Ethiopian National Research Articles

The prevalence of depression and associated factors in Ethiopia: findings from the National Health Survey.

BackgroundIntegrating mental health into primarily health care and studying risk for mental health particularly depression needs assessment of different factors including those that impede diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. But so far the numbers of literature for local context to analyze risk factors for depression and its treatment are scare. The objective of this study was to assess risk factors and health service attendance for depression among adults, in Ethiopia.MethodsFor this analysis, data from the Ethiopian National health survey was used. The Ethiopian national health survey studied 4,925 adults aged 18 years and older to obtain among other things, data on depression episodes, socio-demographic, chronic diseases, life style factors and treatment receiving for depression episodes in the past twelve months using questionnaire from world health organization (WHO). Prevalence of Depression in respondents based on ICD-10 criteria was estimated and logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for depression and treatment receiving.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive episode was 9.1% (95% CI: 8.39-9.90). In a Univariate analysis, residence, age, marital status, educational status, number of diagnosed chronic non communicable diseases (heart diseases, diabetic mellitus and arthritis) and alcohol drinking status were associated with depression. After full adjustment for possible confounding, odds ratios for depression were significantly higher only for older age, divorced and widowed, number of diagnosed chronic non communicable diseases and alcohol drinking status. The proportion of attending health service among those with depression episodes was 22.9%. After full control for all socio-demographic variables the only predictor variable was educational status, being in grade 5–8 had a higher odds (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.23-5.43) and 9–12 grade (OR=1.8 95% CI: 1.45-6.12) of attending service for depressive episodes.ConclusionsAge, marital status, number of diagnosed chronic non communicable diseases and alcohol consumption were the most important risk factors for depressive episodes. Generally there was lower use of health service for depressive episodes and low educational status was found to be barriers for service use. There is a need to formulate policy for mental health and training of primary health care workers in mental health to early identify and treat cases with depression episodes, so as to decrease prevalence of depression episodes and to improve accessibility of service use.

Malaria indicator survey 2007, Ethiopia: coverage and use of major malaria prevention and control interventions.

BackgroundIn 2005, a nationwide survey estimated that 6.5% of households in Ethiopia owned an insecticide-treated net (ITN), 17% of households had been sprayed with insecticide, and 4% of children under five years of age with a fever were taking an anti-malarial drug. Similar to other sub-Saharan African countries scaling-up malaria interventions, the Government of Ethiopia set an ambitious national goal in 2005 to (i) provide 100% ITN coverage in malarious areas, with a mean of two ITNs per household; (ii) to scale-up indoor residual spraying of households with insecticide (IRS) to cover 30% of households targeted for IRS; and (iii) scale-up the provision of case management with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), particularly at the peripheral level.MethodsA nationally representative malaria indicator survey (MIS) was conducted in Ethiopia between September and December 2007 to determine parasite and anaemia prevalence in the population at risk and to assess coverage, use and access to scaled-up malaria prevention and control interventions. The survey used a two-stage random cluster sample of 7,621 households in 319 census enumeration areas. A total of 32,380 people participated in the survey. Data was collected using standardized Roll Back Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group MIS household and women's questionnaires, which were adapted to the local context.ResultsData presented is for households in malarious areas, which according to the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health are defined as being located <2,000 m altitude. Of 5,083 surveyed households, 3,282 (65.6%) owned at least one ITN. In ITN-owning households, 53.2% of all persons had slept under an ITN the prior night, including 1,564/2,496 (60.1%) children <5 years of age, 1,891/3,009 (60.9%) of women 15 - 49 years of age, and 166/266 (65.7%) of pregnant women. Overall, 906 (20.0%) households reported to have had IRS in the past 12 months. Of 747 children with reported fever in the two weeks preceding the survey, 131 (16.3%) sought medical attention within 24 hours. Of those with fever, 86 (11.9%) took an anti-malarial drug and 41 (4.7%) took it within 24 hours of fever onset. Among 7,167 surveyed individuals of all ages, parasitaemia as estimated by microscopy was 1.0% (95% CI 0.5 - 1.5), with 0.7% and 0.3% due to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, respectively. Moderate-severe anaemia (haemoglobin <8 g/dl) was observed in 239/3,366 (6.6%, 95% CI 4.9-8.3) children <5 years of age.ConclusionsSince mid-2005, the Ethiopian National Malaria Control Programme has considerably scaled-up its malaria prevention and control interventions, demonstrating the impact of strong political will and a committed partnership. The MIS showed, however, that besides sustaining and expanding malaria intervention coverage, efforts will have to be made to increase intervention access and use. With ongoing efforts to sustain and expand malaria intervention coverage, to increase intervention access and use, and with strong involvement of the community, Ethiopia expects to achieve its targets in terms of coverage and uptake of interventions in the coming years and move towards eliminating malaria.

