Pastoral Associations Research Articles

Demonstration and performance evaluation of dual purpose chicken “Potchefstroom Koekoek” under agro pastoral management condition at Asayta districts of Afar regional state in Ethiopia

Dual purpose poultry package demonstration was undertaken at Awsi resu zone, Asayta district, Korodora kebele agro pastoral association with the objectives of demonstrating and evaluating the performance of chicken under agro pastoral management condition. Agro pastoral association and participant were selected purposively from the district, on the basis of experience and willingness to construct poultry house and cover all the associated package costs. A total of ten households were selected based on the package requirements.

Pastoral system in the face of climate variability: household adaptation strategies in Borana Rangelands, Southern Ethiopia

Socioecological systems transformations in Borana rangelands have reduced the resilience of the Borana pastoral system. However, Borana pastoral households have not been passive victims; rather, they have demonstrated significant capabilities to respond to their changing environment through technical and institutional innovations. This paper examined Borana pastoral households’ adaptive responses to deal with contemporary climate and sociopolitical variations and factors determining households’ adaptation patterns. The study is based on household survey data generated from in-depth interview of 186 households drawn from six purposively selected pastoral associations in Yabello district in southern Ethiopia. To analyze the collected data, both descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, independent-sample t test, and Chi-square test and econometric model were employed. Most of the Borana pastoral households were found to have already embraced diverse non-pastoral activities such as crop farming to sustain their life in the face of mounting internal and external pressures. Nevertheless, they are still less likely to totally abandon pastoral ways of life. The model outputs revealed that the likelihood of pastoral households to use herd mobility as an adaptive response is explained by availability of labor force, size of livestock holdings, and access to climate information. Interestingly, the size of livestock holdings determined the pastoral household’s adaptation patterns, indicating that livestock production still plays major economic and sociocultural roles in Borana pastoral contexts. Based on the findings, it is recommended that pastoral responses such as long-established mobility practice and current herd diversifications should be backed by responsive institutional support services. Finally, the study suggests that current hasty private range enclosures for both crop cultivation and fodder reserves should be reframed and supported by well-structured institutions for sustainable future and equitable resource use rights.

Epidemiological investigations of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in selected districts of Borana zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

From November 2016 to April 2017, a cross-sectional study to determine the sero-prevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and to investigate its epidemiology was conducted in selected districts of Borana zone in Ethiopia. In addition, the study aimed at identifying Mccp antigens using species specific primer of PCR. A multistage random sampling was implemented to select districts, pastoral associations (villages), and households. A total of 890 serum samples of small ruminants that had not been vaccinated (goats n = 789 and sheep n = 101) were collected and screened for the presence of antibodies against Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lung tissues and pleural fluid samples were collected from 3 sero-positive and clinically suspected goats for isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae. Serology showed that overall 31.2% (246/789) of goats and 12.9% (13/101) of sheep were positive with statistically significant differences between districts (p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that goats from Moyale and Yabello districts had higher odds of being positive than goats from Elwoya district with odd ratios of 2.05 and 1.61, respectively. Age of goats was also significantly associated with sero-positivity (OR = 1.47; CI 95% 1.2–1.8). Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae was identified in 6 (75%) of the tissue samples using species-specific primer of PCR. Besides improving the understanding of the epidemiology of CCPP in the selected districts and demonstrating its wide distribution, the study highly also provides evidence of the possible role of sheep in the maintenance of the disease.

Seroprevalence and participatory epidemiology of camelpox in Afar region of Ethiopia

