchant (AOR=0.022, 95%CI: 0.003–0.194), student (AOR=0.026, 95%CI: 0.003–0.225) or housewife (AOR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.004–0.256) were negatively associated with adequate knowledge. Those study subjects whose wealth index were lowest (AOR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.27–0.878), second (AOR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.21–0.69) and middle (AOR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.199–0.658) percentiles negatively associated with adequate knowledge. A short distance to fetch water (AOR=2.53, 95%CI: 1.18–5.415) was positively associated with adequate knowledge about trachoma infection. Environmental cleanliness (AOR=2.224, 95%CI: 1.518–3.257), being male (AOR=1.848, 95%CI: 1.332–2.565) and distance from home to health facility (AOR=1.845, 95%CI: 1.308–2.600) were significantly associated with attitude status.ConclusionConsiderable numbers of people have unfavorable attitude and inadequate knowledge about trachoma infection. Awareness creation through community mobilization and sensitization should be strengthened.

Prevalence of Rhesus D negativity among reproductive age women in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Rhesus (Rh) blood group system is the next most clinically significant blood group system following the ABO blood group. Rh D-negative women are at risk of alloimmunization following exposure to Rh D-positive blood. The exposure of Rh D-negative women to Rh D-positive fetal blood may cause hemolytic disease of the fetus or new-born due to Rh incompatibility. Knowing Rh blood phenotype has paramount importance to prevent the risk of sensitization and bad obstetric outcome in Rh D-negative women. Despite the aforementioned fact, the distribution of Rh D-negative phenotype of women was not explored in Arba Minch Zuria district, southern Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of Rh D-negative blood phenotype among reproductive-age women in Arba Minch Zuria district, southern Ethiopia.Methods and materialsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive-age women in Arba Minch Zuria district, Southern Ethiopia from March to April 2019. Socio-demographic data were collected using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and blood phenotype determination was done by laboratory technicians using the slide method principle aseptically and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 was used for analysis.ResultThe data were collected from 417 study participants with a 98.8% response rate. This study revealed that 2.1%, 1.9%, 1.2%, and 1% of study participants with blood group O, A, B, and AB were Rh D negative, respectively. In this study, the overall prevalence of Rh D negative phenotype was found 6.2% among reproductive-age women in Arba Minch Zuria district, Southern Ethiopia.ConclusionsThis study showed a high prevalence of Rh D negative factor among reproductive-age women in Arba Minch Zuria district. Therefore, counseling of reproductive age women on the importance of Rh D factor status determination would be worthy to avoid the potential risk of sensitization among Rh D negative women in order to prevent hemolytic disease of the fetus and new-born.

Maternity waiting homes as component of birth preparedness and complication readiness for rural women in hard-to-reach areas in Ethiopia

BackgroundIn rural areas of Ethiopia, 57% of births occur at home without the assistance of skilled birth attendants, geographical inaccessibility being one of the main factors that hinder skilled birth attendance. Establishment of maternity waiting homes (MWH) is part of a strategy to improve access to skilled care by bringing pregnant women physically close to health facilities. This study assessed barriers to MWHs in Arba Minch Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from February 01 to 28, 2019. Study participants were selected by computer-generated random numbers from a list of women who gave birth from 2017 to 2018 in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance System site. Data were collected using a pre-tested and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Stata software version-15 was used for data management and analysis, and variables with p-values ≤ 0.2 in bivariate analysis were considered for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed manually based on thematic areas.ResultsMWH utilization was found to be 8.4%. Wealth index (lowest wealth quintile aOR 7.3; 95% CI 1.2, 42), decisions made jointly with male partners (husbands) for obstetric emergencies (aOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.0, 12), birth preparedness plan practice (aOR 6.5; 95% CI 2.3, 18.2), complications in previous childbirth (aOR 3; 95% 1.0, 9), history of previous institutional childbirth (aOR 12; 95% CI 3.8, 40), residence in areas within two hours walking distance to the nearest health facility (aOR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.4, 7.7), and ease of access to transport in obstetric emergencies (aOR 8.8; 95% CI: 3.9, 19) were factors that showed significant associations with MWH utilization.ConclusionsA low proportion of women has ever used MWHs in the study area. To increase MWH utilization, promoting birth preparedness practices, incorporating MWH as part of a personalized birth plan, improving access to health institutions for women living far away and upgrading existing MWHs are highly recommended.

