Somali Region Of Ethiopia Research Articles

Development, governmentality and the sedentary state: the productive safety net programme in Ethiopia’s Somali pastoral periphery

ABSTRACT This paper explores how the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), as an example of contemporary bottom-up development practices in the global South, governs nomadic pastoralists in the peripheries. Based on fieldwork in Ethiopia's Somali region, we show that PSNP practices of client targeting, community-based public works and (international) financial resource flows, both for their own sake and because of their entanglement with the sedentary metaphysics of Ethiopian state, have advanced sedentary governmental order into pastoral peripheries more than top-down state sedentarization interventions had ever done. Finally, we argue that bottom-up development practice is an effective tool for state-building in the periphery.

Unsettling sovereignty: Violence, myths and the politics of history in the Ethiopian Somali metropolis

An increasingly consolidated anthropological scholarship has moved from a legal notion of sovereignty towards an analysis of its violent enactment. Yet, it has paid insufficient attention to the ways in which the idea of sovereignty forms and operates in localized political struggles. Taking seriously Bonilla’s (2017) call for the “unsettling” of sovereignty, this article scrutinizes how ideas of legitimate rule have formed around myths of violence in the capital of the Ethiopian Somali region. It uses ethnographic material to examine the politics of history around material constructions through which myths of violence are entangled with the city's landscape of memory. It reveals sovereignty in the process of formation, becoming culturally and materially grounded in the myths of violence of an emerging Somali nation within the ethnic federal Ethiopian state. This article argues that past claims to sovereignty continue to affect the politics of history, with profound consequences for ongoing nation-state building projects and the corresponding territorial imaginations. It thus highlights the inherently fragile nature of ideas of state sovereignty in the frontier metropolis. On this basis, it contributes to a geographically differentiated anthropology of sovereignty and to an understanding of its co-constitution through violence in the frontier and myths in the metropolis.

Effect of Gender on the Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services among Pastoralist Caregivers in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Ethiopia has made great effort in recent years to improve maternal and child health outcomes, however the uptake of services by women in the pastoralist communities of the country is still very low. This study was a cross-sectional study aimed to identify the effect of gender on the utilization of health services among pastoralists women. The study was conducted in Somali Region of Ethiopia between February and March 2020. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, and study population were married caregivers aged 15years and above. Bivariate analysis was done using t test and chi-square to test association among variables and p value was set at significant level of 5%. Husbands were reported as the main influence of the respondents’ decision about almost all the key households’ activities including health care seeking and financial decision making. Almost all caregivers (93.6%) who used the health facility took permission from their husbands and the test of association shows significant relationship between level of education and permission from respondents’ husbands which decreases with increasing level of education, p<0.05) but not affected by age. The care givers visited the health facilities because of their children more than themselves(58 per cent compared to 49.5 per cent for themselves) due to fear of being attended to by male health work. The study demonstrated the negative effect of gender inequities on health care seeking behaviours with women having limited control over family resources and decision-making over their health or that of their children.

Factors Associated with Child Malnutrition in the Somali Region of Ethiopia: a Cross-Sectional Survey

Factors Associated with Child Malnutrition in the Somali Region of Ethiopia: a Cross-Sectional Survey

Factors Associated with Utilization of Donor Funds in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Aims: Donor funds play a critical role in the provision of social services and development process in developing countries, however poor utilization of the donor funds has been reported as a major barrier to achieving this. The study investigated the factors that influence the use of donor funds.
 Study design: This was a cross-sectional survey using quantitative method. 
 Place and duration of study: Jijiga Town of Somali Region between June and July 2020.
 Methodology: Descriptive analysis was done using Relative Importance Index (RII) and Inferential statistics was conducted using correlation analysis and Pearson’s coefficient was performed to examine the effects of the four independent variables (Financial management practice, Human resource capabilities, stakeholder’s participation in planning, coordination and communication and Monitoring and Evaluation) and utilization of the donor- funded projects.
 Results: The study found lower utilization rate of donor funds across all the sectors in the region compared to domestic funds with utilization rate for domestic resources ranged from 93%-100% compared with 43% utilization rate for donor funds. All the four predictor variables show positive correlation with utilization of donor funds, p value less than 0.01. Monitoring and Evaluation has the highest correlation, r=0.754, n=79, p=0.0003) followed by Stakeholder Participation, r=0.695, n=79, p=0.0005), Human Resource Capabilities r=0.654, n=79, p=0.0004) and Financial Management Practice with r=0.634, n=79, p=0.0005).
 Conclusion: The study reaffirmed the poor utilization of donor-funds in most developing countries and the associated factors which are major barriers to socio-economic development and will contribute to knowledge management in the region and help all stakeholders in improving utilization of donor funds.