AMMI analysis for stability and locations effect on grain protein content of durum wheat genotypes

Durum wheat is a good source of protein. A grain protein content of 13% for durum is a standard in quality throughout the grain industry (Riley et al. 1998). Protein content like other traits in wheat is known to be affected by genetic and environmental factors mainly location (Bement et al. 2003). In this study we evaluated a set of 25 genotypes comprising introduction from CIMMYT and advanced lines developed through hybridization by the Ethiopian National Durum Wheat Research Project (NDWP) for protein content over six testing locations, representing the wheat agro-ecologies in the country. The experiments were conducted in a randomised complete block design (RBD) with three replications each. Plot size was kept at 2 m 2 . Grain protein content was analyzed following Kjeldahl method (A.A.C.C. 1983). Stability analysis was done according to Eberhart and Russel (1966) model and effect of locations and its interaction with genotypes were estimated following additive main effects and multiplicative interact...

Interannual Variability and Ensemble Forecast of Upper Blue Nile Basin Kiremt Season Precipitation

AbstractEthiopian agriculture and Nile River flows are heavily dependent upon the Kiremt season (June–September) precipitation in the upper Blue Nile basin, as a means of rain-fed irrigation and streamflow contribution, respectively. Climate diagnostics suggest that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon is a main driver of interannual variability of seasonal precipitation in the basin. One-season (March–May) lead predictors of the seasonal precipitation are identified from the large-scale ocean–atmosphere–land system, including sea level pressures, sea surface temperatures, geopotential height, air temperature, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index. A nonparametric approach based on local polynomial regression is proposed for generating ensemble forecasts. The method is data driven, easy to implement, and provides a flexible framework able to capture any arbitrary features (linear or nonlinear) present in the data, as compared to traditional linear regression. The best subset of predictors, as determined by the generalized cross-validation (GCV) criteria, is selected from the suite of potential large-scale predictors. A simple technique for disaggregating the seasonal precipitation forecasts into monthly forecasts is also provided. Cross-validated forecasts indicate significant skill in comparison to climatological forecasts, as currently utilized by the Ethiopian National Meteorological Services Agency. This ensemble forecasting framework can serve as a useful tool for water resources planning and management within the basin.

The Institutional Organization of Ethiopian athletics

This paper presents the institutions structuring the world of Ethiopian athletics. First of all, the governmental Sport Commission (former NESCO), the Ethiopian National Olympic Committee (ETH-NOC) and the Federal Supreme Council of Sport (FSCS) are briefly described before introducing the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) itself with its specificities and the history of its coaching. Other prominent actors of the world of athletics are the clubs, either military, company-owned or regional, and their hierarchy into first and second divisions. The training facilities for athletes are then described, as well as both the EAF and non-EAF competitions. Finally, some key issues concerning the world of international elite are approached.

Seasonal forecasting of the Ethiopian summer rains

AbstractWe present a new seasonal forecasting model for the June–September rains in Ethiopia. It has previously been found that the total June–September rainfall over the whole country is difficult to predict using statistical methods. A detailed study of all available data shows the rainfall seasonality varies greatly from one region to another, which would explain why the total June–September rainfall over all regions is a difficult property to forecast. In addition, the correlation between rainfall and the southern oscillation index varies spatially, with a strong teleconnection present only in some regions. This study accounts for the spatial variability in rainfall by grouping the rain gauge stations into four geographical clusters based on seasonality and cross‐correlation of rainfall anomalies. Linear regression equations are then developed separately for each cluster. The variables we use for the regressions are sea‐surface temperature anomalies in the preceding March, April and May of the tropical western Indian Ocean, the tropical eastern Indian Ocean, and Niño3.4. Formal skill testing of the equations shows that the new forecasting scheme is more effective in central western Ethiopia than either climatology or persistence—the methods currently used by the Ethiopian National Meteorological Services Agency. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society

The experience of self-care groups with people affected by leprosy: ALERT, Ethiopia.

