Preliminary Study on Avian Tuberculosis and Associated Risks in Domestic Chickens at Shashemene District, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of avian tuberculosis (TB) and assess associated risk factors in Shashemene District. In addition, the zoonotic implication of avian tuberculosis in the District was investigated. In this study, 260 adult domestic chickens of both sexes were tested by tuberculin test on their wattle. Test positive chickens were sacrificed and examined for the presence of tuberculous lesion. Suspicious lesions were cultured for mycobacterial isolation and characterization using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On top of these, questionnaire was used to assess public perception and the potential public health risks of the disease. The prevalence of avian TB at Shashemene District was 4.23% (11/260). Gross TB lesions were detected in six of the 11 tuberculin positive chickens. Culture positivity was confirmed in three of the chicken with gross lesions. These isolates were confirmed to be members of the Genus Mycobacterium. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male owners had a better knowledge of avian TB compared to females (adjusted OR=2.01; 95% CI: 0. 35-11.26). Furthermore, human TB exposed owners had better knowledge of avian TB compared to TB unexposed owners (adjusted OR=3.92; 95% CI: 0.98-15.76). The survey indicated that chicken kept in extensive production system and as there exist a close physical contact between the chicken and their owners, there could a possibility of transmission of mycobacteria between chicken and their owners. On top of this, the low perception of the owners about zoonotic TB including avian TB could add up to the transmission. Keywords: Avian tuberculosis, domestic chicken, M. avium complex, prevalence, Shashemene

Team cohesion and its impact on individual and team performance in Ethiopian Premier League volleyball clubs

This study aimed to examine the level of team cohesion, the relationship between cohesion and performance, and the key determinants of task and social cohesion in relation to individual and team performance among Ethiopian Premier League volleyball teams. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was employed. The participants consisted of 51 players who actively competed during the 2020/2021 season. Data were collected using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) and analyzed with SPSS version 26. The findings revealed moderately high levels of cohesion across all four dimensions. A positive relationship was found between cohesion and performance; however, only task cohesion dimensions showed a significant correlation with team performance. Specifically, Attraction to Group-Task (ATG-T) was significantly associated with individual performance (r = .327, p < .05), and Group Integration-Task (GI-T) was strongly correlated with both individual and team performance (r = .596, p < .01). Overall, task cohesion was identified as a significant predictor of player performance (p < .05), while social cohesion showed no significant relationship (p > .05). Based on these findings, it is suggested that stakeholders develop strategies and organize social activities to enhance social cohesion, particularly within women’s Premier League volleyball teams

Schistosoma mansoni in Lake Tana: A comprehensive assessment of parasite, snail vector, and associated factors at Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases of public health importance worldwide. The transmission of this disease is linked to freshwater snails. It has been reported from 78 countries and territories, affecting approximately 290.8 million individuals who required treatment in 2018. The burden of this disease continues to be significant in specific regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, despite more than two decades of mass preventive chemotherapy primarily targeting school-aged children. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of the disease in children ranges from 24 to 90% in different localities. While previous studies have primarily concentrated on disease prevalence, there is a lack of attention to the distribution of snails and their infectivity status. This study sought to evaluate the distribution of snails and identify factors related to Schistosoma mansoni infection along Lake Tana at Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted along Lake Tana in Gorgora town, Northwest Ethiopia from March to May 2020. A total of 385 study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Kato-Katz smears were prepared from stool sample and examined microscopically to confirm S. mansoni eggs. A malacological survey was conducted at 14 sites along Lake Tana shore. Collected snails were put in a small plastic bucket that contained water and plant vegetation, and transported to vector biology laboratory, University of Gondar, within four hours of collection for morphological identification and Cercaria shedding. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.4.2.1 and transferred to SPSS version 20.0 and STATA version 15.0 for analysis. Spatial distribution analysis was done using the ArcGIS system. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of S. mansoni was 36.6% (95% CI: 32.0-41.9). The infection intensity category of Schistosoma mansoni was light (30.5%), moderate (42.5%), and heavy (27.0%). From a total of 1105 snails collected, 546 (49.4%) were Biomphalaria species, 310 (28.1%) were Bulinus species, 105(9.5%) were Lymnae species, and 144(13.0%) were Bivalve. None of the Biomphalaria species collected were infected with human schistosoma. Lake water practice, swimming frequency, and proximity to the lake were significantly associated factors of Schistosoma mansoni infection (P<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was considerable in the study area. Four freshwater snails with a potential of transmitting disease in humans and livestock were identified. Further research and monitoring are essential to comprehensively investigate the factors contributing to the absence of human schistosome cercariae in the hatching results of Biomphalaria snails and to assess the potential impact on schistosomiasis transmission in the region. It is highly recommended to conduct a longitudinal study incorporating molecular techniques to analyze Biomphalaria infection rates and their susceptibility to schistosome infection

