Tigray Regional State Research Articles

Practice of Economic Integration of Small and Medium Enterprise in Manufacturing Sector: The case of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

This paper assesses the economic integration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tigray, Ethiopia. Focusing on strategies, enabling environment, competitiveness, and challenges of the economic integration of small and medium enterprises. The study was employed cross-sectional mixed approach method. The data were collected from sample of 148 SMEs selected based on proportional stratified sampling after a pilot test was conducted. Interviews with 15 leaders, 8 focus group discussions with SMEs council were conducted. The result indicates that SMEs contribution to create new job to citizens and change the living standard for others are insignificant. Lack of access to finance, work promising, market linkage, and quality and quantity input, problem of Peace and security among Region and outside, dependency mentality and rent seeking behavior of SMEs operators are challenges of SMEs. in addition, the commitment, attitude, and capacity of the leaders to support SMEs is weak. Thus, policies and strategies should review and adjust considering the current political situation and capacity building to operators and agency leaders are very critical. Finally, establishing special financial institutions and market supporting unit might help SME’s competitiveness. Work premises for production and market as well as infrastructure should be ready before the SMES established.

Practice of Economic Integration of Small and Medium Enterprise in Manufacturing Sector: The case of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Practice of Economic Integration of Small and Medium Enterprise in Manufacturing Sector: The case of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

GIS application for urban domestic wastewater treatment site selection in the Northern Ethiopia, Tigray Regional State: a case study in Mekelle City

Mekelle City is among the most rapidly growing cities in Ethiopia though the management of wastewater is very poor. The city lacks proper infrastructures for the collection and treatment of urban wastewater so that the wastewater released from different sectors directly joins the urban drainage of the city that finally flows to the Ellala River, which crosses the city. However, such practices have the potential to contaminate water reservoirs and surface water and groundwater bodies that endangers the health of the nearby society. Hence, to reduce and manage the wastewater impact sustainably, introducing natural treatment mechanisms like waste stabilization pond technology (WSP) is an ultimate means to implement with low cost and technology demand. Hence, the objective of this study was to select suitable sites for WSP sites to treat domestic wastewater of the city. During the process of WSP selection, nine most important parameters were considered namely groundwater, hydrogeology, slope, elevation, soil depth, land use land cover (LULC), distance from the settlement, from the road, and from the river. Those determinant factors affecting site selection were generated from satellite images, maps, and Digital Elevation Model. Supervised image classification for Landsat TM satellite image was done while the rest variables’ geo-database files were generated in ArcGIS interface software. Since all input variables have not equal influence in WSP site selection, the weighted value of variable estimation was undertaken using the algorism weighted combination formula. And finally, the weighted overlay model was used to run the model so that suitable sites were selected. Result shows that the city has a large number of alternative sites for establishing a waste stabilization pond. Five classes of suitability were generated (from low to very high suitability level). The North West and Northern parts of the city are found in the potential candidates’ areas as of the central and southern parts. Geographically, these areas are topographically gentle slope and have low altitude plus the newly designed sewer line network outlet lies in this direction. In contrast, unsuitable areas are found in the East, Central, and South direction of the study area. These selected areas are characterized by high population density, steep slope, and high topography. Groundwater, elevation, hydrogeology, and slope were found the most influential parameters determining WSP site selection. On the other hand, distance from road and river, land use cover, and soil depth were found the least influential parameters that determine WSP selection. Out of the total mml area, 21.3% were found highly suitable. So, this implies that the city has a large potential area that can be used for WSP establishment. From the present study, it can be concluded that GIS is a very essential tool in urban utility establishment like urban domestic wastewater treatment site selection. Although the city has adequate potential areas for establishing WSP, further assessment of flood vulnerability, biochemical determination, wastewater amount quantification, population growth, and urban expansion need to be seriously considered before implementing.

Hypoglycemia Prevention Practice and Associated Factors among Diabetic Patients on Follow-Up at Public Hospitals of Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018.

