Mekelle City Research Articles

Treatment Outcomes and Associated Risk Factors of Severely Malnourished under Five Children Admitted to Therapeutic Feeding Centers of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Background: Despite presence of clinical management protocols for treating severe acute malnutrition, its case fatality rate remains high in health facilities from developing countries. Objectives: To assess treatment outcomes and associated risk factors...

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among AIDS Orphan Adolescents in Mekelle City, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study

Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among AIDS Orphan Adolescents in Mekelle City, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study

Food safety knowledge and practices of abattoir and butchery shops and the microbial profile of meat in Mekelle City, Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo assess the food safety knowledge and practices in meat handling, and to determine microbial load and pathogenic organisms in meat at Mekelle city. MethodsA descriptive survey design was used to answer questions concerning the current status of food hygiene and sanitation practiced in the abattoir and butcher shops. Workers from the abattoir and butcher shops were interviewed through a structured questionnaire to assess their food safety knowledge. Bacterial load was assessed by serial dilution method and the major bacterial pathogens were isolated by using standard procedures. Results15.4% of the abattoir workers had no health certificate and there was no hot water, sterilizer and cooling facility in the abattoir. 11.3% of the butchers didnt use protective clothes. There was a food safety knowledge gap within the abattoir and butcher shop workers. The mean values of bacterial load of abattoir meat, butcher shops and street meat sale was found to be 1.1×10,55.6×105 and 4.3×106 cfu/g, respectively. The major bacterial pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. ConclusionsThe study revealed that there is a reasonable gap on food safety knowledge by abattoir and butcher shop workers. The microbial profile was also higher compared to standards set by World Health Organization. Due attention should be given by the government to improve the food safety knowledge and the quality standard of meat sold in the city.

Implications of groundwater quality to corrosion problem and urban planning in Mekelle area, Northern Ethiopia

Surface and groundwater chemistry being an important factor in urban planning and infrastructure development, present paper tries to present the problems of corrosiveness due to groundwater chemistry in Mekelle city. Iron corrosion in distribution systems and engineering structures are common problems in many urban areas. Corrosiveness of groundwater at different localities in Mekelle and its environs has been evaluated on the basis of AAS-UV spectrophotometer-generated hydro-geochemical data. Corrosiveness of water was estimated by using corrosion indices like Larson Index, LI and Aggressive Index, AI and total dissolved solids, total carbonate hardness, chloride and sulphate data were evaluated to estimate aggressiveness of the water samples on iron pipes. Analyses of the results have shown that most of the samples from boreholes and hand dug wells compared to spring samples, are potentially aggressive. The result shows that 66.7% spring, 81.3% shallow hand dug wells and 81% borehole water samples have a Larson index (LI) above 0.5, a threshold of corrosiveness of water. This study highlights the basic characteristics of surface and groundwater chemistry and its potential hazard for corrosion of pipes, and provides a baseline information and awareness to the city planners for urban management.

Infection prevalence of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in suburbs of Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Schistosomiasis due to infection with Schistosoma mansoniis a public health problem in both tropical and sub tropical countries. Thus, effective control of the disease requires determining its prevalence rate, identifying risk factors of infection and high-risk groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in suburbs of Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. For this purpose, a cross-sectional parasitological examination wasconducted on457 schoolchildren from November, 2010 to March, 2011. Stool samples were collected and examined by the Kato-Katz technique. Semi-structurered interview questionnaire were administered to the study subjectsto identify possible risk factors of infection with S. mansoni. Furthermore, malacological survey was conducted to check the presence of snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni in the study area. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni in the schoolchildren was 23.9 %. Higher prevalence was detected in male children (30.71%) than in females (14.12 %) (χ 2 = 16.642, P = 0.000). On the other hand, the highest (31.2%) prevalence was recorded in children with ages ranging from 10 - 14 years followed by thoseaged 5 - 9 (11.4 %) and 15 - 19 (9.8 %) years (χ 2 = 23.865, P = 0.000), respectively. This study revealed the association of S. mansoni infection with older age groups, 10 -14 years (OR = 0.114, P = 0.001), time of residence in the study area (OR = 0.462, P = 0.011), water source (OR = 0.371, P = 0.020), previous history of schistosomiasis treatment (OR = 0.246, P = 0.000), frequency of water contact (OR = 26.958, P = 0.004), crossing water bodies (OR = 3.049, P = 0.001), working in an irrigated agricultural field (OR = 7.363, P = 0.000) and distance of home from water bodies (OR = 5.163, P = 0.000). Moreover, this study determined the presence of snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni in the study areas . Hence, the study areas are considered important epidemiological foci for the transmission of S. mansoni. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo wide scalesurveillance and institute proper control and prevention strategies against infection with Schistosoma mansoni