This paper describes the development of self-care groups in Ethiopia by ALERT, and the successes and failures experienced in the process. The groups were started in 1995 in response to two main problems, the increasing number of people dependent on ALERT to heal their wounds despite years of health education, and the limited financial resources of ALERT for wound healing supplies. By December 1999, there were a total of 72 established groups. Group membership was voluntary. There have been a number of positive outcomes. Group members have taken up responsibility for managing and monitoring their own wounds and supplying their own wound healing materials. More attention is paid to their personal hygiene and personal appearance. They also report increased confidence to participate in society, restored dignity and self-respect, and a sense of belonging within the community. In addition, some members have started to pay more attention to their local environmental hygiene by building pit latrines and waste disposal sites. The ALERT staff involved in this initiative had to change their role from that of a leprosy service provider to a self-care group facilitator, but not all were successful in making this transition. The remaining challenge for the programme is sustainability and further development through the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, The Ethiopian National Association for Ex-Leprosy Patients and possibly other organizations too.

The presentation of weather information via the media in Ethiopia

AbstractThe Ethiopian National Meteorological Services Agency (NMSA) has been disseminating weather information and forecasts via the media since 1951. The quality and reach of the NMSA's broadcasts have improved markedly since 1993 after the installation by the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of an NRI MEDIA System which combines ‘blue screen’ computer and video technologies in a low‐cost broadcasting package. The quality of Ethiopian weather forecasts and bulletins is now amongst the highest in Africa. Its success has raised the profile of the NMSA significantly. Recognising these benefits, the UK Meteorological Office (UKMO) has, under Voluntary Co‐operation Programme (VCP) funding, sponsored several other installations in Africa and elsewhere. In this paper we include a short history of Ethiopian weather broadcasts, discuss the present systems used and their national impact and outline the spread of similar services in other developing countries.

Education of Blind Persons in Ethiopia

Educating blind children in schools based on European and North American standards is too expensive for Ethiopia, which has limited means and formidable problems. After a survey of residential schools for the blind and blind secondary students, the Ethiopian National Association of the Blind designed a new educational service delivery model that relies on elements of community-based rehabilitation and the employment of blind high school graduates.

Women Fuelwood Carriers and the Supply of Household Energy in Addis Ababa

In Ethiopia, about ninety-three percent of the energy requirement is in the form of firewood, charcoal, dung, and crop residues. Of an estimated annual per capita consumption of 205 kilograms of oil equivalent, only 6.5 percent comes from petroleum products (United Nations Development Programme / World Bank 1984). The gross energy supply in the country, based on 1982 estimates, is about 8.9 million tonnes, and the final consumption is 8 million tonnes. The domestic sector consumes 92.8 percent of the energy (7 436 000 tonnes in 1982) whereas industry and transport take 6.5 percent. In 1980 about 24 million cubic metres of fuelwood was consumed whereas the national allowable annual cut was estimated to be only 13 million cubic metres (Tekele Haimanot 1984). The deficit is covered by forest clearing and overcutting. The impact of such an accelerated rate of deforestation on the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the society is far-reaching. At present, the city of Addis Ababa is faced with a serious fuelwood shortage. Considering forests within a radius of one hundred kilometres of Addis Ababa, the demand for fuelwood exceeds the supply by about seventy-five percent (Ethiopian National Energy Committee 1981). To date, this imbalance has resulted in an accelerated destruction of the poorly managed forests around Addis Ababa. This deteriorating situation will aggravate the problems of shortage and cost of woodfuels for household cooking in the city. The supply of fuelwood to the city comes from both the state and the private sectors. The government transports fuelwood from a radius of various distances and distributes it to city dwellers, using depots located at different zones in the city. The private suppliers include not only peasant associations around the city who own and manage the forests but also fuelwood carriers who either buy or collect biomass fuels and supply the city and private stores in various kebeles (sub-districts). Thus, while the Wood and Charcoal Products Processing and Marketing Enterprise (ECPPME) under the Community Forest and Soil Conservation Development Department (CFSCDD) supplies about twenty percent of the city's requirement, using its thirty-five depots, the major supply of fuelwood to Addis comes from fuelwood carriers, peasants, and licensed traders. Therefore, these fuelwood sources needed to be studied properly.