Camelpox is endemic in most camel rearing regions of the world, causing significant economic losses. However, its epidemiology is not extensively investigated. We conducted a cross sectional seroprevalence study of camelpox in Amibara and Awash Fentale districts in Afar region of Ethiopia from November 2014 to May 2015. In addition, participatory epidemiology (PE) was conducted to identify seasonal occurrence of the disease in the study districts. Blood samples were collected from 384 dromedary camels from 31 herds distributed in five pastoral associations (PAs) in the two districts. Serum samples were separated from the blood samples and tested for the presence of viral antibodies using virus neutralization test. Seroprevalence data were analyzed using multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models accounting for the 4-level hierarchical data structure (camels nested in herds-herds in PA, and PA in district). For the participatory data, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to assess agreements between the informants in identifying seasonal occurrences of the top five camel diseases. Camelpox antibodies were detected in 19.3% of camels (n = 384), 81% of herds (n = 31), and in all five PAs from the two districts in the Gabi Rasu zone of Afar region, Ethiopia. The seroprevalence did not significantly vary between herds, PAs or districts suggesting the widespread occurrence of the disease. Estimated age stratified basic reproduction number (R0) was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.62–2.19). Camelpox was identified as one of the top five common camel diseases in the area. The widespread occurrence of the disease can be attributed mainly to the commingling of camels from many herds during seasonal migration in search of feed and water, a practice very common under pastoral production systems. Although the PE informants indicated the clinical disease to be more common in young animals, seropositivity was higher in older animals. Camelpox commonly occurs during the minor and major rainy seasons. In conclusion, camelpox is found to be endemic in Afar pastoral region with sporadic outbreaks occurring during rainy seasons. Vaccination and improved camel management practices particularly during the high-risk period can be viable strategies to reduce the burden of the disease.

Elementi Strossmayerova razumijevanja i formacije svećenstva te njegov odnos prema svećenicima

Basing his understanding of priesthood on the relevant Church documents of the time, Josip Juraj Strossmayer sought to form his priests primarily as pastoral associates who would be able to respond theologically to all liberal attacks of the time. Based on Strossmayer’s fragmented thoughts on this subject, collected from his circular and other letters to priests, the goal of this article is to depict his image of a priest and the profile of his formation of a pastoral associate, who is in dialogue with God and the world. The path to the goal leads through a brief presentation of the liberal spirit of his time, through creating the stone composition of his pastoral mosaic of a priest with a short ecumenical view, and the sketching of his theological and pastoral understanding of the essence and the role of his priest and his formative endeavour. All of this reflects Strossmayer’s episcopal and fraternal relationship of love and communion towards the priests. Imbued with friendship, he cares for their spiritual, cultural, intellectual, and theological growth.

English

Ixodid ticks are common and a major obstacle to development and utilization of animal resource in tropical countries like Ethiopia. Ethiopia shares long international frontiers with adjacent countries, tick dynamics and influx of ticks across the border are major obstacles of tick control and management. Thus, border-oriented epidemiological surveys are of paramount importance to identify a potential port of cross border diseases, particularly ticks and to formulate complimentary bilateral policies. The current study was therefore, designed with the objectives to assess prevalence, abundance and to identify genera and species of major ixodid tick of cattle circulating at Ethio-Kenyan border. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017 in purposively selected four Pastoral Associations of Dillo district, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 7524 adult ticks were randomly collected from 384 cattle and examined with a stereomicroscope. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of risk factors with positivity for Ixodid ticks. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 98.2% of Ixodid ticks of cattle. Three genera of ticks, Rhipicephalus (including the subgenus Boophilus), Amblyomma and Hyalomma and seven species of ticks were identified and found to be abundant with overall mean burdens of 40 ticks/head. The association of age and body condition of animals to tick infestation were statistically significant but there was no significant association between sex and tick infestation (OR=3, P=0.007). Animals in poor body condition were twice more likely to be infested with tick than animals with good body condition (OR=2, P=0.031) and animals with medium body condition were also found more prone to tick infestation than animals in good body condition (OR=1.7, P=0.043). Ixodid ticks that were less abundant in most parts of the country were encountered as well adapted and widely distributed in this area. Uncontrolled animal movement across the border may play a great role in high density and diversification of tick in Dillo district. Therefore, collaborative nationwide studies was done to have the country-wide distribution figures and to identify a potential port of cross border diseases particularly ticks and to formulate complimentary bilateral policies for prevention and control of ticks. Key words: Ixodid, tick, cattle, Dillo, Borena, cross border disease.

Role of non-governmental organizations in global health

Global health also refers to 'inherently global health issues', that is, health-determining phenomena that transcend national borders and political jurisdictions, such as globalization and climate change. NGOs include charitable and religious associations that mobilize private funds for development, distribute food and family planning services and promote community organization. They also include independent cooperatives, community associations, water-user societies, women’s groups and pastoral associations. To contribute to shared global health objectives, NGOs should work in close partnership with a wide array of international agencies and institutions to shape global health policies and to fund, implement, and evaluate programs. Non-governmental organizations are a basic element in the representation of the modern world. And their participation in international organizations is in a way a guarantee of the latter’s political legitimacy. From the stand point of global democratization, we need the participation of international public opinion and the mobilizing powers of non-governmental organizations.

Prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and associated risk factors in Borena zone, southern Ethiopia.

A study was made to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and its associated risk factors in Borena zone, southern Ethiopia during 2013-2014. A total of 2400 blood samples were collected and examined by the buffy coat and thin blood film laboratory methods, and data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The overall prevalence of camel trypanosomosis in the area was found to be 2.33 %. Prevalence was significantly different among the surveyed districts (P = 0.000), the pastoral associations (F = 6.408, P = 0.000), altitudinal divisions (P = 0.000), age groups (P = 0.034), and between animals possessing packed cell volume (PCV) values greater than 25 % and less than 25 % (P = 0.000); whereas, prevalence of the disease was not statistically significantly different between the sexes (P = 0.311) and among the body condition score groups (P = 0.739). The PCV of trypanosome positive and trypanosome negative camels differ significantly (P = 0.001), and prevalence of trypanosomosis was seen to be negatively correlated with packed cell volume (r = -0.069, P = 0.000) revealing the effect of camel trypanosomosis on anemia state of parasitized animals. In conclusion, camel trypanosomosis is a serious and economically important disease hampering camel production and productivity in southern Ethiopia. Further studies involving more sensitive molecular techniques to reveal the precise magnitude of the disease and to identify the vector species of the parasite are recommended.

Economic Analysis of Land and Livestock Management Interventions to Improve Resilience of a Pastoral Community in Southern Ethiopia

A linear programming (LP) analysis is presented of land and livestock management interventions that could increase the economic resilience of a cattle-based pastoral community in the Harweyu Pastoral Association, located in the north-central region of the Borana Plateau of southern Ethiopia. As a result of decades of overgrazing and lack of fire, encroachment by invasive, noxious woody shrubs and trees has markedly reduced the grass production upon which grazing cattle rely. More frequent and severe droughts and reduced grazing productivity, coupled with an increasing human population, have resulted in food aid becoming pervasive in the system. This suggests that the pastoral population has become less resilient over time. We examine the effects of altering the mix of the larger livestock species (introducing more browsing camels relative to grazing cattle), clearing stands of woody plants to promote grass production and expanding the use of traditional deferred grazing practices (kalo) to allow more grass forage to be available in the long dry season, which constitutes another resource bottleneck in the system. Results suggest that clearing the woody plants on a large scale (33% of the Harweyu landscape) would have the most positive impact on the ability of people to promote cattle production and could reduce dependence on food aid by almost one-third.

Unruly Catholic Women Writers: Creative Responses to Catholicism by Jeana DelRosso, Leigh Eicke, Ana Kothe (review)

Reviewed by: Unruly Catholic Women Writers: Creative Responses to Catholicism by Jeana DelRosso, Leigh Eicke, Ana Kothe Elena Malits C.S.C. Unruly Catholic Women Writers: Creative Responses to Catholicism. By Jeana DelRosso, Leigh Eicke& Ana Kothe. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2014. 221pp. $19.95. This book is a fishbowl of varied experiences given voice by thirty-five women writers. At a specific time in their lives, these writers encountered Catholicism in situations as different as that of a first grader in school is from a working pastoral associate in a particular parish in a particular city. Reflecting on events in their past, some of these writers tell us how their present has been shaped by a nun who taught them, a high school girlfriend who awakened lesbian longings, or a priest who condemned everything connected to the female body. The women come from numerous geographical areas, ethnic backgrounds, and careers. What they all have in common is a Catholic [End Page 88] connection and the ability to write creatively. They are, moreover, “unruly,” i.e., not easily controlled. The kinds of writing include personal essays, poetry, drama, and fictional short stories. There are no gender theories or critical appraisals of the Catholic Church, only formative experiences described with humor or in anger. Some pieces are more literary than others, but all of them embody good writing. The items are organized according to the Mysteries of the Rosary: Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious. The image of the Rosary provides a recognizable Catholic pattern and suggests the emotional impact of the various experiences. Titles are telling, e.g., “My Soul Sisters – or, How the Nuns of My Childhood Inspired a Feisty Feminist” Given the vastness of pieces that might have been chosen, the editors of this book chose wisely and with discrimination. A reader need not follow the writings successively. They might be read randomly or on the basis of one’s mood or pertinent convictions regarding women and the church. Whatever a reader’s beliefs, opinions, attitudes, or hopes and dreams about women and Catholicism, this book will open up new vistas. It may provoke taking sides, making a decision at last, or coming to appreciate certain viewpoints. Reading some or all of the pieces will assuredly create a response in the reader. Who knows? The reader may even start writing something along the lines of this book! Anyone teaching classes in Women’s Studies or Contemporary Catholicism would find this book useful. Perhaps someone teaching creative writing in a Catholic college may discover helpful models for women students. But this also might be a fruitful study for a Book Club. It definitely should be in a college library and perhaps in your local public one. It could even become a creative present for a woman’s husband, boyfriend, or male coworker. The book has many possibilities, as do the women who contributed to it. [End Page 89] Elena Malits C.S.C. Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN Copyright © 2015 American Catholic Historical Society

