Raya Alamata District Research Articles

Smallholder livestock farming in the face of climate change: Challenges in the Raya Alamata district of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

AbstractSmallholder livestock farming is a crucial component of African economies, particularly south of the Sahara, sustaining millions of farmers and bolstering food security continent‐wide. Our study investigates into the effects of climate change on smallholder livestock farmers in northern Ethiopia's Raya Alamata district, investigating how farmers are adapting to evolving conditions. A field survey encompassing 177 households within three rural communities, coupled with statistical analysis, revealed that droughts strike once every three seasons, causing water and forage shortages, rangeland deterioration and a surge in livestock diseases and deaths. In seasons marked by dryness and heat, the incidence of livestock illness increased markedly, and daily milk yield per cow plummeted from 4 to 1.66 litres. In response, local farmers have transitioned from open grazing to stall‐feeding, heavily dependent on costly market‐bought feeds. Other significant adaptive measures include providing shelter, bathing livestock during heatwaves and practicing transhumance. To enhance resilience to these issues, we advocate for improved environmental conservation, better access to climate data and resources, better animal health care, and subsidized and readily available feed. Our research underscores the profound adversities confronting smallholder livestock farmers in northern Ethiopia due to climate change, implications that extend to food security and the economic equilibrium of the area and beyond.

Effect of Farm Yard Manure and Gypsum on Yield of Sorghum and Soil Properties in Saline Sodic Soils of Raya Alamata District, Northern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted in Raya Alamata district, northern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of sole and combined application of FYM and gypsum on saline sodic soils on yield of sorghum by supplying different rates of farmyard manure (FYM) and/or gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) application alone or both mixtures using a randomized complete block design for three consecutive years. The treatment used included: control, three FYM rates alone, two gypsum rates alone and six combination of FYM and gypsum with a total of 12 treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times to yield 36 experimental plots. The result indicated that, there was no significant difference between treatments in the first and second year of cropping season. However, the effect the amendments were shown in the third year of the cropping season, and hence, the treatment effect of the combined application of FYM and gypsum were more effective and improved soil properties and increased the yield of sorghum. In addition, compared to all other treatments, the combined application of 4 tha -1 FYM + 100% GR followed by 8 tha -1 FYM + 100% GR resulted the highest grain yield of sorghum and reduced the sodium induced hazards than all other treatments. Hence, it is recommended as the best treatment in the improvement of saline sodic soils of the district. Keywords: Gypsum; Farmyard manure; Sorghum; Soil amendment; Soil properties DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-11-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2022

The Contributions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Reducing Health Disparity in the United States: The Case of Louisiana

In Ethiopia, traditional medicine based mainly on medicinal plants, has been used for centuries for the treatment of human and animal health problems. The objective of this study was to document medicinal plants used to treat human and domestic animals ailments as well as the associate indigenous knowledge and conservation methods in Raya Alamata District in Northern Ethiopia. Ethno-botanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, group discussions, field observations, preference ranking, paired comparison and direct matrix. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor, and various ranking methods. Local communities heavily depend on traditional medicinal plants and associated knowledge for treating human and livestock ailments. However, medicinal plants and the associated knowledge are eroding mainly due to agricultural expansion, deforestation and land degradation for seeking new agricultural lands and firewood, as well as the unsustainable practices of plant or plant part sampling for medicinal values. Thus, public awareness needs to be raised among local communities and all other stakeholders on sustainable utilization and management of medicinal plant resources and the associated knowledge. On the top of that, ex-situ and in-situ conservation measures should be given particular attentions. Keywords : Medicinal plants, indigenous knowledge, human ailment, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-9-04 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Effect of Application of Farmyard Manure and Gypsum on Saline Sodic Soils of Raya Alamata District, Northern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted in Raya Alamata district, northern Ethiopia to investigate the effect of sole and combined application of FYM and gypsum on saline sodic soils on yield of sorghum by supplying different rates of farmyard manure (FYM) and/or gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) application alone or both mixtures using a randomized complete block design for three consecutive years. The treatment used included: control, three FYM rates alone, two gypsum rates alone and six combination of FYM and gypsum with a total of 12 treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times to yield 36 experimental plots. The result indicated that, there was no significant difference between treatments in the first and second year of cropping season. However, the effect the amendments were shown in the third year of the cropping season, and hence, the treatment effect of the combined application of FYM and gypsum were more effective and improved soil properties and increased the yield of sorghum. In addition, compared to all other treatments, the combined application of 4 tha -1 FYM + 100% GR followed by 8 tha -1 FYM + 100% GR resulted the highest grain yield of sorghum and reduced the sodium induced hazards than all other treatments. Hence, it is recommended as the best treatment in the improvement of saline sodic soils of the district. Keywords: Gypsum; Farmyard manure; Sorghum; Soil amendment; Soil properties DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-22-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2021

