On-farm characterization of blackhead Somali sheep breed and its production system in Shinile and Erer Districts of Shinile Zone

The study was carried out in Shinile and Erer districts of Shinile Zone of the Somali National Regional State. The objectives of the study were: to characterize the production system and phenotypic characteristics of the Blackhead Somali; to evaluate on-farm survivability/ mortality of Blackhead Somali lambs during pre- weaning period and to determine the best fitted regression model for prediction of live weight of Blackhead Somali sheep breed based on body measurements under field conditions. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, field observations and linear body measurements of sample populations. The overall least square mean reported Blackhead Somali sheep was 19.19. Generally, decreasing trends in Blackhead Somali sheep breed was reported. The major feed resource was natural pasture and source of water were from rivers, wells, natural ponds. Corral was used to house the sheep and goats together and they practiced partial controlled mating system. The reported production constraints were disease, feed and water shortage. According to farmers’ report, the overall average age at puberty in females was 17.97 ± 3.97 and 13.65 ± 4.75 months in males. Age at first lambing, lambing interval , reproductive life span, and life time lamb production were 23.56 ± 3.63 months, 10.46 ± 2.58 months, 9.12 ± 1.6 years and 8.18 ± 2.27 lambs, respectively. Per-weaning mortality rate was 47.8% and the major cause was disease (59.1%). The coat color patterns of Blackhead Somali sheep breed varies from patchy, pied and plain. The dominant color was black color of the head with white body color; body covered with short smooth hair, fat rumped tail and straight head profile; wattle was absent in female but present in male. The sheep flocks observed constituted higher proportions of females than males. Sex of animals had significant effect on body weight and linear body measurements except tail length, ear width and cannon bone circumference. Males were heavier than females (29.50 kg vs. 25.80 kg) and had higher heart girth (72.72 cm vs. 71.29 cm), height at withers (61.30 cm vs. 59.97cm), and body length (65.82cm vs. 63.94 cm). The district effect was significant (p<0.05) for some measurements. Dentition classes of animals contributed significant differences to the body weight and some of linear body measurements. Body weight was highly correlated (P < 0.01) with body dimensional traits with moderate to high positive correlation both in males (r=0.62- 0.81) and females (r=0.63- 0.83). Based on fitted regressions models, heart girth was found to predict body weight with higher precision; height at wither with body length in combination with heart girth explained up to 75 % variation in body weight in both sexes. Best Fitted Regression equation based on R2 Value are Y= 34.95 +0.15BL +0.52HG +0.19HW +0.06TC (R2=76%) for females and Y=- 29.4+0.2BL +0.4HG+0.17HW+ 0.11TC (R2=77%) for male. Generally this breed showed their ability to thrive well and their potential for meat production under the prevailing harsh environmental conditions

Burden of disease attributable to suboptimal diet, metabolic risks, and low physical activity in Ethiopia and comparison with Eastern sub-Saharan African countries, 1990-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background: Twelve of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are related to malnutrition (both under- and overnutrition), other behavioral, and metabolic risk factors. However, comparative evidence on the impact of behavioral and metabolic risk factors on disease burden is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, we assessed mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to child and maternal undernutrition (CMU), dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity for Ethiopia. The results were compared with 14 other Eastern SSA countries. Methods: Databases from GBD 2015, that consist of data from 1990 to 2015, were used. A comparative risk assessment approach was utilized to estimate the burden of disease attributable to CMU, dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity. Exposure levels of the risk factors were estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) and Bayesian meta-regression models. Results: In 2015, there were 58,783 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 43,653-76,020] or 8.9% [95% UI: 6.1-12.5] estimated all-cause deaths attributable to CMU, 66,269 [95% UI: 39,367-106,512] or 9.7% [95% UI: 7.4-12.3] to dietary risks, 105,057 [95% UI: 66,167-157,071] or 15.4% [95% UI: 12.8-17.6] to metabolic risks and 5808 [95% UI: 3449-9359] or 0.9% [95% UI: 0.6-1.1]to low physical activity in Ethiopia. While the age-adjusted proportion of all-cause mortality attributable to CMU decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015, it increased from 10.8% [95% UI: 8.8-13.3] to 14.5% [95% UI: 11.7-18.0] for dietary risks and from 17.0% [95% UI: 15.4-18.7] to 24.2% [95% UI: 22.2-26.1] for metabolic risks. In 2015, Ethiopia ranked among the top four countries (of 15 Eastern SSA countries) in terms of mortality and DALYs based on the age-standardized proportion of disease attributable to dietary risks and metabolic risks. Conclusions: In Ethiopia, while there was a decline in mortality and DALYs attributable to CMU over the last two and half decades, the burden attributable to dietary and metabolic risks have increased during the same period. Lifestyle and metabolic risks of NCDs require more attention by the primary health care system of in the country

The impact of dietary risk factors on the burden of non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2013

Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has increased in sub-Saharan countries, including Ethiopia. The contribution of dietary behaviours to the NCD burden in Ethiopia has not been evaluated. This study, therefore, aimed to assess diet-related burden of disease in Ethiopia between 1990 and 2013. Method: We used the 2013 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data to estimate deaths, years of life lost (YLLs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to eight food types, five nutrients and fibre intake. Dietary exposure was estimated using a Bayesian hierarchical meta-regression. The effect size of each diet-disease pair was obtained based on meta-analyses of prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials. A comparative risk assessment approach was used to quantify the proportion of NCD burden associated with dietary risk factors. Results: In 2013, dietary factors were responsible for 60,402 deaths (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: 44,943-74,898) in Ethiopia—almost a quarter (23.0%) of all NCD deaths. Nearly nine in every ten diet-related deaths (88.0%) were from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 44.0% of all CVD deaths were related to poor diet. Suboptimal diet accounted for 1,353,407 DALYs (95% UI: 1,010,433-1,672,828) and 1,291,703 YLLs (95% UI: 961,915-1,599,985). Low intake of fruits and vegetables and high intake of sodium were the most important dietary factors. The proportion of NCD deaths associated with low fruit consumption slightly increased (11.3% in 1990 and 11.9% in 2013). In these years, the rate of burden of disease related to poor diet slightly decreased; however, their contribution to NCDs remained stable. Conclusions: Dietary behaviour contributes significantly to the NCD burden in Ethiopia. Intakes of diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in sodium are the leading dietary risks. To effectively mitigate the oncoming NCD burden in Ethiopia, multisectoral interventions are required; and nutrition policies and dietary guidelines should be developed

The relationship between adult anthropometry morbidity and functional status A longitudinal study among rural Ethiopians

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN059238 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Management Strategies for Improving Manure Nutrient Use Efficiency and Productivity of Subsistent Farmers in Enset-based Farming Systems of Southern Ethiopia

The overall objective of this study was to evaluate enset clones for nitrogen use efficiency and identify best manure management practices minimizing losses and maximizing nitrogen use efficiency by the crop. The study consisted of i) evaluation of manure nitrogen mineralization and nitrification potential ii) effects of rate of manure nitrogen supply on growth and nitrogen use efficiency of enset clones iii) manure placement effects on growth and nutrient recovery efficiency of enset iv) the effect of traditional methods and duration of manure storage on manure chemical composition and quality. The results of laboratory incubation study on manure mineralization and nitrification revealed that addition of manure significantly (P<0.001) increased the amount of inorganic nitrogen released compared to that of the control soil. Moreover, net mineralization and nitrification of manure organic nitrogen was observed throughout the incubation period. The net rates of mineralization varied between 0.04 to 0.33 mg N kg-1 of soil /day with mean value of 0.21 mg N kg-1 soil/ day. On the other hand, the net rates of nitrification range from 0.058-0.57 mg kg-1 soil/ day with mean nitrification rate value of 0.28 mg kg-1 soil/ day. In relation to the effect of rate of manure nitrogen supply, it was observed that the rate of manure nitrogen supply significantly (P<0.001) influenced nitrogen use efficiency of enset clones. In the study, the highest nitrogen use efficiency was obtained at application rate of 300 kg of total manure nitrogen per hectare. Of the enset clones studied, clone Ado showed the highest nitrogen use efficiency. In relation to methods of manure application, a significant (P<0.001) manure placement effects on growth and nitrogen recovery efficiency of enset were observed. In the study, placement of manure at 20 cm depth and split application of half above and half at 20 cm depth induced better growth and nitrogen recovery efficiency than to surface application. On the other hand, the existing traditional practice of manure storage in open air was found to be in efficient. It not only reduces the carbon and nitrogen content of manure but also increases the C/N ratio. The duration of manure storage had also significant influence on chemical composition and manure quality. In general, based on the results of the present study it can be concluded that the growth and yield of enset plants in smallholder farms could substantially be increased with planting nitrogen efficient clones along with improved management practices

Defining continuity of care from the perspectives of mental health service users and professionals: an exploratory, comparative study

Background Continuity of care (COC) is central to the organization and delivery of mental health services. Traditional definitions have excluded service users, and this lack of involvement has been linked to poor conceptual clarity surrounding the term. Consequently, very little is known about the differences and similarities in the conceptualization of COC by mental health service users and professionals. Objective To explore and compare mental health service users’ and professionals’ definitions of COC. Methods Using an exploratory, qualitative design, five focus groups with 32 service users each met twice. Data were analysed thematically to generate a service user-defined model of COC. In a cross-sectional survey, health and social care professionals (n = 184) defined COC; responses were analysed thematically. Service user and professional definitions were conceptually mapped and compared to identify similarities and differences. Results There was crossover between the service user and professional derived models of COC. Both contained temporal, quality, systemic, staff, hospital and needs-related elements of COC. Service users prioritized access, information, peer support and avoiding services; health professionals most frequently referred to staff, cross-sectional and temporal COC. Service users alone identified service avoidance, peer support and day centres as COC elements; professionals alone identified cross-sectional working. Conclusions Important similarities and differences exist in service user and professional conceptualizations of COC. Further research is necessary to explore these differences, prior to integrating service user and professional perspectives in a validated COC framework which could enable the development and evaluation of interventions to improve COC, informing policy and practice