Assessment of Pastoral Perceptions towards Range and Livestock Management Practices in Chifra District of Afar Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the perceptions of pastoralists’ about range and livestock management practices as influenced by altitude in Chifra district of the Afar Regional State, Ethiopia. There are 19 pastoral associations and these were stratified into two based on altitude i.e., >550-850 m a.s.l and >850-1,100 m a.s.l. Nine pastoral associations were selected randomly from the two altitudes of the study district. In this regard, five PAs from lower altitude (>550-850 m a.s.l) and four PAs from upper altitude (>850-1100 m a.s.l.) were identified for the study. A total of 90 households were selected using a random sampling method, where 40 households were from the upper altitude (>850-1,100 m a.s.l) and 50 households were from the lower altitude (>550-850 m a.s.l) based on proportional number of households available in the two altitude zones. The socio-economic study revealed that average household size in the study district was 7.87 persons per household with a range of 3 to 15. The households were interviewed independently. The main source of income of the respondents was from the sale of livestock, their products and crop production. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in mean number of animals owned by the pastoralists living in different altitude groups. Rangelands are the major source of livestock feed and most of the pastoralists in both altitudes believed that the composition of the rangeland vegetation dramatically changed in the past two decades. Fifty and 60% of the respondents in the upper and lower altitudes rated their rangelands as fair and poor in condition, respectively. Hence, continued awareness creation through training of the pastoral communities, and restoration of the rangelands through different approaches are crucial to improve the rangelands.

First report of Toxoplasma gondii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Ethiopia: bioassay and seroepidemiological investigation.

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a major public health concern in many countries of the world. A cross-sectional and follow up experimental study designs were used for seroepidemiological and bioassay studies, respectively from November 2012 to April 2013. The objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection, to assess risk factors and to isolate the parasite from camels in the Fentale district, Ethiopia. A direct agglutination test (DAT) and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to test camel sera. Hearts and tongues (each 25 g) from 31 seropositive camels were bioassayed in mice. Associations between seroprevalence and potential risk factors (collected using a questionnaire survey) were analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsAn overall T. gondii prevalence of 49.62% (220/455) by DAT and 40.49% (179/451) by indirect ELISA test were detected. Herd level seroprevalence of 96.77% (30/31) (95% CI: 83.30– 99.92) by DAT was recorded and it was significantly higher in areas where wild felids are present (P = 0.038). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the likelihood of acquiring T. gondii infection was significantly higher in camels in the Ilala pastoral association [PA] (82.26%) (Adjusted Odds ratio [aOR] = 10.8; P < 0.001) than camels in the Galcha PA (31.43%), in camels of ≥ 8 years old (56.52%; aOR = 1.88; P = 0,033) than camels of ≤ 4 years old (34.26%) and in areas where domestic cats are present (aOR = 4.16; P = 0.006). All camel owners were uneducated, handle aborted fetus with bare hands, and drink raw camel milk. DAT and ELISA tests had moderate agreement (Kappa = 0.41). Viable T. gondii were isolated from 16.13% (5/31) of DAT positive camels. One DAT positive but ELISA negative camel sample gave a cyst positive result.ConclusionsT. gondii infection of camels in the study district is widespread. Age, presence of domestic cats and study PA are independent predictors of T. gondii seropositivity. Isolation of viable parasites from edible tissues of camels and the very poor knowledge of pastoralists about toxoplasmosis suggest the need for prevention of toxoplasmosis through bio-security measures, education and further investigation to unravel the impact of camel toxoplasmosis deserves consideration.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0222-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Spirituality of Study