Spatial distribution and geographical heterogeneity factors associated with poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A among children age 6-23 months in Ethiopia: Geographical weighted regression analysis.

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in poor societies. Dietary consumption of foods rich in vitamin A was low in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and spatial determinants of dietary consumption of foods rich in vitamin A among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. Ethiopian 2016 demographic and health survey dataset using a total of 3055 children were used to conduct this study. The data were cleaned and weighed by STATA version 14.1 software and Microsoft Excel. Children who consumed foods rich in vitamin A (Egg, Meat, Vegetables, Green leafy vegetables, Fruits, Organ meat, and Fish) at least one food item in the last 24 hours were declared as good consumption. The Bernoulli model was fitted using Kuldorff's SaTScan version 9.6 software. ArcGIS version 10.7 software was used to visualize spatial distributions for poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A. Geographical weighted regression analysis was employed using MGWR version 2.0 software. A P-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant predictors spatially. Overall, 62% (95% CI: 60.56-64.00) of children aged 6-23 months had poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A in Ethiopia. Poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A highly clustered in Afar, eastern Tigray, southeast Amhara, and the eastern Somali region of Ethiopia. Spatial scan statistics identified 142 primary spatial clusters located in Afar, the eastern part of Tigray, most of Amhara and some part of the Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. Children living in the primary cluster were 46% more likely vulnerable to poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A than those living outside the window (RR = 1.46, LLR = 83.78, P < 0.001). Poor wealth status of the household, rural residence and living tropical area of Ethiopia were spatially significant predictors. Overall, the consumption of foods rich in vitamin A was low and spatially non-random in Ethiopia. Poor wealth status of the household, rural residence and living tropical area were spatially significant predictors for the consumption of foods rich in vitamin A in Ethiopia. Policymakers and health planners should intervene in nutrition intervention at the identified hot spot areas to reduce the poor consumption of foods rich in vitamin A among children aged 6-23 months.

Exploring opportunities to enhance effectiveness of mobile health and nutrition strategy for providing health and nutrition services amongst pastoralists in Somali region, Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe health system in Ethiopia’s Somali Region is weak with limited number of health facilities with more than 60% of the population living more than 5 km to the nearest health facilities. The deployment of mobile health and nutrition teams has played critical role in providing essential health and nutrition services.AimThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the mobile health and nutrition strategy in providing health and nutrition services in the targeted woredas (districts).SettingSomali Region of Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was a retrospective chart review of the monthly mobile health and nutrition team and the static health facilities in the 29 woredas between April 2019 and March 2020 and the AccessMod analyses for geographical accessibility to health facilities in the region.Results40 (40.4%) out of the 99 woredas in Somali regions have at least 80% of the population living more than 5 km from the nearest health facility out of which 18 (45%) woredas are currently being supported by the mobile health team. The mobile team contributed to increasing access to health services in the targeted woredas with 30.8% of the total children vaccinated for measles and 39% of the total children treated for severe acute malnutrition in the targeted 29 woredas.ConclusionWith mobile health and nutrition strategy being recognised as a useful strategy to deliver health and nutrition services in the region, there is a need to explore opportunities and innovation to enhance the effectiveness of the implementation.

Health Budgeting at Woreda level and Effect on Access and Quality of Health Services in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Ethiopia has made a great effort in recent years to improve maternal, newborn, child health outcomes, however, the uptake of services in Somali Region of the country is still very low. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey using qualitative methods, and the participants were key individuals involved in the management of health systems and knowledgeable about on health service delivery in the study sites. The study aimed to explore the budgeting process at the woreda (district) level and its effect on the utilization of equitable quality health services in the region. The woreda health officers determined what is included in the budget of the health facilities without active participation of stakeholders such as health care providers or the community members. Their knowledge and understanding of the planning and budgeting processes varied and little or no support available to them. This suboptimal budgeting process impacts negatively on the quality of health care services being provided, with shortages of essential drugs identified as a major barrier affecting utilization. The need for better budgeting process at the woreda level which could perhaps involve a range of regional level, woreda level and citizen level measures and active participation. This include the implementation of clearer guidelines from regional level, maybe the introduction of standard formulae that ensures that each health centre receives certain percent of overall health budget and specific percentage to be allocated for drugs and supplies and other essential services instead of each woreda official deciding on how much is to allocated arbitrarily.

