Addis Ababa University

Background Trauma has become an international concern due to millions of deaths. Mortality among trauma patients in intensive care units (ICU) remained high, especially in low and middle-income countries. Up to 50% of the trauma patients die in ICUs in Ethiopia. There is Limited information on the timing component of mortality and predictors of mortality are missed in previous studies. Hence this study was designed to investigate the survival status of trauma patients in the ICU and its predictors. Objective To estimate the survival status and predictors of mortality among trauma patients admitted to intensive care units of selected governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 351 trauma patients admitted to intensive care units of purposively selected three government hospitals in Addis Ababa. Before being imported into STATA/MP version 17 for additional analysis, the data was first entered into Epidata version 3.1. To determine the predictor variables, bi-variable and multivariable Cox regression models were fitted in the analysis. A 95% confidence interval of hazard ratio (HR) was computed, and variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariable model were considered to be significantly associated with the dependent variable. Result A total of 351 trauma patients were followed retrospectively, median follow-up of 8 days. Out of all 106 (30.2%), deaths were recorded with an incidence rate of 2.3 cases per 100 person-day observation. The cumulative probability of death in the intensive care unit was 0.7842 in a total of 4550.6 person day observations. Creatinine level >1.3 mg/dl, Glasgow coma score (GCS) below 9, a complication in ICU, vasoactive, hypoxia upon admission, and heart rate <60 and >100 (beat per minute bpm) found to be significantly associated with mortality trauma patients in ICU. Conclusion and recommendation Mortality among trauma patients in the ICU was high, despite the expected national goal of 73 per 100,000 population in 2022. GCS below 9, vasoactive requirement, and increased creatinine level were some of the predictors for ICU mortality. Therefore, giving special attention to the above predictor factors is crucial.

Background and Research Aims: Incorporating local community attitudes in wildlife conservation planning is crucial for effective conservation. However, there is limited data on conservation challenges and communities’ attitudes towards wildlife conservation in Ethiopia, even absent in Chimit Kola. This study aimed to explore major threats, community attitudes towards wildlife, and the role of wildlife conservation in Chimit Kola. Methods: We explored the conservation challenges and community attitudes towards wildlife using a semi-structured questionnaire of 384 systematically selected respondents. Logistic regression was used to determine variables that influence community attitudes towards wildlife conservation. Results: Respondents identified farmland expansion, charcoal production, and hunting as the main and most severe threats to wildlife conservation. However, most respondents had a positive attitude towards conservation. The age and educational status positively influenced respondents’ attitudes towards wildlife conservation. Respondents who completed at least grade 6 were 9 times more likely to support conservation than those who did not receive formal education. Nonetheless, older respondents (at least 46 years old) were 11 times more likely to support conservation than younger respondents (15 to 25 years old). Conclusions: In general, communities living around Chimit Kola understand the role of wildlife and are willing to support conservation. However, some have a negative attitude towards wildlife conservation. The negative attitude is linked to low educational status, poor understanding of the role of wildlife in nature, and economic loss due to livestock predation/crop damage. Thus, awareness campaigns and community livelihood issues should be incorporated into conservation planning. Implications for conservation: Our result also highlights the importance of education, experience, and benefits in positively influencing community attitudes towards wildlife conservation. Thus, conservation management should consider raising community awareness about the role of wildlife conservation and enhancing the community’s active participation in conservation management.

