Maternal Mortality Trend in Ethiopia

Background: Maternal mortality ratio is one of the indicators in the MDG that is raising concern in achieving the set target of reducing the rate by two-third by 2015.Objectives: To review the maternal mortality trend and the causes of maternal deaths in Ethiopia. Methods: Review of published and unpublished documents addressing maternal mortality in Ethiopia. Result: DHS and hospital data indicate decreasing maternal mortality even though the current maternal mortality ratio is still high. The proportion of maternal deaths due to the each of the five major causes varies with time. Generally, the limited information indicates that the proportion of maternal deaths after unsafe abortion is decreasing while deaths after preeclampsia/ eclampsia are increasing. There is no grossly notable change in the proportion of deaths due to ruptured uterus/ obstructed labor, hemorrhage and sepsis. In recent studies, maternal deaths following hepatitis are not reported while deaths due to HIV are appearing. Deaths complicated by malaria are seen in certain parts of the country. The case fatality rates of preeclampsia/eclampsia and ruptured uterus/ obstructed labor are increasing. Conclusion: Even though the review is constrained by inadequate data and interpretation uncertainty of the findings, it generally indicates the urgent need of improving the quality of maternal health services; scaling up evidence based interventions; and measuring progress. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24 Special Issue 1:115-122

Reasons of the gap between Outcome Characteristics of Private Higher Education, and Job Requirements in the Private Sector in Egypt (Reasons related to the community and the graduates)

This research is designed to measure the reasons of the gap (miss-fit) between the outcome characteristics of the private higher education and the job requirements in the private sector in Egypt. Specifically, the reasons related to the community and the graduates themselves are analysed, investigated and discussed. The exploratory research has shown that the reasons related to the Egyptian community are summarized in the Egyptian society's perspective towards private higher education. Where the reasons related to the graduates are summarized in the benefits of the private higher education to its graduates. For the reasons related to the community, the researchers found that the preference of some majors, the vision of the community as regards universities, and the vision of the community concerning scientific research are confirmed to be causes of the gap from the academic staff members’ and businessmen’s points of view. For the reasons related to the graduates, we found that the qualifications of the graduates for the practical life and the benefits from their study are confirmed to be causes of the gap. Consequently, the researchers can conclude that the society’s perspective of the private higher education and the benefits of the private higher education to its graduates affect the gap between the outcome characteristics of the private higher education and job requirements in the private sector in Egypt. Keywords: private higher education, education outcome, private sector in Egypt DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/62-06 Publication date:March 31st 202

Stochastic excitation of acoustic modes in stars

For more than ten years, solar-like oscillations have been detected and frequencies measured for a growing number of stars with various characteristics (e.g. different evolutionary stages, effective temperatures, gravities, metal abundances ...). Excitation of such oscillations is attributed to turbulent convection and takes place in the uppermost part of the convective envelope. Since the pioneering work of Goldreich & Keely (1977), more sophisticated theoretical models of stochastic excitation were developed, which differ from each other both by the way turbulent convection is modeled and by the assumed sources of excitation. We review here these different models and their underlying approximations and assumptions. We emphasize how the computed mode excitation rates crucially depend on the way turbulent convection is described but also on the stratification and the metal abundance of the upper layers of the star. In turn we will show how the seismic measurements collected so far allow us to infer properties of turbulent convection in stars.Comment: Notes associated with a lecture given during the fall school organized by the CNRS and held in St-Flour (France) 20-24 October 2008 ; 39 pages ; 11 figure

Partureints' need of continous labor support in labor wards

No Abstract. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (1) 2007: pp. 35-3

Reasons of the Gap between Outcome Characteristics of Private Higher Education, and Job Requirements of the Private Sector in Egypt (Reasons Related to Universities)

