Gurage Zone Research Articles

Healthcare Providers' Readiness in Managing Intimate Partner Violence in Public Hospitals of Gurage Zone, Ethiopia, 2023; Mixed Study Design.

Abstract Background: Intimate partner violence severely affects women's health, especially during pregnancy, causing problems like miscarriage, maternal depression, and suicidal attempts. Victims also face challenges like substance abuse and inadequate prenatal care. Thus, it needs crucial support from healthcare providers. Objective: This study aimed to assess the readiness of healthcare providers to manage intimate partner violence at public hospitals in the Gurage zone, Ethiopia, 2023. Method: A cross-sectional study involving all 610 healthcare providers from selected hospitals was conducted. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25. Readiness scores were reported using mean and standard deviation, while regression analyses identified factors influencing providers' readiness to manage intimate partner violence. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically. Result: A 99.2% response rate was achieved, with 605 healthcare providers participating. The mean perceived readiness score for managing intimate partner violence was 26.4 ± 7.5 (95% CI: 25.8, 27.0). Significant factors included receiving training (P<0.001, 95% CI β =4.23, 7.21), knowledge (P<0.001, 95% CI β =0.13, 0.25), availability of protocols (P<0.001, 95% CI β =0.86, 5.49), presence of private room (P<0.001, 95% CI β = 1.88, 4.98), and attitude towards intimate partner violence management (P<0.001, 95% CI β =0.10, 0.38). Conclusion and Recommendation: Healthcare providers demonstrated limited perceived readiness in managing intimate partner violence. Training, protocol development, and improving perceived knowledge are crucial for enhancing providers' readiness to manage intimate partner violence. Keywords: Perceived readiness, Knowledge, Protocols

Determinants of construction project delay and its effect on project beneficiaries: evidence from the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Construction projects play a vital role in improving socio-economic development through infrastructure provision, job creation, and facilitation of economic growth. However, delays in the implementation of these projects are a common problem that works against these benefits. In Ethiopia in general, and the Gurage zone in particular, project delays have become a significant problem that needs a careful investigation of its root causes and effective policy responses. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of project delay and assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries in the Gurage zone, of Central Ethiopia. While regression analysis and relative importance index were used to identify project delay determinants, Key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to assess its socioeconomic effect on project beneficiaries. Poorly defined project scope, project control, and management, an incorrect estimate of project cost and schedule, bad economic conditions, political instability, lack of construction inputs, and inadequate communication have contributed to project delays. Project delays limit transport access, and increase unemployment, migration, disputes among project stakeholders, congestion on public service delivery, and health and health-related problems. Before approving a project, the soundness of the feasibility study should be properly checked. Project monitoring, follow-up, and control should be improved as a project implementation strategy. Beyond cost and time overruns, project sponsors consider the broader social and economic implications of project delays. This study contributes valuable insights that can inform project planning and management practices to mitigate delays and maximize socio-economic benefits for project beneficiaries.

Practice and factors affecting informed consent among healthcare workers for major surgical procedures at Gurage zone hospitals, South Ethiopia, 2022: a facility-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the informed consent practice process and associated factors among healthcare workers for major surgical procedures at Gurage zone hospitals, in 2022.Methods and materialsInstitution-based cross-sectional study...