In this work, essential oil was extracted from thymus (T. schimperi and T. serrulatus) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction method. The effect of temperature (50–60 °C), pressure (700–800 Psi) and extraction time (150–210 min) on extraction yield was evaluated. The response surface methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied to obtain the optimal extraction conditions. The triplicate data of the measurement was analyzed by IBM SPSS software version 26 and mean comparison between test samples were conducted by general linear model analysis of univariate method. The results indicated that the optimum conditions for extraction of essential oil from T. schimperi and T. serrulatus were: temperature 60 °C, pressure 800Psi and extraction time 150 min. The oil yield obtained at these optimum conditions were 1.22% for T. schimperi and 1.04% for T. serrulatus. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of the extracted thyme oils. Major compounds observed in T. schimperi oil were carvacrol (40.82%), thymol (30.95%), pcymene-2,5-diol (7.05%), 2,5-dimethyl-p-xylene (6.84%) and d, α-tocopherol (5.82%) while for T. serrulatus were thymol (43.89%), carvacrol (29.90%), d-α-tocopherol (13.84%) and p-cymene-2,5-diol (3.78%). The two species have shown variations in their oils content as reflected by 2, 5-dimethyl-p-xylene (6.48% in T. schimperi but none in T. serrulatus). In a similar way, yield of carvacrol in T. schimperi oil was higher (40.82%) than that of T. serrulatus oil (29%). These differences can explain the higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities observed in T. schimperi oil compared to that of T. serrulatus.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is one of the most important multipurpose crops grown throughout the world. It can be used as feed, food, and fiber. Efforts have been made to estimate genetic diversity among Ethiopian sorghum gene bank accession, in situ land race population and sorghum germplasm pools. Although these studies generated useful information, and contribute to knowledge on genetic variability of sorghum in the country, further investigation to unravel the extent of genetic variability and establish the pattern of genetic relationship among sorghum accessions is essential. Therefore, the present study was targeted to explore the degree and patterns of genetic diversity among 96 sorghum genotypes collected from various parts of Ethiopia. The sorghum genotype profiling with 14 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers resulted 137 alleles with an overall mean of 9.8 alleles per locus. The marker’s polymorphic information content (PIC) and Nei’s genetic distance values ranged from 0.54 to 0.9 and 0.05 to 0.71, respectively. Four major clusters with no strong distinction between geographical origins were obtained by hierarchal clustering using UPGMA analysis. Moreover, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 99% variation was observed and attributed to difference within individual accessions, and only a small fraction of the overall variance (1%) was linked to the original collection area. Clustering using UPGMA, PCoA, and STRUCTURE did not sharply cluster the tested sorghum accessions as per their geographical areas of sampling likely due to high gene flow. Among studied populations, those of Amhara, Tigray, and Oromia showed a higher genetic diversity as compared to other populations, and hence, these regions could be considered hot spots for identification of divergent genotypes that can be used in breeding programs. Therefore, the present study generated useful information for genetic improvement and conservation of sorghum.

Background: Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less prevalent among the pediatric population in comparison to adults, it remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in this age group. As the disease advances, it gives rise to diverse complications, with cardiovascular issues emerging as a primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Remarkably, the intricate association between CKD and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) has not been extensively investigated in the context of African pediatric populations. This study attempts to close this gap. Method: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of LVD using 2D echocardiography in pediatric patients diagnosed with CKD and identify associated factors. The study enrolled 95 CKD patients, all under 18, receiving care at the kidney follow-up clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Results: Analysis indicated that 55.8% of participants were male, while 44.2% were female. The leading cause of CKD was congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), accounting for 68.4% of cases. Among CKD cases, 42% were at Stages 2 and 3. Systolic and diastolic hypertension were present in 23.2% and 31.6% of the patients, respectively. Concentric remodeling was observed in 64%, while 10.6% showed concentric hypertrophy. Diastolic dysfunction was found in 20.4%, and only 3.2% had a low ejection fraction. Anemia was the sole factor significantly associated with cardiac dysfunction. The mean relative wall thickness was lower in those with anemia. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) is strongly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.764) with diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Most of the children with CKD had evidence of cardiac remodeling. Diastolic dysfunction was the most common type of functional cardiac impairment, as opposed to systolic dysfunction. Anemia was associated with a higher relative incidence of diastolic dysfunction. LVMI was the echocardiography parameter that was strongly correlated with diastolic dysfunction.