How Small-Scale Farmers Understand Rain Water Harvesting Technology? Evidence from Northern Ethiopia.

The study examined farmers' perceptions and adoption of rain water harvesting technology in Raya-Alamata district of Ethiopia. Four kebeles were purposively selected from the 13 homogeneous kebeles (small administrative unit). During the survey, primary data were collected through a semistructured questionnaire distributed to 270 systematically selected sample respondents and through interview with key informants, development agents, and local administrators. Secondary data were retrieved from district agriculture office, books, and published scientific materials. Descriptive statistics, simple narration, and a probit regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the farmers perceived rain water harvesting as a motivational way of creating sense of belongingness. They think that it increases crop production, increases forest regeneration, and encourages forage production. The probit regression models revealed that determinants of farmers' adoption of rainwater harvesting technology were significantly and positively affected by education, farm size, and off-farm income. The effect of distance to the farmland and farmers training center (FTC) was also significant but negative. Men farmers had higher level of adoption compared to their counterparts. Productive and reproductive roles constrain women household farmers from using the technologies. Based on the finding, the policy implications were as follows: dissemination of information related to rain water harvesting technology should be imperative through formal and informal education. Alternative sources of water need also be promoted. More importantly, female-headed households need to be encouraged to be community leaders to foster the adoption of rain water harvesting technology.

Prevalence of Scabies and Associated Factors among Primary School Children in Raya Alamata District, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017/2018

Scabies is a skin infection that is a result of direct skin to skin contact and is primarily mediated by close and extended contact with scabies infested person. Scabies occurs worldwide among people of all ages, races, genders and social classes and has been identified as a neglected tropical infectious disease. Globally, it affects more than 130 million people at any time.

English

Maternal health care service utilization is one of the components of the reproductive and child health interventions package with the aim of improving both maternal and child health. It is the health of the women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to investigate the perceived socio economic barriers to maternal health seeking behavior of rural women in Raya Alamata District. In doing so, the researcher employed qualitative methods substantiated by the quantitative data. In doing so, a sample of 359 HH units was selected from three ‘Tabias’ by using simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis whereas the quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics. According to the findings of the study, perceived social barriers such as shortage of qualified health workers, ill behavior of health workers, student’s internship and poor quality of maternal health services influence the health seeking behavior of the rural women of the study area. On the other hand, the perceived economic barriers such as access to resources, working conditions and cost of transportation and medical treatment also influence maternal health seeking behavior of the women of the study area.  Key words: Antenatal care, delivery care, maternal health, maternal health seeking behavior, postnatal care. &nbsp

Perceived Physical Barriers to Maternal Health Seeking Behavior among Rural Women: The Case of Raya-Alamata District, Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