Assessment of Bacteriological Quality of Meat Cutting surfaces in selected Butcher shops of Mekelle city, Ethiopia

Microbiological methods are not commonly used to inspect the hygienic status of butcher shops. Therefore, the study was intended to identify and assess the bacterial load of meat cutting surfaces in 12 randomly selected meat shops in Mekelle city, Ethiopia. A total of 72 swab samples were obtained from the butchers’ knives, processing tables and workers’ hands. The swab samples were inoculated on plate count agar for enumeration of bacterial load and on different selective media to isolate pathogenic bacteria. Out of the 72 swab samples, 24 each were collected from tables, workers’ hands and knives of butcher shops. The swabs collected pre-processing were analyzed and the mean bacterial count (log10 cfu/cm2) was found to be 6.28, 5.67 and 5.30 from tables, hands and knives, respectively. Whereas the result for post processing was 6.56, 6.15 and 6.89 from tables, hands and knives, respectively. E. coli was the predominant isolate (32%) followed by Staphylococcus species (28%). The least bacterial isolates were Streptococcus species and Salmonella species with frequency of isolation 20% each. The study revealed higher potential of contamination of meat from the working surfaces. A structured questionnaire was also prepared to assess the knowledge of butchers on hygienic processing of meat. It could be concluded that there was poor level of personnel hygiene and poor sanitation at the butcher shops. And there was lack of knowledge on hygienic practices to be followed. Thus there is need to educate butchers for practicing good sanitation and meat handling techniques.

Households Willingness to Pay for Improved Urban Solid Waste Management: the Case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia

Cities in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth too often lack the financial resources and institutional capacity to provide needed municipal infrastructure for adequate solid waste management, despite citizens’ demand for it. This paper uses a cross-sectional survey of 226 randomly selected households in Mekelle city, Ethiopia, to assess the current municipal sanitary fees and the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents for improved urban waste management, and suggest mechanisms for cost recovery. We used Tobit and probit models in the empirical analysis to determine the factors that influence households’ WTP for improved solid waste management. Results reveal that residents’ WTP for improved solid waste management is significantly related to income and awareness of environmental quality, among other factors. The results suggest that the current city fee for sanitation is far below the WTP of the residents. The mean WTP we found can be a guide for municipal officials in setting a more appropriate fee that can finance improvements in city solid waste management, where all households receive collection services, waste is disposed of properly, and recycling features are added. Keywords : Urban waste management, willingness to pay, cost recovery, Ethiopia, cities JEL Classification : D13, Q51, Q53

Geological and geotechnical constraints for urban planning and natural environment protection: a case study from Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in the rapidly expanding city of Mekelle located in the northern part of Ethiopia, East Africa. An integrated approach including geomorphological, geological and engineering geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological methods were used to characterize the natural urban environment to be used as a baseline for protection and rational planning of development. Conventional field observation, test pits and drilled boreholes were used to collect soil, rock and water samples and standard laboratory procedures were applied. The results revealed that the main geologic constraints to sustainable development of the city are active erosion, instability of slopes, flood hazard, cyclic/alternating hard and weak rock layers, high swelling–shrinkage soils, shallow and unconfined groundwater with variable composition and high susceptibility to corrosion and pollution. It is recommended to avoid development and expansion of the city in areas of steep land forms, at the foot of steep slopes and in areas covered by black alluvial soil deposits. Development of a systematic multidisciplinary database aided by GIS, with continuous monitoring and updating is also highly recommended and will be useful for further refined geotechnical microzonation. It is the authors’ belief that this study highlights the basic constraints and hazards the city is facing, and provides baseline information and awareness to the city planners, decision makers, geo-environmentalists, engineers and the community for future expansion and rehabilitation plans and to tackle the existing hazards.