Utilization of health facilities and predictors of health-seeking behavior for under-five children with acute diarrhea in slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Information on health-seeking behavior and utilization of health facilities in slums of Addis Ababa is scarce, impeding the implementation of effective interventions. The purpose of this study is to assess the status of health facilities utilization and predictors for health-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers of under-five children with acute diarrhea in slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed in five rounds of surveys in seven kebeles in slums of Addis Ababa among 472 mothers/caregivers of 472 under-five children with acute diarrhea in reference to Andersen\u2019s behavioral model. Data were entered into EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA Version 14.0. Descriptive statistics were used to examine patterns of health facilities utilization and multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors associated with health-seeking behavior. Results: Most mothers/caregivers (70.8%) sought care either at home (14.2%) or health facilities (56.6%), whereas 29.2% reported that they did not seek any care. Of those who consulted health facilities, government health facilities (76.9%) were more utilized than private (18.0%) and informal (5.1%) health facilities. Nearly all (93.9%) of the mothers/caregivers using government health facilities used health centers, and of those who took their children to private health facilities (60.9%) used clinics and 26.1% used pharmacies/drug vendors. Mothers/caregivers visiting health facilities obtained mainly oral rehydration salt (ORS) (39.8%) and home-recommended fluids (HRF) (40.3%), but few of them (11.9%) obtained ORS plus zinc supplementation. Predisposing factors of literacy of mothers/caregivers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.4; 95% CI 1.4\u20134. 1) and occupation (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.5\u20134.6), the enabling factors of households monthly income of 50 United States Dollars (US$) and above (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.5\u20135.6) and availability of nearest health facilities within 15 min walking distance (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI 1.7\u20136.6), and the need factors of recognizing danger signs of fever (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI 2.4\u20137.6) and vomiting (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI 1.8\u20135.9) were significantly associated with health-seeking behavior. Conclusions: Increasing the proximity of health facilities in slums and health education and socioeconomic development programs targeting illiterate mothers/caregivers and poor households may promote and increase health-seeking behavior and the accessibility of health facilities for the treatment of acute diarrhea in under-five children in Addis Ababa slums

Erratum to: Utilization of health facilities and predictors of health-seeking behavior for under-five children with acute diarrhea in slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Upon publication of the original article [1], it was noticed that the second sentence of Section Methods, sub-section study setting, \u2018Three slum kebeles in Gullele Sub-City\u2019s District (Woreda) 01 and four slum kebeles in Lideta Sub- City\u2019s District 05 were included in the study\u2019 was incorrectly given as \u2018Four slum kebeles in Gullele Sub-City\u2019s District (Woreda) 01 and three slum kebeles in Lideta Sub-City\u2019s District 05 were included in the study\u2019. This has now been acknowledged and corrected in this erratum

Prospective Teachers’ Perceptions of Using Information and Communication Technologies in Biology Education: Insights from Some Colleges of Teacher Education in Ethiopia

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for teaching and learning is widely acknowledged. However, there is limited research focusing on prospective teachers’ (PTs) perceptions regarding its usage within specific subject areas, notably biology. This study is intended to explore PTs perceptions of using ICT in biology. Mixed-method approaches were used. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The study subjects, 142 PTs, were selected using purposeful and stratified random sampling techniques. The result shows PTs had a positive perception of ICTs, with significant differences based on gender and ICT experience (p < 0.05). As a result, those with less ICT experience, along with females, tend to have a lower perception of ICT use, emphasizing the need for targeted support to bridge these gaps and empower them in ICT integration. The correlation analysis showed ICT usage is positively linked to PTs’ perceived usefulness of ICT (r = 0.48) and their perceived ICT abilities (r = 0.62). Regression analysis revealed that 40.8% of PTs’ ICT usage in biology is predicted by these factors, indicating a strong relationship. The study offers valuable insights for teacher education programs, emphasizing the need to enhance PTs’ ICT skills and self-efficacy, which is critical for advancing educational goals in developing nations such as Ethiopia

Protocol optimization for elimination of sugarcane bacilliform virus and rapid propagation of virus-free sugarcane using meristem tip culture

DATA AVAILABILITY : The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author up on request.Tissue culture protocol was optimized for the propagation of virus-free sugarcane from infected plants using meristem tips as an explant source for the elimination of sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV).Virus identification on the mother (source) plant and virus indexing to monitor elimination in the tissue culture-derived plants were done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate SCBV primers. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP + 0.25 mg/l kinetin and 0.1 mg/l GA3 + 0.5 mg/l NAA were the best hormone combination for shoot multiplication and root induction, respectively. Two explant size categories (< 1 mm and 1–2 mm) were used to assess the effect of explant size on shoot regeneration and virus elimination. The results showed that explant size affects shoot regeneration. Smaller sized (< 1 mm) explants showed higher virus elimination efficiency; however, the survival frequency of explants during initiation of shoot cultures was higher in larger (1–2 mm) meristems (64.3%) in comparison to the smaller ones (35.7%). In conclusion, in vitro meristem tip culture alone is not a satisfactory approach for the generation of SCBV-free plant from infected mother plant. The virus elimination efficiency could be enhanced by using the combination of meristem tip culture with other therapies.The Addis Ababa Science and Technology University.https://link.springer.com/journal/40858hj2023Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)Plant Production and Soil ScienceSDG-15:Life on lan

