Eastern Amhara Research Articles

Analysis of agricultural technology adoption: the use of improved maize seeds and its determinants in Ethiopia, evidence from Eastern Amhara

Agriculture is the major source of income and employment creation for majority of least developed countries. Ethiopia as one of least developed countries of sub-Saharan Africa, majority of its citizen’s livelihood is predominantly dependent on agricultural products, more specifically on the production of cereal crops (Alemayehu et al. in Adv Crop Sci Technol 6(1):1–9, 2018). This study is conducted to identify the determinants of household to adopt and use improved maize seed, one of highly cultivated cereal crops in Eastern Amhara of Ethiopia. The data used in this study are secondary data collected by the agriculture office of Amhara regional state from 3864 household farmers living in the study area in 2022 fiscal year. To address the objective of the study, both descriptive and econometric methods of data analysis are applied. Because of the binary nature of adoption to be either adaptor or non-adaptor, probit regression model is applied. The probit model result shows that being male-headed household, rural credit provision, access to irrigation and the use of fertilizers affect the tendency of adopting improved maize seeds are positively related, while total arable land size owned by farmers negatively affects adoption status. Based on this result, the researcher recommends that government and other institutions should be invited to facilitate and directly involve in providing credit, irrigation, and fertilizers in the study area.

Strategic Management and Analysis of the Sorghum Innovation System in the Tehuledere District, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Strategic Management and Analysis of the Sorghum Innovation System in the Tehuledere District, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in selected districts of South Wollo Zone Northeast Ethiopia

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a severe and devastating respiratory disease of goats, which is characterized by severe serofibrinous pleuropneumonia accompanied by high morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to January 2023 to determine the seroprevalence of CCPP and identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of CCPP in goats in five selected districts of the South Wollo Zone of the Eastern Amhara region. A total of 384 sera samples were collected from goats and examined for antibodies specific to Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) using Competitive Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (cELISA) test. Out of the total examined sera, 26 samples were positive for CCPP, giving an overall seroprevalence of 6.7% (95% CI = 6.64–9.77). A seroprevalence of 5.05%, 4.65%, 2.78%, 12.90%, and 10.77% were recorded in Ambasel, Tehuledere, Kalu, Dessie Zuria and Kutaber districts, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference among these five districts (p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of CCPP varies significantly between age groups and agroecology (p < 0.05). However, the seroprevalence did not vary with sex, body condition score (BCS), and flock size (p > 0.05). Old-aged goats (OR = 4.10) and goats found in the lowlands (OR = 5.09) were at higher risk of infection with CCPP than young-aged goats and goats found in the highlands, respectively. In conclusion, the present seroprevalence investigation indicated the occurrence of CCPP in those selected study districts of the South Wollo Zone. Therefore, appropriate control measures, including avoiding the mixing of flocks and vaccination should be designed and implemented especially in the lowland areas and older goats to reduce the further spread and magnitude of the disease.

Trends, spatiotemporal variation and decomposition analysis of pregnancy termination among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia: Evidence from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey, from 2000 to 2016

BackgroundPregnancy termination is a major public health problem, and complications of unsafe abortion are among the proximate and major causes of maternal mortality. Mapping the trend and spatiotemporal variation and identifying factors that are responsible for the changes in pregnancy termination help achieve the sustainable development goal of reducing maternal mortality in Ethiopia by understanding the epidemiology and regional variations. MethodsData from the 2000–2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed with a total weighted sample of 40,983 women of reproductive age. Variables with a p-value <0.05 in a logit multivariable decomposition analysis were considered significant predictors of the decline in pregnancy termination over time. Spatial analysis was used separately for each survey to show the changes in regional disparities in pregnancy termination in Ethiopia. ResultsThe magnitude of pregnancy termination among women of reproductive age decreased by 39.5 %, from 17.7 % in 2000 to 10.7 % in 2016. The difference in the effects of literacy, working status, marital status, age at first intercourse, age at first cohabitation, knowledge about contraceptives, and knowledge of the ovulatory cycle were the significant predictors that contributed to the change in pregnancy termination over time. Significant clusters of pregnancy terminations were observed in central and northern Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, eastern Amhara, and Tigray regions). ConclusionsDespite the substantial decrease in terminated pregnancies over time in Ethiopia, the magnitude is still high. The government should focus on promoting education for girls and women, providing reproductive health education, including access to contraceptives, and raising the minimum age for girls to engage in sexual activities or marriage by implementing policies.

