Effect of birthweight measurement quality improvement on low birthweight prevalence in rural Ethiopia

Background Low birthweight (LBW) (< 2500 g) is a significant determinant of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In low-income settings, the quality of birthweight data suffers from measurement and recording errors, inconsistent data reporting systems, and missing data from non-facility births. This paper describes birthweight data quality and the prevalence of LBW before and after implementation of a birthweight quality improvement (QI) initiative in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Methods A comparative pre-post study was performed in selected rural health facilities located in West Gojjam and South Gondar zones. At baseline, a retrospective review of delivery records from February to May 2018 was performed in 14 health centers to collect birthweight data. A birthweight QI initiative was introduced in August 2019, which included provision of high-quality digital infant weight scales (precision 5 g), routine calibration, training in birth weighing and data recording, and routine field supervision. After the QI implementation, birthweight data were prospectively collected from late August to early September 2019, and December 2019 to June 2020. Data quality, as measured by heaping (weights at exact multiples of 500 g) and rounding to the nearest 100 g, and the prevalence of LBW were calculated before and after QI implementation. Results We retrospectively reviewed 1383 delivery records before the QI implementation and prospectively measured 1371 newborn weights after QI implementation. Heaping was most frequently observed at 3000 g and declined from 26% pre-initiative to 6.7% post-initiative. Heaping at 2500 g decreased from 5.4% pre-QI to 2.2% post-QI. The percentage of rounding to the nearest 100 g was reduced from 100% pre-initiative to 36.5% post-initiative. Before the QI initiative, the prevalence of recognized LBW was 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–3.1) and after the QI initiative increased to 11.7% (95% CI: 10.1–13.5). Conclusions A QI intervention can improve the quality of birthweight measurements, and data measurement quality may substantially affect estimates of LBW prevalence.

Factors Associated With Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Among Reproductive Women in West Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region: a Cross-sectional Study

Background: The aims of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes of reproductive women (15-49) towards alcohol consumption during pregnancy in West Gojjam of Amhara region.Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was employed. The structured questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge and attitude of alcohol consumption among reproductive women during pregnancy. The sample size was calculated by using a single population proportion formula. Accordingly, the calculated sample size was 380 after adding 10% for non-response rate.Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regressions was employed. Adjusted Odds Ratios together with corresponding 95% confidence intervals was used to interpret the findings.Results: The majority of women 308(82.4%) were know the problems of drinking alcohol during pregnancy from 374 total study participants. Knowledge of women with regard to problems of drinking alcohol during pregnancy were associated literate women (AOR=0.416; 95%CI=0.207-0.836) and risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy low (AOR=9.468; 95% CI=3.466-25.868).Addationally,attitude of women for consumption of alcohol have significant effect on health associated with occupation status a housewife ((AOR=4.620; 95% CI= (1.255-17.012), had own business(AOR=17.344;95% CI=1.821165.148), alcohol consumption for 3-4 days a week(AOR=11.278;95%CI =1.231-103.287),relative encourage diriking alcohol (AOR=0.309;95%=0.110-0.868), Women who had previously health problems (AOR=0.330;95% CI=0.152-0.717), women who perceive the risk of alcohol consumption have beneficial effect on health is medium(AOR=7.112; 95% CI =3.108-16.270), attitudes of women towards alcohol consumption have beneficial effect on health is high (AOR= 4.902;95% CI =1.474-16.297),women who agree on the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is valuable(AOR=0.082;95% CI =0.023-0.287).Conclusion: The study revealed that, the knowledge of women on the health effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy high. Their attitude also towards alcohol consumption is low and medium. Interventions focused on creating awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on pregnancy should implemented.

