Adigrat University

Background Malaria remains a significant public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa, with Ethiopia's Tigray region experiencing pronounced seasonal peaks. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malaria and its associated factors among adults living in Samre woreda, Tigray, Ethiopia, in 2023/24. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Samre Woreda from December 14 to 30, 2023, among 422 adults using stratified sampling. Data collection utilized semistructured questionnaires prepared in English and translated into the local Tigrigna language. Data were entered into Epi Info 7.2, exported, and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Science version 27. Variables with a P value < 0.2 in bivariable analysis were included in multivariable logistic regression, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results Among the participants, 59 (14.0%) tested positive for malaria. Females had 2.3 times higher odds of malaria infection (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.9), inconsistent ITN use were 3.5 times more likely to contract malaria infection (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4–9.2), the odds of malaria were 3.2 times greater among urban residents (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.6–6.0), and Participants living near stagnant water had six times higher odds of malaria compared to those who did not (AOR = 6.0, 95% CI: 3.0–12.5), which were identified as significantly associated factors. Conclusion This study reveals a substantial burden of malaria among adults in Samre Woreda. Being female, living in urban areas, inconsistent ITN use, and having stagnant water near the village were factors associated with malaria. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, including consistent ITN use and the removal of stagnant water.

Background Gender-based violence is becoming an increasing during conflict, with negative short and long-term consequences for the victims, their families, and communities. Since the eruption of war in November 2020 in Tigray, many women reported sexual violence. Thus, this study aimed to explore the physical, sexual and mental health consequences of gender-based violence among female survivors in severely war-affected areas of the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Methods This study employed mixed methods including quantitative and qualitative studies during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 528 sexually abused women and girls were included in the quantitative study from a community-based survey conducted in August 2021. Moreover, six in-depth interviews with rape survivors were conducted to share their experiences. A standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the community survey and a semi-structured checklist recorded by audio was used for qualitative study. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson chi-square test were used to assess the relationship between health consequences, different socio-demographics, and types of sexual violence. Thematic analysis was performed after the recorded audios were transcribed. Results Of the survivors, 435 (82.4%) had been raped and 404 (76.5%) had experienced a triple trauma burden of sexual, physical, and psychological violence. Most survivors had experienced consequences ranging from mild (34.5%) to severe injuries (42.1%), mental health and behavioral problems (75.6%) like posttraumatic stress disorder (12.1%), stress (63.5%), anxiety (38.6%), depression (27.5%), sleeping disturbance (35.2%), nightmare (29.0), flashbacks and social isolation. More than one-fifth (21.8%) of rape survivors experienced sexual and reproductive health problems such as exposure to STIs, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and HIV. Survivors encountered the worst rape scenarios such as gang rape by troops and combatants. Conclusions Survivors experienced severe forms of physical injuries, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sexual and reproductive health problems. Humanitarian agencies and civic organizations need to provide immediate medical and psychological support to victims to reduce further health consequences and harm.

Background The option B⁺ prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus is the lifelong provision of antiretroviral therapy for all human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of immune status. In Ethiopia, the overall mother-to-child transmission rate of human immunodeficiency virus was 15.9%. This study assessed determinants of human immunodeficiency virus infection among infants born to human immunodeficiency virus positive women on option B + prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in Tigray, north Ethiopia. Methods Unmatched case-control study was conducted in Tigray region from October 2023 to April 2024. A total of 43 cases and 129 controls were selected using simple random sampling technique. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify the factors associated with mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus at P < 0.05. Multicolinearity was checked among predictor variables using Variance Inflation Factor and Tolerance test. Furthermore, the goodness of fit of the logistic model was tested using Hosmer-Lemshow test. Results This study showed that rural residence (Adjusted Odds ratio: 33.3, 95% CI: 1.02–87.05), World Health Organization disease stage III (Adjusted Odds ratio: 57.4, CI: 9.25– 297.54) and IV (Adjusted Odds ratio: 78.9, CI: 12.64–345.62) during initiation of antiretroviral therapy and a child with mouth ulcer during exclusive breastfeeding (Adjusted Odds ratio: 65, IC: 6.39–456.23) were the factors significantly associated with mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. Besides, mothers’ educational status (Adjusted Odds ratio: 0.2, CI: 0.04, 0.35), late time of antiretroviral therapy initiation after human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis (Adjusted Odds ratio: 0.14, CI: 0.02–0.18) and absence of human immunodeficiency virus exposed infant follow up visit (Adjusted Odds ratio: 0.04, IC: 0.005–0.09) had significant association with the mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. Conclusion The determinant factors significantly associated with mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus were identified. Health care providers should strengthen option B + prevention mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus services to reduce the mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus.