Inflation is a critical global issue and also a significant challenge in Ethiopia. Despite its profound impact on the economy, research on inflation volatility in Ethiopia remains limited and insufficient. This paper aims to address these gaps by employing BEKK (Baba, Engle, Kraft, and Kroner) and DCC (Dynamic Conditional Correlation) - GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) models and analyze the characteristics of inflation trends, which supports informed economic decision making. We focus on four key inflation indicators: the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Non-Food Price Index (NFPI), the Food Price Index (FPI), and the Exchange Rate (ER), which were compiled from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) from January 2010 to December 2020. The study confirms inflation volatility, supported by the ARCH effect and Ljung-Box Q(m) statistics, along with conditional heteroscedasticity tests. This study demonstrates that, unlike previous approaches that neglected dynamic correlations in inflation volatility, the DCC-GARCH model decisively outperforms the BEKK-GARCH model in both parameter estimation and forecasting accuracy, as evidenced by significantly better Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion (SBIC), and Hannan-Quinn Information Criterion (HQIC) metrics. Our findings revealed that the DCC (1,1) model effectively captured volatility clustering without being persistent or explosive, as the sum of coefficients $(\theta = 0.1794, \beta = 0.7023)$ is less than 1, confirming mean reversion. In contrast to previous studies, our approach provided a more robust understanding of inflation dynamics, identifying CPI and FPI as the most volatile indicators. The study reveals significant correlations among inflation indicators-CPI, FPI, NFPI, and ER indicating a cohesive inflationary pattern. The coefficients show that past volatility and shocks persistently influence current volatility, underscoring their interdependence. The forecast from the best model reveals substantial instability is observed in CPI and FPI returns. It suggests a sharp increase in FPI and a rise in ER. The better method captured inflation volatility more effectively than other competent models. The DCC-GARCH model offered deeper insights into volatility dynamics, revealing the shortcomings of earlier time series models in addressing inflation volatility.