Parasitological Contamination of Wastewater Irrigated and Raw Manure Fertilized Vegetables in Mekelle City and Its Suburb, Tigray, Ethiopia

Watering of vegetables in developing countries including Ethiopia is done using untreated wastewater and raw manure of domestic animal origin is used as fertilizer. Thus, vegetables are considered to be the principal sources of human infection with bacterial, protozoan and helminth parasites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of parasitological contamination of pre-harvest vegetables in Mekelle city and its suburban village, ‘Mariam Dahan’. Pre-harvest vegetables were collected from the field during the dry season, washed using physiological saline solution, allowed to sediment overnight, centrifuged and examined microscopically for infective stages of intestinal parasites. Out of the vegetable samples examined, 32.41% in Mekelle city and 30.49% in ‘Mariam Dahan’, contained at least one parasitic contaminant. Strongyloides stercoralis was most encountered parasitic contaminant in the study areas, followed by, Taenia and Entamoeba spp . Highest rate of parasitic contamination was detected on Swiss chard, that was 45.5 and 41.67% in Mekelle city and ‘Mariam Dahan’, respectively. Occurrence of infective stages of intestinal parasites on wastewater-irrigated vegetables may pose public health hazards to farming communities in the study areas. Therefore, evaluation and surveillance of parasitological quality of vegetables is crucial in an attempt to control vegetable-transmitted parasitic infections. Keywords : Untreated wastewater, Raw manure, Pre-harvest Vegetables, Parasitological contamination, Tigray, Ethiopia

Household demand for improved water supply services in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

With population growth and urbanization, demand for improved water services has been growing. It is imperative therefore to examine different factors that influence demand for improved water services and the resultant welfare changes. Using cross-sectional household survey data collected through structured questionnaire from ten administrative units in Mekelle City, we estimate household willingness to pay models and identify major determinant factors of demand for improved water service. In order to help us do this, we considered selection issues and estimated models using the Heckman Two-Step Estimator. Our results show that the amount of bid (amount of money households would be willing to pay) that households (already connected to private taps) would be willing to pay is positively associated with household income, ownership of the house, price of vended water and the practice of water purification. For households who are not connected to private taps, the amount they would be willing to pay for (improved) private tap connection is positively associated with formal education, housing status and gender. We also investigate the welfare gains and losses as a result of improved water service. Analytical results show that, as the number of households who subscribe to improved water service increases, there is a gain in surplus for households and revenue (producer surplus) for the municipality.

Household waste disposal in Mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia

In many cities of developing countries, such as Mekelle (Ethiopia), waste management is poor and solid wastes are dumped along roadsides and into open areas, endangering health and attracting vermin. The effects of demographic factors, economic and social status, waste and environmental attributes on household solid waste disposal are investigated using data from household survey. Household level data are then analyzed using multinomial logit estimation to determine the factors that affect household waste disposal decision making. Results show that demographic features such as age, education and household size have an insignificant impact over the choice of alternative waste disposal means, whereas the supply of waste facilities significantly affects waste disposal choice. Inadequate supply of waste containers and longer distance to these containers increase the probability of waste dumping in open areas and roadsides relative to the use of communal containers. Higher household income decreases the probability of using open areas and roadsides as waste destinations relative to communal containers. Measures to make the process of waste disposal less costly and ensuring well functioning institutional waste management would improve proper waste disposal.

Isolation and Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing of Escherichia coli from Fish Meat Retailing Shops of Mekelle City, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted for the period of six months, September, 2016 to February, 2017 so as to isolate and identify Escherichia (E.coli) from fresh fish samples collected from four different retailing shops in Mekelle city and determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of isolated bacteria. Isolation and identification of E.coli and antibiotic sensitivity test were performed following the standard microbiological techniques. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the E.coli isolates were tested against 6 different antibiotics, namely Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Gentamicin and Streptomycin. Accordingly, out of the total 96 fish samples collected and analyzed, 9(9.4%) were positive for E.coli following the primary and secondary biochemical test results. Out of the four fish meat retailing shops, the highest and statistically significant prevalence (P=0.001) of E.coli was recorded in shop III as 5(20.8%) followed by shop II as 4(16.7%).Furthermore, results of the antimicrobial sensitivity test have shown that all of the isolates were completely significantly (P=0.001) resistant to two antibiotics (Ampicillin and Amoxicillin) and 100% significantly susceptible (P=0.001) to three of the antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, and Gentamicin). Whereas, out of the 9 isolates, 2 isolates (22.2%) were intermediate and 7 isolates (77.8%) were susceptible to Streptomycin. Hence, it can be concluded that fishes from Mekelle shops do contain antimicrobial resistant pathogenic E.coli where the proportion of these isolates significantly (P<0.001) varies from shop to shop. In spite of the lesser practice of their utilization, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, and Gentamicin were found to be the best antimicrobials to treat E.coli associated infections in the study area. However, it is suggested that post-harvest hygienic management practices are to be practiced along the fish production-marketing chain.Antibiotic sensitivity test, Escherichia coli, Fish, Mekelle, Retailing shops.