Investigating the Factors Impacting the Performance of Small and Medium-Scale Irrigation Construction Projects in Eastern Amhara

Recently due to their economic value, there has been a rapid increment of water work construction projects in Ethiopia. However, there is a problems regarding their performance, like cost overrun, time overrun, low productivity &amp; low quality. The same is true for water work projects that are constructed by Amhara Water Works Construction Enterprise. This research work aims to identify and evaluate the main factors affecting the performance of small &amp; medium-scale irrigation construction projects in eastern Amhara region-Ethiopia. To achieve the objectives of this research study, five irrigation construction projects were targeted as the population of the study and both qualitative &amp; quantitative data were collected by desk study, questioner survey, and interviews. Total 75 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and out of these 75 distributed questionnaires, 70 (93.33%) questionnaires were returned. The data collected were analysed using SPSS version 25 and the significance factors were ranked by using their Relative Importance Index (RII). The results show that the top ten critical factors that affecting performance agreed upon by all parties were an escalation of material prices, unavailability of resources, number of disputes between owner and project parties, quality of equipment or machinery and raw materials, unavailability of competent staff, financial constraints, material and equipment cost, local climate conditions cost of variation orders and leadership skills for project manager.

Comparison of SWAT and WEPP for Modeling Annual Runoff and Sediment Yield in Agewu - Mariyam Watershed, Northern Ethiopia

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Geographic Water Erosion Prediction Project (Geo-WEPP) were applied to compare modeling of annual runoff and sediment yield in the Agewmariam watershed, eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Spatial and temporal data distributions were required as inputs to run both models. Soil texture and other soil properties were measured in the field and in the laboratory, and soil maps were generated from global digital soil maps. Land use maps were created by manually digitizing Google Earth images. Watersheds were defined using watershed DEMs and gradient maps were created for each runoff event. Runoff samples were collected and analyzed for sediment concentrations in the laboratory; average annual runoff and sediment volumes were estimated using the WEPP and SWAT models. The results were satisfactory compared to the observed values, with R2 values of 0.86 and 0.91 for the SWAT and WEPP models, respectively, and NSE values of 0.54 and 0.71 for the monthly runoff. The estimated annual mean runoff and sediment yield at the watershed outlets were 65.54 mm, 146.14 mm, 43t/ha/yr and 41.7t/ha/yr for the WEPP and SWAT models, respectively. Several sub watersheds were determined to be susceptible to soil erosion and were prioritized, so more attention was given to this area to reduce runoff and soil erosion. Therefore, the SWAT and WEPP models were suitable for estimating annual runoff and sediment volumes. Sediment yields simulated from both models were high and alarming and far exceeded the allowable rate of soil loss.

Level of knowledge about neonatal danger signs and associated factors among postpartum mothers in public hospitals, northeastern Ethiopia

BackgroundKnowing and seeking medical attention for neonatal danger signs has many benefits for reducing neonatal morbidity and death. Despite numerous interventions that have been made to raise mothers’ awareness about neonatal danger signs, the desired level of knowledge has not yet been reached in Ethiopia. ObjectiveTo assess the level of knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among postpartum mothers in public hospitals in the Eastern Amhara region, northeastern Ethiopia. MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four government hospitals between January 10, 2023, and February 10, 2023.421 participants in the study were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews, observation, and chart reviews were used to collect the data. The association was discovered through multivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultOnly 36.6% (154) of mothers were knowledgeable about newborn danger signs in this study. Mothers who had higher institution status [(adjusted odds ratio) AOR = 3.355, 95% CI (1.751, 6.428)]; who were civil servants or a private employer [AOR = 2.986, 95% CI (1.822, 4.892)] and [AOR = 2.544, 95% CI (1.269, 5.138)]; and who had counseling about breastfeeding [AOR = 2.614, 95% CI (1.695, 4.029)] were positive predictors of awareness of neonatal danger signs. ConclusionIn this study, the level of mothers' awareness of newborn danger signs was low and required more effort. Moreover, mothers who were educated, worked as civil servants or private employers, had a family size of 4–6, and received breastfeeding counseling were linked to mothers’ good awareness of newborn danger signs. As a result, intensive community and facility-based health promotion activities on newborn danger signs should be strengthened, with special emphasis on uneducated and housewife mothers and breastfeeding counseling sessions.