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) continues to pose a significant threat to public health, serving as the primary cause of cervical cancer. To address this issue, a vaccine has been developed to decrease the incidence of cervical cancer. However, the practice and its associated factors with the uptake of the vaccine have not been well studied in this particular region. Consequently, this study aims to evaluate the practice of HPV vaccination and its associated factors among female adolescent students in the Eastern Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2024. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted from September 2023 to January 2024 at primary schools of the Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia. Data related to HPV vaccination practice and its associated factors were collected from 634 female adolescent primary school students. The collected data were checked for completeness daily, coded, entered, and cleaned using Epinfo version 7.2.3 then exported and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. The corresponding variables with a p -value ( p < 0.05) with a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant. Result Among the 634 participants, 61.7% received the quadrivalent Gardasil HPV vaccine. Of these, 52.1% (330/634) demonstrated good knowledge, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.931 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.364–2.735) and a p -value < 0.000. Moreover, participants who had a positive attitude toward HPV vaccination, with (AOR = 1.529, 95% CI = 1.049–2.230; p -value < 0.027) and participants who expressed their agreement for taking the HPV vaccine (AOR = 1.816, 95% CI = 1.046–3.152; p -value < 0.034) were factors associated with female adolescent students’ practice of the HPV vaccination. Conclusion and recommendation The results indicated that the majority of study participants received one dose of the HPV vaccine. The study further reveals several factors associated with HPV vaccination among female adolescent students, including a positive attitude toward the vaccine and good knowledge about its benefits. Health authorities are recommended to promote the HPV vaccine through mass media in schools, religious institutions, and healthcare facilities to increase practice among adolescent females.

Background Every day, over a million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are contracted worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest share of STIs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and reported STI-related syndromes during the Tigray war, considering the potential for increased transmission. Methods A three-year retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 2020 to June 2023. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data from the hospital. All population domains who visited the hospital were assessed for STIs and tested for HIV, and HBV were included in the study. The findings were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Result During the three years (November 2020 to June 2023), 927 STI cases (36%) were syndromically diagnosed and documented. Females had the highest share (85.5%) of the STI cases. There were six reported types of STI-related syndromes, and the top three major STI diagnoses were vaginal discharge (65.9%), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (16.2%), and urethral discharge (13.4%). Furthermore, the prevalence of HIV among all screened cases was 1.2%, whereas the prevalence of HBV was 1.7% among pregnant mothers and 8.3% among other tested individuals. Conclusion The study revealed a high burden of HBV, HIV, and STI-related syndromes in the region, underscoring the necessity for post-war preventive strategies.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and is a growing concern in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Different studies have been conducted on the prevalence of HBV infection among Ethiopian regions and population segments. Therefore, this systematic review was commenced to summarize these findings, deliver representative pooled data on the prevalence of HBV infection among Ethiopian administrative regions and population segments, and identify possible factors associated with HBV infection. Methods Electronic databases such as PubMed, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar were searched for published articles from July 9, 2019, to February 30, 2024. The data were exported to STATA version 15.1 for meta-analyses. The heterogeneity between the results of the primary studies was accessed using Cochran’s Q chi-square test and quantified with I² statistics. A random effect model was used to pool the prevalence of HBV infection. Results The overall pooled prevalence of HBV infection was 6.9% (95% CI: 6.1, 7.7). Among the subgroup analyses, the highest pooled prevalence of HBV infection was obtained from Harar city 9.6% (95% CI: 5.6, 13.5), followed by South Nations and Nationalities People Regions (SNNPR) 8.5% (95% CI: 7.4, 9.7). On the other hand, the pooled prevalence of HBV infection among waste handlers was high 12.6% (95% CI: 2.4, 27.6) followed by female commercial sex workers (FCSW) 10.9% (95% CI: 7.7, 15.2) and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals 9.9% (95% CI: 7.2, 12.8). HBV infection was significantly linked to the following factors: those with multiple sexual partners, a family history of chronic liver disease, exposure to bodily fluids, HIV seropositivity, and sharp needle injury had Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR):3.9 (95% CI: 2.62, 5.76), (AOR: 6.9 (95% CI:3.46, 10.53), (AOR:3.1 (95% CI: 2.01, 3.05), (AOR:7.7 (95% CI: 2.99, 19.93), (AOR:2.1 (95% CI: 1.58, 2.66) times a greater chance of infection, respectively. Conclusions The high pooled prevalence of HBV infection in Ethiopia indicates that the burden of HBV infection continues to be a public health concern. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health should develop a strategic plan for prevention and control of HBV infection transmission including awareness creation, scale-up screening programs, diagnosis, treatment, and care services to reduce the burden of HBV infection and eliminate it as a public health threat.