Medicine and magic in central tigre: A contribution to the ethnobotany of the ethiopian plateau

The inhabitants of the Ethiopian highlands were long isolated from contact with other societies and over a period probably in excess of three thousand years, a distinctive life-style evolved. The isolation had its effects not only on the people but also, over a very much longer period of time, on the flora. The combination of endemism in the plant life and the maintenance of primitive beliefs and superstitions in the people, in spite of an early conversion to Christianity, resulted in an extensive and unique indigenous pharmacopoeia. Even though Ethiopia has had a written language for two thousand years, native medicines and treatments are an oral tradition-except possibly in church documents to which no layman is allowed access. This tradition has certainly played a part in the mystery attached to the cures by native practitioners. The plants used and the method of preparation are often closely guarded secrets, usually only passed from father to eldest son as the death of the former approaches. With each succeeding generation the chances of distortion or misrepresentation of the original plant or cure are greatly increased, and many mistakes are bound to occur. The impression of magic is also enhanced by the methods used in gathering and preparing the plants. Astrological influences are often invoked and, indeed, have become an integral part of the treatment. Many of the treatments are effective, many more are harmless and have no effect except psychosomatically, while a small number are certainly dangerous. Nevertheless, more than 85 percent of Ethiopians have no chance of access to a modern physician and, usually at a late stage in their illness, have to resort to traditional medicine. While many of the supposed medicinal properties have no basis in modern science, it would be facile to dispose of all treatments in this way. This paper is based on the personal knowledge of one of the authors, who has lived throughout his life in the Ethiopian highlands, and on observations and interviews carried out during the period June 1974 to February 1976. Plants and plant parts, where not known to either of us, have been identified in the Ethiopian National Herbarium in Addis Ababa. In addition, vernacular names have been used where appropriate, with due regard being paid to the anomalies inherent in this method of identification. The vernacular names included in Table I have been written down as phonetically as possible, there being no standard transliteration into English from the Tigrinya language current in northern Ethiopia. In this contribution we have not attempted to be exhaustive, but rather to add a little to the existing body of knowledge. For further information readers should consult, among other sources, Bally (1937), Cacciapuoti (1941), Chiovenda (1931), Getahun (1976), Innamorati (1973), Kokwaro (1976), Lemordant (1971), Siegenthaler (1960), UNESCO (1960) and Verdcourt and Trump (1969). To avoid undue rep

Bodenerosion in Semien-Äthiopien

Abstract. The soil erosion map in hand is integrated in an interdisciplinary work with zoology and botany which deals with the problems of an Ethiopian National Park in the High Semien Mountains. Wide areas of the high plains between 3,200 and 4,000 metres above sea level formed by Trapp-Basalt are damaged by soil erosion. In order to take effective measures against the irreversible damage in this potential disaster area, the present Situation was mapped in a primary phase in the autumnof 1974: 1) The present forms of erosion were mapped. 2) Based on numerous profües, the structure of the soil was investigated and typified in an ideal profile. The thickness of the upper black horizon was measured by 500 different samples, evaluated and presented areawise. 3) On arable areas differentiation between 4 classes of damage was made: heavily to negligibly damaged areas. The map established shows that soil erosion occurs principally on ploughed land. Tendencies to damage according to exposure, form and incline of the slope are clearly shown. An evolution of the forms of soil erosion can be derived. Possibilities for protective measures against soil erosion are available, but have not been used until today.