Age of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Selected Soil Properties along the Toposequence of Gerado Watershed, Habru District, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

The government of Ethiopia through community participation has widely implemented soil and water conservation (SWC) measures, especially in the highlands of Ethiopia. However, the effects of these practices on the physicochemical properties of soils have not been well assessed and documented in the study area. Thus, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of SWC practice on selected soil physicochemical properties. Treatments were nonconserved land, 3- and 9-year-old soil conservation practices under three slope positions, namely, lower slope (0–8%), middle slope (9–15%), and upper slope (&gt;15%) positions, and at two soil depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) with three replications. Accordingly, 54 composite soil samples were collected and analyzed based on standard procedures. The results showed that the age of soil and water conservation practice, topography, and soil depths significantly affected most of the soil properties. Conserving the watershed for nine years improved the subsoil clay content from 37.1 to 46.3%, subsoil soil moisture content from 13.38 to 24.61%, surface total nitrogen content from 18.1 to 81%, available phosphorus content from 13.1 to 33.5 mg kg−1, surface organic carbon from 0.28 to 2.83%, soil carbon stock from 9.26 to 35.59 t ha−1, and surface cation exchange capacity from 21.5 to 57.4 Cmolec kg−1. Therefore, maintaining soil and water conservation practices for long periods can improve soil properties. However, planting different grasses, with the existing physical structures is needed to increase soil nutrient and carbon stock.

Effect of different soil moisture regimes on yield and water use efficiency of groundnut at Kobo irrigation scheme, Kobo Ethiopia

In the arid and semi-arid part of Eastern Amhara, water is the most important yield-limiting factor for agricultural production. Application of the right amount of irrigation water at a right time helps to optimize water loss and increases crop yield. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Kobo irrigation scheme to determine the optimal crop water requirement and irrigation frequency for yield and water use efficiency of groundnut. The CROPWAT model could generate the 100% irrigation scheduling as 40 mm irrigation water with 8 days. Field base validation and ground truthing is vital. Therefore, the treatments were formulated by the factorial combinations of the three crop water levels as 75% ETc (30 mm), 100% ETc (40 mm), 125% ETc (50 mm) with three irrigation intervals (6 days, 8 days and 10 days). The treatments arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The statistical analysis was carried out using Genstat 15.0 software and the mean comparison was done using least significant difference (LSD) test. The analysis revealed that the crop water use efficiency was significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected by the main effects of crop water levels, irrigation interval and by their interaction, whereas the grain yield does not show a significant (p&gt;0.05) response. As the water levels declined and the irrigation intervals varied, the grain yield tends a fairly constant trend. However, based on the commerciality of the crop, application 75% ETc (30 mm) with 8 days irrigation interval gave numerically maximum grain yield of 3466.9 kg/ha and it has nearly more than 200 kg relative yield advantage over most treatments. The highest water use efficiency (0.9 kg/m3) was recorded from the combination 75% ETc (30 mm) with 10 days; while it was statistically at par with 75% ETc with 8 days interval (0.8 kg/m3) applied treatment. From the result, it could be concluded that the maximum yield and maximum water productivity were simultaneously achieved by combined application of 75% ETc with 8 days interval and saves 4600 m3 water to irrigate an additional 1.2 ha compared with 125% (50 mm) ETc with 6 days interval applied treatment.

Hotspot areas of tetanus-unprotected births and its associated factors in Ethiopia: Spatial analysis of EDHS data

ABSTRACT Neonatal tetanus persists as a public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination is a cornerstone to prevent neonatal tetanus. However, its prevalence is low in Ethiopia, and little has been devoted to its spatial epidemiology and associated factors. Hence, this study aimed to explore the spatial pattern and factors affecting tetanus-unprotected births in Ethiopia. A further analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data was conducted, and a weighted sample of 7590 women was used for analysis. Spatial analysis was done using ArcGIS and SaTScan software. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors and variables with a p-value <.05 were considered as statistically significant. About 54.13% (95% CI: 53.01, 55.25) of births were not protected against neonatal tetanus, and spatial clustering of tetanus unprotected births was observed (Moran’s I = 0.144, p-value = .028). The primary and secondary SaTScan clusters were detected in Northeastern Tigray, Eastern Amhara, and almost the entire Afar (RR = 1.34 & LLR = 66.5, p < .01), and in the Somali region, and the western border of Gambela (RR = 1.44 & LLR = 31.3, p < .01), respectively. Tetanus unprotected births were higher among women without formal education (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.04), came from poor households (AOR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.45), who had no ANC contact (AOR = 6.97; 95% CI: 6.21, 7.88), and who were not exposed to the media (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.47). Hence, tetanus-unprotected birth hotspots require priority interventions, and it is good if the targeted interventions consider the identified factors.