Introduction Healthy dietary choices have an important role in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increasing evidence suggests micronutrient intake (essential minerals and vitamins) is associated with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), which is an advanced marker of CVD. However, the existing reports seem inconsistent. Some studies reported micronutrients are associated with a lower risk of AAC, while others have reported an increased risk. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis sought to summarise the available evidence on the association of dietary micronutrient intake on AAC. Methods and analysis A comprehensive systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases from their inception up to September 1, 2024, will be conducted. All clinical studies that report eligible exposure/s (dietary micronutrient intake) and outcome/s (presence/severity of AAC) will be included, and this systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will be reported following the revised Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. The risk of bias for observational studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and publication bias will be evaluated through visual inspection of funnel plots and the Egger’s and Begg’s regression tests. The Der Simonian and Laird random-effects model meta-analysis will be calculated to provide pooled results, and the weighted risk ratio with their 95% confidence intervals will be presented. Ethics and dissemination The results will be disseminated through publishing in a peer-reviewed journal and public presentations at relevant local, national and international conferences, workshops and symposiums. Ethical approval is not required as this is a systematic review of publicly available data. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024575902

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a common plant in Ethiopia/Tigray and is known for its various uses, but the diversity of the cactus pear population in Ethiopia varies according to farmer accounts. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of the cactus pear population. Descriptive statistics were applied to the qualitative data using SPSS software to calculate frequency distributions. Principal component analysis (PC) was also performed to analyse the qualitative characteristics. The degree of morphological diversity was expressed as the Shannon-Weaver index (H'). Most of the cultivars in this study exhibited ovoid fruit shapes with shape indices ranging from 0.65 to 0.79. Judging by eigenvalues greater than 1, the total deposit rate for the first four PCs was 76.71%. PC1 was positively associated with the cladode shape, fruit shape, fruit shape index, and cladode shape index. Differences in the frequency distributions of morphological parameters among the districts were detected. The orange pulp colour type of cactus pear was dominant in the lower altitudinal areas while the red pulp colour type was dominant at middle altitudes. At lower altitudes, the shape of the cladodes was more elliptical. The number of glochids per fruit decreased with increasing altitude. The H' for qualitative features ranged from 0.80 to 1.00. The average H' values for the six traits were greater in the Tsirae-Womberta collection (0.76) but lower in those of the Saesie district (0.64), followed by the Enderta (0.65) and Gulo-Mekeda districts (0.65). The total H' values across the altitudinal classes varied from 0.60 for pulp colour and glochids to 0.88 for peelability.

