scholarly journals A new early warning drought index for Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 624-630
Author(s):  
Yonas Tadesse ◽  
Aklilu Amsalu ◽  
Paolo Billi ◽  
Massimiliano Fazzini
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Drought Index ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Precipitation Index ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Standard Precipitation Index ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Dire Dawa ◽  
Seeding Time

Abstract This study investigates the occurrence of droughts in the Dire Dawa area of eastern Ethiopia. A new index based on the rainfall delay (Rd) with respect to the expected onset (and traditional) seeding time and other indices, i.e., the aridity index and the Z-score, alternatives to the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), are used to test the validity of the new Rd index in identifying severe droughts extending back to 1955. Although only data of rain gauges located in the district of Dire Dawa were used, they proved, albeit with different accuracies, able to identify nation-wide droughts.

scholarly journals Comparison of Four Precipitation Based Meteorological Drought Indices in Yesilirmak Basin, Turkey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
utku zeybekoglu ◽  
Alyar Boustani Hezarani ◽  
Asli Ulke Keskin
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Drought ◽  
Precipitation Index ◽  
Drought Indices ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Standard Precipitation Index ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
Score Index

Abstract Drought, which is often defined as not enough precipitation, does not a mean simple lack of precipitation. This condition, which occurs when humidity is less than the average value for many years, is caused by a disrupted balance between precipitation and evaporation in a region. It is very difficult to predict the start and the end time of drought. In the present study, the drought conditions of the stations selected from Yesilirmak Basin between 1970 and 2014 were determined by using Z-Score Index (ZSI), China-Z Index (CZI), Modified China-Z Index (MCZI), and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), and the compliance of these indices to the SPI was investigated. It was determined that these indices gave parallel results to each other, and SPI detected drought earlier than other indices.

scholarly journals Monitoring droughts in Eswatini: A spatiotemporal variability analysis using the Standard Precipitation Index

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Mlenga ◽  
Andries J. Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Meteorological Drought ◽  
Precipitation Index ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Drought Monitoring ◽  
Drought Indices ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Standard Precipitation Index ◽  
Ecological Zones

The spatiotemporal analysis of drought is of great importance to Eswatini as the country has been facing recurring droughts with negative impacts on agriculture, the environment and the economy. In 2016, the country experienced the most severe drought in over 35 years, resulting in food shortages, drying up of rivers as well as livestock deaths. The frequent occurrence of extreme drought events makes the use of drought indices essential for drought monitoring, early warning and planning. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) for near real-time and retrospective drought monitoring in Eswatini. The 3-, 6- and 12-month SPI were computed to analyse the severity and onset of meteorological drought between 1986 and 2017. The results indicated that the climate of Eswatini exhibits geospatial and temporal variability. Droughts intensified in terms of frequency, severity and geospatial coverage, with the worst drought years being 1985–1986, 2005–2006 and 2015–2016 agricultural seasons. Moderate droughts were the most prevalent, while the frequency of severe and very severe droughts was low. Most parts of the country were vulnerable to mild and moderate agricultural droughts. Spatial analysis showed that the most severe and extreme droughts were mostly experienced in the Lowveld and Middleveld agro-ecological zones. The 3-, 6- and 12-month SPI computations conducted in January detected the onset of early season drought, thereby affirming the applicability of the index for monitoring near real-time and retrospective droughts in Eswatini. Drought monitoring using the SPI provides information for early warning, particularly in drought-prone areas, by depicting a drought before the effects are felt.

scholarly journals Handwashing effect on diarrheal incidence in children under 5 years old in rural eastern Ethiopia: a cluster randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ephrem Tefera Solomon ◽  
Sirak Robele Gari ◽  
Helmut Kloos ◽  
Bezatu Mengistie Alemu
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Dire Dawa ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Diarrheal Incidence ◽  
Handwashing With Soap ◽  
Children Under 5