Spatial variation and geographical weighted regression analysis to explore open defecation practice and its determinants among households in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, recent evidence revealed that over a quarter (27%) of households (HHs) defecated openly in bush or fields, which play a central role as the source of many water-borne infectious diseases, including cholera. Ethiopia is not on the best track to achieve the SDG of being open-defecation-free by 2030. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial variation and geographical inequalities of open defecation (OD) among HHs in Ethiopia. This was a country-wide community-based cross-sectional study among a weighted sample of 8663 HHs in Ethiopia. The global spatial autocorrelation was explored using the global Moran's-I, and the local spatial autocorrelation was presented by Anselin Local Moran's-I to evaluate the spatial patterns of OD practice in Ethiopia. Hot spot and cold spot areas of OD were detected using ArcGIS 10.8. The most likely high and low rates of clusters with OD were explored using SaTScan 10.1. Geographical weighted regression analysis (GWR) was fitted to explore the geographically varying coefficients of factors associated with OD. The prevalence of OD in Ethiopia was 27.10% (95% CI: 22.85-31.79). It was clustered across enumeration areas (Global Moran's I = 0.45, Z-score = 9.88, P-value ≤ 0.001). Anselin Local Moran's I analysis showed that there was high-high clustering of OD at Tigray, Afar, Northern Amhara, Somali, and Gambela regions, while low-low clustering of OD was observed at Addis Ababa, Dire-Dawa, Harari, SNNPR, and Southwest Oromia. Hotspot areas of OD were detected in the Tigray, Afar, eastern Amhara, Gambela, and Somali regions. Tigray, Afar, northern Amhara, eastern Oromia, and Somali regions were explored as having high rates of OD. The GWR model explained 75.20% of the geographical variation of OD among HHs in Ethiopia. It revealed that as the coefficients of being rural residents, female HH heads, having no educational attainment, having no radio, and being the poorest HHs increased, the prevalence of OD also increased. The prevalence of OD in Ethiopia was higher than the pooled prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Tigray, Afar, northern Amhara, eastern Oromia, and Somali regions had high rates of OD. Rural residents, being female HH heads, HHs with no educational attainment, HHs with no radio, and the poorest HHs were spatially varying determinants that affected OD. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia and stakeholders need to design interventions in hot spots and high-risk clusters. The program managers should plan interventions and strategies like encouraging health extension programs, which aid in facilitating basic sanitation facilities in rural areas and the poorest HHs, including female HHs, as well as community mobilization with awareness creation, especially for those who are uneducated and who do not have radios.

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.

Participatory evaluation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties under irrigation conditions at Abergelle district, Eastern Amhara

Participatory on-farm evaluation of improved tomato varieties (‘Melka salsa’, 'Roma VF' and 'Kochero’) against the local tomato variety was carried out during the 2019/2020 growing season involving six farmers of Abergelle district, Eastern Amhara. The objective of the experiment was to assess the performance of different tomato varieties for the farmers, then to collect their feedback. Based on the actual and farmers’ preference data, the analysis underscores the better performance of improved tomato varieties over local varieties by most yield-related attributes. Average marketable fruit yields of ‘Melka salsa’, ‘Roma VF’, ‘Kochero’, and the local variety were 4.62, 3.88, 3.64, and 3.10 ton ha-1, respectively. The improved varieties thus had a yield advantage of 72.38%, 37.14%, and 25.72% over the local variety in that order. Among improved tomato varieties, ‘Melka salsa' provided the highest fruit yield on top of owing the highest score of overall preference attributes rank. Scale-wide diffusion of ‘Melka salsa’ tomato variety is therefore suggested for similar and potential agro-ecologies. Biological scientists also should take farmers’ preference attributes and feedback as a backup for future breeding and adaptation studies on tomato varieties.