Whey Based Bulla Porridge Using Different Proportions of Acidic Whey and Water

Bulla porridge is a traditional food item often made from bulla paste, which is primarily obtained from fully matured Enset (<i>Ensete ventricosum</i>) plants. It is high in carbohydrates but low in protein. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value and sensory attributes of bulla porridge. 5 kg of bulla paste was collected from Gurage zone, Ezha woreda, Ethiopia. The experiment included seven treatments: T1 (100% water), T2 (85% Acidic Whey & 15% Water), T3 (70% Acidic Whey & 30% Water), T4 (55% Acidic Whey & 45% Water), T5 (40% Acidic Whey & 60% Water), T6 (25% Acidic Whey & 75% Water), and T7 (10% Acidic Whey & 90% Water). The moisture, ash, crude protein, calcium, iron, and zinc content of acidic whey blended bulla porridge ranged from 0.54% to 1.65%, 0.33% to 4.65%, 0.43% to 1.43%, 177.60 to 530.50, 9.37 to 24.51, and 0.69 to 2.34, respectively. The highest sensory attribute scores were 8.33 for appearance, 8.47 for color, 7.87 for taste, 8.07 for odor, 8.07 for texture, and 8.15 for overall acceptability. Bulla porridge with 70% acidic whey and 30% water showed a 16% increase in protein, 35% increase in calcium, and 7% increase in zinc. Bulla porridge made with acidic whey can be significantly improved in terms of protein content and sensory acceptability compared to the control.

Spatial distribution and urban-rural disparity of unmet need for family planning among married/in-union women in Ethiopia: a spatial and decomposition analysis.

High unmet need for family planning combined with other factors, such as high early marriage and teenage pregnancy, increases the risk of developing obstetric fistula and other complications. This study aimed to assess spatial distribution and urban-rural disparities of unmet need for family planning among married/in-union women in Ethiopia. The study was conducted on secondary data from a cross-sectional survey that was conducted nationally between September and December 2019 using a two-stage cluster design on a total of 265 enumeration areas. A total weighted sample of 5,349 married/in-union women was included in the analysis. ArcGIS Pro and SaTScan software were used to handle spatial analysis. Finally, multivariable decomposition analysis via a logit model was used to decompose the observed difference in unmet need by the compositional difference and the difference in effects of explanatory variables between places of residence. Spatial distribution of unmet need for family planning was clustered in Ethiopia with a global Moran's I index value of 0.25 (p-value = 0.004). Accordingly, enumeration areas in West Hararge, Arsi, Bale, Gujji, Borena, Jimma, and East Wellega zones of Oromia region, and Gurage, Hadiya, Silte, Gedio, Sidama, Wolaita, Alaba, and Dawro zones of South Nation and Nationality People region, and the southern part of Zone 3 in Afar region were detected as hotspot areas. The decomposition results revealed that there is a significant disparity in unmet need between urban and rural resident women (0.074, p-value < 0.001). Endowment and coefficient factors accounted for the urban-rural disparity, contributing 68.32% and 31.68%, respectively. Household size, husband's opinion of family planning, community acceptance of family planning, woman's age at first sexual intercourse, and the woman's age were key determinants of the urban-rural disparity. The results revealed a significant disparity in the unmet need for family planning based on place of residence, with a clustered spatial distribution across the study area and notable hotspot areas. Thus, targeted interventions should focus on mobilizing resources to high-risk areas and addressing the needs of high-risk groups to reduce the observed variation.

The Promotion of Non-Communicable Disease Screening in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Method Study.

Despite the high non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality in Ethiopia, NCD screening in the country remains suboptimal. This study assessed the health communication process and materials designed to promote NCD screening among adult primary healthcare facility attendants in the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. A parallel mixed-methods approach was employed. Seven health communication materials were evaluated using the Modified Clear Communication Index Score by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven key informants who were involved in the production were interviewed to explore the process. Users' satisfaction with the materials was assessed through a cross-sectional survey (N = 412). We used multivariable logistic regression with SPSS version 27 software to determine the factors associated with users' satisfaction. Thematic analysis was applied for the qualitative data analysis using Opencode 4.03 software. Qualitative interviews indicated that the production process relied on evidence, involved stakeholders, and included pretesting. The CDC index score revealed that five of the seven materials were considered clear and user-friendly, whereas two required improvement. Overall users' satisfaction with the material was high with a mean score of 22.10 (SD ± 2.34; min: 14, max: 25). Age and educational status had significant positive association with users' satisfaction. Developing health communication materials on promoting NCD screening based on evidence, stakeholders' input, and pretesting can lead to good quality material and user satisfaction. We recommend future research works to measure changes in NCD screening service uptake as a result of using the health communication materials considered in this study.