Background Hypoglycemia is an acute medical situation that occurs when blood glucose level falls below 70 mg/dl. Although prevention of hypoglycemia is one cornerstone in the management of diabetes mellitus, its prevention practice among patients with diabetes mellitus is insufficiently studied. Moreover, the existed scarce literature in Ethiopia revealed hypoglycemia prevention practice is inadequate. Thus, this study tried to assess hypoglycemia prevention practices and associated factors among diabetic patients. Methods Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed from March 1 to April 1, 2018, in the central zone of Tigray regional state of Ethiopia. A total of 272 diabetes mellitus patients selected by a systematic random sampling method were included in the study. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for further analysis. The binary logistic regression model (AOR, 95% CI, and p value < 0.05) was used to determine the predictors of hypoglycemia prevention practice. Results The mean age of respondents was 43.62 years, and about 100 (63.2%) participants had good hypoglycemia prevention practice. Good knowledge on hypoglycemia (AOR = 10.34; 95% CI [5.41, 19.89]), having a glucometer at home (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI [1.12, 8.12]), favorable attitude towards diabetes mellitus (AOR = 2.36 CI [1.26, 4.39]), and being governmental employee (AOR = 5.19, 95% CI [1.63, 16.58]) were positive predictors of good hypoglycemia prevention practice. However, being divorced (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.32, 0.53]) was found negatively associated with good hypoglycemia prevention practice. Conclusion Only two-thirds of the study participants were found to have good hypoglycemia prevention practices. Healthcare personnel and Ethiopian diabetic association should promote patients' attitude towards DM and knowledge on hypoglycemia by strengthening information, education, and communication program. Stakeholders should also try to provide glucometers to diabetic patients.

Awareness of pregnancy induced hypertension among pregnant women in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.

IntroductionPregnancy-induced hypertension is among the leading cause of maternal mortality in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia. However, there was no study in this study area about awareness of pregnancy induced hypertension among pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess awareness of pregnancy induced hypertension among pregnant women.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was conducted on a total of 798 pregnant women attending antenatal care in general hospitals of Tigray Regional State. Data were collected from February to November 30, 2018. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with poor awareness and p-values < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 792 pregnant women were included in this study with a response rate of 99.2%. In this study, 41.8% of pregnant women were having poor awareness of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Primigravida, women with no formal education, women with the lowest wealth status and occupation of a housewife were significantly associated with poor awareness. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the mean score of awareness of pregnancy-induced hypertension between normotensive women and women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (Mean score difference (95% CI) = 1.90(1.35, 2.45), t = 6.75, df = 790, p < 0.001)).ConclusionA high proportion of pregnant women had poor awareness on pregnancy-induced hypertension. Health care providers should improve awareness of pregnant women about pregnancy-induced hypertension in antenatal care clinics and at a community level with a special focus of awareness on primigravida women, women with no formal education, women with lowest wealth status and housewives.

Use and management of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L., Fabaceae) local morphotypes by communities in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

ABSTRACTThe population structure, phenotypic differences and ethnobotanical knowledge of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L., Fabaceae) were studied in Kunama- and Tigrigna-speaking communities in the Tigray Regional State of Ethiopia. A vegetation survey on 902 plots of 400 m2 each was conducted along riparian forests and farmlands. Seed and pod morphology of sweet and sour morphotypes was compared based on 6 pods/tree from 20 trees. Thirty-two key informants and 256 randomly selected general informants were interviewed about the use and management of tamarind. Tree densities differed significantly among sociocultural groups and land use. Relatively more trees (6.0–17.5 individuals per hectare) were found in riparian forests as compared to farmland (4.0–7.8). Stem diameter class distribution has a bell-shape, indicating a regeneration problem. Morphological characteristics (pod length, pod width, pod weight, seed weight, pulp weight, and the number of seeds per pod) differed significantly between sour and sweet tamarind morphotypes (p < .05). Interviews identified seven use categories of tamarind, including human and veterinary medicines and five food types, with a greater number of uses mentioned within Kunama communities. Results can be used to support the sustainable use of tamarind in riparian forests and on farms, including conservation of varietal diversity based on the complementary knowledge of both communities.