Background Ethiopia harbors a wealth of plant biodiversity, diverse ecological zones, rich cultural heritage, and long-standing traditional knowledge and medical practices. Despite documentation of this knowledge in few regions, information remains limited for the Addi Arkay district of northwestern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to document the indigenous and local knowledge on the use of human and livestock medicinal plants. Methodology Ethnobotanical data were collected between October and December 2024 through semi-structured interviews, guided field observations, focus group discussions, and ranking exercises conducted with 385 informants. Stratified sampling, random, and purposive sampling techniques were employed. A mixed-methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative) was used for data analysis. Quantitative analyses included preference ranking, Direct Matrix Ranking (DMR), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), and Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI). T tests and one-way ANOVA were employed to compare mean levels of indigenous and local knowledge across different socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. Results This study documented 112 medicinal plant species (105 genera, 58 families, including four endemic and one nearly endemic) were used for human and livestock remedies in the Addi Arkay district, northwestern Ethiopia. Fabaceae was the dominant family (7.14%). The majority of plant species (75.89%) were used to treat human ailments, while a smaller proportion (5.36%) were used for livestock, and 18.75%) were used for both human and livestock ailments. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (34.6%) followed by roots (27.9%), and grinding was the most common method of preparation (30.4%). The preference ranking exercise revealed Opuntia ficus-indica as the top choice for treating human hemorrhoids and Phytolacca dodecandra as the preferred treatment for rabies in livestock. DMR revealed Cordia africana, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, and Terminalia leiocarpa as the most threatened multipurpose medicinal plants. Informant Consensus Factor values ranged from 0.63 to 0.93. Fidelity level analysis revealed that Phytolacca dodecandra was most effective against rabies, followed by Rubia cordifolia for cough and Plumbago zeylanica for swelling. Agricultural expansion posed the most significant threat, followed by overgrazing and fuel (charcoal and fuel wood). The highest levels of indigenous and local medicinal plant knowledge were predominantly transmitted orally through family lines, with paternal contributions often playing a significant role. Compared to other studies conducted in Ethiopia, the Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI%) for human medicinal plants ranged in value from 6.9% to 68.92% and for veterinary plants from 10.91% to 27.91%, whereas the Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI) ranged from 0.98% to 15.63%. Ten novel medicinal plant uses, not previously documented in Ethiopia or elsewhere, were identified. Conclusion This pioneering study in Addi Arkay district, northwestern Ethiopia, documented 112 medicinal plants for the treatment of human and livestock ailments, revealing the significant array of plant resources utilized for local primary healthcare services. However, threats from agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and fuel (charcoal and fuel wood) use necessitate in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Implementing sustainable harvesting practices and community-based conservation initiatives is recommended to protect the rich medicinal plants wealth of the district for continual use across generations besides ensuring preservation of valuable ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Background Antenatal care (ANC) in Ethiopia faces quality and content gaps. The Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment (ENAT) intervention was designed to improve ANC services in public health facilities by strengthening infection diagnosis, training healthcare providers, supplying equipment, and enhancing counseling. We assessed ENAT’s association with improved ANC outcomes, including testing (blood/urine), infection prevention, nutrition supplementation, counseling, and visit adherence. Methods A quasi-experimental design (QED) was used, with baseline data collected in December 2020 and endline in January 2023 from intervention and comparison areas. We interviewed women who were pregnant within two years preceding the surveys: baseline (comparison = 631, intervention = 705) and endline (comparison = 638, intervention = 719). We examined the association between the intervention and ANC outcomes using Difference-in-Differences (DiD) logit models. Results The ENAT intervention showed statistically significant improvements in blood sample testing during pregnancy (DiD: +8%, β = 1.03, p < 0.001), while urine testing demonstrated a marginally significant association (DiD: +7%, β = 0.60, p = 0.057). Notable positive improvements were observed in the administration of iron folate (DiD, + 11%, β = 1.21, p < 0.001), tetanus toxoid injections (DiD, + 10%, β = 0.61, p = 0.042), and deworming tablets (DiD, + 20%, β = 0.65, p = 0.032). Statistically significant improvements were also seen in counseling on nutrition (DiD, + 11%, β = 0.59, p = 0.001) and pregnancy complications (DiD, + 9%, β = 0.34, p = 0.038). Although four or more ANC visits saw a statistically significant increase in the intervention area (DiD: +9%, β = 1.24, p = 0.049), 38% of women remained below this benchmark. Furthermore, the intervention did not significantly improve the timing of the first ANC visit (DiD, + 5%, β = 0.017, p = 0.928), with only half of the women initiating ANC in the first trimester. Conclusion The ENAT intervention improved ANC service contents, quality, and visit frequency while enhancing key counseling topics. These findings demonstrate targeted interventions’ potential to strengthen ANC in resource-limited settings. However, early ANC initiation remains challenging, with many women not completing the recommended four or more visits. Future programs should address barriers to timely ANC initiation and completion.