As a young pastoral associate, weary from years of academic formation and struggling to keep up with the pressures of daily life in the parish, I simply had no time or desire for study. I used to take refuge from study in the fact that, as a Franciscan friar, I am the spiritual son of a man who considered himself ignorant and unlettered. But in time I came to discover that Francis was not completely unlettered, and he certainly was not ignorant. He spoke French (the business language of his day) and wrote in Latin (the academic language of his day). He was also the first person to write in an Italian dialect. In whatever language, his writings prove that while he was probably never a good student in academic circles, he was certainly a good student of life and studied human nature with care. Some would say that it was his study of human nature that led him to be so cautious of academic study. What was the source of his concern? It is interesting to note that the first Franciscans did not share Francis’s fear of education. Clare of Assisi, for example, had a very good grasp of Latin and knowledge of the great spiritual writers of the past. Despite Francis’s being contrary to academic pursuits, Alexander of Hales, Roger Bacon, and many other scholars were attracted to his way of life. The most famous Franciscan scholar of the early

Are you a priest? An Exploration of the Role of the Lay Pastoral Associate in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States: A Scriptural Perspective

Are you a priest? An Exploration of the Role of the Lay Pastoral Associate in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States: A Scriptural Perspective

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis and Q-Fever in Southeast Ethiopian Pastoral Livestock

To assess seroprevalences of Brucella and C. burnetii in pastoral livestock in southeast Ethiopia, a cross-sectional study was carried out in three livestock species (cattle, camels and goats). The study was conducted from July 2008 to August 2010, and eight pastoral associations (PAs) from the selected districts were included in the study. Sera from a total of 1830 animals, comprising 862 cattle, 458 camels and 510 goats were screened initially with Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) for Brucella. All RBPT positive and 25% of randomly selected negative sera were further tested by ELISA. These comprise a total of 460 animals (211 cattle, 102 camels and 147 goats). Out of sera from total of 1830 animals, 20% were randomly selected (180 cattle, 90 camels and 98 goats) and tested for C. burnetii using ELISA. The seroprevalences of Brucella was 1.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8-2.6), 0.9% (95% CI, 0.3-2.7)b and 9.6% (95% CI, 5.2-17.1) in cattle, camels and goats, respectively. Goats and older animals were at higher risk of infection (OR=7.3, 95% CI, 2.8-19.1) and (OR=1.7 95% CI, 0.9-2.9), respectively. Out of 98 RBPT negative camel sera, 12.0% were positive for ELISA. The seroprevalences of C. burnetii were 31.6% (95% CI, 24.7-39.5), 90.0% (95% CI, 81.8-94.7) and 54.2% (95% CI, 46.1-62.1) in cattle, camels and goats, respectively. We found positive animals for C. burnetii test in all tested PAs for all animal species. Being camel and older animal was a risk factor for infection (OR=19.0, 95% CI, 8.9-41.2) and (OR=3.6, 95% CI, 2.0-6.6), respectively. High seropositivity of C. burnetii in all livestock species tested and higher seropositive in goats for Brucella, implies risks of human infection by both diseases. Thus, merit necessity of further study of both diseases in animals and humans in the area.

MP 6 Dementia: perspectives from developing countries

Dr Mathew Varghese is Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) at Bangalore, India. He did his training in Medicine at the St John9s Medical College, Bangalore and specialised in Psychiatry at NIMHANS in 1984. Since then he has been a faculty at the Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS for over 25 years. His work at NIMHANS involves clinical services, postgraduate teaching, research and administration. At present he heads an Adult Unit, the Geriatric Clinic and Services and the Family Psychiatry Center at the Department. Dr Varghese9s areas of interest are psychogeriatrics, family psychiatry and rehabilitation. He has developed family intervention manuals for WHO projects for use with caregivers of persons with dementia and schizophrenia. He has been involved with research on dementia and since 1998 is one of the founding members of the International 10/66 Dementia Research Group and a member of the World Federation of Neurology Dementia Research Group. He was an investigator on the World Mental Health survey in India. At present he has many ongoing research projects supported by international and national agencies like the Fogarty International Center, the Wellcome Trust, the Department of Science and Technology and Dept of Biotechnology, India. He has over 70 publications in journals, monographs and books. Besides work at the NIMHANS he is a visiting faculty and examiner to other postgraduate courses in mental health. He is on the governing board of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (India), the Alzheimer9s Disease International, the ARDSI and rehabilitation centers like the Richmond Fellowship Society (RFS) and the Medico Pastoral Association. He was the President, Indian Psychiatric Society (Karnataka State Branch) and is the Vice President, ARDSI (Bangalore) and the Secretary-General of the RFS India. He has also helped organise many conferences, symposia and workshops and was the Organising Secretary of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation World Congress 2009 at Bangalore. He is the National Coordinator for the National Dementia Strategy of the ARDSI and author of the Dementia India Report 2010.