Response of Teff ((Eragrostis tef (zucc.) Trotter) to nitrogen and phosphorus applications on different landscapes in eastern Amhara

The dynamic nature of soil fertility status across different landscapes attracted research attention in Ethiopia and the globe. Teff [Eragrotis tef] is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia but yields are low due to inadequate nutrient supply and other constraints. A field study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the Habru district of Amhara Region to determine teff yield response to fertilizer-N and -P at hillslope, midslope, and footslope positions with slopes of >15%, 5–15%, and 0–5%, respectively. N and P fertilizer rates were factorially combined in randomized complete block design with three replications in each farmer's field. A linear mixed modeling framework was used to determine effects on grain yield due to N rate, P rate, slope, study sites, and years. Model fit was examined using Akaike's Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion. Economic analysis was done with a quadratic response function to determine the economics of fertilizer. Yield response to fertilizer-P was affected by slope but the response to fertilizer-N was not affected. Teff yield increase with fertilizer-N application up to 92 kg ha−1 the economic optimum rate based on the yield response function for nitrogen fertilizer was 85.4 kg ha−1 to obtain maximum profit (86878.8 birr ha-1). Similarly, the optimum phosphorus fertilizer rate at the hill slope was 39.7 kg ha−1 to obtain a maximum profit of (96847.8 birr ha−1). But there was not a profitable response at the midslope and foot slope positions. Therefore, for Habru district and similar agroecologies85.4 kg ha−1 N and 39.7 kg ha−1 P in hillslopes and only 85.4 N kg ha−1 for midslopes and foot slopes are expected to give the most profitable returns to fertilizer applied for tef production.

Trends Analysis of HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Treatment Outcome in Amhara Regional from 2015 to 2021, Northeast Ethiopia.

The persistent efforts of HIV/AIDS epidemiology remain one of the world's most important community health threats. To avoid becoming an epidemic, UNAIDS has set three 90% fast-track targets for 2020, and Ethiopia has also changed its implementation since 2015. However, the achievement targets in the Amhara region have yet to be evaluated at the end of the programme period. The aim of this study was to assess the Trends of HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Treatment outcome in Eastern Amhara Regional from 2015 to 2021, Northeast Ethiopia. A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the District Health Information System from 2015 to 2021. The collected data includes the trend of HIV testing services, the trend of HIV positivity, the yield of HIV testing approaches, the number of HIV positive patients linked to HIV care and treatment or access to lifelong antiretroviral therapy, viral load testing coverage, and viral suppression. A descriptive statistic and trend analysis were computed. A total of 145,639 people accessed antiretroviral therapy. The trend of HIV test positivity has been declining since 2015, peaking at 0.76% in 2015 and declining to 0.60% in 2020. A high level of positivity was reported in volunteer counselling and testing as compared with provider-initiated testing and counselling services. Following an HIV positive, there was an increase in linkage to HIV care and treatment. High suppression rates of viral load indicate testing coverage grew over time. The viral load monitoring coverage was 70% in 2021, with a viral suppression rate of 94%. The trend in achievement in the first 90s was not consistent with predefined goals (90%). On the other hand, there was good achievement in the second and third goals. Hence, intensified case-finding approaches to HIV testing should be strengthened.

Performance Evaluation of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Genotypes for Lowland Areas of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract Sorghum is an important food security crop in Ethiopia. As the grain is preferred for food the biomass is equally important for farmers to use it as animal food. It is a major crop in lowland parts of eastern Amhara as the environment of the area best fits for the crop. The study was conducted with the objective of identifying high yielder and adaptable sorghum varieties for moisture deficit areas of eastern Amhara region. Eleven sorghum genotypes including two checks were evaluated at eight different environments of four locations namely; Sirinka, Jari, Chefa and Shewarobit within two years in 2016 and 2017 under rain feed condition. The experiment was implemented using a randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. The combined analysis of variance over years and across locations revealed highly significant difference (p < 0.01) among genotype for all traits. Genotype × year × environment interaction was non-significant except for plant height. The smallest days to maturity recoded by G8 (125.8 days) while G11 took more number of days to mature (132.9 days). G8 also recorded the highest panicle/head weight (4.56 tonha-1) whereas G11 recorded the lowest head weight (2.7 tonha-1). Genotypes ranged from 2.363 tonha-1 for G11 to 3.95 tonha-1 for G8 in grain yield. As the highest grain yield (3.95 tonha-1) was obtained by genotype G8 (Sima) while that of standard and local checks were 3.1 tonha-1 and 2.67 tonha-1, respectively. Thus, G8 (Sima) was found superior over the rest of the tested sorghum genotypes and it has 47.4% and 27.29% yield advantages over local and standard check, respectively. As a result G8 (Sima) was selected, verified and officially released for its early maturing and high yielding in 2019 by the name of Kalu for production in moisture deficit areas of eastern Amhara region and similar agro ecologies of the country.