Challenges of Economic Integration of Small and Medium Enterprises in Manufacturing Sector Tigray Regional State Mekelle City

The purpose of this study is to assess the economic integration of small and medium enterprises in Ethiopia, in the case of Tigray Regional State Mekelle. The development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector has been highly agenda on the Tigray Regional State to generate employment and reduce poverty. The goal of the economic integration of SMEs is have free movement of capital, labor finance, and service between SMEs in the region and outside the country and becomes a more efficient in the allocation of resources. This study was employed a qualitative research method conducted in Mekelle city, focusing on the challenges of SMEs. Collected data by interview 15 (10 SMEDA leaders and stakeholders) and eight focus group discussions with the SMEs council, including non-participatory observation of the researcher. The result also revealed that small and medium enterprises are operated in a problematic situation suffering from financial constraints and work premises are found out as a general challenge to all SMEs. Also, the commitment, capacity, and attitude of leaders at a different level to support and coordination for SMEs is weak. The critical problem of peace and security among the Ethiopian Regional Governments and neighboring countries hinders the market linkage among them. On the other hand, the dependency and rent seeking mentality of the SMEs to prepare a business plan and promote their products. The commitment, attitude, and capacity of the leaders at a different level to support and coordinate SMEs' activities is feeble. The researcher recommends that the regional government should establish specialized financial institutions and market supporting unit to help SMEs. Alongside the asset of the operators should be considered as collateral to solve the liquidity problem of the enterprises. Capacity building to operators and SMESDA leaders are very critical to internalize the experience gain from others to support SMEs efficiently. Work premises should be ready before the SMEs are established. Keywords : Small and Medium Enterprise, Economic Integration of Small Enterprises, work premises DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-4-14 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

On the surface: an ethnoarchaeological study of marginalised pottery production and the social context of pottery surface treatments in Tigray Regional State, northern highland Ethiopia

ABSTRACTPottery surface treatments are considered essential to waterproofing and strengthening low-fired porous pots, and they add characteristic elements of colour and texture to pottery assemblages. However, surface treatments do not receive the same attention as other stages of pottery chaînes opératoires in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in terms of the social context of production, how technological treatments vary across an assemblage, contribute to flavour and address ecological concerns and ontological perspectives. This paper presents an ethnoarchaeological study of the continuum of potter and customer surface treatments that are applied to pots to specialise vessels for use in regional culinary practices in three sub-regions of Tigray Regional state in northern highland Ethiopia. The choice of surface treatments and their application methods may further protect consumers from the perceived dangers that society attributes to these marginalised artisans.

Factors affecting onion market supply in Medebay Zana district, Tigray regional state, Northern Ethiopia

A number of challenges hampered the development of the onion sector along with the market in the Medebay Zana district, Tigray, Ethiopia. This study was initiated to analyze the determinants of the...

