Bale Zone Research Articles

Epidemiology of Measles in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: Analysis of Surveillance Data from 2013 to 2019.

BackgroundMeasles remains a cause of vaccine-preventable death in children worldwide. Reported cases in Ethiopiarepresent only a small proportion of expected cases, due to weak measles-based surveillance implementation. In this study, we aimed to analyze 7 years’ measles-surveillance data from Bale zone, in order to indicate measles epidemiology and surveillance-related gaps.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2019. The study population was all measles cases reported to the Bale Zone Health Office from 2013 to 2019. Data were abstracted from 7 years’ measles line lists and case-based reports using a data-abstraction check-list. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Pivot software, and were presented in tables and graphs.ResultsOverall, 4,241 measles cases were reported from 2013 to 2019. Mean age was 7.15 years, and 50.6% were male. The most affected age-group was children <4 years of age. Analysis indicated that the case-fatality rate was 3.07/1,000 population. Of the total cases reported, 248 (5.8%) were IgM-confirmed. The highest prevalence of 141/100,000 population was reported in 2019. Unvaccinated cases and those with unknown vaccination status numbered 890 (21%) and 731 (17.2%), respectively. The highest number of cases was reported from Ginir and Gololcha districts. Cases increased in autumn each year and peaked in May.ConclusionMeasles is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Bale, due to poor immunization coverage. Its case fatality is also high, excluding community deaths. Of all the districts included, Ginir reported the highest number of cases. Improving vaccination coverage, early preparedness for the annual epidemic cycle, and strengthening case-based surveillance are important interventions to reduce measles morbidity and mortality.

Valuing local bread wheat farmer’s varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) for conservation and sustainable utilization in goro and agarfa CSBs, bale zone OF Oromiya regional state

The perception of farmer’s verities, scientists and government officials regarding the conservation of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) farmer in Bale zone CSBs is examined during 2019. Agricultural development and the reasons why the Bale zone is marginal in terms of wheat production are discussed. The de facto conservation of the local wheat farmer’s varieties analyzed in light of stakeholders’ opinions on agro biodiversity bread wheat conservation within the two community seed banks of Goro and Agarfa. CSBs retain local wheat farmer’s varieties because of their own interpretations of the value of these varieties. While formal opportunities for supporting farmers’ perceptions of local diversity with effective policy initiatives are available, they will require ongoing support from both international and national organizations Therefore, the objectives of this were to estimate households’ willingness to pay (WTP) value for conservation bread wheat and analyze the determining factors that affects willingness of households to participate the conservation bread wheat in the study area. To attain the stated objective contingent valuation survey questionnaires were distributed to elicit farmers WTP for improved conservation bread wheat. A total of 160 households were randomly selected from two CSBs of two Woredas of the study Zone. The result indicated that 153 (92.29%) were willing to pay the given bid amount for bread wheat conservation. Logistic regression model result was shows that the statistically significant determinants of participation of WTP in bread wheat conservation were availability of labor for farm activities, distance from market, households’ livestock holding, initial bid1 offered and productivity of the land of at 5% significance level, and total farm agricultural income and perception about the importance of bread wheat conservation at 1% level. The mean willingness to pay for the sampled respondents was 9.23 ($9. 034.67) labour day per year. Hence, the aggregate economic value of bread wheat conservation 3,098,644.46 (12,394,577.84) person days per annum for five years. Therefore, policy should give emphases at levels for production, conservation and sustainable utilization of bread wheat, farmer’s verities hence, the communities shows willingness to pay for the bread wheat conservation works.

Trends of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and associated factors among tuberculosis patients in public hospitals of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: A 5-year retrospective study

