Sero Status and Presumed Risk Factors Assessment for Bovine Herpesvirus-1 in North Western, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021 on a total of 442 randomly selected indigenous zebus (bos indicus) of extensively and semi-intensively managed cattle’s. These cattle’s were sampled from East Gojam (n=137), west Gojam (n=160) and Awi zone (n=145) north western part of Ethiopia. Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immune-Sorbent Assay (I-ELISA) was used to detect antibodies specific to Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BoHV-1). The relationship of the categories under the variables was analyzed using a chisquare descriptive statistic. Logistic regression analyses were also used to assess potential predictive factors associated with the outcome variable. An overall animal level sero-prevalence of BoHV-1 antibodies were 77.6% (95% CI: 73.5-81.3%) for the present study. In a random-effects of an adjusted logistic regression model, geographically the sero-prevalence of BoHV-1 exposure was higher for cattle’s from East Gojam (Odds ratio [OR] =0.2; p=0.002) than in Awi zone (OR=1.4; p=0.377) and West Gojam. The likelihood of disease occurrence for introduced cattle’s were relatively higher (OR=0.4; p= 0.001) than homebred. Age of cattle’s and parity status of heifers/cows were significantly associated with BoHV-1 infection (p<0.001). The risk of infection was also positively correlated with the occurrence of respiratory problem (OR=2.2; P=0.048). Thus, this result signifies that BoHV-1 is widely circulating among the indigenous zebus in the study areas. Given that there was no BoHV-1 vaccination delivery in the study area and in the country as a whole, control and prevention measures using marker vaccines were highly recommended.

Attributes, Supportive and Core Functions of Public Health Emergency Surveillance leadership, and Implementation for Tropical Diseases Control

BackgroundPublic health surveillance (PHS) is the continuing organized gathering, investigation, elucidation, and well-timed distribution of health-related information for activities and program evaluation. Conducting a surveillance system evaluation is crucial for monitoring the efficacy and effectiveness of intervention programs in health care systems. Evaluate the Status of Attributes, Supportive and Core Functions implementation of Public Health Emergency Surveillance (PHES) in the case of Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2020 was the main aim of the study.Methods A descriptive prevalence study design was used to evaluate the surveillance system of the Awi zone selected woreda. 25 study sources are used in the study (5 District Health Offices (5HOs), 10 Health Centers (10HCs), and 10 Health Posts (10HPs)). Purposive sampling techniques were utilized. Data were obtained by communicable diseases control the standard format of systematic evaluation of four surveillance units from January to August 2020 through observation, document review, and interviewing surveillance officers and focal persons using a semi-structured survey.ResultsThe structure of public health surveillance (PHS) data flow from health posts to health districts be sound structured. However, coordination and supervision of the surveillance activities were not frequent. From those supervised health facilities, most of them are not receiving feedback. There was no budget line, written feedback, epidemic and preparedness, and a response plan regular based on supportive supervision at all visited health facilities. ConclusionsSupervisions were made as integrated supportive supervision in the last six months. However, there was no program-specific supportive supervision of Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM). Data analysis was not routinely practiced in both visited districts and was not used for decision making. Therefore, we recommend that districts and sub-city health offices should conduct regular surveillance data analysis, perform supportive supervision, avail budgets, and mitigate resource constraints and improve data quality on the job training and supportive supervision.

Determination of heavy metals in soil used for potato cultivation by atomic absorption spectroscopy in awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The study evaluates heavy metals in soil used for Potato cultivation by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy in awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. In this study, 75 soil samples from three agricultural areas, namely: Guaguasa Shikudad, Fagita Lecoma and Banja districts were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results obtained revealed that the mean heavy metal concentrations for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn were 75.33–77.00mg/kg, 17.11–18.76mg/kg, 60.26-101.78mg/kg, 125.17-383.39mg/kg and 244.20—287.87mg/kg respectively. In general, the level of metals in soil collected from the sampling sites are found to be decreased in the order of: Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb>Cd. Soil analysis showed that the concentration of Cu, Cd and Ni higher than permissible levels there WHO/FAO thresholds for agricultural soils the soil is polluted by toxic heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Ni). Therefore, the soils studied were harmful for the cultivation of potatoes and other agricultural purposes.

Adverse Neonatal Outcomes and Its Associated Factors Among Mothers with Short and Recommended Interpregnancy Interval, in Awi Zone Public Hospitals, 2020.

Background: Short interpregnancy interval is among modifiable risk factors for maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes for planned pregnancies. It is potentially associated with adverse neonatal outcomes which are known to have considerable public health significance. In Ethiopia neonatal mortality was found to be high according to recent mini Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey Report. More importantly information about adverse neonatal outcomes in relation to interpregnancy interval is poorly described yet in Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Awi zone public hospitals. A total of 482 mothers (241 with short and 241 with recommended IPI) were selected. The data was collected by using systematic random sampling technique through pretested structured questionnaire and entered in to Epi data version 3.1 then exported to Statistical Package of Social Science version 23.0 for analysis. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to compare means. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses was employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95% and P value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.Result: Among a total of selected mothers with short and recommended Interpregnancy interval (IPI) response rate was 237 (98.3%) and 238 (98.7%) respectively. Proportion of adverse neonatal outcomes were higher among short IPI groups (37.1%). Factors like, rural residence [AOR=6.9, 95%CI (3.32, 14.59)], and Cesarean section delivery [AOR=3.4, 95%CI (1.18, 10.09)] were significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in short IPI groups. Factors like rural residence [AOR=6.1, 95%CI (2.11, 17.7)], unintended pregnancy [AOR=5.3, 95%CI (1.11, 25.00)], rupture of membrane [AOR=6.89, 95%CI (2.54, 18.65)] and induction of labor [AOR=13.4, 95%CI (3.17, 21.77)] were significantly associated in recommended IPI groups.Conclusion: Urban residency and vaginal mode of delivery were significantly associated with less risk of adverse neonatal outcomes in both IPI groups. Whereas, intended pregnancy status, spontaneous labor initiation and absence of ROM before labor were protective for adverse neonatal outcomes in recommended IPI mothers. Provision of proper health service coverage at rural area and minimizing C/S rate to reduce adverse neonatal outcome is recommended.