Villagization as a Policy Option to Rural Food Security: Facts from Villages in Assosa Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

Background: Villagization scheme was chosen as a policy option and implemented to ensure sustainable food security in Assosa zone, Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia, although it is blamed for intensifying food insecurity instead. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the food security status of households gathered in planned villages in the framework of villagization. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 344 households who were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used after exploring the perception of village communities about the nature of food security. Food security status was measured using a household food balance model (FBM) that uses calorie threshold value of 2100 Kcal/Adult Equivalent (ADE)/day. Results: There were some basic services and infrastructures in the planned villages, although most of them were supplied before the implementation of villagization scheme. The scheme did not improve the food security status of households in the villages; since about 67% of them were food insecure and only 33% were food secure. The proportion of food insecure households is much more than the recent national figure of 40%. Conclusion: In spite of the fact that some basic services and infrastructures were supplied in the planned villages, villagization did not improve the food security status of households; in contrast food insecurity remained high. The scheme was merely supplied the service and infrastructures without improving economic access to basic services and infrastructures. It is recommended to conduct a study investigating why villagization could not improve the food security status according to the intended purpose.

Exploring spatiotemporal distribution of under-five mortality in Ethiopia: further analysis of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys 2000, 2005, 2011 and 2016

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore spatiotemporal distribution of under-five mortality in Ethiopia using data from four (2000, 2005, 2011 and 2016) consecutive demographic and health surveys.MethodsA total of 41 498 children were included from four consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. The geospatial analysis was conducted by using ArcGIS V.10.7 and saTScan V.9.6. Thus, spatial autocorrelation, hotspot analysis, spatial interpolation and spatial scan statistics were carried out for each survey separately to show the temporal pattern of geographically risk areas of under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Finally, the most under-five mortality rate (U5MR) risk areas in each survey period were mapped.ResultsUnder-five mortality was spatially clustered in Ethiopia (Moran’s Index: 0.046–0.096, p<0.01). The Benishangul-Gumuz region was consistently at a higher risk in the last two decades. Additional hotspot areas were detected at Afar and Amhara (in 2000, 2005, 2016), at Gambala (in 2011) and the South Nation Nationality and People’s (SNNP) Region (in 2016). Moreover, 160 primary clusters were identified. Of these, 85 clusters (log-likelihood ratio (LLR)=13.10, p<0.01) were from Benishangul-Gumuz and Amhara regions (in 2000); 67 clusters (LLR=12.93, p<0.01) were from Afar and Amhara regions (in 2005); 4 clusters (LLR=10.54, p<0.01) were from Benishangul-Gumuz region (in 2011); and another 4 clusters (LLR=11.85, p<0.01) were from Afar region (in 2016).ConclusionHigh-risk areas were detected mainly in the Benishangul-Gumuz and Afar regions. As a result, designing under-five population targeted intervention programmes in those high-risk geographical regions was vital to reduce under-five mortality in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Acute Malnutrition Among Children in Kamashi District, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia, 2019

Background: Acute malnutrition among children is common in developing countries. Ethiopia is one of the Sub-Saharan African countries with high level of child malnutrition. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Kamashi district, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from October 26 to December 15, 2019, at Kamashi district. Eight hundred fourteen children were included in the study. The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select children from households. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken. Descriptive and analytical data analysis was done using SPSS. Results: About 10% of children, aged 6–59 months in Kamashi district were acutely malnourished (95% CI: 8.7-13.1,). From these, 5.5 % (95 % CI: 4.5-7.9) were moderately malnourished and 4.3 % (95% CI: 3.4-6.4) were severely malnourished. About 0.4% children had edema. Children from care givers who attended primary (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06 - 0.41) or secondary education (AOR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.07-0.68), children who had been vaccinated to their age (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18 -0.82) and children from mothers who attended postnatal care (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.06-0.30) had lower odds of having acute malnutrition. On the other hand, children who had history of fever in the two weeks preceding the survey (AOR=4.01, 95% CI: 1.86-8.66), those children from families with <2 number of under-five children (AOR=3.63, 95% CI: 1.60-8.31) and children with lower birth interval (AOR= 3.27, 95% CI: 1.75-6.12) had higher odds of developing acute malnutrition.Conclusion: Acute malnutrition among children in Kamashi district was high. Increasing girl’s education may help to reduce acute malnutrition among children in Kamashi district. In addition, the district health office shall increase postnatal care attendance and vaccination at age to reduce acute malnutrition among children. The district health office shall work to increase inter-birth interval and prevent febrile illnesses among children.

Element Levels and Predictors of Exposure in the Hair of Ethiopian Children

Children’s development and health may be affected by toxic heavy metal exposure or suboptimal essential element intake. This study aimed to provide updated information regarding the concentrations of 41 elements in children’s hair (aged under 18) living in a rural area of the Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia. The highest average levels (as a geometric mean) for toxic heavy metals were obtained for Al (1 mg kg−1), Pb (3.1 mg kg−1), and Ni (1.2 mg kg−1), while the lowest concentrations among the essential elements were found for Co (0.32 mg kg−1), Mo (0.07 mg kg−1), Se (0.19 mg kg−1), and V (0.8 mg kg−1). Hair analysis was combined with a survey to evaluate relationships and variations among subgroups and potential metal exposure predictors. Females showed significantly higher concentrations for most hair elements, excluding Zn, than males, and the 6–11 years age group reported the highest levels for Be, Ce, Co, Fe, La, Li, Mo, and Na. The main predictors of exposure to toxic elements were fish consumption for Hg and drinking water for Ba, Be, Cs, Li, Ni, Tl, and U. The data from this study can be used to develop prevention strategies for children’s health and protection in developing countries.