Et in Arcadia Ego: Toward a Historical Analysis of the Russian Pastoral Mode

By investigating the origin, character, import, and ultimate fate of the web of associations and reader expectations that is the Russian pastoral mode, this study attempts to determine how and why certain pastoral themes, tropes, and other literary conventions derived from the Classicist tradition of idyll and eclogue became divorced from their original generic context before eventually developing into crucial aspects of the Russian Romantic and Realist conceptions of the countryside. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of Aleksandr Pushkin in adopting, transforming, and propagating pastoral associations, which in turn provides insight into his own oeuvre and legacy.

Low prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Somali pastoral livestock, southeast Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) detected by the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT) was conducted in livestock of the Somali region in southeast Ethiopia—in four pastoral associations from January to August 2009. In 94 herds, each of 15 cattle, camels, and goats was tested per herd leading to a total of 1,418 CIDT tested animals, with 421 cattle, 479 camels, and 518 goats. A herd was considered positive if it had at least one reactor. Prevalence per animal species was calculated using a xtgee model for each species. The individual animal prevalence was 2.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5–8.4], 0.4% (95% CI, 0.1–3%), and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.03–1.3) in cattle, camels, and goats, respectively. Prevalence of avian mycobacterium purified protein derivative (PPD) reactors in cattle, camels, and goats was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.2–2.0%), 10.0% (95% CI, 7.0–14.0%), and 1.9 (95% CI, 0.9–4.0%), respectively, whereby camels had an odds ratio of 16.5 (95% CI, 5.0–55.0) when compared to cattle. There was no significant difference between livestock species in BTB positivity. In the present study, the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was low in Somali pastoral livestock in general and in camels and goats in particular. The high proportion of camel reactors to avian PPD needs further investigation of its impact on camel production.

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in pastoral cattle herds in the Oromia region, southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) was conducted in pastoral cattle herds in southern Ethiopia, from February to August 2008 using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The prevalence of BTB and the risk factors for having positive reactor herds were assessed in four pastoral associations in two districts of southern Ethiopia, namely Goro-Dola with 242 cattle in 16 herds and Liben with 231 cattle in 15 herds. A herd was considered positive if there was at least one reactor animal in a herd. The test results were interpreted based on the Office Internationale des Epizooties recommended 4-mm and a recently suggested 2-mm cut-off. The apparent individual animal prevalence of tuberculin reactors was 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.0-8.0%) and 7.0% (95% CI, 5.0-10.0%), whereas the true prevalence estimate was 4.4% (95% CI, 0.8-8.0%) and 6.1% (95% CI, 2.6-9.5%), when using the 4-mm and the 2-mm cut-offs, respectively. The overall herd apparent prevalence of tuberculin reactor animals was 41.9% (95% CI, 24.9-60.9%) and 48.4% (95% CI, 30.2-66.9%) with the 4-mm and 2-mm cut-offs, respectively. A positive tuberculin test was associated with the age of animals and the main drinking water sources during dry seasons. In order to investigate the public health risks and the epidemiological importance of BTB in the area, we recommend to include other livestock species (camels and goats) as well as humans in future studies.

Bodies and Liturgy: An Interview with Mary Deeley

Susan Ross interviewed Mary Deeley, PhD, a pastoral associate at the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Susan and Mary began their conversation by talking about the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (abbreviated here as GIRM), which was issued in 2003, and about other ways that bodies are a central part of the liturgical experience. The GIRM speaks of the dignity of the liturgy, the significance of movements, postures, singing, and silence and the roles that these play in liturgical practice.