Introduction Although preconception health risks are strongly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and offer opportunities to improve women’s health, consolidated evidence remains limited in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review aims to synthesize evidence on preconception health risks in SSA, a region with the highest global rates of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, African Index Medicus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published up to June 30, 2023. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Studies with at least one modifiable preconception risk were included. Due to inconsistencies in outcome measurements, participant variability, and high heterogeneity, a meta-analysis was not reported. Findings were summarized in text, figures, and tables. Results In the review, researchers selected 83 articles from a total of 3,425 retrieved articles. Overall, this review revealed a high proportion of preconception health risks among the participants which includes underweight (0.64% to 36.2%), overweight (8.3% to 76.7%), anemia (36.7% to 58.1%), unintended pregnancy (4.2% to 94.3%), alcohol intake (5.3% to 68.7%), smoking (1.1% to 20.3%), chewing khat (9.9% to 27.6%), history of chronic medical conditions (2% to 16.6%), a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (11% to 51.9%), sexually transmitted infections (1.3% to 29.2%), psychosocial distress (13.9% to 60%), and intimate partner violence (6.7% to 43.7%). Conclusion The systematic review found that numerous women in SSA encounter various preconception health risks factors. Therefore, the governments of respective countries need to give emphasis and adopt policies to integrate preconception care services in to the existing healthcare system so that both financial and human resources need to be mobilized. There is gaps in research, as the true burden of preconception health risks may be underestimated due to fragmented risk assessment methods. Review registration: (PROSPERO: CRD42023446801)

Background The war in Tigray has caused significant damage to the region's healthcare facilities. This study aimed to assess the extent of the war's impact on healthcare facilities in the Eastern Tigray Zone. Methods A mixed research strategy was used, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and observations, whereas secondary data were obtained from published and unpublished documents. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using a linear regression model to determine the statistical significance of the findings. Results The study found that the impact of the war on healthcare facilities was high to very high, with 97.9% of the damage attributed to the war. Of the 177 healthcare facilities in the Eastern Tigray Zone, 29 (16.4%) were severely affected, and 118 (66.66%) were totally damaged. This indicates that 83% of the health system in the region was damaged. The linear regression model showed that the war explained 55.8% of the observed health facility damage. Conclusions The damage to health facilities in the Eastern Tigray Zone has led to the complete collapse of the health system at the zone level. The urgent need for reconstruction and restoration of health facilities is highlighted to provide essential health services to the affected population. The government and concerned individuals must take immediate action to address this critical situation and help mitigate the negative impact of the war on the health of the people in Tigray.

Background Following the armed conflict in Tigray, the health system collapsed and routine health services were interrupted. However, after the Pretoria peace agreement, various health -related interventions aimed at recovery were implemented. Despite these efforts, little is known about the current status of child health services, including immunization and healthcare seeking for childhood illnesses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate child health services in post-war Tigray. Methods A community and facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2024 to assess the uptake of child health services and service readiness among mothers of children aged 0–59 months (N = 2340). A multistage sampling technique was used, with a random selection of 24 districts and 78 sub-districts, and 30 households were considered per Tabia based on the assumption of Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey, 2019. A representative sample of health facilities (30%) including primary hospitals, health centers and health posts, was also considered. Data were collected using Open Data Kit (ODK), which was pretested, modified, and translated into the local language. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results The response rate of this study was 99.9%. The proportion of children who received full vaccination was 58.8%, with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas. A significant difference was noted in the full vaccine uptake among contraceptive users (65.7%) (p-value < 0.007) and by residence urban (66.8%) versus rural (56.3%) (p-value < 0.006). Cough was the leading cause of childhood illnesses, followed by fever in the rural settings accompanied by the healthcare seeking of 58.6%, 48.4%, 59.3% for diarrhea, cough and fever respectively. The overall readiness score for child health and specific EPI service were 46.4% and 37.4% respectively. Conclusion In the post- war period, immunization coverage in Tigray was relatively low, with a notable urban–rural disparity. Utilization of healthcare for childhood illness was also low in rural communities despite the high burden of diseases. Overall, readiness score for child health and immunization services were low. Concerted efforts are needed to improve the uptake of childhood vaccines and the readiness score for child health services.