Effect of pregnancy induced hypertension on adverse perinatal outcomes in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in Ethiopia ranges from 2.2 to 18.3%. However, so far little is known about the adverse perinatal outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertension in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of pregnancy-induced hypertension on adverse perinatal outcomes in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.Methodsa prospective cohort study was conducted on a total sample of 782 pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals of Tigray regional state, Ethiopia. Pregnant mothers diagnosed with PIH during the data collection period in the selected hospitals were included as exposed group and normotensive women were also enrolled as a control group. This study addresses women diagnosed with preeclampsia, eclampsia and gestational hypertension between 28 and 35 weeks of gestation. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and review of their medical records from February 2018, to February 2019. The adverse perinatal outcome event includes low birth weight, birth asphyxia, small for gestational age, preterm delivery, admission to neonatal intensive care unit and perinatal death. A modified Poisson regression model with robust standard errors was used to analyze relative risk.ResultsIn this study, the overall incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was higher among women with pregnancy-induced hypertension than normotensive women (66.4% vs 22.2%). After adjusted for confounders women with pregnancy-induced hypertension were born babies with a higher risk of low birth weight (adjusted RR (95%CI) = 5.1(3.4,7.8)), birth asphyxia (aRR = 2.6(1.9,3.8)), small for gestational age (aRR = 3.3(2.3,4.6)), preterm delivery (aRR = 5.2(3.4,7.9)), stillbirth (aRR = 3.46(1.40,8.54)), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (aRR = 5.1(3.1,8.4)) and perinatal death (aRR = 3.6(1.8,7.4)) compared to normotensive pregnant women.ConclusionsHigher incidences of adverse perinatal outcomes occurred among women pregnancy-induced hypertension in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia. Hence, health care providers should strengthen prevention, early diagnosis and prompt management of pregnancy-induced hypertension to reduce adverse perinatal outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Smallholder Farmers Vulnerability Level to Climate Change Impacts and Implications to Agricultural Production in Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia

Vulnerability to climate change impact is the most pressing issues for less developed countries whose economy mainly depends on the agricultural sector. The demand for food is growing swiftly whereas impacts of climate change on the global food production are increasing. More area specific research outputs and evidences-based policy directions are needed to tackle the ever changing climate and to reduce its impacts on the agricultural production. The aim of this study was to investigate subsistence farmer household’s vulnerability level to climate change impacts and its associations with household’s agricultural production. Then primary data was collected from 400 households from Kolla Temben District, Tigray Regional State, North Ethiopia. Multistage sampling techniques were applied to select households for interview from the district. In the first stage, 4 Kebelles (Kebelle - administration unit) were selected randomly out of 27 Kebelles and then400 households were selected for interview through systematic random sampling techniques (Figure 1). Multiple regressions were used to examine the associations between household’s vulnerability to climate change impacts and agricultural production. Grounded theory and content analysis techniques were use to analyze data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions. For every single unit increase in household vulnerability to climate change impacts, there was an average agricultural production decrease between 16.99 and 25.83 (Table 4). For single unit increase in household’s vulnerability to climate change impact, there was a decrease of total crop production, Total income, total livestock, total food consumption and food consumption per adult equivalent. Rainfall decrease, small farmland ownership, steep topography, frequent flood occurrences and large family size are among the major factors that negatively affect household’s agricultural production and total income. The more the vulnerable the households, the less in total annual crop production, total livestock size, total income from agricultural production and the more dependent on food aid). There is a negative association between household’s vulnerability level to climate change impacts and agricultural production (crop production, total livestock ownerships and total income from crop production). More access to irrigation and agricultural fertilizers, improved varieties of crops, small family size, improve farmland ownership size, more access to education and Agricultural Extension services are an effective areas of intervention to improve household’s resilient, reduce households vulnerability level to climate change impacts and increase household’s total agricultural production.

Tuberculosis treatment outcome: The case of women in Ethiopia and China, ten-years retrospective cohort study.

Every year tuberculosis kills above half million women all over the world. Nonetheless, the factor affecting TB treatment outcome of women was less frequently studied and compared among countries. Hence, this study was aimed to measure and compare outcome of treatment and the death size of these two countries. Socio demographic and clinical data of women treated for all form of tuberculosis in the past ten years 2007-2016 were collected from total of eight hospitals and six treatment centers of Tigray and Zigong respectively. Then, we measured the magnitude of TB, level of treatment success and identify factors associated with the unsuccessful TB outcome. In the past ten years, a total of 5603(41.5%) and 4527 (24.5%) tuberculosis cases were observed in Tigray and Zigong respectively. Of those with treatment outcome record a total of 2602(92%) in Tigray and 3916(96.7%) in Zigong were successfully treated. Total of 170 (6%) cases in Tigray and 36(0.8%) cases in Zigong were dead. In Tigray, retreatment cases (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.16-0.53) and MDR-TB cases (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.27) were less likely to show treatment success. However,, HIV co-infected TB cases (aOR, 3.58; 95% CI: 2.47, 5.18) were more likely to show treatment success compared with unknown HIV status. In Zigong, women with MDR TB (aOR, 0.90; 95%CI: 0.24, 0.34) were less likely to show treatment success and women in the age category of 15-49 (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.206) were more likely to show treatment success. Big number of tuberculosis cases and death were observed in Tigray comparing with Zigong. Hence, a relevant measure should be considered to improve treatment outcome of women in Tigray regional state.