Introduction: Maternal health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of the mother; it is a resource for everyday life of the mother. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The use of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services can be accessed through the number and timing of ANC visits, proportion of births delivered in health centers, attendants during delivery and antenatal care and number of postnatal visits. Health care services during pregnancy and after delivery are important for the survival and wellbeing of both the mother and the infant. Objective: The overall objective of this study is to investigate the perceived physical barriers to maternal health seeking behavior of rural women in Raya Alamata district. Methods: The researcher employed mixed research methods (both qualitative and quantitative). The study populations were reproductive women in the age category of 15-49. In doing so, a sample of 359 reproductive women was selected from three ‘Tabias’ by using simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis whereas the quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result: Based on the finding this study, the majority of the respondents 31% were found between the age category of 25- 34 years, 87.5% were married, 93.6% belongs to Tigrian ethnic groups, 71.6% are followers of orthodox Christian, 60.7% were illiterate; and the majority 44.7% of the respondents earned an average monthly income of 501-1000 birr. Rural women also travelled 3.87 km, 5 km, 10 km and 6.4 km in average to get maternal health services from health posts, health centers, hospitals and private clinics respectively. Moreover, long distance and lack of transportation, inequitable distribution of health facilities, inconvenient topography and weather related problems were the major barriers for rural women to get maternal health services. These perceived physical barriers have affected the treatment seeking behavior of rural women especially throughout pregnancy, delivery and postnatal stages. Conclusion: The findings of this study give much emphasis into the perceived physical barriers to maternal health seeking behavior among rural women. The physical barriers restrained rural women from getting antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services which led to pregnancy complications, home delivery, and post-delivery problems which resulted in maternal morbidity and mortality.

Optimizing irrigation water levels to improve yield and water use efficiency of vegetables: case study of tomato

Optimizing irrigation water requirement is necessary to improve productivity of irrigated agriculture. Hence, adapting the knowledge of irrigation scheduling for specific crop and location is important. Field experiment was then conducted in Raya Alamata district of Tigray, Ethiopia to investigate the impact of different irrigation water levels on yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of tomato. Eight treatments (50, 35, 25% above estimated crop water requirement (CWR), estimated CWR, 25, 35, 50% below the estimated CWR and farmers practice) were arranged in randomized complete block design under three replications. Tomato water requirement was estimated using CROPWAT 8 software and it was estimated to be 500 mm throughout the base period. The result indicates significant difference between marketable yield (MY), total yield (TY) and IWUE of tomato by the level of irrigation. The application of estimated CWR of tomato gave higher MY (36.37 ton/ha) and TY (38.58 ton/ha). Unmarketable fruit yield of tomato was unaffected by level of irrigation. Farmers’ practice gave considerable MY (36.32 ton/ha). But, the depth of water applied by farmers throughout the growing season was 561 mm which was 12.2% above the estimated CWR. The yield obtained per unit of applied water (IWUE) ranges from 0.357 to 0.876 kg/m3 for the different irrigation water levels. This shows that IWUE increases with decreasing depth of water application. In conclusion, deficit irrigation practice could be successful in saving irrigation water up to 35% of tomato CWR without significant reduction in fruit yield of tomato in regions where water is a limiting factor for vegetable production.

Traditional Maternal Health Beliefs and Practices in Southern Tigray: The Case of Raya Alamata District

Maternal health is the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period which is crucial for the well-being of a mother and new born baby. Unfortunately, most women in Ethiopia do not receive these services due to perceived traditional beliefs and practices. Apparently, women in Raya Alamata district have no exception. Astonishingly, the issue of maternal health seems to have not been explored in detail so far in the district in particular. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to investigate the traditional maternal health beliefs and practices in Southern Tigray: The case of Raya Alamata District. The researcher employed qualitative data collection methods like Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant and in-depth interview. The study population was the reproductive rural women (15-49) who live in Raya Alamata district. The sample was selected from three Tabia by using judgmental sampling technique. The qualitative data are analyzed by using thematic analysis in verbatim. According to the findings of the study, perceived cultural barriers such as religious and traditional health beliefs and practices such as Zarr, confinement, Mejilis, Dubarti, food taboos and restriction of mobility after delivery were highly affecting the maternal health seeking behavior of rural women.