Risk Factors for Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in Somali Region of Ethiopia, 2019: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background. Chikungunya virus is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus transmitted by a mosquito bite. Chikungunya virus outbreaks are characterized by rapid spread, and the disease manifests as acute fever. This study aimed at determining risk factors for chikungunya virus outbreak to apply appropriate prevention and control measures. Methods. Unmatched case-control study was performed to identify risk factors of chikungunya outbreak in Somali region of Ethiopia in 2019. Cases and controls were enrolled with 1 : 2 ratio. All cases during the study period (74 cases) and 148 controls were included in the study. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were implemented. The serum samples were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction at Ethiopian Public Health Institute Laboratory. Results. A total of 74 chikungunya fever cases were reported starting from 19th May 2019 to 8th June 2019. Not using bed net at daytime sleeping (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 20.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4–66.7), presence of open water holding container (AOR: 4.0; CI: 1.2–3.5), presence of larvae in water holding container (AOR: 4.8; CI: 1.4–16.8), ill person with similar signs and symptoms in the family or neighbors (AOR: 27.9; CI: 6.5–120.4), and not wearing full body cover clothes (AOR: 8.1; CI: 2.2–30.1) were significant risk factors. Conclusion. Not using bed net at daytime sleeping, presence of open water holding container, presence of larvae in water holding container, ill person with similar signs and symptoms in the family or neighbors, and not wearing full body cover clothes are risk factors for chikungunya virus outbreak.

Evaluation of In-Vitro Anti-Bacterial Qualities of Camels Urine in Somali Region of Ethiopia against Selected Bacterial Pathogens

Camel urine is believed to contain therapeutic and anti-bacterial factors. Until recently, there is no relevant study done to assess the antibacterial qualities of camel’s urine in Somali regional state, Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial activity of camel urine against some selected bacterial in the region. A laboratory based experimental research was conducted in Jigjiga University, Ethiopia. 13 samples of camel’s urine were collected in the Morning during April, 2020, of which 7(56.8%) were female camels and 6(43.2%) were male camels and the anti-bacterial potency of camel urine against some pathogenic bacterial including Klebsella Pneumonia, Citrobacter, Escherichia Coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested. Then, Minimum inhibitory concentrations and Minimum bactericidal concentrations values were figured out accordingly. Data were analyzed SPSS Version 23. Mean inhibition zone of Klebsella Pneumonia (18.631 ) Citrobacter (16.83 1.39) Escherichia Coli (14.73 ), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.66 ) were founded in the study and mean minimum inhibitory concentration of Klebsella Pneumonia (12.02%,) Citrobacter (8.2%), Escherichia Coli (12.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.6%) and also the result indicated a mean minimum bactericidal concentration of Klebsella Pneumonia (9.6%), Citrobacter (9.1%), Escherichia Coli (9, 6%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.1%). The result showed potential antibacterial effects of camel (Camelus dromedarius) urine against bacterial strains tested on. Therefore, camel urine could be used as an ingredient that can be produced antibiotics to prevail against any of the illnesses caused by the bacterial species tested on it.

Aid or exploitation?: Food-for-work, cash-for-work, and the production of “beneficiary-workers” in Ethiopia and Haiti