Introduction Despite the proven effectiveness of vaccination in improving child health and well-being, millions of children remain unvaccinated globally. Ethiopia has increased child vaccination coverage by threefold in the last decades. However, it is one of the top contributors to zero-dose and unimmunized children in Africa. Thus, we examined risk factors associated with zero-dose, under-immunization, and the number of vaccination doses received by children in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted as part of the formative assessment for the Strengthening Service Delivery (SSD) project from July to August 2024. A stratified two-stage sampling was employed to recruit 1,368 mothers of children aged 12–23 months from agrarian and pastoral regions of Ethiopia. A multilevel negative binomial model was then fitted to estimate associations between individual- and community-level independent variables and the number of vaccine doses received. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (AIRR) with 95% CI were reported to declare the associations. Results About 14% of children did not receive any vaccinations, and 62% were under-immunized, with significant regional disparities: 9% of children in agrarian regions versus 69% in the pastoral areas received no vaccinations, while 60% of children in agrarian regions were under-immunized compared to 92% in the pastoral areas. Mothers attended higher education (AIRR = 1.20; 95% CI [1.01–1.42]), household wealth status of rich (AIRR = 1.39; 95% CI: [1.16–1.67]) and middle class (AIRR = 1.32; 95% CI: [1.09–1.61]), previous history of facility delivery (AIRR = 1.57; 95% CI: [1.35–1.83]) and home visit by community health workers (CHW) during pregnancy (AIRR = 1.32; 95% CI: [1.15–1.52]) and having any under 5 children with vaccination card (AIRR = 2.45; 95% CI: [2.08–2.90]) increased the likelihood of receiving vaccinations. However, children from the pastoral region (AIRR = 0.40; 95% CI: [0.29–0.54]) were less likely to receive higher vaccination doses. Conclusion Our study highlighted individual and community-level factors associated with the number of vaccination doses children received in Ethiopia. To address zero-dose and under-immunized children in Ethiopia, contextualized intervention focusing on the pastoral and vulnerable population is needed. Moreover, strengthening the health system and expanding healthcare access in the underserved population could help improve child vaccination.

Tef is a gluten-free cereal grain that provides a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, high in fiber and minerals, especially iron and calcium. Tef is becoming a popular health food worldwide due to its consumption, which can help manage celiac disease and possibly prevent and control iron deficiency and diabetes. The study’s objective was to verify the best-performing tef varieties in different environments using a multivariate analysis. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times in three environments using 12 improved tef varieties. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis indicated that grain yield and other agronomic traits differed significantly (p<0.001) among the tef varieties. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) ANOVA showed that the grain yield was attributed to the genotypes (G) (27.44%), environments (E) (59.84%), and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) (12.72%) of the total variation. The result also showed that grain yield was influenced by interactions between variety and environment. Accordingly, Negus and Dagem varieties performed best at Goro, while Washera and Ebba varieties were yielded high at Wolkite, and whereas, Mena variety was best at Emedeber, showing location specific adaptability. Most stability procedures are recommended with the varieties Washera, Negus, and Ebba for high grain yield and wider adaptability. In summary, Washera and Negus varieties were the top performing tef varieties across all testing locations, while Felagot had the lowest yield. Tef production can be enhanced by growing these identified varieties in their suitable production areas. With further demonstrations, these varieties can be used for scaled up for large scale cultivation to improve yield and support food security.

Background As Ethiopia expands cervical cancer screening services, it urgently needs information to develop appropriate post-screening diagnostic and treatment services for women with abnormal results. Quality cancer care requires extensive coordination among multidisciplinary provider teams. This study explores experiences coordinating care among providers at multiple levels of the cancer-care continuum in Ethiopia. Methods From February 2020 to January 2022, we conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) and ten key-informant interviews with 34 purposively selected healthcare providers: health extension workers (HEWs) in communities; midwives and nurses at health centers; obstetrician-gynecologists at regional hospitals, and oncology nurses, oncologists, and pathologists at tertiary hospitals. FGDs and interviews were conducted in Amharic and audio-recorded. Audio transcripts were then simultaneously transcribed and translated into English for analysis. Investigators performed thematic analysis using inductive and deductive codes. Results We found four themes: resource scarcity, care centralization, lack of formal coordination mechanisms, and recommendations. Themes were dynamically connected by eight sub-themes. Providers valued teamwork and coordination. However, severe shortages of cancer specialists and high patient loads left little time for communication and hampered the formation of stable care teams. Facilities lacked formal coordination systems, such as patient navigators and case managers. The relative centralization of cancer care specialists and equipment in the capital exacerbated coordination problems. It impeded pre- and post-treatment care communication between tertiary and secondary facilities and caused secondary facilities to unnecessarily refer patients because they lacked the resources to treat them locally. Referral communication was unidirectional, with lower-level providers communicating regularly to higher-level facilities but rarely receiving feedback. The exception was regular, structured feedback from primary facilities to HEWs. Lower-level providers wanted to learn whether their referrals were appropriate or completed, and many used informal channels to gain this information. Respondents recommend decentralizing cancer care services, significantly increasing staff and equipment investments, and adding liaison staff at secondary hospitals to track and communicate patient progress and counsel patients for referral. Conclusions Our findings underscore the need to rapidly increase cancer specialist staff and regional cancer centers in Ethiopia and highlight the importance of developing robust coordination and feedback mechanisms at secondary and tertiary facilities.