A Preliminary Survey of Medium and Large‐Sized Mammals in Amoro Forest, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia

Aim: The objective of this study was to survey the species composition, relative abundance and to determine major threats of medium and large-sized mammals in Amoro Forest. Method: Linetransects surveying and indirect surveys method (including fresh tracks, scats, hair, spines and burrows) were used to survey mammalian diversity. A survey was conducted in the early morning from 6:00 to 10:00 and late afternoon from 16:00 to 19:00. Key interview and direct site observationswere carried out to assess the major threat of mammals in the study area. Results: A total of 12 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to sex orders and eight families were recorded. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) and Olive baboon (Papio anubis) were among the medium-sized mammals while, Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta),Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were among the large sized mammals observed in the study area. Shannon–Wiener Index values were low (H′ = 1.666) whereas, the Simpson’s index (1-D) of diversity showed the highest species diversity (0.761) in the study area. Illegal logging of trees; overgrazing, agricultural activities and human-wildlife conflicts were the foremost threats in the area. Conclusion: Species richness and evenness were varied from habitat to habitat in Amoro forest. Land degradation anddifferent anthropogenicactivities were common threats for the mammals in the study area. Community participation and awareness creation is very important to limit the impact of anthropogenic activities threatening wildlife. Key words: Anthropogenic activity, Conservation, Diversity, Mammalssurvey

Investigating Some Major Challenges That Impede the Practice of School – Based English Mentoring

The main purpose of this study was to explore some major challenges that impede the practice of school-based English mentoring on four selected government secondary schools in the West Gojjam Zone. To put this in to effect, a descriptive survey design involving qualitative data was employed. To collect data 4 experienced EFL teachers who are assigned to lead the mentoring role and 4 less-experienced ‘mentee’ teachers were selected purposefully from the four educational settings. In addition, school principals, supervisors and English language department heads were also used as data sources. Convenience and purposive sampling strategies were used to select the sample schools and the teacher participants, respectively. In contrast, the comprehensive sampling strategy was used to select principals, supervisors and English department heads. After the data analysis, the results indicated that the formal practice of mentoring by EFL teachers was very low due to different factors – school-related, mentor related and mentee related. And finally, based on the findings of the study, some possible suggestions were recommended to responsible bodies.

Anaemia Associated with Trypanosomes Infections in Cattle of West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Background. African animal trypanosomosis is a major veterinary problem over a large area of the tsetse belt region of Africa. Anaemia is a cardinal sign of trypanosome infections. The mechanism of anaemia due to trypanosomosis is complex and multifactorial in origin. Packed cell volume (PCV) usually gives an indication of the anaemia and disease status of a trypanosome-infected animal. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to January 2018 in West Gojjam zone, Northwest Ethiopia, to determine the trypanosome infections rate and the possible correlation between parasitic infection and anaemia using the dark ground buffy coat technique, Giemsa-stained thin blood smear, and PCV reading on a haematocrit reader. Results. The overall trypanosomosis prevalence was 7.81%, 95% CI = 7.45–8.17. Trypanosoma congolense (4.25%) and T. vivax (3.56%) were the trypanosomes species identified in the studied area. PCV for all sampled cattle was analysed to estimate the degree of anaemia. From the total examined animals (N = 730), 356 (48.77%) were anaemic and 374 (51.23%) were nonanaemic. The mean PCV of parasitemic cattle was significantly lower (21.09%, 95% CI = 20.13–22.05) than that of aparasitemic ones (25.96%, 95% CI = 25.68–26.24). There was a positive association between trypanosome infection and anaemia. Although both trypanosome species are significantly associated with a decreased herd mean PCV (<24), the mean PCV of cattle infected with T. congolense (19.45%) was lower than that of infected with T. vivax (23.04%). The herd mean PCV was not significantly associated to locations, age, and sex of the studied animals. Conclusions. The study confirms that the prevalence of trypanosomes infections and herd mean PCV has a significant association. The mean herd PCV can be a useful cheap tool to screen for possible trypanosome infection. However, there were cattle positive for trypanosomes having mean PCV within the reference interval and negative animals with anaemia. Furthermore, PCV reading should be confirmed by other diagnostic techniques to accurately conclude that trypanosomosis is the only cause of anaemia.