The distinct subject positions of “beneficiaries” and “aid workers” pervade global aid vernacular, the grey development literature, and the field of development studies, but this binary obscures additional and vital forms of labor within the global aid industry. This analysis is based on the juxtaposition, comparison, and historical contextualization of two case studies drawing on two independent ethnographic research projects in the Somali Region of Ethiopia and southwestern Haiti. We find that although not designated either “employees” or “aid workers,” many beneficiaries are required to work to qualify for assistance: for example, food-for-work programs in Ethiopia and cash-for-work programs in Haiti both require beneficiaries to perform difficult manual labor with aid agencies to qualify for disbursements of food or cash. Accordingly, participants in these programs figure themselves workers and not the passive recipients of charity, and in both places, we find that participants critique the inadequacy of the wages for their work. Beneficiaries who work for aid are therefore what we call “beneficiary-workers:” they work within the aid industry, but are neither officially employed nor adequately compensated for their labor. Further, these beneficiary-workers are alienated both from the benefits of their labor and the means of designing or leading the aid programs on which they depend. Aid that requires beneficiary-workers’ labor is therefore not fundamentally designed to alleviate poverty or spur economic development; it is instead designed to discipline the poor and to valorize and justify the aid organizations that delimit their labor. By revealing the effects of food-for-work and cash-for-work project in these two places, and by highlighting the critiques of work-for-aid projects leveled by participants themselves, this analysis questions the ethics and appropriateness of food-for-work and cash-for-work projects.

Prediction of grass biomass from satellite imagery in Somali regional state, eastern Ethiopia

The drought-prone Ethiopian Somali region has a long history of pastoralism (livestock grazing), which is a major source of livelihoods. However, it suffers from poor rangeland management and a lack of research and information. The objectives of this study were to develop a method for forecasting forage biomass and to quantify production of and spatial variation in forage from satellite imagery. We downloaded Sentinel-2 images and processed spectral information in the blue, red, and near-infrared bands, and calculated the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Combining ground sampling (on 55 plots) with remote sensing data, we developed a forage forecasting model for the area. Forage (biomass) was significantly correlated with both EVI (R2 = 0.87; P < 0.001) and NDVI (R2 = 0.81; P < 0.001). Both gave good predictions of forage biomass in the district. We estimated the annual biomass in each grassland pixel at the peak of the growing season. Models based on each index revealed close estimates: NDVI indicated an average of 0.76 t/ha and a total of 38 772 t/year; EVI indicated an average of 0.78 t/ha and a total of 39 792 t/year. The estimated rangeland biomass showed high spatial variability of 0.22–4.89 t/ha.year. For future rangeland management in the area, the proposed approach and models can be used to estimate available forage biomass from satellite imagery in the middle of the grass growing season (2 months after the rains start), before the grass matures and is harvested.

Improved chlorination and rapid water quality assessment in response to an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea in Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract The Somali Region of Ethiopia has been affected by drought for several years. Drought conditions have led to food and water scarcity and a humanitarian crisis in the region. In January 2017, an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) was declared in the region. AWD prevention and control activities include strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Access to safe drinking water is critical in preventing transmission of AWD and chlorine is an effective chemical to disinfect water supplies. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with the WASH Cluster and the United Nations Children's Fund, Ethiopia, to provide technical assistance to the Somali Regional Water Bureau to improve chlorination of drinking water supplies and quickly assess water quality improvements in Jijiga town, Fafan Zone. Timely sharing of surveillance and case investigation data allowed for the identification of gaps within the water supply system in Jijiga and implementation of centralized and decentralized chlorination interventions and monitoring systems. Pilot use of a rapid assessment to determine residual chlorine levels at various points in the city helped improve chlorination intervention impact. This work illustrates that rapid community-level water quality improvements can be implemented and assessed quickly to improve interventions during outbreaks.

Prevalence of Road Traffic Accidents, and Associated Factors among Taxi Drivers in Jigjiga Town, Ethiopian Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Prevalence of Road Traffic Accidents, and Associated Factors among Taxi Drivers in Jigjiga Town, Ethiopian Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

The Utilization of Health Service Packages Among Mothers of Children Less Than 1Year of Age in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

Health Service Package is the package of services that the government is providing or is aspiring to provide to its citizens in an equitable manner. The Ethiopia Family Health Service Package is part of the health extension program consisting of antenatal care, delivery service, postnatal care, immunization, and family planning. This package facilitates the utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health services and contributes to the reduction of maternal and child mortality. However, there is no data on the utilization of this package in pastoralist societies. This study aimed to assess the utilization of the Family Health Service Package and associated factors among mothers of children less than 1-year-old. From February 18-March 6, 2017 we conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with 421 mothers who gave birth in the last year in the Afdem district of the Somali region in Ethiopia. Mothers who gave birth between January 1/2016 to January 1/2017 in the district were selected by systematic random sampling. The study analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression model. The overall utilization of the package was 25.1% (95% CI of 21.1-29.5%). Factors associated significantly with family health service utilization were urban place of residence [(AOR 95% CI) = 3.8 (1.5-9.9)], mother visited by health extension workers [(AOR (95% CI) = 3.1 (1.6-6.3)] and mothers participation in health extension program activities [(AOR (95% CI) = 2.8 (1.5-5.4)]. The utilization of the Family Health Service Package was low. Mothers visited by health extension workers and participated in the health extension program were more likely to utilize family health services. It needs to expand services beyond urban areas and involve rural mothers in health extension program activities.