Background Pelvic organ prolapse is a major cause of morbidity among women in both high-income and low-income countries. Despite the severity of the problem, the risk factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse has been poorly understood in Ethiopia mainly in the study area. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify determinants of pelvic organ prolapse among adult gynecologic patients at Mekelle University Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Objective To identify determinants of pelvic organ prolapse among adult gynecologic patients in Mekelle University Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods Hospital-based case-control study design was conducted from March 01, 2024 to May 30, 2024. All cases diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse were enrolled in the study. Then, 4:1 control-to-cases ratio was applied. Data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Figures and tables were used for descriptive statistics. Variables with P-value less than 0.2 during binary logistic regression were labeled as candidates for multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of pelvic organ prolapse at p-value < 0.05. The overall model fitness was checked by Hosmer Lemeshow at a P-value > 0.05. Finally, variables with P-value less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval of adjusted odds ratio were considered significant factors for the determinants of pelvic organ prolapse. Results A total of 478 participants were recruited with a 100% response rate for both cases and controls. Low income (AOR=3.3; 95% CI: 1.1–9.7), vaginal tear (AOR=6.6; 95% CI: 2.5–17.6), menopausal status (AOR=9.2, 95% CI:2.3–37.4), body mass index <18 kg/m² (AOR=6.3, 95% CI: 2.7–14.4), body mass index ≥25 (AOR= 5.6, 95% CI: 1.5–21.2) and chronic constipation (AOR=6.4, 95% CI: 2.9–13.9) were identified as determinants of pelvic organ prolapse. Conclusions In this study, income of the participant, vaginal tear, menopausal status, body mass index (both underweight and overweight), and chronic constipation were factors found to be significantly associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Therefore, creating awareness about risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse, screening and early intervention, weight management program, and hormonal support is recommended.

Background Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and the second most deadly. CRC significantly impairs patients’ overall and health-related quality of life, as well as their psychological and physical function. However, in Ethiopia, there is insufficient local evidence about the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer. Hence, this study aimed to assess the quality of life of adult colorectal cancer patients who have follow-ups at the cancer center in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 159 colorectal cancer patients attending the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Cancer Center from February to April 2019. The validated Amharic version of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core 30 questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30) and the disease-specific colorectal cancer questionnaire (EORTC QLQ CR-29) were used. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with quality of life. The adjusted measure of effect (AOR) with a 95% CI was presented and P < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results There were 159 colorectal cancer patients, 89 of whom were male, and the median time from diagnosis was 12.5 months. The patients had a low global health status score with a mean (± SD) of 52.88 ± 21.02. Being employed (AOR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.15, 10.17), early-stage clinical diagnosis (AOR = 4.98; 95% CI 1.51, 16.4), physical functioning (AOR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06), and social functioning (AOR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.01, 1.04) were associated with good quality of life. Whereas, being female (AOR = 0.16; 95% CI 0.05, 0.52), having financial difficulty (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.96, 0.99), and having blood and mucus in the stool (AOR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.91, 0.96) were associated with poor quality of life. Conclusion In our study, half of our study participants had poor quality of life. The responsible stakeholders should identify and address the patients’ respective symptoms. Female patients, those in severe clinical stages, unemployed patients, those experiencing financial difficulties, and those with blood and mucus in their stool should receive due attention.

Introduction Women with adequate antenatal care (ANC) experience more reduction in adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes compared to those with insufficient care. However, the conventional individualized ANC models have not significantly improved perinatal outcomes. Comprehensive, woman-centered group ANC (G-ANC) interventions, integrating medical care with education, demonstrate positive effects on maternal and newborn health. While promising evidence exists in sub-Saharan Africa, the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of G-ANC in resource-limited settings require further investigation. The variability in current studies further indicated the need for meta-analyses and systematic reviews to consolidate findings and clarify the overall effectiveness of G-ANC interventions. This synthesis aims to provide comprehensive evidence supporting the implementation of group prenatal care models in low-resource settings. Ultimately, it seeks to establish robust evidence to guide policy and practice, contributing to reduced maternal and perinatal mortality in the region. Methods and analysis This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CINHAL, to identify pertinent articles published from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024. Experimental studies (pre-post, quasi-experimental study, cluster randomized controlled trial), prospective cohort design, prospective comparative study, and qualitative and mixed method designs will be included in the review. The Abstract and full-text screening will be conducted by three reviewers using Covidence, according to the eligibility criteria set. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools, specifically designed for JBI Systematic Reviews, will be utilized to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed using the Higgins test. Meta-analysis will be conducted using R statistical software version 4.4.2, which will implement random effects models to determine the weights. Pre-specified subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be performed as needed. The study results will be reported in order, starting with primary outcomes and then secondary outcomes and important subgroup outcomes analyses. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not applicable as no original data will be collected. The findings of this review will be disseminated through publication and conference presentations. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024565501