Food systems for healthier diets in Ethiopia : toward a research agenda

While dietary energy supply has improved, diets in Ethiopia remain low in diversity and provide insufficient amounts of protein, vitamin A, and zinc. Poor dietary quality contributes to the multiple burden of malnutrition in the country, with 38% stunting among children under five years and 24% anemia and 8% overweight among adult women.Recent Ethiopian government policies and programs call for sustainable food systems approaches aimed at achieving better nutrition for all. Such food systems approaches imply actions that include but also go beyond agriculture to consider the many processes and actors involved in food production, processing, storage, transportation, trade, transformation, retailing, and consumption.In this paper, we identify research streams to support the operationalizing of such food systems approaches in Ethiopia. To this end, we engaged with stakeholders, reviewed the literature, and applied a food systems framework to research priorities in the Ethiopian context. We develop an initial food systems profile of Ethiopia and identify 25 priority research questions, categorized into three main areas. A first area focuses on diagnosis and foresight research, for example, to further characterize dietary gaps and transitions in the context of the variety of Ethiopian settings, and to understand and anticipate which food system dynamics contribute positively or negatively to those trends. A second area includes implementation research and focuses on building a base of evidence on the dietary impact of combined demand-, market-, and supply-side interventions/innovations that focus on nonstaples; potential trade-offs in terms of economic, social, and environmental outcomes; and interactions between food system actors. A third area focuses on institutional and policy processes and explores enabling factors and private or public anchors that can take food systems approaches for healthier diets to a regional or national scale.The paper contextualizes the case of Ethiopia within global food systems thinking and thereby aims to stimulate in- and cross-country learning

Additional file 1: of Burden of disease attributable to suboptimal diet, metabolic risks and low physical activity in Ethiopia and comparison with Eastern sub-Saharan African countries, 1990–2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Table S1. Risk factors, definitions, minimum theoretical risk exposure levels and data representative index. Table S2. Data sources used for estimation of mortality and disability-adjusted life years associated with maternal and child under nutrition, low physical activity, dietary and metabolic risk factors in Ethiopia in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study. Table S3. Covariates and mediators used in Global Burden of Disease 2015 dietary risk factors study. Figure S1. Rate and proportion of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high body mass index by age in Ethiopia, 2015 (Proportion was calculated out of all-cause of death). Figure S2. Trend of mortality and DALYs (age-standardized rate and proportion) attributable to child and maternal undernutrition (CMU), dietary and metabolic risks in Ethiopia, 1990–2015 (Proportion was calculated out of all-cause of death). Figure S3. Trend of mortality and DALYs (age-standardized rate and proportion) attributable to low physical activity in Ethiopia, 1990–2015 (Proportion was calculated out of all-cause of death). (PDF 962 kb

Burden of disease attributable to suboptimal diet, metabolic risks, and low physical activity in Ethiopia and comparison with Eastern sub-Saharan African countries, 1990-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background: Twelve of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are related to malnutrition (both under- and overnutrition), other behavioral, and metabolic risk factors. However, comparative evidence on the impact of behavioral and metabolic risk factors on disease burden is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, we assessed mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to child and maternal undernutrition (CMU), dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity for Ethiopia. The results were compared with 14 other Eastern SSA countries. Methods: Databases from GBD 2015, that consist of data from 1990 to 2015, were used. A comparative risk assessment approach was utilized to estimate the burden of disease attributable to CMU, dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity. Exposure levels of the risk factors were estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) and Bayesian meta-regression models. Results: In 2015, there were 58,783 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 43,653-76,020] or 8.9% [95% UI: 6.1-12.5] estimated all-cause deaths attributable to CMU, 66,269 [95% UI: 39,367-106,512] or 9.7% [95% UI: 7.4-12.3] to dietary risks, 105,057 [95% UI: 66,167-157,071] or 15.4% [95% UI: 12.8-17.6] to metabolic risks and 5808 [95% UI: 3449-9359] or 0.9% [95% UI: 0.6-1.1]to low physical activity in Ethiopia. While the age-adjusted proportion of all-cause mortality attributable to CMU decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015, it increased from 10.8% [95% UI: 8.8-13.3] to 14.5% [95% UI: 11.7-18.0] for dietary risks and from 17.0% [95% UI: 15.4-18.7] to 24.2% [95% UI: 22.2-26.1] for metabolic risks. In 2015, Ethiopia ranked among the top four countries (of 15 Eastern SSA countries) in terms of mortality and DALYs based on the age-standardized proportion of disease attributable to dietary risks and metabolic risks. Conclusions: In Ethiopia, while there was a decline in mortality and DALYs attributable to CMU over the last two and half decades, the burden attributable to dietary and metabolic risks have increased during the same period. Lifestyle and metabolic risks of NCDs require more attention by the primary health care system of in the country