Adoption of Biosecurity Practices in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Ethiopia

Dairy production is an important livelihood source for smallholder dairy farmers who produce the majority of milk consumed and traded in Ethiopia. Dairy production is, however, constrained by livestock diseases that impact farm productivity, food safety, and animal welfare. Biosecurity measures (BSM) include all risk reduction strategies designed to avoid the introduction of pathogenic infections from outside and minimise the spread of diseases within dairy herds. This study used a cross-sectional survey to investigate the adoption of BSM in dairy farms in Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Using a questionnaire, scores for adopted external and internal BSM were calculated based on the Ghent’s University Biocheck tool to compare the performance of different farms in Ethiopia. The weighted external biosecurity score was 49.1%, which was below average (below 50% adoption), while the weighted internal biosecurity score was 55.5%. Low adoption of crucial BSM increases the risk of disease introduction into dairy farms and transmission within herds. Adoption of BSM at the farm level was driven by individual, demographic, and socio-economic drivers, including education, farming system, milk value chain, and farming experience among others. Results of this research reveal low adoption of BSM and the imperative to encourage farmers to implement BSM can lead to a reduction in disease pressures and, thus, a reduction in antibiotic use and increased dairy farms productivity, and improved animal health and welfare. Farmers can be encouraged through proactive engagement with veterinarians and extension professionals. Moreover, creating a favourable policy environment can support farmers to adopt and implement BSM, given the known fact that “prevention is better and cheaper than curing diseases.

Field evaluation of specific mycobacterial protein-based skin test for the differentiation of Mycobacterium bovis-infected and Bacillus Calmette Guerin-vaccinated crossbred cattle in Ethiopia

Funder: The Defense Science and Technology LaboratoryFunder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265Funder: Economic and Social Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000269Funder: Department for International Development, UK Government; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000278Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000268Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) challenges intensive dairy production in Ethiopia and implementation of the test and slaughter control strategy is not economically acceptable in the country. Vaccination of cattle with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) could be an important adjunct to control, which would require a diagnostic test to differentiate Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis)-infected and BCG-vaccinated animals (DIVA role). This study describes an evaluation of a DIVA skin test (DST) that is based on a cocktail (DSTc) or fusion (DSTf) of specific (ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c) M. bovis proteins in Zebu-Holstein-Friesians crossbred cattle in Ethiopia. The study animals used were 74 calves (35 BCG vaccinated and 39 unvaccinated) aged less than 3 weeks at the start of experiment and 68 naturally infected 'TB reactor' cows. Six weeks after vaccination, the 74 calves were tested with the DSTc and the single intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin (SICCT) test. The TB reactor cows were tested with the DSTc and the SICCT test. Reactions to the DSTc were not observed in BCG-vaccinated and unvaccinated calves, while SICCT test reactions were detected in vaccinated calves. DSTc reactions were detected in 95.6% of the TB reactor cows and single intradermal tuberculin positive reactions were found in 98.2% (95% confidence interval, CI, 92.1-100%). The sensitivity of the DSTc was 95.6% (95% CI, 87.6-99.1%), and significantly (p < .001) higher than the sensitivity (75%, 95% CI, 63.0-84.7%) of the SICCT test at 4 mm cut-off. DSTf and DSTc reactions were correlated (r = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.53-0.88). In conclusion, the DSTc could differentiate M. bovis-infected from BCG-vaccinated cattle in Ethiopia. DST had higher sensitivity than the SICCT test. Hence, the DSTc could be used as a diagnostic tool for bTB if BCG vaccination is implemented for the control of bTB in Ethiopia and other countries

Residential food environment, household wealth and maternal education association to preschoolers’ consumption of plant-based vitamin A-rich foods: the EAT Addis survey in Addis Ababa

Vitamin A deficiency is common among preschoolers in low-income settings and a serious public health concern due to its association to increased morbidity and mortality. The limited consumption of vitamin A-rich food is contributing to the problem. Many factors may influence children’s diet, including residential food environment, household wealth, and maternal education. However, very few studies in low-income settings have examined the relationship of these factors to children’s diet together. This study aimed to assess the importance of residential food availability of three plant-based groups of vitamin A-rich foods, household wealth, and maternal education for preschoolers’ consumption of plant-based vitamin A-rich foods in Addis Ababa. A multistage sampling procedure was used to enroll 5467 households with under-five children and 233 residential food environments with 2568 vendors. Data were analyzed using a multilevel binary logistic regression model. Overall, 36% (95% CI: 34.26, 36.95) of the study children reportedly consumed at least one plant-based vitamin A-rich food group in the 24-h dietary recall period. The odds of consuming any plant-based vitamin A-rich food were significantly higher among children whose mothers had a higher education level (AOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 2.01, 3.25), those living in the highest wealth quintile households (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.92, 2.93), and in residentials where vitamin A-rich fruits were available (AOR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.41). Further research in residential food environment is necessary to understand the purchasing habits, affordability, and desirability of plant-based vitamin A-rich foods to widen strategic options to improve its consumption among preschoolers in low-income and low-education communities