Feed Resources for Livestock and Improved Forage Production Status in Enor Woreda, Gurage Zone of Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the objective of assessing feed resources for livestock and improved forage production status in Enor woreda. Three kebeles were selected purposively based on livestock potential, 90 forage producer farmers, 30 from each kebele were selected using systematic random sampling from forage participant lists. SPSS (version 20) were used for analyzing the data. Mean land holdings of the area were 2.98 (SD=0.2), 2.86 (SD=0.19) and 2.93 (SD=0.21) in enset, cereal and mixed based farming system, respectively. Cereal dominate system has higher TLU than other two farming system. Feed shortage was the primary challenge in enset-based (Index=0.26), cereal-based (Index=0.32) and mixed (Index=0.32) farming system followed by water shortage problem in both enset and cerealbased system. Natural pasture (28%), crop residues (straw) (23%), hay (17%), improved forages (13%) enset (12%) and by-products from industries (7%) were observed to be the major feed resources in the area. In all the three agro-ecologies, Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were the dominant forage species, whereas Sesbania (Sesbaina sesban) was the dominant in cereal-based system adopted in the area.

Maternal feeding practices for sick children under 2 years in Wolkite town, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundOptimal feeding practices for sick children are crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality. Despite global and national policies emphasizing the importance of optimal feeding practices for sick children, studies have revealed varying levels of practice in different regions, including Ethiopia. However, there is a research gap in focusing on community-based contexts to determine sick child feeding practices among mothers with young children.ObjectiveTo assess maternal feeding practices for sick children under 2 years in Wolkite town, Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia: 2024.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study involving a total of 419 mothers of young children was conducted in Wolkite town, Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia from September 15 to November 15, 2023. Participants were chosen using computer-generated random numbers. Structured, interviewer-administered, and pretested data collection tool were used. The data were coded and entered into EpiData 3.1 before being exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing mothers’ practice. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe study found that 54.4% (95% CI: 50–59%) of mothers demonstrated good feeding practices for their sick children. Significant factors contributing to these practices included mothers having at least a secondary education (AOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.5–9.1), delivering their child in a health facility (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4–3.8), and receiving support from the father (AOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4–3.8). Additionally, mothers who were counseled on infant and young child feeding had higher odds of practicing good feeding (AOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 2.3–7.03), access to postnatal care (AOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.1–6.95) and having a good knowledge of feeding practices (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.5) were also strongly associated with effective feeding practices.ConclusionsThe study highlights more than half of mothers in Wolkite town, Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia have good sick child feeding practices. Factors such as the higher educational status of the mother, having the father’s support, place of delivery, receiving PNC services, counseling on infant and young child feeding, and knowledge about sick child feeding were significantly associated with their practice. Implementing targeted education programs, strengthening postnatal care services, counseling on infant and young child feeding, and encouraging the involvement of fathers in childcare and feeding were strongly recommended.

Assessment of Beekeeping Practice and Its Constraints in Cheha Woreda of Gurage Zone

The objective of this study was to assess the potential of beekeeping and its practice taking place, constraints affecting the beekeeping practice of the area. For this study, 20 households were selected randomly, with the total of 60 households. Both primary and secondary source of data was collected. The primary data were collected mainly from interviews and by observation, whereas secondary data were collected from Chaha Woreda Agricultural office. Further more, visits to the districts were taken to gather relevant information for the study prior to actual survey. The results of this study show that, out of the respondents, 51 were male headed households whereas the rest 9 households were female headed. Majority of household in the area was from 20-60 years old indicating that, active working force is dominant in the study area. In relation to educational level, 20% of the respondents were illiterate and the remaining had got at least basic education quantitatively, 18.33%, 28.33% and 13.33% of the respondents had attended elementary school, secondary and high school, respectively. Beekeeping is an ancient farming activity and practiced as a side line with other farm activities. Based on the type of hives and management practiced, three types of beekeeping are yet visible in the area. There was no significant variation in proportion of hives among the study kebeles. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;However, Sisenamati, which was lower in number of transitional hive, has shown relatively high potential with modern hive followed by warden. Adoshe was better in potential of transitional hive but has lower number of modern hive. &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;Out of householders, 53.4%, 30.6%, 9.4% and 6.6% state that they have place traditional hive under the roof of the house, hanging on trees, inside the house and back yard respectively.