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a curable disease caused by the tubercle bacillus and its treatment is designed to cure, interrupt transmission, and prevent drug resistance. These aims have not yet been achieved in many regions of the world, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. Thus, this study was designed to assess the trends of unsuccessful treatment outcomes and associated factors among patients with TB in two public hospitals in the Bale zone, southeast Ethiopia. MethodsA 5-year retrospective data among 1281 patients with TB who registered and started treatment (from July 2013 to June 2018/19) in two selected Bale zone hospitals was retrieved. Together with descriptive statistics, binomial and multinomial logistic regression modeling were carried out using STATA version 14 to estimate the odds ratio. ResultsThe overall unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes in this study was 10.4% and moderately decreased over the year of treatment (from 14.1% to 8.4%, x2 = 7.35, and p = 0.011). Approximately 34 (7.6%) of pulmonary positive and 34 (7.4%) of pulmonary negative TB patients had experienced treatment failure and death, respectively. The level of the hospital, patients with smear-negative and extrapulmonary, transferred in, aged, and human immunodeficiency virus status were found to have a statistically significant association with unsuccessful treatment outcomes of patients with TB. ConclusionIn this study, approximately one-tenth of patients with TB had unsuccessful treatment outcomes that moderately declined over the year of treatment. Strengthening control efforts like counseling during the intensive and continual phases of treatment and scheduling home visits is recommended.

Adaptation and Growth Performance Evaluation of Nitrogen Fixing Tree/Shrub Species in Dello-menna District of Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Prior integration of any tree/shrub species in a given land use system, there is always the need of undertaking a field trials to assess their adaptability and growth performance under a particular environment. Study was planned and conducted to evaluate the adaptability potential and growth performance of six nitrogen fixing tree/shrub species in Dello-menna district of Bale zone, southeast Ethiopia. The considered species in the study are Cajanus cajan, Flemingia macrophylla, Gliricidia sepium, Sesbania sesban, Calliandra calothyrsus, and Leucaena leucocephela. Seedlings were produced in a nursery site and transplanted to the experimental site. The experiment was laid out in RCBD design with three replications, and the management practices employed uniformly for each species throughout the stud period. In the study the necessary growth performance data parameters; plant height, root collar diameter and survival rate were measured and recorded. Thereafter, the data was analysed by GenStat (15th ed) and Excel computerized programs. Results obtained showed that, these growth performance data parameters were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) varied among the tested species. In this respect, F. macrophylla, S. sesban, G. sepium and C. cajan attained the higher mean values in survival rate, plant height and root collar diameter. While L. leucocephela and C. calothyrsus attained the lowest mean values for the entire growth performance parameters. Hence, it can be inferred that the study site matched well with the environmental requirement of F. macrophylla, S. sesban, G. sepium and C. cajan. The species therefore offers much promise for future use in any of agroforestry practices in the area. However, evaluation of their contribution to soil fertility improvement and crop yield needs to be further investigated as this may insights to know their nutrient provision potential while integrated together with annual and/or perennial plants in agroforestry land use system.

On-farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Improved Banana (Musa spp) Technologies under Small-scale Irrigation Schemes of Selected Lowland Districts of Bale Zone, South-eastern Ethiopia

On-farm evaluation and demonstration of improved banana technology were carried out under small-scale irrigation scheme in selected lowland districts of Bale Zone. FRG approach was employed and two FRGs in every selected scheme were established with 20 members each. The evaluation and demonstration was implemented on four farmers in each scheme and a total of sixteen (16) farmers were used. Each farmer’s field was considered as replication of the trial. Hence; a total of four improved banana varieties namely Giant Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Poyo and Grand Nain were evaluated. From the study result; there were significant differences between mean yield and yield components of banana varieties. The highest number of finger per bunch (142) was recorded for Giant Cavendish followed by Dwarf Cavendish (141) and then Grand Nain (135) varieties whereas the minimum number of finger per bunch (101) was recorded on Poyo variety. On the other hand, the average length of randomly sampled fingers showed that the longest finger (16.54 cm) was obtained from Giant Cavendish variety whereas the shortest finger length (10.36cm) was recorded for Poyo variety. The average yield of banana has also determined for its variation between verities and there was significant (p&lt;0.05) difference among the mean yield of varieties. Accordingly, maximum yield was recorded from Dwarf Cavendish (17.66 ton ha -1 ) followed by Giant Cavendish (16.73 ton ha -1 ) and Grand Nain (15.49 tonha -1 ) whereas the lowest yield was obtained from Poyo (10.42 ton -1 ) variety. Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish and Grand Nain banana varieties has recorded 40.99%, 37.66% and 32.73% yield advantage over Poyo variety respectively. In addition, farmer’s preferences towards the varieties were collected through supervision and by organizing mini field day. From farmer’s feedback during demonstration; Grand Nain banana variety was ranked as 1 st selection by the farmers on the bases of market preference, sweetness, medium fruit size and average good yield compared to other varieties. Moreover, Dwarf Cavendish and Giant Cavendish banana varieties were evaluated and ranked as 2 nd and 3 rd selection by the farmers compare to poyo varieties on the bases of market preference, fruit size and fruit sweetness. Hence; by combining informal research by farmers with formal on-farm testing; Grand Nain, Dwarf Cavendish and Giant Cavendish banana varieties were selected and recommended for further scaling-up in the test area and similar condition under irrigation production system. Keywords: Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish, Grand Nain, Poyo and FRG DOI: 10.7176/CER/13-5-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