Determinants of Teenage Pregnancy in Rural Ethiopia

Teenage pregnancy is a major health concern because it associated with higher morbidity and mortality for both mother and child. The general aim was to assess the determinants of teenage pregnancy in rural Ethiopia using 2252 teenagers of EDHS 2016 data. The data was analyzed using descriptiv(percentage and barcchart) and inferential statistics(logistic regression).The descriptive statistics revealed that 16.3% of the teenagers experienced teenage pregnancy and the highest teenage pregnancy were found in the rural area of Harari, Afar, Dire Dawa and Somali regional state of Ethiopia while the lowest was found in Ahmara, SNNPand Tigray regional state of Ethipia. The logistic regression showed that age at first sexual intercourse, marital status, education level, wealth index, knowledge about ovulary cycle, Current contraceptive use and region were signficantly affect teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia. Hence, the government and other cocerned body should work to create awareness and legal restriction on reproductive activity of teenagers to minimize the risk of teenage pregancy across the regional state of Ethiopia. Keywords: Teenage; pregnancy; Logistic Regression DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/68-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2019

Cash Transfers, Negative Rainfall Shocks, and Child Food Insecurity in Ethiopia

This paper examines the role that social cash transfers play in mitigating the impact of negative rainfall shocks on the welfare of children in rural households. The study employed panel data that were collected between 2012 and 2014 for the evaluation of the social cash transfer pilot programme (SCTPP) in Tigray regional state of Ethiopia. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2016 to capture the effects of a negative rainfall shock triggered by El Nino weather events, which seriously affected the countries in eastern and southern Africa between the beginning of 2015 and early 2016. The results from the Correlated Random Effects (CRE) model reveal that negative rainfall shocks cause child food insecurity. Cash transfers have positive welfare effect on children after adjusting for the impact of rainfall shocks. In the presence of negative rainfall shocks, children in the beneficiary households are better-off in their food security status than those in the comparison households. The paper provides policy-relevant findings to stimulate dialogue regarding the effectiveness of social cash transfers in enhancing rural households’ capacity to manage the detrimental welfare impacts of negative rainfall shocks on their most vulnerable members.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cow Mastitis among Small Scale Farmers and Dairy Farms in Western Tigray, Northwest Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was carried out from November 2017 to June 2018 to assess awareness status and management practice common among dairy cows owners and to determine the prevalence of bovine mastitis and its associated risk factors in four districts and nine kebelles of Western Zone of Tigray Regional State, North West Ethiopia. In this study, out of the 355 dairy cows and 1314 functional quarters examined, 99(27.89%) cows and 142(10.81%) quarters were found positive for sub-clinical mastitis on California Mastitis Test (CMT). In addition, from the 355 dairy cows and 1420 quarters examined, 88(24.79%) and 108(7.61%) cows and teats respectively, were found to be blind. From the total risk factors considered, statistically significant association (P&lt;0.05) was found in different breed, udder type and parity. Semi structured questionnaires surveys were distributed to 87(95.60%) males and 4(4.40%) females. According to the survey result, 76(83.52%) of the dairy cow owners housed their cows in open area with muddy or soily floor type. From the total 91 interviewed 32(35.16%) regularly dispose dung and cleaning of house. During the survey, udder management before and after milking was assessed. According to the response of 89(97.80%) milkers washed their hands prior to milking and 2(2.20%) did not. From the total 91interviewed individuals, 13(14.29%) milkers disinfect their hands before proceeding to milk the next cow while 78(85.71%) did not. During the survey, sequence of milking cows was assessed. Based on the response of respondents, 85(93.41%) of the milker did not follow sequence of milking and the rest 6(6.59%) milkers emphasized the need to follow the order of milking. The result of the present study indicated a relatively high prevalence of subclinical mastitis and with higher incidence of one or more nonfunctional teat which impose higher economic loss to the dairy owners. Lack of strategic control measures and improper attention to the health of the mammary glands contribute the higher infestation rate. Better management practices in milking and adequate housing with proper sanitation should be provided.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among Presumptive MDR-TB Patients in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major public health problems. There are alarming reports of increasing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MTR-TB) from various parts of the globe, including Ethiopia. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with MDR-TB among presumptive MDR-TB cases in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tigray Regional State from 2015 to 2016. Two hundred sputum samples were collected, transported, processed using 2% N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide, and cultured in LJ medium. Besides, the microscopic examination was performed after ZN staining. Moreover, drug susceptibility test was done using molecular line probe assay. Descriptive statistics and binary and multivariable logistic regression were done. A statistical test was regarded as significant when the P value was <0.05. Results The prevalence of MDR-TB was found to be 18.5%. About one-fourth (26.5%) of the study participants had sputum smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). TB culture was positive in 37% of the samples, and rifampicin mono-resistant cases accounted for 3.5% of the presumptive MDR-TB cases. Three (1.5%) were new MDR-TB cases, while the rest had been treated previously for TB. Most (63.5%) of the MDR-TB cases were from 15 to 44 years of age. Age was associated with MDR-TB with a crude odds ratio of 1.06 (CI: 1.02–1.10) and adjusted odds ratio of 1.06 (CI: 1.00–1.11). Conclusions The prevalence of MDR-TB was found to be high. Preventive measures should be taken to prevent the transmission of MDR-TB in the community.