Assessment of Maintenance Activities and Strategies for Tractor and Operator Care in Gurage Zone, Wolkite Town, Ethiopia

Data was collected from 53 tractor operators and stakeholders from the Wolkite. Many types of tractors were used and the common brands were Sonalika, Indo-farm, John Deer, Massey, Fergusson, and New Holland. Of these tractors, about 30.18%, 20.75%, and 18.86% were used for plowing, harrowing, transporting, threshing, planting, and spraying activities by Sonalika, Indo-farm, and John deer respectively. Regarding training to operate the machine, about 71.69% replied yes and about 28.31% replied don&amp;apos;t have the training to maintain the machine, but they develop their skills through different experiences. But for their maintenance activities, they replied as 22.64% for daily, 92.45% for weekly, and 100% for monthly. In the case of checking the fluid level of the tractors about 9.43% within 3 hours, 20.75% within 6 hours, and 84.9% within 10 hours with oil level, about 3.77% within 3 hours, 11.32% within 6 hours and 98.11 within 10 hours for checking the water level and lastly about 15.09% within 3 hours, 71.69% within 6 hours and 94.33% within 10 hours to check the level of fuels. Moreover the washing of the tractors after the operation was 1.88% washed their tractors after operation; about 5.66% didn&amp;apos;t wash their tractors, and about 92.46 washed without schedule. For lubricating different rotating parts of the tractors, about 56% of the respondents lubricate their tractor parts and about 92.45% of the respondents clean the battery cables and terminals frequently. About 3.77% and 16.98% use shelter for their tractors and record-keeping experience during their work.

Participatory Assessment of Agriculture Land and Vegetation Associated Issues and Possible Interventions in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Land degradation and depletion of natural forests made agriculture unsustainable and threaten communities and ecosystems as a whole. The objective of this participatory assessment was to identify researchable issues related to agricultural land and vegetation cover in Gurage zone. Accordingly, seven representative districts were selected and from each district two representative kebeles were purposively selected. Focus Group Discussion with farmers, development agents and subject matter specialists and direct observation were important primary sources of information. The survey result depicts in the Gurage zone land degradation, undulating steep slope topography, small and overwhelmed land tenure, inappropriate land use system, cultural landscape mismanagement, deforestation of indigenous trees and expansion of eucalyptus tree, and decreasing enset production are the major identified problems associated with land use and vegetation cover of the study area. In the mixed farming system, enset is produced as a homestead farm and its coverage is decreasing due to disease, lack of processing machines, and shortage of organic matter. Due to the expansion of eucalyptus and land use change, the majority of native trees are disappearing or decreasing in area coverage. Therefore, enset and eucalyptus require suitable policy attention. In the mountainous areas of Gurage; limited land availability, soil degradation, shortage of appropriate farm technologies, water scarcity, lack of knowledge for alpine agriculture and inconvenient topography for mechanized farming machines issues threaten agriculture of area. Despite the fact that there are few attempts to control land degradation; the issue still needs much attention. Appropriate agricultural technologies and knowledge suited for mountain agriculture, dense populations, enset-based farming systems, and small land tenure are important priority research focus areas for future research.