Team culture, employee commitment and job performance in public sectors: a multi-level analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of employee commitment into the relationship of team culture and job performance at multi-level, in the context of Ethiopian public sectors.Design/methodology/approachIn the adopted survey design, data were collected from two sources. In the rural development sector of Bale zone in Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, 108 randomly selected employees participated in the survey and also their corresponding 13 team supervisors. By using referent-shift consensus, the individual responses on team culture have been aggregated to team-level scores. In the multi-level modeling, the mediation effect of employee commitment was checked by using Monte Carlo simulation.FindingsThe analysis reveals that employee commitment significantly cross-mediates into the relationship between team culture and job performance. In line with the extended model of team motivation, team culture was found to be significantly cross-related with individual job performance also.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes to the knowledge regarding the effects of team culture on employee commitment and job performance. Based on the competing values framework, the authors argue that the cohesion and strong camaraderie among members within a work team establishes a team culture within the organization culture itself.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study lies in the fact that; it is the first study to see the indirect effect of team culture on job performance through employee commitment at multi-level.

Complementary Food Hygiene Practice among Mothers or Caregivers in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Foodborne diseases are a major public health problem which predominantly affects infants and young children. Appropriate complementary food hygiene practice is very important to reduce the prevalence of foodborne illnesses. However, the information regarding this practice is not available and assessed before. Thus, the study was aimed to assess complementary food hygiene practices among mothers of children aged 6-23 months. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Robe town on a samples of 517 mother-child pairs, which were selected by using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire, and each variable was described in the frequency and percentage. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with complementary food hygiene practice. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to assess levels of significance. Result The result indicated that 55% of participated mothers scored above the mean score of food hygiene practices. Mothers of children aged 12-23 months had higher odds to practice good food hygiene measures than those of aged 6-11 months (AOR, 1.82 95% CI (1.21, 2.73)). Mothers whose children attended growth monitoring session practice good food hygiene than their counterpart (AOR, 2.74 95% CI (1.49, 5.06)). Mothers having media exposure, and having knowledge on critical times of hand washing had relatively good food hygiene measures (AOR, 0.73 95 CI (1.14, 2.62)). Among food hygiene measures; handwashing with water and soap were low before eating food (17%), before feeding children (21%) and before preparing food (32%) when compared with after visiting the toilet (81%) and touching dirt (68%). Conclusion and Recommendation The study identified that food hygiene practices in the current study were mainly associated with child age, growth monitoring follow-up, maternal awareness about critical times of hand washing, and media exposure. So, improving knowledge of mothers on critical times of handwashing, strengthening growth monitoring follow-up and media promotion are important measures to improve food hygiene practices among mothers of infants and young children.

Postnatal care service utilization and associated factors among women in Goba woreda, Bale zone, Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study