Nutritional status and intestinal parasites among young children from pastoralist communities of the Ethiopian Somali region.

Pastoralist children in the Ethiopian Somali Regional State (ESRS) are at high risk for undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). We assessed the nutritional status and its association with IPIs in 500 children <5 years of age in a clustered cross‐sectional study in Adadle district, ESRS. Stool samples were microscopically examined for IPIs and biomarkers for iron and vitamin A status, anthropometry, and food variety score (FVS) were assessed. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) FVS was 2.0 (2.0, 4.0), and 35% of children were exclusively breastfed up to age 6 months. Prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) <12.5 cm was 30, 34, 40, and 16%, respectively. Median (IQR) haemoglobin, ferritin, and retinol‐binding protein concentrations were 9.5 g dL‐1 (8.2, 10.9), 6.2 μg L‐1 (4.0, 10.2), and 0.8 μmol L−1 (0.67, 0.91), respectively. Prevalence of anaemia, iron, and vitamin A deficiency was 75, 91, and 30%, respectively. IPIs' prevalence was 47%; the most prevalent IPIs were Giardia lamblia (22%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (15%). Giardial infections but not A. lumbricoides increased the risk for MUAC <12.5 cm (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.21, 5.54]). The odds for anaemia were 97% (aOR: 0.03, 95% CI [0.03, 0.07]) and 89% (aOR: 0.11, 95% CI [0.11, 0.23]) less for children with FVS >2 or with exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, respectively. Undernutrition and IPIs are alarmingly high in <5 years of age children in ESRS. Giardial infections and low nutritional adequacy of the diet seem to be major contributing factors to the precarious nutritional status and should be addressed by appropriate interventions.

Factors Affecting the Enactment of Small Scale Businesses within Pastoral Community in Ethiopia Somali Region at Liban zone (Specifically in Dolo Ado and Filtu District)

The general objective of this study aimed to assess factors affecting the enactment of small scale businesses within pastoral community in Ethiopia Somali region at Liban zone (specifically in dolo ado and filtu district).To achieve the objectives, the study used non-probability sampling techniques because this technique is much less complicated, less expensive, and moreover it is very convenient in the situation when the sample to be selected is very small and the researcher wants to get some idea of the population characteristics. Out of total (323) population, 180 (56%) of Small scale Business owners that are engaged in different business activities have been selected judgmentally (Purposively) as sample from both districts (dolo ado and Filtu). In this study both primary and secondary sources have been used. The dominant tool used for data collection in this study was questionnaire that is scheduled and designed for gathering primary data only from licensed owners of Small scale businesses within pastoral community. The secondary data was also collected from the trade and transport department of Dolo ado and Filitu districts and also from books, magazines, and others written documents such as directives, legal codes, the country growth plan and other pertinent materials guiding the small Scale businesses. For the reason that, its simplicity and clarity for drawing the reference, the descriptive analysis has been used. In the course of data analysis, the data were analyzed both quantitatively using percentile and qualitatively through document narration. The existence of high family dependency on small scale businesses has been observed as a major hold back factors for the businesses not to upgrade themselves to the middle and large Scale businesses. As depicted on the finding, the owners and employees of small scale businesses have no managerial skills and entrepreneurial ability to run their businesses. The research revealed that, there is influence on small scale businesses from government side and also there is high taxation both on existing and newly started businesses. Lack of adequate finance and absence of appropriate supporting agencies are the major problems for small scale businesses. Therefore, the government bodies and agencies would advise to provide reasonable source of finance, capacity building training, and also to collect fair tax both from existing and newly established businesses. On the other side, the owners of small scale businesses would recommend to diversify their sources of income in order to minimize the impact of family dependency on their business. Keywords: SSB, Factors, Enactment, pastoral community, Liban zone DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-4-04 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Assessment of Effect of COVID 19 Pandemic on the Utilization of Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition Services in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Background: Somali Region of Ethiopia recorded the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 19) pandemic on 26th April 2020. The study aimed to assess the effect of the pandemic on the utilization of maternal new-born and child health services. Subjects and Method: This was a retrospective chart review of monthly DHIS database of health facilities in Farfan zone of Somali Region and test of association using t test was used to compare the mean reduction in utilization of maternal and child health services three months before (January – March 2020) and three months during the pandemic (April 2020 to June 2020) at p value set at significant level of 5%. The outcome measure was the utilization of maternal and child health services. Results: The mean reductions in OPD per capita for children under five, children who received first dose of pentavalent vaccines and pregnant women who received first ANC before and during the pandemic was 14.26%, t=1.07; 95% CI= 283.17 to 725.17; p= 0.325); 12.51%, t=0.74; 95% CI= 1439.33 to 2697.31; p= 0.489) and 14.43%, t=0.49; 95% CI= 2363.33 to 3543.41; p= 0.642) respectively, while the mean reduction in skilled birth deliveries conducted at the health facilities was 21.4%, t= 0.97; 95% CI= 319.26 to 736.16 ; p= 0.371). Conclusion: The study provided early effects of COVID 19 on health and health services and the need for policy development on health system strengthening and resilience to withstand future outbreaks. This study indicated that indirect health service effects are substantial and highlights the importance of maintaining routine essential health and nutrition service delivery and the need to explore innovative ways of delivering both preventive and curative essential service. Keywords: COVID 19, pandemic, maternal newborn and child health, utilization, essential services Correspondence: Olusola Oladeji. UNICEF Somali Field Office, Ethiopia. Email: ooladeji@unicef.org. Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (2020), 05(04): 458-469 https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2020.05.04.08

Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition and Associated Factors Among Under-Five Children in Gursum District, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Background: Acute malnutrition is one type of under-nutrition that is devastating life and as reflected a nutritionally deficient state of recent onset related to sudden food deprivation or mal-absorption utilization of nutrients which results significant weight loss. In Ethiopia, child under-nutrition is one of the most serious public health problem and the highest in the world. Therefore, this study designed to assess the prevalence of acute malnutrition and its associated factors in children aged 6-59 months in Gursum district in Somali region in Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 541 children aged 6–59 months from Feb. 14–25, 2019. A multistage sampling method was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used and EPI-DATA statistical software were entered the data and SPSS version20 were used for analysis. The Z-scores for weight-for-height (WHZ) were calculated using the World Health Organization anthro2010. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with acute malnutrition. The statistical significance Variable was declared at P-Value less than0.05. Multi-co-linearity effect was checked. The study found the prevalence of wasting was 21.2% (17.54, 24.726). Educational status of the mother (AOR=1.87, 95% CL: 1.065, 3.286), diarrhoea two weeks before interview (AOR=2.469, 95% CI: 1.487, 4.100), family size (AOR=1.72, 95% CL: 1.058, 2.797), colostrum feeding (AOR: 2.26; 95%CI: 1.404, 3.646), bottle feeding (AOR: 3.297; 95% CI (1.944, 5.591) were significantly associated with acute malnutrition in Gursum district. Conclusion: The prevalence of acute malnutrition in the study area was high. Health extension workers and stakeholders should give concern on promotion of proper nutrition in the community.

Camel Feed Characterization of Ethiopian Somali Region Rangelands through Traditional Knowledge

The study was conducted in five administrative zones of the Ethiopian Somali Regional State, with the objectives of characterizing the major camel browse and grazed plant species and their seasonal availability in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. A semi-structured questionnaire, group discussions, field observations, and key informant interviews were used as the primary data collection tools, while different secondary data sources were also used. A total of 150 household heads were selected purposively for formal interview. The results showed that most (90.7%) of the respondents were male and 85.3% of the sampled households were illiterate. It was revealed that browsing trees and shrubs were the major camel feed resources in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. Although the quality and quantity of camel feed vary in dry (66%) and wet (88%) seasons; trees and shrubs were the major feed resources at all seasons, while the herbaceous species cover only 34% in both pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. The identified camel feed species in the study districts comprise 38 tree species, 20 herbaceous species, 12 shrub, 7 bush, and 17 grass species. The study revealed that there is a need to raise awareness among the pastoralist and agro-pastoral communities on the importance of browse plant species management and sustainable utilization.