Universities present one of the main sources that society rely upon  to get the qualified staff which represents the source of human power needed for achieving the society's goals. So, higher education recently receives an exclusive concern all over the world, especially in Egypt. Nowadays, Egypt is highly concerned about increasing the number of Universities, especially the private ones, because they play a great role in establishing qualified humans. Also, it cares about developing and updating academic courses and teaching techniques in universities to cope with the new era requirements that are rapidly changed, and development in all fields. As for the important role of universities in preparing and qualifying the human resources, it was also important to find out the reasons that hinder universities from performing their effective role, which leads to their failure to fulfill the labor market requirements. The exploratory research has shown that the reasons which are related to university could be divided into five groups: 1. Reasons related to the policies of the higher education system. 2. Reasons related to the qualifications of the academic staff member. 3. Reasons related to the higher educational techniques. 4. Reasons related to the availability of resources and capabilities. 5. Reasons related to the fit between the academic courses and labor market requirements. The current research is designed to measure reasons of the gap (misfit) between the outcome characteristics of the private higher education and the job requirements in the private sector in Egypt. The study will be applied in the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in the following colleges: (a) College of management and technology (b) College of engineering and technology (c) College of maritime transport and technology. Based on the interviews with the academic staff members and some businessmen, the study concluded that regarding the effect of the policies of the private higher education system on the gap between the outcome characteristics of the private higher education and job requirements in the private sector in Egypt, the main causes for the above mentioned gap are the admission method, which is based on high school grades only, and the major selection method. With respect to the qualifications of the academic staff members, it was observed that the isolation of the academic staff members when they establish the academic courses from the labor market, and the weakness of communication between the academic staff members and the students are also considered as causes of the gap. Concerning the higher education techniques and tools, it was found that the inability to use modern methods of education and the dependence on the traditional methods of lecturing are considered as causes of the gap. With respect to the availability of resources and capabilities, this was not considered among the causes of the gap. For the fit between the academic courses and the labor market requirement, it was observed that the inconvenience of educational materials to the labor market requirements, the concentration on theoretical issues more than applications, and the use of old materials are considered causes of the gap.

A bilobed Gallbladder (Vesica Fellea Divisa) in Cattle Slaughtered at Jimma Municipal Abattoir, West Oromiya, Ethiopia

Gallbladder abnormalities occur rarely. The recognized abnormalities recorded so far comprised duplication, septation, abnormal position and total absence of the gallbladder. The bilobed gallbladder of the cross bred oxen slaughtered at Jimma municipality abattoir constituted two lobes separated by a deep cleft. However, the two lobes were joined at the neck and drained by one duct. Both the lobes were of equal size and filled with bile.Key words: Bilobed, Cattle, gallbladder, Jimma, Muncipal abattoi

Exploring barriers to the use of formal maternal health services and priority areas for action in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia.

In 2015 the maternal mortality ratio for Ethiopia was 353 per 100,000 live births. Large numbers of women do not use maternal health services. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the use of maternal health services at the primary health care unit (PHCU) level in rural communities in Sidama zone, south Ethiopia in order to design quality improvement interventions. We conducted a qualitative study in six woredas in 2013: 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 44 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected community members (women, male, traditional birth attendants, local kebele administrators), health professionals and health extension workers (HEWs) at PHCUs. We digitally recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed the interviews and FGDs using Nvivo. The 'three delay model' informed the analytical process and discussion of barriers to the use of maternal health services. Lack of knowledge on danger signs and benefits of maternal health services; cultural and traditional beliefs; trust in TBAs; lack of decision making power of women, previous negative experiences with health facilities; fear of going to an unfamiliar setting; lack of privacy and perceived costs of maternal health services were the main factors causing the first delay in deciding to seek care. Transport problems in inaccessible areas were the main contributing factor for the second delay on reaching care facilities. Lack of logistic supplies and equipment, insufficient knowledge and skills and unprofessional behaviour of health workers were key factors for the third delay in accessing quality care. Use of maternal health services at the PHCU level in Sidama zone is influenced by complex factors within the community and health system. PHCUs should continue to implement awareness creation activities to improve knowledge of the community on complications of pregnancy and benefits of maternal health services. The health system has to be responsive to community's cultural norms and practices. The mangers of the woreda health office and health centres should take into account the available budgets; work on ensuring the necessary logistics and supplies to be in place at PHCU

Disaster management in industrial areas: Perspectives, challenges and future research