Background: Postnatal care of mothers is essential to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Providing postnatal care to recently delivered mothers is quite essential. The aim of the study was to determine the postnatal care utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 12 months in Goba woreda, Bale Zone, Ethiopia, 2020. Subjects and Method: A community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conduct­ed in Goba woreda from March to April, 2020 among reproductive age group mothers who gave birth the in last 12 months prior this data collection. In this study 422 subjects were conducted using Lottery method to select them. The independent variables were socio-demo­graphics charctestics and obstetrics’ health related factors with outcome variable of post­natal care service utilization. Binary and multi­variable logistic regressions analysis were computed to evaluate the factors associated with postnatal care services utilization. Results: In this study a total of 422 women were interviewed with a response rate of 100%. Out of the total respondents, 178 (42.2%) uti­lized postnatal care service after delivery within six weeks of their last birth. Educational level of mothers (OR= 1.96; 95% CI= 1.06 to 3.62; p= 0.050) maternal knowledge on postpartum danger sign &amp; symptoms (OR= 1.78; 95% CI= 1.16 to 2.72; p= 0.010) pregnancy desire (OR= 1.89; 95% CI= 1.67 to 3.35; p= 0.050) ANC visit (OR= 2.80; 95% CI= 1.32 to 5.97; p= 0.010) and place of deliver (OR= 2.09; 95% CI= 1.30 to 3.34; p= 0.010) had showed statistical signi­ficant association with postnatal care utilization. Conclusion: More than half of respondents in Goba woreda were not utilized postnatal care service. Maternal educational status, maternal knowledge on postnatal danger signs and symptom, pregnancy desire for youngest child, ANC attendance and place of delivery found to be independent predictors for PNC service utili­zation.

COVID-19-Related Anxiety and the Coping Strategies in the Southeast Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe pandemic of coronavirus disease spreading is impacting mental health globally. Even though the pandemic is challenging for patients, the community, policymakers, as well as health organizations, and teams, the data on COVID-19 and its association with anxiety and coping mechanisms towards infection among community members are currently limited. Thus, the study is intended to assess COVID-19-related levels of anxiety and coping strategies among community members of Bale and East Bale Zones, Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based survey was carried out among 634 study participants of Bale and East Bale Zones from June 1 to 20, 2020. The level of anxiety was determined by using the 5-item Coronavirus Scale and the coping strategies were determined by using the 15-item Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. Bi-variable analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to estimate the relationship among the variables.ResultsCOVID-19-related dysfunctional level of anxiety was found 95 (16.58%). About 290 (50.6%) respondents were copied from anxiety that occurred as a result of COVID-19. Factors significantly associated with the dysfunctional level of anxiety related to COVID-19 were being an urban resident (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.86), those who had no information from TV/radio (AOR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.84), and walking a long distance more than 1 hour from the health institution (AOR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.97).ConclusionCOVID-19-related dysfunctional levels of anxiety were 16.58% in the study community. Half of the community was coped with COVID-19-related anxiety. Being an urban resident and walking along distances more than 1 hour from the health facility were the factors that decreased the odds of having a dysfunctional anxiety, whereas respondents who had no information from TV/radio increased the odds of having a dysfunctional anxiety. Accordingly, focusing on these identified factors could improve a dysfunctional level of anxiety in the study community.

Trends of Severe Acute Malnutrition Morbidity and Mortality (2014–2017), Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2018

Trends of Severe Acute Malnutrition Morbidity and Mortality (2014–2017), Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2018

Land-use and land-cover change in the lowlands of Bale Zone, Ethiopia: its driving factors and impacts of rangeland dynamics in livestock mobility.

Rangeland in Bale lowlands has been seriously degraded due to human-induced problems and natural factors. The study was conducted to analyze LULC change and its deriving factors and evaluate the impacts of rangeland dynamics on livestock mobility in Bale lowlands from 1990-2020. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) 1990, Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM +) 2000, and Operational Land Imager (OLI) 2014 and 2020 were chosen to derive LULC classes using maximum likelihood image classifier. Besides, a household survey was used to understand the major causes of LULC change, as well as the impacts of rangeland dynamics on livestock mobility. The accuracy reports of classified LULC classes of the study were 88.2% (1990), 89.19% (2000), 93.8% (2014), and 95.2% (2020). The result of the study revealed that there was extreme bush encroachment (545.54%), expansion of settlement (19,166%), and farmland (171.27%) while forest cover has slightly decreased (-8.76%) from 1990 to 2020. On the other hand, shrubland (-72.74%) and grassland (-59.2%) have extremely declined. During the study period, rangeland of Bale lowlands was degraded with annual rate of -0.8%. The study also revealed that expansion of farmland, settlement, communal land, and bush encroachment was the main driving factors for LULC change in Bale lowlands. Bale pastoralists are vulnerable to the death of their livestock, and they need to travel long distances because of rapid rangeland degradation. Therefore, suitable land-use and management policies for pastoral communities should be formulated and implemented so as to permanently mitigate the problem.