The Enforcement of Federal Laws in States in Ethiopian Ethnic Federalism: The Deadlock between the Federal Government and the Tigray Regional State on the New Law of Boundaries and Identity Issues

Intergovernmental relations are the responses that have been developed to facilitate cooperative policy making among divided governments within a federal system. Intergovernmental relations are supposed to play a bridge-building role to bring a degree of coordination and cooperation to divided powers. Enforcing federal laws in the states is one form of the interactions between the federal governments and states in federations. Today enforcement of federal laws and policies in the state in particular and the task of intergovernmental coordination in general are mainly done through the ruling party (EPRDF). Execution of federal laws and policies in the states using a party line has been made smoothly for the last 28 years in Ethiopia. However, following the coming of PrimeMinister Abiy to power, EPRDF lost the support of TPLF, its core allies on its stand in the process of enacting and executing policies and laws. It, in turn, has led to gaps in the regularity and effectiveness in the implementation of federal laws in the states. Excessive reliance on party channel evokes the question of what will happen if more members( alliances) manage to depart from the ideology of the EPRDF and whether under such contexts bring about the collapse of the Ethiopian federalism as well. Such risks call for the need to establish vibrant institution to coordinate the execution of federal laws in the states in Ethiopian federal system.

HIV prevalence and risk factors in infants born to HIV positive mothers, measured by dried blood spot real-time PCR assay in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundInfants infected during pregnancy or while breastfeeding requires early HIV diagnosis at 6 weeks after birth to identify HIV infection and timely treatment. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HIV among HIV exposed infants in the Tigray regional state, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 exposed infants born to HIV seropositive mothers from September 01 to December 30, 2016. Convenient consecutive sampling technique was employed to enroll HIV exposed infants from age 6 weeks to 18 months attending prevention of mother to child transmission (PMCT) clinic at Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) site facility in Tigray, Ethiopia. Sociodemographic data and associated risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples were collected from each infant and transported by post to Tigray Health Research Institute to detect HIV infection using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Data were entered into EPI Info version 7, exported and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. p-value less than 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test.ResultsThree hundred forty infants (175 males, 165 females) met the criteria for selection during the completion of the study and the overall HIV prevalence was found to be 2.1% (n = 7). The majority of infants were from urban areas (n = 246, 72.4%). 45.5% (5/11, p = 0.001) infants were without ARV prophylaxis, 60% (3/5, p = 0.001) infants born to mothers who did not take maternal PMTCT intervention, 43% (3/7, p = 0.001) infants born to mothers who were not enrolled to ART care, and 6.1% (4/66, p = 0.029) infants of unmarried mothers showed statistically significant difference.ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of HIV among exposed infants was high but lower than the Millennium Development Goal targets. In order to eliminate the mother to child HIV transmission (MTCT) ARV prophylaxis in infants must be strengthened, and enrollment of HIV positive pregnant women to PMTCT and ART care and treatment is needed.