Smallholder banana - based farming system dynamics of Arba Minch Zuria District, the case of Gamo Zone, Ethiopia: Qualitative exploration

Different types of crops are produced in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia where specific biophysical conditions define the success of their production. This banana-based smallholder farming systems explorative study objective was to explore existing banana-based farming system dynamics and examine push–pull factors accelerating these dynamics. To achieve the objectives of study, three Kebeles of Arba Minch Zuria district were selected purposively. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using qualitative data analysis method. The results show that cropping systems of the study area have been changed a lot during the last years; going from seasonal crops farming to perennial fruit crops-based farming. An early farming practice of the study area was cultivating seasonal crops like maize, teff, sweet potato, and cotton. Later on farmers have shifted to perennial cash crops like banana and mango. Most farmers in the study area use cow dung, crop residues, poultry droppings, and house cleans to improve soil fertility of their banana field. During establishment of banana farmland, farmers inter-crop vegetable and cereal crops to maximize their farm income. When banana develop three to four suckers per hill and full canopy, farmers make their banana farm monoculture. Access to irrigation water, minimum input requirement nature of perennial crops, market demand, and existence of regular market were considered as pulling factors to shift farming system from seasonal cropping to banana-based perennial farming. Whereas soil salinity, lack of quality planting materials, poor sucker management, banana fruit market fluctuation, rainfall variability, lack of value addition practice, and weak market integration were considered as common pushing factors for banana production and marketing in Arba Minch Zuria district.

Effect of Blended NPS Fertilizer Rates on Dry Fruit Yield and Yield Components of Hot Pepper (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Capsicum annuum &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;L.) Varieties at Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

Hot pepper is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers of Arba Minch Zuria district mainly for income generation. The dry fruit yield of the crop is very low in the district due to several production constraints of which the low accessibility of improved varieties and soil nutrient deficiency are among the major ones. Therefore, this experiment was conducted at Chano Mille Kebele, Arba Minch Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia during 2018/2019 cropping season to assess the effect of blended NPS fertilizer rates on growth, yield and yield components of hot pepper varieties and to determine optimum rate(s) of blended NPS fertilizer for hot pepper production for the study area. Six rates of blended NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) and three hot pepper varieties (Bako Local, Mareko Fana and Melka Shote) were used as experimental treatments and laid-out in 3x6 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. The results revealed that the main effect of variety and rates of blended NPS fertilizer had a significant effect (P<0.05) on growth, yield and yield components of hot pepper. The interaction effect of variety and rates of blended NPS fertilizer significantly affected the yield and yield components of hot pepper but not growth parameters. Melka Shote variety showed better vegetative growth. Melka Shote and Bako Local at the application of 200 kg ha-1 blended NPS fertilizer produced large number of fruits plant-1 and seeds fruit-1, maximum fruit weight plant-1 and dry fruit yield without significant variation among the two treatment combinations. Regression analysis revealed that as application of blended NPS fertilizer increased by one kg, the total dry fruit yield of Bako Local, Mareko Fana and Melka Shote increased by 7.3, 6.2 and 8.6 kg, respectively. Melka Shote variety had dry fruit yield advantage of 1.3 and 2.4 kg over Bako Local and Mareko Fana, respectively, as the rates of blended NPS fertilizer increased by one kg. Thus, application of 200 kg ha-1 blended NPS fertilizer for Melka Shote and Bako Local varieties could be optimum and recommended to improve hot pepper productivity for the current soil fertility status of the study area and vicinity with similar soil fertility status and agro-ecology.

Postharvest Handling Practices and Marketing of Honey at Arba Minch Zuria District of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted at Arba Minch Zuria District of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia to assess postharvest handling practices and marketing systems of honey. The district was selected purposively based on its beekeeping potential and stratified into three agro-ecological zones. Seven representative Kebeles from the District were selected proportional to their agro-ecological variations. A total of 156 beekeepers was selected using systematic random sampling technique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to generate data via an official survey. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24 software. The result revealed that most (96.8%) of the beekeepers practiced traditional beekeeping system. Only 29.7% of the bee keepers strained their honey using sieve (68.4%), hand (21.1%) and a piece of cloth (10.5%). Plastic buckets (64.7%), tin and gallon (32.7%) and plastic sack (2.6%) were major honey handling materials. Most (90.4%) of the bee keeperssell honey to generate income and only 9.6% used honey for both sale and home consumption. Producers, consumers, retailers, tej houses and collectors were main actors involved in the honey value chain. Agro-ecology significantly influenced the market price of both crude and strained honey. The price of crude and strained honey in lowland location was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) higher than highland and midland locations.