Trends of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis from 2014 to 2018, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

PurposeMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis threatens global tuberculosis care and prevention and remains a major public health concern in many countries. In 2016, there were an estimated 490,000 cases of MDR and 110,000 more cases resistant to rifampicin (RR TB). Ethiopia is among the highest MDR TB burden countries according to the WHO. This study aims to describe the magnitude, trends, and geographical distribution of the drug-resistant TB in Bale Zone during study period.Materials and MethodsA descriptive study was conducted. We reviewed secondary data of MDR and RR TB cases from July 2014 to June 2018. Data were extracted from the Bale zone health management information system database, checked for completeness, and then analyzed for trends over time.ResultsA total of 43 cases (67.4% female) of drug-resistant TB were reviewed, with 30.2% MDR and 69.8% RR TB. The prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases declined from 0.81% to 0.62% (trend χ2=2.18; P=0.14) during study period. Among drug-resistant TB cases, RR TB increased from 52.6% to 81% (trend χ2=6.5; P=0.01).ConclusionDrug-resistant TB decreased over the period studied, although the trend did not reach statistical significance. These trends may reflect the efficacy of TB control programs to reduce drug-resistant TB transmission, as well as improved RR TB detection due to increased use of molecular diagnostic platforms like GeneXpert MTB/RIF.

Health workers\u2019 perspectives on barriers and facilitators to implementing a new national cervical cancer screening program in Ethiopia

BackgroundCervical cancer disproportionately affects women in sub-Saharan Africa, compared with other world regions. In Ethiopia, a National Cancer Control Plan published in 2015, outlines an ambitious strategy to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. This strategy includes widespread screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). As the national screening program has rolled out, there has been limited inquiry of provider experiences. This study aims to describe cancer control experts’ perspectives regarding the cancer control strategy and implementation of VIA.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with 18 participants elicited provider perspectives on cervical cancer prevention and screening. Open-ended interview questions queried barriers and facilitators to implementation of a new national screening program. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis and mapped to the Integrated Behavioral Model. Participants were health providers and administrators with positionality as cancer control experts including screening program professionals, oncologists, and cancer focal persons at town, zone, and federal health offices at eleven government facilities in the Arsi, Bale, and Shoa zones of the Oromia region, and in the capital Addis Ababa.ResultsThe cancer control plan and screening method, VIA, were described by participants as contextually appropriate and responsive to the unique service delivery challenges in Ethiopia. Screening implementation barriers included low community- and provider-awareness of cervical cancer and screening, lack of space and infrastructure to establish the screening center, lack of materials including cryotherapy machines for the “screen-and-treat” approach, and human resource issues such as high-turnover of staff and administration. Participant-generated solutions included additional training for providers, demand creation to increase patient flow through mass media campaigns, decentralization of screening from large regional hospitals to local health centers, improved monitoring and evaluation, and incentivization of screening services to motivate health providers.ConclusionsAs the Ethiopian government refines its Cancer Control Plan and scales up screening service implementation throughout the country, the findings from this study can inform the policies and practices of cervical cancer screening. Provider perspectives of barriers and facilitators to effective cancer control and screening implementation reveal areas for continued improvement such as provider training and coordination and collaboration in the health system.

Determinants of Smallholder Crop Commercialization: The Case of Agarfa and Sinana Districts of Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia

Smallholder crop commercialization entails enhancing market participation and product choice decision of smallholders based on market signal. The study was initiated to identify the current level and determinants of smallholder crop commercialization in Agarfa and Sinana districts of Bale zone. Unlike the previous studies, this study focused on all crops produced by the households. The study used multistage random sampling techniques to select 188 respondents. Primary data was collected using interview schedule, focus group discussion and key informant interview while secondary data was collected from different sources such as records of line offices, Central Statistical Agency and other publications. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the study. Descriptive statistics, household commercialization index (HCI) and truncated regression model were used for data analysis. Accordingly, HCI shows 16% of households in the sample were fully subsistence oriented while 5.9% of them categorized as low, 30.9% medium, 36.7% high and 10.6% very high levels of commercialization. Truncated regression depicts that level of education, equine holding (TLU), application of fertilizer, irrigation use, frequency of extension contact, use of credit, membership to cooperatives and social network affected level of commercialization positively and significantly while household size, distance from all-weather road and market center affected negatively and significantly. Therefore, to enhance smallholder commercialization, improving and expanding utilization by smallholders to strong institutions such as credit use, adult education, use of irrigation, effective use of production inputs and market oriented extension services should be the key tasks of policy makers and development planners. Keywords: Commercialization, crop, determinants, subsistence production, truncated model DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-9-05 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers who delivered in Bale zone hospitals, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia

ObjectiveAdverse birth outcomes, which include stillbirth, preterm birth, low birthweight, congenital abnormalities, and stillbirth, are the leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality worldwide. We assessed adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in Bale zone hospitals, Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsWe used systematic random sampling in this cross-sectional study. We identified factors associated with adverse birth outcomes using bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe proportion of adverse birth outcomes among participants was 21%. Of 576 births, 70 (12.2%) were low birthweight, 49 (8.5%) were preterm birth, 45 (7.8%) were stillbirth, and 18 (3.1%) infants had congenital anomalies. Inadequate antenatal care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.25–13.32), multiple pregnancy (AOR = 4.74, 95% CI 1.55–14.45), premature rupture of membranes in the current pregnancy (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.26–4.21), hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL (AOR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.85–5.58), and mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm (AOR = 5.93, 95% CI 3.49–10.08) were all significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes.ConclusionsApproximately one in five study participants had adverse birth outcomes. Increasing antenatal care uptake, ferrous supplementation during pregnancy, and improving the quality of maternal health services are recommended.

Small Ruminant Brucella Sero-prevalence and potential risk factor at Dallo-Manna and HarannaBulluk Districts of Bale Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out on randomly sampled 384 animals to assess the occurrence of small ruminant brucellosis and risk factors contributing for the zoonotic potential of the disease at Dallo-Manna and HarannaBulluk districts of Bale Zone. Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and complement fixation test (CFT) were used serially. All collected serum samples were subjected to RBPT first and then positive sera with RBPT were further tested for confirmation using CFT. Animal level prevalence of 6.5% and 2.9%, and flock level prevalence of 50% and 22% were recorded by RBPT and CFT respectively. Flock level prevalence at Dallo-Manna is 3.8-fold (95% OR CI = 1.17-12.19) than at Haranna-Bulluk (95% OR CI = 0.32-3.31) but no statistical significant difference (p&gt;0.05). The Chi-square (χ2) statistical analysis indicated that age (χ2=6.18; p&lt;0.05), parity (χ2=0.57; p&lt;0.05), retained fetal membrane (χ2=35.5; p&lt;0.001) and abortion history (χ2=45.1; p&lt;0.001) were associated with Brucella sero-reactors in study areas. Small ruminant with history of retainedfetal membrane (OR=3, CI: 3.52- 27) and small ruminant with abortion history (OR=32, CI: 2.26-462.8) were also found significantly associated with seropostiveity. Questioner survey revealed only 30% of the respondents were aware of the small ruminant brucellosis. Most of them (84%) handle aborted materials with bare hand, 94% of the respondents mix sheep and goat at grazing field and watering point. Traditionally the habit of raw milk consumption is com- mon (100%). In conclusion, the result of this study demonstrated the presence of Brucella sero-reactors at moderate level in small ruminants and identified certain predictors of the infection. Therefore, based on the findings, authors suggest the need for further investigation on the disease-causing agent to take proactive control intervention measures. Meanwhile, actors need to work on raising public awareness to prevent the risk of public health hazard due toBrucella infection.&#x0D; Key words:- Brucellosis; CFT; RBPT; Small ruminant; Zoonosis