Prevalence of traditional eye medicine and self-treatment in Gurage Zone, Rural Ethiopia

IntroductionTraditional medicines are commonly used worldwide, especially in Africa—however, there is limited information on the prevalence and types of traditional eye medicine utilization in Ethiopia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence, the type and nature of traditional eye medicine use and practices related to self-medication for ophthalmic diseases in a rural Ethiopian population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected primary health centers in rural Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Health-seeking behavior, use of self-medication, and traditional eye medicine were assessed in the population using a semi-structured questionnaire.Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were computed to determine associated factors for using self-medication and traditional eye medicine.ResultOf the 814 participants interviewed, 487 (59.8%) reported using traditional eye medicine, mainly for combinations of symptoms of ocular redness, irritation, and eye discharge (95.5%). Besides, 604 (74.2%) participants reported self-treatment with tetracycline 1% eye ointment. Older age, females, low income, no formal education, and lack of access to media were risks for utilizing traditional eye medicine.ConclusionThe use of traditional eye medicine and self-treatment are common in this population. Regulatory legislation, public awareness, and making eye care are vital activities required to monitor such practices.

Gestational weight gain and its determinants among pregnant women in Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia: a cohort study

BackgroundThe nutritional status of the mothers before pregnancy and the weights gained during pregnancy are very crucial factors affecting the pregnancy outcomes and health of the infants. This study aimed to assess early pregnancy weight, determine the magnitude of gestational weight gain, and investigate the factors affecting gestational weight gain among pregnant women in the Gurage zone, 2022.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women who started antenatal care follow-up before the 16th week of gestation in the selected hospitals and health centers of the Gurage zone, Ethiopia. The gestational weight gain was obtained by subtracting the early pregnancy weight from the last pregnancy weight and categorizing based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendation.ResultsThe early pregnancy weight status of the women at enrollment indicates that 10% of them were underweight and 83% of them had normal weight. On average, the study participants gained 13.3 kgs of weight with [95% CI: 13.0, 13.6]. More than half (56%) of them gained adequate weight, a quarter (26%) of them gained inadequate weight, and 18% of them gained excess weight during pregnancy compared to the IOM recommendation. Maternal age, occupational status, and early pregnancy weight status were found to have a statistically significant association with the gestational weight gained.ConclusionAlmost half (44%) of the pregnant women gained either inadequate or excess weight during pregnancy. Promoting gestational weight gain within recommended guidelines should be emphasized for younger, employed women and those who are either underweight or overweight.

Performance of Pit Latrines and Their Herd Protection Against Diarrhea: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Rural Ethiopia.

In sanitation policies, "improved sanitation" is often broadly described as a goal with little rationale for the minimum standard required. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial in rural Ethiopia. We compared the performance of well-constructed and poorly constructed pit latrines in reducing child diarrhea. In addition, we explored whether having a well-constructed household latrine provides indirect protection to neighbors if cluster-level coverage reaches a certain threshold. We followed up children aged younger than 5 years (U5C) of 906 households in rural areas of the Gurage zone, Ethiopia, for 10 months after community-led total sanitation interventions. A study-improved latrine was defined as having all the following: pit of ≥2 m depth, slab of any material, drop-hole cover, wall, roof, door, and handwashing facilities (water and soap observed). U5C in households with a study-improved latrine had 54% lower odds of contracting diarrhea than those living in households with a latrine missing 1 or more of the characteristics (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27, 0.81; P=.006). Analyses were adjusted for child age and sex, presence of improved water for drinking, and self-reported handwashing at 4 critical times. The odds of having diarrhea among those with an improved latrine based on the World Health Organization/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) definition (i.e., pit latrines with slabs) were not substantially different from those with a JMP-unimproved latrine (aOR=0.99; 95% CI=0.56, 1.79; P=.99). Of U5C living in households without a latrine or with a study-unimproved latrine, those in the high-coverage villages were less likely to contract diarrhea than those in low-coverage villages (aOR=0.55; 95% CI=0.35, 0.86; P=.008). We recommend that academic studies and routine program monitoring and evaluation should measure more latrine characteristics and evaluate multiple latrine categories instead of making binary comparisons only.