Background Communities afflicted by armed conflict are characterized by pervasive malnutrition and widespread hunger. For nearly two years, there has been an unbroken conflict in Tigray. However, little is understood about the coping mechanisms people used in reaction to a lack of food and cash. This study evaluated the coping mechanisms used by urban residents of Mekelle City in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methodology A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 315 randomly selected households in Mekelle City. Data were collected from May to June 2022 using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and entered, cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Stata version 14. We used descriptive statistics to describe the mean, frequency distribution, and percentages. The t-test was used to analyze the consumption-based coping strategy index. Results The current analysis indicates that 272 households, or 87%, experienced food shortages. To cope with this situation, 101 households (32.6%) reduced the size of their meals. Additionally, 85 households (27.3%) opted to lower the quality of their meals or substituted less preferred dishes. Furthermore, approximately 72 households (23.2%) skipped meals as a strategy to manage food scarcity. The mean reduced coping strategy index (rCSI) for households that skipped meals is 181.84 (SD: 112.5), whereas it is 38.6 for those that did not skip meals (p < 0.01). For households that reduced the food content, the mean rCSI is 152.4, compared to 51.12 for those who did not reduce food content (p < 0.01). Conclusion The study revealed that the communities affected by the war faced a tough struggle due to the food crisis. The study highlights the food crisis in war-affected communities, highlighting coping mechanisms like reducing meal quantity and quality and eating less desirable foods. Thus, targeted food ration distributions and blanket supplemental feeding programs should be in place through humanitarian agents to reduce acute malnutrition and mortality, and enable recovery.

Industrial wastewater discharge without proper treatment causes severe ecological and public health problems. Heavy metals like chromium are pollutants found in untreated or partially treated industrial wastewater. This study investigates the removal of hexavalent chromium ion (Cr (VI)) from synthetic and tannery wastewater using activated carbon derived from cabbage waste. The cabbage waste was activated with H3PO4 and carbonized at 450 °C. Characterization was performed using proximate analysis, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy. Batch adsorption studies were conducted under various conditions, including initial chromium concentrations (10–100 mg/L), adsorbent dose (1–20 g/L), contact time (30–300 min), pH (2–11), shaker speed (50–250 rpm), and temperature (20–70 °C). The optimum conditions for maximum chromium removal (99.87%) from synthetic wastewater were pH 3, initial chromium concentration 10 mg/L, shaking speed 150 rpm, contact time 150 min, adsorbent dose 2 g/L, and temperature 25 °C. For tannery wastewater, 83.81% chromium removal was achieved under the same conditions. The Freundlich isotherm model best described the adsorption process, with an adsorption capacity of 4.9 mg/g. The adsorption followed pseudo second order kinetics. The thermodynamics study indicates that the adsorption of Cr (VI) is spontaneous, exothermic and driven by an increase in entropy. A negative value of Gibbs Free Energy change (ΔG°) indicates that the adsorption process is thermodynamically spontaneous and feasible.

Background Ethiopia is home to a rich diversity of traditional knowledge and practices, including the use of medicinal plants for healthcare. This study investigates the ethnobotanical knowledge and use of medicinal plants among communities residing near the Wejig-Mahgo-Waren Massif Forest in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia, and compares these findings with the broader Ethiopian ethnobotanical database. Methods Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 309 randomly selected informants and 30 key informants. Ethnobotanical analytical tools, including preference ranking, informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL), were employed. A comparative analysis was conducted with the Ethiopian ethnobotanical database to assess novel reports and commonalities across regions. Results Fifty-two plant species were documented for treating human and livestock ailments. The study revealed significant differences in medicinal plant knowledge among social groups, with men, older individuals, and illiterate informants demonstrating greater knowledge. A comparative analysis with the Ethiopian ethnobotanical database highlighted both commonalities and unique uses of medicinal plants in the study area. The study shares a 51.6% similarity index with previous Ethiopian ethnobotanical studies. However, livestock medicinal plant similarity is low (7.9%), indicating highly localized ethnoveterinary practices. Dermatological diseases scored the highest ICF value (0.98), and Verbascum sinaiticum had the highest FL (96.15%). Conclusion The study underscores the critical role of the Wejig-Mahgo-Waren Massif Forest in supporting traditional medical practices. The findings highlight the need for conservation and scientific validation of these medicinal plants to ensure their sustainability and benefits for future generations. The comparative analysis provides valuable insights into the ethnobotanical practices across Ethiopia, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural interpretations in ethnobotanical research.