Background Inadequate minimum dietary diversity (MMD) is the leading cause of malnutrition among young children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The evidence of geospatial distribution and multilevel determinants of inadequate MDD and its consequence among children is important for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG0) 2030 agenda. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the geospatial distribution and multilevel determinants of inadequate MDD and its consequences among children in SSA. Method The study utilized recent Demographic and Health Surveys data including 57,912 children. Spatial and multilevel analyses were employed, and variables significantly associated with inadequate MDD and undernutrition with MDD consumption were assessed and significance was declared using a p-value threshold of <0.05. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. Results The prevalence of inadequate MDD was 80.3% with distinct spatial variation. Spatial distribution showed that; Gabon, Cameron, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Senegal had a very high burden of inadequate MDD. Factors like children’s age, maternal age, educational status, antenatal care (ANC)/ postnatal care (PNC) visits, no media exposure, wealth status, maternal stunting and wasting, and distance from health facilities were associated with inadequate MDD in SSA. The risk of anemia, stunting, and wasting were significantly associated with inadequate MDD among children in SSA. Conclusion The prevalence of inadequate MDD in SSA is high. Spatial distribution revealed that inadequate MDD was prevalent in most areas of the Western, Northern, Eastern, and Central parts of SSA. Maternal and children’s age, educational status, ANC/ PNC visits, no media exposure, wealth status, maternal stunting and wasting, and distance from health facilities were determinants of inadequate MDD in SSA. The spatial clustering of inadequate MDD in certain regions of SSA, suggests the need for geographically targeted interventions to address the determinants of inadequate MDD in these high-burden areas. The study revealed strategies should focus on promoting frequent ANC/ PNC visits, improving maternal nutrition, reducing poverty, and improving maternal employment status to reduce inadequate MDD among children. This study highlights a significant association between MDD and anemia, stunting, and wasting in children aged 6-–23 months. To address these critical issues, it is essential to improve MDD among children, as this intervention can play a vital role in achieving SDG target 2.2, which aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a complex health problem that requires an integrated approach that considers economic, environmental, and social factors to reduce the global burden of TB. To develop a comprehensive strategy for TB eradication, addressing the social determinants of TB is crucial. This study aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare workers and patients regarding the social determinants of health in the context of TB in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was employed to select 20 healthcare workers and 24 individuals with TB. Key informant interviews were conducted with healthcare workers managing TB patients and individuals with TB who presented at selected health centers. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data. The guide included questions to capture participants’ experiences of economic barriers, TB-related stigma, family and community support, food access, and housing conditions. Data were analyzed thematically and direct quotes were included. Forty-four participants were included, including 20 healthcare workers (16 men and four women) and twenty-four TB patients (nine men and 15 women). Key themes emerged, including economic barriers, with participants stating that financial constraints delayed TB care-seeking; stigma associated with TB, leading to fear of disclosure and social isolation; social support, with family and community networks playing a central role in facilitating care; food insecurity, with participants reporting the profound impact of food insecurity on TB vulnerability; exposure to smoke, with participants citing exposure to cigarette smoke as a potential risk factor for developing TB; and housing conditions, with participants stating that overcrowded living environments facilitate TB transmission. Economic barriers, TB-related stigma, a lack of social support, food insecurity, and exposure to cigarette smoke are key social determinants of TB. These findings underscore the need to address social determinants of TB through targeted interventions, such as stigma reduction campaigns, financial assistance, and community support programs, to reduce the TB burden in Addis Ababa.