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of "Transfer Out" TB Patients after Crosschecking Registers at Four Hospitals of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia: 2011-2015.

Globally, transferring TB patients to another health unit for treatment continuation is common trend while posing challenges for proper treatment outcomes monitoring. National guidelines indicated the importance of incorporating the treatment outcomes of those cases by the transferring unit when performing annual cohort analysis. However, in most instances, this is not taken into account. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ‘transfer out' TB cases during the time period between 2011 and 2015 at four Hospitals of Tigray: Ethiopia. Initial data was extracted from TB treatment logbooks of transferring units using standardize checklist that were followed by a visit to each of the receiving units. The generated data were entered and analyzed using SPSS v. 22.0. Descriptive statistics were computed. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 143 TB patients were transferred out during the specified time period whereas 73.4% (105/143) patients were traced and classified as “arrivals”. From these, more than three-quarters, 87.6% (92/105), of patients had a successful treatment outcome (5.7% cured and 81.9% completed treatment) while 13/105 (12.3%) had an unsuccessful outcome (2.8% defaulted, 5.7% died, 1.9% failed, and 1.9% transferred out). However, none of the transferring unit received and traced status of the cases. Therefore, regular monitoring is needed to improve the existing communication gap.

English

Study was carried out to evaluate the supplementary nitrogen requirement of tef to enhance nitrogen use efficiency of tef grown under chickpea-tef rotation cropping. On-farm, experiment was conducted during the 2015 main cropping season at Tahtay Koraro District of the Tigray regional State, Ethiopia on tef after preceding chickpea. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seven treatments: Six N levels (0, 11.5, 23, 34.5, 46, and 69 kg N ha-1) under the chickpea-tef rotation and the seventh one negative control (0 kg N ha-1) under the continuous tef cropping were tested. Surface soil samples were collected before tef sowing and after harvesting. They were analyzed for selected soil properties. Clay sized particles dominate the soil of the experimental site and the textural class of the soil is clayey. There was a difference in the bulk density of the same soil between the chickpea-tef and tef-tef sequence. Nitrogen and organic carbon were higher in soil under chickpea-tef cropping sequence than in soil under continuous tef cropping. Application of different N rates under chickpea-tef rotation statistically significantly affected grain (GNU), straw (SNU) and total nitrogen uptake (TNU) (kg ha-1). The highest total tef nitrogen uptake (59 kg N ha-1) was obtained in response to application of 34.5 kg N ha-1. The highest apparent nitrogen recovery (81%), agronomic efficiency (10.48 kg kg-1) and physiological N use efficiency were obtained in response to the lower N rate (11.5 kg N ha-1), 23 kg N ha-1 rate and 34.5 kg N ha-1 respectively. The highest grain protein content (7.78%) was recorded for grain harvested from plots fertilized with 23 kg N ha-1. Hence, it could be concluded that, under chickpea-tef rotation cropping system some supplementary nitrogen is needed to fulfill the nitrogen requirement and nitrogen use efficiency of tef crop at the study area. Key words: Chickpea, tef, nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency, protein content.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp