Intestinal parasitic infections among children under five years of age presenting with diarrhoeal diseases to two public health facilities in Hawassa, South Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age in developing countries, including Ethiopia. It is caused by a wide range of pathogens, including parasites, bacteria and viruses. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection with intestinal parasites (IPs) (and types) among children under 5 years of age with diarrhoeal diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Adare Hospital and Millennium Health Centre, both located in Hawassa, South Ethiopia, from June 6 to October 28, 2011. Children under 5 years of age with diarrhoea who visited these health facilities during the study period were included in the study. Data relating to demography and risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Single, fresh stool specimens were examined for IPs using the direct wet mount examination, followed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining of formol-ether concentrated samples, as per standard procedures. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 20 software. RESULTS: A total of 158 children (51.3 % male and 48.7 % female) participated in the study. Overall, the prevalence of IPs was 26.6 % (42/158). Two species of IPs were detected in six children (3.8 %). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii was the predominant parasite identified (11.4 %), followed by Giardia duodenalis (7.0 %). The multivariable analysis revealed that the age group ≥24 months was significantly associated (AOR = 0.221, 95 %CI: 0.085–0.576) with prevalence of IPIs. CONCLUSION: This study found that intestinal parasites are common among children with diarrheal diseases. The most frequently detected species was E. histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii. Health information about how to prevent diarrheal diseases in general and IPIs in particular should be provided to parents of young children. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0081-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Evaluation of laser range-finder mapping for agricultural spraying vehicles

In this paper, we present a new application of laser range-finder sensing to agricultural spraying vehicles. The current generation of spraying vehicles use automatic controllers to maintain the height of the sprayer booms above the crop. However, these control systems are typically based on ultrasonic sensors mounted on the booms, which limits the accuracy of the measurements and the response of the controller to changes in the terrain, resulting in a sub-optimal spraying process. To overcome these limitations, we propose to use a laser scanner, attached to the front of the sprayer's cabin, to scan the ground surface in front of the vehicle and to build a scrolling 3d map of the terrain. We evaluate the proposed solution in a series of field tests, demonstrating that the approach provides a more detailed and accurate representation of the environment than the current sonar-based solution, and which can lead to the development of more efficient boom control systems

Agro-ecosystems’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in Drought Prone Areas of Northeastern Ethiopia

Agro-ecosystem level evidence is crucial to design and formulate climate change adaptation policies so as to build climate resilient communities. However, agro-ecosystems’ vulnerability to climate change studies are not available in drought prone areas of northeastern Ethiopia. On the other hand, these drought prone agro-ecosystems which depend mainly on rain fed agriculture and pastoral/agro-pastoral ways of life are intermittently vulnerable to climate variability and change. Hence, the objective of this study is to examine agro-ecosystems vulnerability to climate change in drought prone areas of northeastern Ethiopia focusing on Kobo and Golina districts in Amhara and Afar regions respectively. Accordingly, data was gathered from secondary sources (station data from National Meteorological Agency), observation, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and household survey in highland mixed farming, lowland mixed farming, agro-pastoral, and pastoral agro-ecosystems. Consequently, quantitative data analyzed by SPSS and STATA software whereas qualitative information analyzed by content analysis. More specifically, principal component analysis (PCA) model used to perform quantitative analysis to calculate adaptive capacity, sensitivity, exposure and vulnerability indexes of highland mixed farming, lowland mixed farming, agro-pastoral, and pastoral agro-ecosystems. The findings have shown that while lowland mixed farming is less vulnerable since it is the most adaptive and the least exposed compared to others, agro-pastoral agro-ecosystem is most vulnerable because it is the least adaptive and the highly exposed when compared to others. Hence, it is recommended that the adaptive capacity of agro-ecosystems should be improved as it reduces the sensitivity and finally the overall vulnerability. Keywords: agro-ecosystem, climate change, vulnerability, drought-prone, principal component analysis

Assessing the effectiveness of group lending and Its impact on profitability in case of Jimma zone Oromiya credit and saving share company

This study was focused particularly on assessing the effectiveness of group lending and its impact on profitability at Oromiya Credit and Saving Share Company of Jimma Zone. To achieve this objective, the researcher used primary and secondary data. The researcher used questionnaires, interviews and relevant documents to gather primary and secondary data from the data sources and collects the questionnaires from 252 borrowers and interviewed 4 branch manager of OCSSCO from the population. Descriptive statistics with the help of Pie charts, graphs, table, Percentages were used in analyzing the collected data. In addition to this econometric model by employing SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientists) version -J 6 windows software were used to analysis. With the help of logit model the researcher found that educational level, business type, land size, other source of credit social ties, number of the group, screening the group before theformation, internal rule and conduct, credit officer visit the group, distance and family size were positive and statistically significant at 1%, 5% and 10% significance level. While the age of the group member, gender of the group member, visiting each other and training are positive and insignificant. The study recommended that the OCSSCO of Jimma zone should give attention on distance between the group members, the period of training, educational level of the borrower, experience and credit officer visit/pressure to make the group lending effective and to have impacts on profitability.Jimma Universit

Determinants of Households Saving Capacity and Bank Account Holding Experience in Ethiopia: The Case of Dessie Zuria Woreda

This research has been an attempt to identify the major determinants that affect households saving capacity and their experience of adopting formal financial institutions (banks) in the case of Dessie Zuria Woreda. To do so, an individual base cross-sectional data analysis along with the two stage sampling technique of both purposive and random sampling technique was undertaken. To analyze the data, the study employed two sets of models (logistic and the method of principal component analysis). The econometric results of the study indicates that determinants like lack of credit access, lack of financial planning, complexity of banking system, monthly expenditure on stimulants, sex, significantly and negatively affects households saving capacity, but monthly income, age, bank account holding experience, marital status, and occupation positively and significantly affects saving capacity. In similar fashion, determinants include improper government policy, weak institutional set up, complexity of banking system, distance in Km away from their home to financial institutions, and religion significantly and negatively affect the probability of households to be banked, on the other hand, sex of households, credit access, income, marital status, education and age positively and significantly affects the probability of households to be banked. It found out that the saving rate of banked households was higher than unbanked households. Thus, appropriate strategies and programs should be formulated to enhance saving rate as well as households tradition of adopting formal financial institutions. Keywords: Principal Components, Kebele, Dessie Zuria Wereda, Household Saving Capacity, banked, unbanked, Saving Determinants. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-5-01 Publication date:March 31st 201

Determinants of Rural Household Poverty Across Agro-Ecology in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Evidence from Yilmana Densa Woreda

In Ethiopia, poverty eradication is the central development agenda. Studies regarding to determinants of household poverty support the poverty reduction policies to bring sustainable development. The result revealed that the poverty head count ratio (62.3%), poverty gap (18.9%) and severity (5.8%) in Yilmana Densa woreda is higher than the national and regional rate. The model result revealed that educational status, cost of agricultural inputs, agro-ecology, and land and livestock ownership, saving culture and size of rented land were negatively and significantly related with household poverty. Whereas, family size, health status and inefficient labour force utilization were positively and significantly related with household poverty. The poverty head count ratio, gap and severity of Kola agro-ecology is higher than Dega and Woina-Dega agro- ecologies. Therefore, policy makers should design poverty reduction strategies based on agro-ecology difference to bring long lasting solution to household poverty which aims to bring sustainable development. Keywords: poverty, binary logit, agro-ecology, farm household, development, sustainabl

Constraints and Opportunities on Production and Utilization of Improved Forages in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: In the Case of Enebsie Sar Midr District

The study was conducted with the objectives of identifying the major constraints and opportunities in the production and utilization of improved forages in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia (in case of Enebsie Sar Midr District). Data were collected from sampled respondents using single-visit-multiple-subject-formal survey with semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 180 households (HHs); of which 30 HHs in each of the six randomly selected kebeles were selected randomly. Key informants were also used for the purpose of explanation and verification in the study. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA and least significance difference were carried out using SPSS version 16. The average livestock holding per household in the district was 2.90 tropical livestock unit (TLU) and the existing feed supply cannot satisfy even the maintenance DM requirement of livestock in the three agro-ecologies. Sesbania sesban (Sesbania), Vicia dasycarpa (vetch), Chamaecytisus palmensis (tree lucerne), Avena sativa (oats), and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass) are developed mainly with the purpose of soil and water conservation (34.55%) and feed (30.63%). Land shortage (31.14%), free grazing (30.58%), input shortage (23.99%), poor extension service (7.76%), attitude (3.50%) and skill gap (3.04) of the farmers were limiting factors for the production and utilization of improved forages. The increasing demands of animal products, the existence of marginal lands, decreasing of free grazing in the district and the need to intensify agriculture and the attention given to the livestock sector at regional and national levels can be opportunities. Livestock is highly constrained from getting year round feed supply and the major feed resources are characterized by poor quality. Improved forages can be important intervention to the limited quantity and quality of feeds because of having limited access of other feed resources like agro-industrial by products and concentrate feeds in and around the study area. Research (on-farm evaluation) on palatability, productivity, adaptability of different improved forages with participation of farmers might be very important. Moreover, forage seed/seedling production at farmers’ level/farmers cooperatives, community based implementation of free grazing policy and research and extension on the use of available marginal lands efficiently can be development interventions for the technology in the study area. Keywords: constraints, feed resources, household, improved forage crops, opportunities, tropical livestock uni

The Impact of Educational Expenditure on Ethiopian Economic Growth: Application of Vector Auto Regressive Model (VAR).

This study has been attempted to investigate the fundamental impact of educational expenditure on the economic growth of Ethiopia. The nature of data was dynamic in nature and it covers the time ranges of 1975/76-2011/12, implies that the study adopts time series data analysis and the data was collected from secondary sources. To analyze the data, both descriptive and inferential approaches was utilized. The study employed the Solow growth model as a bench mark to specify the econometric model. The model was specified by considering real gross domestic product as a dependent variable subject to gross capital formation, labor force, educational expenditure, export and inflation as an independent variable. Both Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) and Vector Error Correction model was undertaken as an analytical procedure. The Augmented Dicky-Fuller (ADF) test was used to test the stationary nature of variables, so that all variables are stationary at level and first difference except inflation at its level form. The variables were co-integrated and confirmed the existence of long run interdependency. The result of the study was evaluated from both short run and long run aspects. It revealed that all variables were statistically significant except levels of export in the long run. Therefore, educational expenditure (our target variable), inflation and gross capital formation significantly and positively affects growth in long run aspects of the VAR system. However, labor force negatively affects growth. In the short run, only educational expenditure and inflation affects growth positively and significantly. Thus, the responsible bodies should be able to improve the level of investment in the educational sector and focus on skill and ingenuity to increase productivity at the margin. Keywords: educational expenditure, stationary, impulse response, Vector Auto Regressive. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-21-02 Publication date: November 30th 202

Factors Affecting Volume of Milk Procurement: The Case of Dairy Cooperative in Aysaita Wereda, Afar Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Aysaita wereda, Awusa Zone of Afar regional state to  find  out  the  underlying  factors  influence Arrado  dairy  cooperative  in raw milk marketing from the targeted pastoralists and to improve the position of dairy cooperative in milk  value  chain. Purposive, Census  and  simple  random  sampling  was  employed  as  sampling  techniques  to select a total of 50 respondents. An interview was conducted to collect the required information from a total of 25 respondents. Questionnaire were used to collect the required data from dairy cooperative members.  Secondary data from published and unpublished sources were also used in the study. Descriptive statistics inferential statstics such as, frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, X2-test & independent t-test were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that there are different factors and actors affecting the volume of milk procurement by Arrado dairy cooperative. Among these factors and actors, side selling of milk by its members, competition from private trades and Hotel/Cafes, high cost feeds which leads to reduced/influence volume milk produced, are  some  of  the  major  factors  and  actors  that  cause  decline  of  milk  procurement  by  Arrado  dairy cooperative.  There were different factors that affects household’s milk marketing choices such as, family size, children less than seven years old, education level of the respondent, milk price offered by different marketing outlets, milk produced per household per day, and access for extension service. The dairy cooperative should provide strong economic benefit for its members through sharing and pooling of resources to collect huge volume of milk from them. Keywords: Arrado  dairy  cooperativ

Households Vulnerability to Climate Change in Drought Prone Agro-ecosystems of Northeastern Ethiopia

Climate change is seriously affecting households who are mainly depending on rain-fed farming agriculture and pastoral/agro-pastoral way of life in different agro-ecosystems. Hence, households’ level of vulnerability analysis to climate change is very important to know the vulnerability of local households in different agro-ecosystems so as to tap their potentials for climate change adaptation at the grass root level. Accordingly, this article examined climate change vulnerability of households in highland mixed farming, lowland mixed farming, agro-pastoral, and pastoral agro-ecosystems in drought prone areas of northeastern Ethiopia focusing on Kobo and Golina districts in Amhara and Afar regions respectively. Data gathered from secondary sources, observation, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and household survey to address the problem comprehensively. Consequently, quantitative data analyzed by SPSS and STATA software whereas qualitative information analyzed by thematic analysis. More specifically, two analytical models used to perform quantitative analysis. Firstly, principal component analysis used to calculate adaptive capacity, sensitivity, exposure and vulnerability indexes of households in each agro-ecosystem. Secondly, ordered probit model fitted to examine the determinants of highly, moderately and less vulnerable categories of households at each agro-ecosystem. The findings have shown that while households in lowland mixed farming agro-ecosystem are less vulnerable, households in agro-pastoral agro-ecosystem are more vulnerable. However, not all households in lowland mixed farming agro-ecosystems are less vulnerable and not all households in agro-pastoral agro-ecosystems are more vulnerable. Hence, it is recommended that households’ specific adaptive capacity should be improved through mainly empowering female-headed households, expanding education, developing irrigation schemes, and creating access to affordable credit and appropriate extension services in the study areas as it reduces their sensitivity and finally their overall vulnerability. Keywords: climate change, vulnerability, drought-prone, principal component analysis, ordered probit DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-5-05 Publication date:March 31st 202