Determinants of share of land allocated to Eucalyptus tree and its livelihoods contribution to rural farm households: empirical evidence from Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers are increasingly planting eucalyptus trees as an important farm product in many rural areas of Ethiopia including the study area - Gurage Zone. This study analyzed the contribution of eucalyptus trees to rural households’ livelihood and factors that influence the share of land allocated to eucalyptus by smallholder farmers in the study area. The study mainly used household survey, key informant interviews as well as Focus Group Discussions to generate the required data for the study. The descriptive analysis indicated that eucalyptus tree is an important farm product as a source of households’ energy in addition to other economic and social benefits. In addition to being the most reliable source of finance during times of emergency, it was found to contribute almost 31% of total annual household income. Furthermore, the fraction logit estimation indicated factors such as total household income, household heads’ perception towards eucalyptus trees, livestock holdings as well as distance from main roads to be important factors in determining the share of land allocated to eucalyptus trees. We recommend government officials and experts to assist smallholder farmers to use rural land in the most sustainable way by developing and implementing appropriate land use policy.

Natural Enemies of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) and comparing Neem aqueous extracts with its larvae, Gurage zone, central Ethiopia

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) is an invasive and polyphagous insect pest. It poses a significant threat to maize crops, uncontrolled infestation can result 100% loss. However, natural enemies play a vital role in regulating the population of this pest. Additionally, botanical sources extracts have the potential to be effective insecticides. The objectives of the study were to investigate the natural enemies of S. frugiperda in the Gurage zone and to compare efficacy of Neem seed and leaf aqueous extracts with S. frugiperda larvae, central Ethiopia. S. frugiperda larvae and egg masses, cocoons and larvae cadavers collected from infested maze farms. From each round collection 25 healthy and inactive larvae were sampled to rear until emerging adults. Observed predator species recorded. Neem seed and leaf aqueous extracts was tested against S. frugiperda in laboratory condition. The study found a diverse range of natural enemies associated with S. frugiperda, including parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogenic fungi. Three species of parasitoids (Exorista xanthaspis, Tachina spp., and Charops annulipes) were documented in Ethiopia for the first time. Predatory insects belonging to four distinct orders: Hemiptera, Dermaptera, Coleoptera, and Mantodea also identified. In particular, various Hemipterans were observed in the maize farms infested with S. frugiperda. In terms of Neem seed and leaf aqueous extracts, they demonstrated similar mortality rates for S. frugiperda larvae after 72h, although differences were observed at 24 and 48h. For effective management of S. frugiperda, more research is needed to fully exploit the potential of natural enemies and botanical source insecticides.

Assessment on Major Constrains of Enset (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ensete ventricosum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Landrace Production and Management Methods in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia

Enset (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ensete ventricosum Cheesman&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) is important crops in South, South western and Central part of Ethiopia. The assessment was conducted in major enset growing areas of Gurage zone during the 2021 cropping season with the objective of assessing major constrain of enset production and management methods at Cheha and Enemor Enore Woredas. The research site was selected with Gurage zine Agricultural office based on their enset production and cultivation. In each woredas four kebeles and five farmers were selected randomly. Farmers are growing enset landrace as intensive farming methods. In average 5-10 types of enset landraces were planting in their farm land. For propagating from 3-4 years enset landraces were preferred and germinating 50-100 sucker per plant. In both locations disease and wild animal is the major constrain of enset production. At Enemor Enore Woredas both disease and wild animal 60% and disease 25% whereas at Cheha worda disease 47.5% and both disease and wild animal 30% are the major constrains of enset production. In both location bacterial wilt is the major factors affecting enset production. In Cheha woreda 47.6% of enset landraces are tolerant to bacterial wilt reaction while 38.1% is susceptible whereas in Enemore Ener woreda 26.67% enset landraces are tolerant bacterial wilt while 23.33% is susceptible. The higher bacterial wilt prevalence was recorded in Cheha (77%) whereas in Enemore Ener woreda (57%). Among wild animal Porcupine and pig is the major factors for enset production. Therefore, for sustainable enset production, constant pest surveillance, planting a tolerant plant, Burring and rouging of the infected enset landrace, application of manure, removal of infected debris, and awareness creation are recommended to the local farmer.

Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.

Dietary diversity and other predictors of low birth weight in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia: Prospective study.

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Dietary diversity is a key indicator of maternal dietary adequacy that may affect birth weight but little is known about their relationship. Hence, this study aimed to assess the association of suboptimal maternal dietary diversity during pregnancy and low birth weight in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. The prospective study was conducted among 1062 pregnant women enrolled consecutively in between 16 to 20 gestational weeks and followed until delivery. The baseline data were collected at recruitment and dietary diversity was assessed using the minimum dietary diversity score for women (MDD-W) tool in three different rounds. The average of three scores was considered to categorize women into optimal (consumed ≥ 5 food groups) and suboptimal (consumed < 5 food groups) dietary diversity groups. The risk of low birth weight among suboptimal dietary diversity was assessed using modified Poisson regression with robust standard error. Of the 1062 pregnant women recruited, 959 (90.4%) women completed follow-up. Among them, 302 (31.5%) women are having optimal and the rest, 657 (68.5%) women are having suboptimal dietary diversity. The risk of low birth weight was significantly higher among women with sub-optimal dietary diversity than among those with optimal diversity (ARR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.84). Other factors such as rural residence (ARR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.43, 1.87), age > = 35 years (AAR = 3.94, 95% CI: 2.41, 6.46), being underweight (ARR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.86), height < 150cm (ARR = 4.65, 95% CI: 2.52, 8.59), unwanted pregnancy (ARR = 3.35, 95% CI: 2.23, 5.02), preterm delivery (3.65, 95% CI: 2.27, 5.84) and lack of nutritional counseling (ARR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.67) significantly increased the risk of low birth weight. Suboptimal dietary diversity associated low birth weight. Promoting dietary diversity by strengthening nutritional education and avoiding unwanted pregnancy particularly among rural residents may help to reduce the incidence of low birth weight.

Prevalence of ABO and Rhesus (D) Blood Group and Allelic Frequency at Blood Bank of Nigist Eleni Mohammed Hospital, Ethiopia.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the pattern of the ABO and rhesus D (RhD) blood group distribution among voluntary blood donors attending five blood donation centers at Nigist Eleni Mohammed General Hospital in Hossana, Ethiopia. A total of 1,120 participants who fulfilled the "who can give blood" criteria of the World Health Organization were selected randomly. Blood samples were collected, transported to the laboratory, and analyzed for ABO and RhD typing. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square correlation analysis. The study found that the O blood group was the most prevalent (39.0%), followed by A (32.2%), B (22.5%), and AB (6.4%). When considering both the ABO and Rh blood groups together, 92.9% of blood donors were RhD positive, while only 7.1% were RhD negative. The distribution pattern of the ABO blood groups in Gurage Zone, Hadiya Zone, Kembata Zone, and Silte Zone showed that the O blood group was the most prevalent, followed by A, B, and AB, in that order. Conversely, the ABO blood group distribution pattern in Halaba Zone was A > O > B > AB. Civil servants from different occupational statuses were the most dominant voluntary blood donors, accounting for 53.2%, followed by students from different high schools and universities (41.9%), self-employed individuals (4.1%), and others (0.7%). The ABO blood group system had observed allele frequencies significantly different from the expected frequencies (p = 0.007), while the RhD system did not (p = 0.037). Allele frequencies for A, B, and O in the ABO system were 0.3531, 0.2576, and 0.3893, respectively. Observed frequencies for RhD-positive and RhD-negative alleles were 0.9647 and 0.0531, respectively. This study highlights the regional ABO and RhD blood group variations in Ethiopia, noting disparities from expected ABO allele frequencies, and identifies the O blood group predominance among donors with a high RhD-positive prevalence.