The Socio Economic Factors that Promote Maternal Health Seeking Behavior among Ethiopian Rural Women: The Case of Raya Alamata District

Maternal health is the physical wellbeing of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. It reflects the level of social justice and the degree of respect for women’s rights in a society. Therefore, aim of this study is to identify the socioeconomic factors that promote Maternal Health Seeking Behavior (MHSB) among rural women of Raya Alamata districts. To conduct this study, the researcher used qualitative research design. Hence, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant and in-depth interview were conducted with purposively selected participants from the three Tabias. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze and interpreted the qualitative data. Finally, the influence of media, the deployment of Health Extension Workers (HEWs), the contribution of social network and social capital, the provision of Maternity Waiting Rooms (MWRs) for birthing women, pregnant women conference, the establishment of women Health Development Army (HDA) and one to five groups were the major factors that promote MHSB of rural women of the study area. Moreover, the availability of ambulances, fear of HIV infection and punishment (fine) are factors which facilitates women to have birth in modern health institutions.

On farm evaluation of the growth and economic benefit of afar breed rams supplemented with different protein sources: The case of Raya-Alamata District

On-farm trial was conducted at Raya-Alamata District, Southern Zone of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. From the district three representative peasant associations namely Gerjelle, Limate and Harlle was selected based on sheep population and Ziziphus tree availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and economic benefit of Afar breed rams supplemented with different protein sources. Nine farmers were selected per each peasant association. Each farmer had assigned three growing yearly aged Afar breed rams with initial average body weight of 19.33±1.33 kg. The treatments include feeding with traditional practice/free-grazing (T1), T1+ 277.5 gDM/day/head urea treated teff straw supplementation (T2), T1+283.8 gDM/day/head air dried Ziziphus foliages supplementation (T3) and T1 + 250 g DM/day/head) concentrate mix of wheat bran and noug cake supplementation (T4). There was statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in daily live weight gain among the control and supplemented groups, except urea treated straw supplemented group. Rams in the control group and urea treated teff straw had showed 67.60 and 71.87 g of daily body weight gain per head, while the air dried Ziziphus leaf and concentrate mix supplemented group had gained 90.47 and 98.70 g/day/head, respectively. Moreover, the concentrate mix supplemented group (T4) had a higher net benefit of Ethiopian Birr 22.93/head over control group and higher profit margin of Birr 0.5/head, followed by the Ziziphus leaf supplemented group (T3) which had a net benefit of Birr 19.85/head and profit margin of Birr 0.4/head over the control group. Assume one US$ is equals to 20 Ethiopian Birr. The results of this study suggested that supplementation of sheep with 283.8 gDM of dried Ziziphus leaf or 250 g DM concentrate mixture is potentially more profitable to the small scale farmers’ sheep fattening practice than the other level of supplements. Key words: Body weight, concentrate mix, profitability, Ziziphus leaf, free grazing, urea treated teff straw.

Utilization of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets Among Household in Malarious Areas of Raya Alamata District, Tigray, Ethiopia

Background: Malaria in Ethiopia is one of the most important public health problems, with more than three-quarters of the landmass of the country and an estimated 68% of the total population is considered at risk of malaria infections. In the fight against this deadly disease, the country has deployed a massive amount of long lasting Insecticidal treated nets. Though this tremendous effort is outstanding, the distribution alone does not ensure the protection of the people from malaria. Thus, this study tried to assess the utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets and its associated factors among household in malarious areas of Raya Alamata District, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross sectional study was used among 649 households from April to May, 2013. All households in malarious villages in Raya Alamata district with long lasting Insecticidal nets in their home were used and multistage sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. For day time face to face interview, structured questionnaire was used. Additionally, an observation checklist was used for early morning survey of the actual utilization. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Among all households 445(68.6%) of them were utilize the long lasting Insecticidal treated nets. The proportion of under 5 children and pregnant women who slept under the net during early morning survey was 71.64 % and 69% respectively. The number of net in the households [AOR (95% CI) = 0.085 (0.26-0.281)], household’s marital status [AOR (95% CI) = 0.431 (0.186-0.997)] and occupation of the household head [AOR (95% CI) = 0.297 (0.113-0.781)] were the significant predicators for utilization of long lasting Insecticidal treated nets. Conclusions: Utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets in this study is low and there is a considerable discrepancy between the distribution and utilization of the net. Availability of number of nets among the households, occupational status the head of households and marital status of the household are the predictor variables for household’s utilization of the net.