The genus Dracaena comprises 190 living species with only a few species reaching the arborescent form i.e., the dragon tree group. It is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions. However, most dragon tree species including Dracaena ombet are endangered, and often endemic with isolated and insular populations with low abundances. D. ombet is one of the Dracaena species found in East Africa. It has two subspecies: D. ombet subsp. ombet and D. ombet subsp. schizantha. It is a flagship species of the dry Afromontane areas and an important part of desert ecosystems: providing substantial socioeconomic, cultural and ecologic values in dryland areas. D. ombet is experiencing a continuous decline throughout its range. D. ombet populations have completely vanished due to dieback or mass death from Erowit in Sudan and may soon be extinct from Gabal Elba in Egypt. The suitable habitat of this species is predicted to decline by 83% in Ethiopia, making it critically endangered with extinction. An endangered species should be at the top of conservation priorities; immediate conservation actions are urgently needed to halt the population decline and prevent species extinction in the wild. This review has started first by described the plant, its ecology, global distribution and uses. The biotic and abiotic threats and challenges for D. ombet conservation were discussed. Finally, we propose possible conservation interventions and further avenues of research for the long-term conservation of the species.

The cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a crucial plant in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, widely distributed in arid and semi-arid environments. It serves as a seasonal food, and is used in livestock feed, fencing, soil conservation, and environmental protection. Recently, the cactus pear populations in Tigray have been severely affected by an exotic insect, the cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). It damaged cactus pear populations in the region’s southern, southeastern, and eastern zones. The Tigray war that broke out in November 2020 exacerbated D. coccus infestation. A study was conducted in the eastern zone of Tigray to assess the impact of the armed conflict on the trends of this infestation and propose sustainable management approaches for sustainable cactus pear production in post-war Tigray. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed that D. coccus infestation significantly increased during the war and in the post-war period, compared to in the pre-war period. The number of districts involved and level of D. coccus infestation of cactus pear populations increased. The rapid spread was attributed to the interruption of pest management activities due to the armed conflict. To mitigate the spread and ensure sustainable cactus pear production, this study recommends different management approaches to manage D. coccus dissemination and sustainably produce cactus pear in the region, including pest prevention, suppression, or eradication.

In many settings, ongoing measles transmission is maintained due to pockets of un- or under-vaccinated individuals even if the critical vaccination threshold is reached nationwide. Therefore, assessing the underlying gaps in measles susceptibility within a population is essential for vaccination programs and measles control efforts. Recently, there have been increased efforts to use geospatial and small area methods to estimate subnational measles vaccination coverage in high-burden settings, such as in Ethiopia. However, the distribution of remaining susceptible individuals, either unvaccinated or having never previously been infected, across age groups and subnational geographies is unknown. In this study, we developed a dynamic transmission model that incorporates geospatial estimates of routine measles vaccination coverage, available data on supplemental immunization activities, and reported cases to estimate measles incidence and susceptibility across time, age, and space. We use gridded population estimates and subnational estimates of routine and supplemental measles vaccination coverage. To account for mixing between age-groups, we used a synthetic contact matrix, and travel times via a friction surface were used in a modified gravity model to account for spatial movement. We explored model fitting using Ethiopia as a case study. To address data-related and statistical challenges, we investigated a range of model parameterization and possible fitting algorithms. The approach with the best performance was a model fitted to case notifications adjusted for case ascertainment by using maximum likelihood estimation with block coordinate descent. This strategy was chosen because many data observations (and likely presence of unquantified uncertainty) yielded a steep likelihood surface, which was challenging to fit using Bayesian approaches. We ran sensitivity analyses to explore variations in vaccine effectiveness and compared patterns of susceptibility across space, time, and age. Substantial heterogeneity in reported measles cases as well as susceptibility persists across ages and second-administrative units. These methods and estimates could contribute towards tailored subnational and local planning to reduce preventable measles burden. However, computational and data challenges would need to be addressed for these methods to be applied on a large scale.