Purpose: In most countries, development, growth, and sustenance of industrial facilities are given utmost importance due to the influence in the socio-economic development of the country. Therefore, special economic zones, or industrial areas or industrial cities are developed in order to provide the required services for the sustained operation of such facilities. Such facilities not only provide a prolonged economic support to the country but it also helps in the societal aspects as well by providing livelihood to thousands of people. Therefore, any disaster in any of the facilities in the industrial area will have a significant impact on the population, facilities, the economy, and threatens the sustainability of the operations. This paper provides review of such literature that focus on theory and practice of disaster management in industrial cities. Design/methodology/approach: In the paper, content analysis method is used in order to elicit the insights of the literature available. The methodology uses search methods, literature segregation and developing the current knowledge on different phases of industrial disaster management. Findings: It is found that the research is done in all phases of disaster management, namely, preventive phase, reactive phase and corrective phase. The research in each of these areas are focused on four main aspects, which are facilities, resources, support systems and modeling. Nevertheless, the research in the industrial cities is insignificant. Moreover, the modeling part does not explicitly consider the nature of industrial cities, where many of the chemical and chemical processing can be highly flammable thus creating a very large disaster impact. Some research is focused at an individual plant and scaled up to the industrial cities. The modeling part is weak in terms of comprehensively analyzing and assisting disaster management in the industrial cities. Originality/value: The comprehensive review using content analysis on disaster management is presented here. The review helps the researchers to understand the gap in the literature in order to extend further research for disaster management in large scale industrial cities.Scopu

Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol Diesters as Bio-Lubricant from Jatropha Methyl Esters

     The synthesis of ethylene glycol diesters as bio-lubricant was achieved via Trans- esterification reaction of Jatropha Methyl Ester (JME).The experimental strategy consists from two Transesterification reaction steps.At first step,Jatropha oil was extracted and characterized and then converted into JME. Then JME was converted to biolubricant at 120oC, molar ratio of ethylene glycol to JME was 1:3.5 through 2.5 hr. and sodium meth-oxide was used as a catalyst was 0.8% w/w of total reactants. The physicochemical properties of the bio-lubricant were investigated. Kinematic viscosity at 40 oC was 16 cSt, kinematic viscosity at 100 oC was 4.54 cSt, viscosity index was 195.83 and the pour point was 18oC.FTIR spectrum for JME to confirm the ester group was 1741cm-1while for bio-lubricant was 1743cm-1.It was found that the synthesis bio-lubricant data agree with petroleum base lubricant that reported by previouswork investigation. ملخص الدراسة       تم اصطناع استرات الايثلين جلايكول الثنائية كزيت تزييت حيوي عن طريق  تفاعل الاسترة التحويلية لاسترات ميثيل الجاتروفا. استراتيجية التجربة اشتملت على خطوتين من تفاعل الاسترة التحويلية. الخطوة  الاولي تم استخلاص زيت الجاتروفا حيث تم دراسة خصائصه ثم حول الى استرات ميثيل الجاتروفا. حولتاسترات ميثيل الجاتروفا الى الزيت الحيوي عند درجة حرارة 120م◦ وذلك بنسبة مولية للايثلينجلايكول الى استرات ميثيل الجاتروفا (3.5:1)وكان زمن التفاعل 2.5 ساعة باستخدام ميثو اكسيد الصوديوم كعامل حفاز بنسبة 0.8% من الوزن الكلي للمتفاعلات. درست الخصائص الفيزيوكيميائية للزيت الحيوي مثل اللزوجة الكاينماتيكية عند 40 م◦ هي 16 سنتي ستوك ، واللزوجة الكينماتيكية عند100 م◦ هي 4.54 سنتي ستوك ، ومعامل اللزوجة هو 195.83 ، ونقطة الانسكاب هي 18 م◦. وايضا تم إجراء التحليل الطيفي بواسطة الاشعة تحت الحمراء لاستراتجاتروفا الميثيل  للتأكد من مجموعة الاستر كان عند طول موجي 1741 سم-1 بينما الطول الموجي للزيت الحيوي 1743 سم-1. وجد ان نتائج الزيت الحيوي الذي تم اصطناعه  تتفق مع نتائج زيت الاساس البترولي في الدراسات السابقة. &nbsp

Efficient synthesis of novel bis(dihydropyrano[2,3c]pyrazoles), bis(4H-chromenes) and bis(dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes) with amide functionality

A synthesis of novel bis(1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles), bis(4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles) and bis(dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes), which are linked to aliphatic spacers via amide linkages was achieved via multicomponent reactions (MCR) of the appropriate bis-aldehyde with two equivalents of both of malononitrile and 3-methylpyrazol-5-one, dimedone or 4-hydroxycoumarin in a basic solution