Determinants of Use of Skilled Birth Attendance among Mothers Who Gave Birth in the Past 12 months in Raya Alamata District, North East Ethiopia

Background: A large number of women are dying due to factors related to pregnancy and childbirth, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia, where maternal mortality ratio is one of the highest in the world. It is known that having a skilled birth attendant at every delivery can lead to marked reductions in maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, most births take place at home, particularly in rural areas, being not attended by a skilled birth attendant. The utilization of maternal health services is a complex phenomenon and it is influenced by several factors. Objectives: This study assessed factors that determine the utilization of skilled birth attendants among mothers who gave birth in the past 12 months in Raya Alamata District, Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross sectional study was conducted among mothers who gave birth in the past 12 months. A total of 600 study participants were recruited for the study. Logistic regression was performed using SPSS version 16.0 software and thematic interpretation based on main categories was done for the qualitative data. Results: A total of 584 mothers (189 urban and 395 rural) were included in the analysis. Only 23.5% of births were attended by Skilled Birth Attendants. Over 43% of urban women delivered with skilled assistance compared to 13.9% of rural women. In multivariate analysis urban residence, Age at interview, maternal formal education, Ante Natal Care visit during the last pregnancy, joint final decision making, knowledgeable and favorable attitude towards danger signs of pregnancy, child birth and delivery services were most significant determinants of skilled birth attendant use by mother. Conclusion and recommendation: Utilization of skilled delivery attendance services was still low with a high number of deliveries being attended by unqualified persons at home. Promotion of universal Ante Natal Care followup and encouragement of mothers regarding the need for Skilled Birth Attendants during childbirth is of paramount importance.

Index of Potential Contamination for Intestinal Schistosomiasis among School Children of Raya Alamata District, Northern Ethiopia

Effective and sustainable control of Schistosomamansoni infection requires identifying subpopulations that are at risk of infection. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted in children of four primary schools in Raya Alamata District of Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection, and index of potential contamination of intestinal schistosomiasis. Fecal samples of 500 (266 males and 234 females) subjects aged 6-19 years were processed using Kato Katz thick smear field technique. Questionnaire survey was also deployedto assess associated risk factors among infected children. Out of the examined children, 101(20.2%) were infected by S. mansoni. The prevalence of infection differed significantly among the age groups (÷2= 6.93; P&lt;0.05). High prevalence of infection was observed among children of 10-14 years old. Intensity of S. mansoni infection was low, only 3.96% had heavy infection intensity. Children of 10-14 years age have high infection intensity than any age group (÷2= 12.5; P&lt;0.05). Index of potential contamination value showed that to a great extent children of 10-14 years were responsible to contaminate the environment with the bulk of S. mansoni eggs and for the transmission and maintenance of the disease in the area. Swimming habit (AOR= 3.66; P&lt;0.05), frequency of water contact (AOR= 8.15; P&lt;0.05) and treatment history (AOR 2.1; CI 1.3-3.3, P= 0.002) were the potential associated risk factors for S. mansoni infection. Schistosomamansoni infection did not show any significant association with gender, household water source, bathing and family occupation. Intestinal schistosomiasis is a public health problem, and to a great extent children of 10-14 years age group were responsible in the transmission and maintenance of the infection.Key words: Ethiopia Infection prevalence, Schistosomiasis, IPC, Tigray,