Background Malaria is an important public health issue in Ethiopia. Accurate malaria diagnosis plays a vital role in effective treatment. However, there is limited data on the diagnostic accuracy of the newly introduced rapid diagnostic test (LDH-based RDT) and existing diagnostic methods. Objective This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the LDH-based RDT and existing diagnostic methods among uncomplicated malaria patients, 2024. Methods The health-facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dembia and North Achefer districts of the Amhara region. A systematic sampling technique was employed to recruit 460 febrile patients. Each patient’s blood sample was investigated for Plasmodium species by RDT, followed by microscopy by different laboratory professionals. The collected blood film slide was sent to the reference laboratory center, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, for confirmatory analysis. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed, and a kappa value > 0.6 was considered as having good agreement between diagnostic techniques. Results The sensitivity and specificity of pLDH-based RDT were 99.6 and 100% compared to reference laboratory results. There was a very good consensus between pLDH-based RDT and blood film (Kappa: 0.97, p-value = 0.0001). There was also a good consensus between blood film at the local laboratory and pLDH-based RDT (Kappa: 0.748, p-value = 0.0001). However, there was the worst disagreement between clinical diagnosis, pLDH-based RDT, and blood film (Kappa range: -0.987 to -0.739). Conclusion This study revealed that pLDH-based RDT and microscopy had higher accuracy as per the WHO recommendation standard. This study implied that clinical diagnosis of malaria must be supported either by RDT or microscopy.

Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pigmented mucocutaneous lesions, and an increased risk of cancer. We report a case of a 22-year-old male from Ethiopia who presented with recurrent abdominal pain and a history of surgery for bowel obstruction. Endoscopic evaluation revealed multiple polyps in the stomach, ileum, and colon, which were confirmed histopathologically as hamartomatous polyps. Mucocutaneous pigmentation and family history of GI symptoms and maternal breast cancer led to the diagnosis of PJS, despite the unavailability of genetic testing. The patient underwent therapeutic polypectomy and was advised on cancer surveillance. This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing PJS in resource-limited settings, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and vigilant surveillance to prevent complications, especially when genetic testing may not be readily available.

Lack of access to safe abortions continues to be a major sexual and reproductive health concern. Adolescents can face barriers to safe abortions due to the unique implications of their age. Understanding adolescent abortion experiences and care trajectories is critical. Qualitative and quantitative evidence is analysed from interviews with 313 adolescents aged 10–19 years who sought abortion-related care in public health facilities in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Lilongwe (Malawi), and Lusaka (Zambia) between April 2018 and September 2019. The trajectories framework is used to understand how adolescent abortion-related care-seeking differs across a range of socio-legal national contexts. A comparative study design incorporates varying levels of restriction on access to abortion: Ethiopia (legal on broad social or economic grounds, services implemented); Zambia (legal on broad social or economic grounds, complex services with barriers to implementation and information provision); and Malawi (legally highly restricted). Most adolescents (n = 97, 98%) in Ethiopia obtained a medically safe abortion, and most adolescents (n = 70, 64%) in Zambia and almost all adolescents (n = 94, 94%) in Malawi obtained a less medically safe abortion. There is a significant association between country and whether an adolescent tried to end a pregnancy before coming to the facility, X²(2, N = 313) = 135.93, p < 0.001. In Malawi 97% (n = 101) of adolescents had sought to end the pregnancy before coming to the facility, compared to 18% (n = 18) in Ethiopia. Cross-country variations in the relative safety of the abortion and type of care sought by adolescents reflect national laws, policies and service availability. The most facility-based abortions were recorded where care is most accessible (Ethiopia), and most non-facility-based and least safe abortions were recorded where care is the most restricted (Malawi). Across all countries, adolescents experienced delays to their care-seeking; 39% (n = 39), 71% (n = 74), and 66% (n = 73) in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zambia respectively. Adolescents reported high levels of respectful treatment across countries, with a minority reporting negative experiences. A minority of adolescents in each country reported that unofficial money was paid to facility staff. There were different experiences of post-abortion contraception in the three countries, including an absence of choice. Adolescents’ trajectories – particularly those involving multiple attempts and barriers to achieving abortion care – require tenacity and determination. Our analyses show that less restrictive abortion policies and accessible abortion services improve adolescent chances to access abortion care.