Abstract Background Handwashing with soap reduces diarrheal diseases burden considerably. However, the importance of handwashing in homes has received little attention in rural eastern Ethiopia. The effectiveness of handwashing may be reduced by lack of information on when and in what event hands must be washed, the frequency of handwashing, the individual who should wash his/her hands, and the procedure of handwashing. In these areas, indicators of adherence to handwashing are yet to be established. This study aimed at assessing the efficiency of handwashing on reducing diarrheal disease in children under 5 years old in rural kebeles of Dire Dawa, east Ethiopia. Methods Community-based cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in rural kebeles of Dire Dawa for 4 months starting from October 2018 to January 2019. Selected clusters were randomized in intervention and control arms using draw method and data collectors conducted the baseline survey. Households assigned to the intervention group were given two bars of plain soap on a bi-monthly basis together with information promoting hand hygiene. Control households were allowed to continue their habitual handwashing practices. We compared the diarrheal incidences of the intervention and non-intervention households. Generalized estimation equations using Poisson family and log choice of the link was employed to calculate adjusted incidence rate ratio with its 95% confidence interval. Results We recorded a significant lesser diarrheal incidence in the handwashing arm than in the non-intervention arm (6.9 versus 13.8 episodes per 100 person weeks of observation). In all, there was a 41% reduction in diarrheal incidence in the intervention arm in relation to the non-intervention arm. Conclusion Handwashing with soap complemented with hand hygiene promotion significantly decreased diarrheal episodes in children under 5 years old in rural kebeles of Dire Dawa. We recommend the promotion and adaptation of washing hands using soap at recommended times to be an effective means of reducing childhood diarrhea morbidity in rural populations of Ethiopia towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6. Trial registration PACTR, PACTR201807815961394. Registered 16 July 2018,

Influence of forest humidity on the distribution of forest fires in the territory of Serbia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Stanimir Živanović
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Drought Index ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Administrative District ◽  
Positive Correlation

In this study, we examined the dependence of the influence of forest humidity conditions on the variability of forest fires in Serbia. The changes in values of the Forest Aridity Index (FAI) and the De Martonne Drought Index (IDM) in the period 2009-2018 were analyzed, with an emphasis on 2012 and 2014. Data from ground meteorological measurements at 14 main meteorological stations on the territory of Serbia were used. The analysis of the FAI index determines a positive correlation on the activity of forest fires in the territory of Serbia. FAI values indicate marked increases for 2012 and 2017 when the largest number of forest fires was registered in Serbia. The lowest values of this index are for 2014, when we registered the smallest occurrence of forest fires in Serbia. Decrease in the value of the IDM index was observed during 2011, 2012 and 2017 correlated with a larger number of forest fires in the period. The greatest threat to forests from fire is in the administrative district of Kragujevac (region of Šumadija and Western Serbia) and Vranje (region of Southern and Eastern Serbia) and the lowest in the area of Sombor and Kikinda (region of Vojvodina). At nine of the fourteen meteorological stations, the De Martonne Drought Index (IDM) showed stronger connection with the occurrence of forest fires compared to the Forest Aridity Index (FAI).

scholarly journals Magnitude of Child Sexual Abuse and Its Associated Factors Among High School Female Students in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia. A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Legesse Abera Natae ◽  
Abdulahi Aliye ◽  
Kalbesse Tadesse ◽  
Alemu Guta
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Dire Dawa

Abstract Background: Child sexual abuse means any kind of sexual contact with a child under the age of 18 years. It is a common and serious public health problem affecting millions of people each year worldwide. It is the most neglected and least documented form of violence in Ethiopia among school girls. So, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and its associated factors among high school female students in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted, March, 1-23/2021. A stratified multistage sampling technique was used for quantitative data and 794 participants from selected high schools were included. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used, and data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. For qualitative data, sixteen in-depth interviews and five focus group discussion were conducted and analyzed thematically. Result: The magnitude of at least one form of sexual abuse were 384 (48.9%), of these, 150 (19.1%) were rape. Students who live alone 4.3 times (AOR=4.30;95 % CI: 1.81-10.24), those who lives with their friends 5 times (AOR=5.02: 95% CI: 2.24-11.24), and those who lives with their single parent 3 times (AOR=3.31: 95% CI: 1.23-8.89) more likely experience life time sexual abuse than those living with their both parents. The odds of experiencing life time sexual abuse among students of rural residence were 2 times higher than their urban counter part (AOR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.79-3.45). Students who don’t drink alcohol were 70% more protective than those who drink alcohol (AOR=0.70: 95% CI: 0.28-0.97).Conclusion: This study revealed that the magnitude of child sexual abuse among female students in Dire Dawa is high. Lack of discussion about sexual issue with parents, living without both parents, drinking alcohol, being rural residence had significant association with child sexual abuse. Unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and STIs were the most common reproductive consequences of sexual abuse. So, community-based comprehensive awareness creation on sexual and reproductive health issues, are recommended especially, at rural area.

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