Teff and Wheat Yield Variation With Phosphorus Application In Jamma District, Ethiopia

Different plant species has different nutrient requirements and utilize nutrients in different ways. Biological activity contributes to P solubilization through mineralization, wheathering, and other physicochemical reactions so that the soil plow layer is the major source of soil availabile P for crops. Ethiopia Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource and ATA recommended six types of blended fertilizers (NPSZnB, NPKSB, NPKSZnB, NPSZn, NPSB and NPS) for the Amhara region. Our study was conducted in Jamma districts of eastern Amhara, Ethiopia, during 2018 cropping season to attest the yield of teff (Dega teff) and wheat (Danda’a) due to phosphorus fertilizer application. Fertilizer treatments tested were the recommended dose of N only, recommended dose of NP, 50 kg.ha-1 NPS, 100 kg.ha-1 NPS, and 150kg. ha-1 NPS, set up in a. randomized complete block design with three replication, and conducted on four sites. Our study demonstrated that applications of N and P fertilizers significantly improved grain yield of wheat and teff, and that there was significant yield differences (P &lt; 0.05) between different rates of P fertilizer. Therefore, even though the soil P levels were shown to be sufficient, application of both N and P fertilizer in the Jamma district is essential to increase yield of teff and wheat.

Magnitude and Trends of Chronic Liver Disease: A Retrospective Hospital Based Study in Eastern Amhara Region, Northeast Ethiopia

Magnitude and Trends of Chronic Liver Disease: A Retrospective Hospital Based Study in Eastern Amhara Region, Northeast Ethiopia

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Burnout among Midwives in Governmental Hospitals, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Burnout among Midwives in Governmental Hospitals, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022

Occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia.

Ionizing radiation is being used more frequently in medicine, which has been linked to recognized biological effects such as cancer and mortality. Radiology services are becoming more widely available in Ethiopian health facilities but there is no compiled record of worker's radiation dose. So, assessing the magnitude and identifying the associated factors of occupational radiation exposure dose among radiology personnel help to design strategies for radiation protection. The study was designed to assess the occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in eastern Amhara, northeast Ethiopia, 2021. Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 30, 2021, in 57 health institutions among 198 radiology personnel. The study comprised all eligible radiology personnel. The data were collected using an electronic-based (Google form) self-administered questionnaire, and document review. The data were entered into an excel spread sheet and then, exported to Stata 14 software. Linear regression model was used to analyse the data after checking its assumptions. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into a multiple linear regression analysis, and those with a p-value < 0.05 were judged significant. VIF was used to check for multi-collinearity. Coefficient of determination was used to check the model fitness. The mean (± SD) annual shallow and deep dose equivalents of radiology personnel were 1.20 (± 0.75) and 1.02 (± 0.70) mSv, respectively. Body mass index (β = 0.104, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.14), practice of timing (β = -0.43, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.13), working experience (β = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.048, -0.032), and practice of distancing (β = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.17) were found to be statistically significant factors of annual deep dose equivalent. In addition, body mass index (β = 0.113, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.15), practice of timing (β = -0.62 95% CI: -0.93, -0.31) and, working experience (β = -0.044, 95% CI: -0.053, -0.036 had statistically significant associations with annual shallow dose equivalent. The annual dose equivalents were two times higher than the global average of annual per caput effective dose due to medical exposure. Body mass index, practice of timing, working experience, and practice of distancing were factors of occupational radiation exposure dose. Strategies focusing on increasing the skill, experience, and lifestyle of radiology personnel would be supreme important means to reduce occupational radiation exposure dose.