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human diseases in Gura Damole District, Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract. Assefa B, Megersa M, Jima TT. 2021. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human diseases in Gura Damole District, Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 42-52. Many countries, including Ethiopia, use medicinal plants for their primary health care system. Plants have been used as a source of medicine to treat human diseases in Ethiopia. This study aimed to document medicinal plants to treat various human diseases in southeast Ethiopia's, the Gura Damole District of Oromia Regional State. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was carried out from August 05 to November 06, 2019. A total of 90 informants were selected to collect ethnobotanical information from 6 kebeles. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions with informants, and field observation. Various ethnobotanical ranking indices were used to analyze the importance of some plant species. A total of 30 medicinal plants belonging to 21 families were identified. These medicinal plants comprised shrubs (36.6%), trees (26.6%), herbs (23.3%), and lianas (13.3%). The plant families with the highest medicinal plants in the study area used for various diseases treatment were Asteraceae and Solanaceae (3 species each). Leaves (46.7%) were the dominant plant part used to prepare remedies, followed by roots (36.7%). Powdering (50%) and oral route of administration (59%) were commonly mentioned methods of preparation and administration, respectively. Carissa spinarum was the most preferred medicinal plant to treat evil eyes and is also ranked highest as the preferable medicinal plant for various purposes. Although the current study revealed the existence of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants to treat human diseases, agricultural expansion became the primary threat to medicinal plants. Hence, different conservation methods should be applied to conserve those mostly preferred and frequently used medicinal plants for various purposes.

Is Multilingualism as a Deficit or Opportunity? Teachers and Students Attitude in the Selected Primary School of Bale and West Arsi Zone

The focus of this study was to examine students and teachers attitude towards multilingualism in the selected primary school of Bale and west Arsi zone. The study employed mixed research method. On the basis of this eight primary schools from Goba, Robe, Shashemene and Ginir town were selected as a sample schools. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select schools, students’ grade level, teachers and community members, whereas random sampling was chosen to select students. In total of 377 (Grade 7 and 8) students and 48 language teachers filled the questionnaire survey and 8 focus group discussions was conducted among teachers. In order to get detailed information the researchers employed an individual interview with 16 community members. Mixed data analysis method is selected in reporting and analyzing the result. The data collected through interview and focus group discussion qualitatively analyzed. However, questionnaires are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively ( average mean and standard deviation, independent t-test and partial correlations) because the questioners organized both open and close-ended question types. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-7-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2021

Uncontrolled Hypertension and Associated Factors among Hypertensive Adults in Bale Zone Public Hospitals, Ethiopia

Although blood pressure control has tremendous public health benefit, and has effective treatments, the global rate of uncontrolled blood pressure remains high. In sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia uncontrolled blood pressure resulted in a significant morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, uncontrolled hypertension among adult hypertensive patients remains unclear and has been inadequately studied in Ethiopia, in the study area in particular.

Utilization of Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods and Associated Factors among Married Women of Reproductive Age Group in Goba Town, Southeast Ethiopia

Background: Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. The total fertility rate of Ethiopia is 4.8 births per women with population growth rate of 2.13% per year and contraception prevalence rate of 29% while the unmet need for family planning is 25% for spacing 16% and 9% for limiting. Almost all of these users are using modern contraceptive method. The most widely used are injectable (21%) followed by implant (3%) and intrauterine contraceptive device (2%) and female sterilization (<1%) are the least used. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of long-acting and permanent family planning methods and associated factors among married women of reproductive age group in Goba town, Bale zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia 2017. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted. Data collection was performed using pre tested structured questionnaire. The households were chosen at regular interval using systematic sampling method. Data was analysed by SPSS version 22and association of dependent and predictors using variable was declared at 95%CI on P<0.05. Result: A total of 354 women during collection period were interviewed. The response rate was 98.9%. The overall prevalence of LAPMs contraceptives was 18.9%; the least used methods were female and male sterilization. Sixty three point six percent of women have knowledge about LAPMs and more than half of respondents (54.5%) have an intention to use LAPMs. The major source of modern contraceptive was governmental health facility (72.5%) and knowledge about LAPMs, support using LAPMs, partner attitude towards LAPMs, intention to use LAPMs, discussion with partner about LAPMs and knowledge about LAPMs have association with utilization of LAPMs. Conclusion: Utilization of LAPMs in Goba town was low. More than half of the respondents know about LAPMs. The majority of respondent support use of LAPMs. Therefore, Goba hospital should increase accessibility of contraceptive especially. Media should increase provision of accurate and continues information on LAPMs.