The rapid growth of the Ethiopian dairy supply chain has raised concerns regarding food-borne pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to have reliable methods for identifying bacteria and testing their susceptibility to antimicrobials in order to address public health concerns. The Vitek 2XL compact system is emerging as a promising tool due to its user-friendly nature and faster reporting times for microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). However, its application in yogurt analysis has been limited so far. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use the Vitek 2XL system to assess the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from unbranded and branded yogurt sold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The findings from this research provide valuable insights into yogurt safety and aim to improve food safety practices in the region. A total of 40 yogurt samples, consisting of 20 branded and 20 unbranded were collected from retail markets. The samples were cultured using International Organization for Standardization reference analytical methods. The VITEK 2 XL Compact system (bioMérieux) was employed to confirm the presumptive colonies and perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The overall prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. was 14/40 (35%) and 3/40 (7.5%), respectively. However, S. aureus was not detected in the examined yogurt samples 0/40 (0%). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 7% to 28% of E. coli isolates were resistant to 13 different antibiotics. However, high susceptibility was observed to Gentamicin (100%), Amikacin (93%), Marbofloxacin (93%), and Pardofloxacin (93%). For Salmonella spp., all isolates were resistant to Ampicillin (100%), Pardofloxacin (100%), Doxycycline (100%), and Tetracycline (100%). In contrast, 67% of Salmonella spp. isolates were susceptible to Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (67%), Cefpodoxime (67%), Cefovecin (67%), Ceftiofur (67%), and Neomycin (67%). The results indicate that the tested yogurt samples may pose a risk of foodborne illnesses due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the findings highlight a public health concern related to potential antibiotic resistance.

The study evaluated the soil health conditions in Damota Subwatershed in 2023, assessing the physical and chemical characteristics of the soils to provide information that could be used to support sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection efforts. In line with this, 36 composite soil samples were collected from 12 mapping units at three slope and altitudinal positions and analyzed in a laboratory to understand soil health status, identifying three textural classes: sandy clay loam, sandy loam, and loamy sand. Soil bulk densities ranged from 1.35 to 1.68 gm cm⁻³, slightly above threshold, while total porosity ranged from 36.60% to 49.06% below the optimal range. The available water capacity of the soils ranged from 66.5 to 185.1 mm·m⁻¹. In relation with the chemical properties of the soils, the pH-H2O (in 1:2.5 soil to water) of the soils ranged from 7.58 in mapping unit 11 to 8.76 in mapping unit 4. The SOC and TN levels for all mapping units in the three subwatershed positions were classified as very low to low. The soils’ phosphorus content ranged from 3.53 mg·kg⁻¹ in the USWS to 9.08 mg·kg⁻¹ in the LSWS positions within mapping units 11 and 6, respectively. The levels of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium varied from high to very high, with the exception of sodium, which was found to be low. The CEC of the soils also ranged from medium to high (14.35 and 43.95 cmol(+) kg⁻¹). Iron availability varied from very low to low, manganese from low to high, copper from low to high, and zinc from medium to high. Low SOC, TN, and AP levels in different slope classes indicate poor soil health status, adversely impacting sustainable agriculture. The study has significant implications for sustainable land use, circular agriculture, and evidence-based policy creation at individual subwatershed scales.