Intestinal parasites infection and associated factors among school children in Dagi primary school, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common communicable diseases worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Worldwide, about 3.5 billion people are affected, and 450 million are ill as a result of these infections, among whom, the majority are children. The objective of this study was to assess prevalence of intestinal parasites infection and associated risk factors among school children in Dagi primary school, ANRS, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted by involving 399 school children from 24 September to 19 October, 2012. Structured questionnaires were used to identify environmental, socio-demographic and behavioral factors and stool specimens were collected and examined for parasites using direct smear and formal-ether concentration technique. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 15 statistical soft ware. Results: Eight species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 77.9%. Students were infected with one or more intestinal parasites and the predominant parasite was hook worm, 94 (23.6%) followed by G. lamblia 91 (22.8%), E. histoltica 86 (21.6%) and Strongyloides 6 (1.5%). The presence of mixed parasitic infection was 106 (34.1%), double and triple infections were 97 (91.5%) and 9 (8.5%) respectively. Intestinal parasitic infection was higher in children whose fathers’ occupational status were farmers, who had unclean finger nails and who did not have the habit of wearing shoes (p parasites infection was an important public health problem among Dagi primary school children. Therefore, the local health office and other governmental and non-governmental organizations need to give attention to this serious problem of intestinal parasitic infection of school children.

The burden of and risk factors for active trachoma in the North and South Wollo Zones of Amhara Region,Ethiopia:a crosssectional study

Background:Trachoma is a disease of the eye,caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis,which can lead to blindness if left untreated.Ethiopia is one of the most trachoma-affected countries in the world.The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for active trachoma among children in selected woredas of North and South Wollo Zones in Amhara Region,Ethiopia.Methods:This study was a community-based,cross-sectional study,which was conducted from October to December 2014 among children aged 1-8.A four-stage random cluster sampling technique was employed to select the study areas and participants.From each selected household,one child was clinically assessed for active trachoma.A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic,behavioral,and clinical data.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between predictor variables and active trachoma.Results:The overall prevalence of active trachoma among 1358 children was found to be 21.6%(95%CI:19.4-23.8%).When analyzed by the presence or absence of individual WHO simplified system signs of active trachoma,trachomatous inflammation-follicular cases constituted18%(95%CI:15.9-20.2%),while 4.7%(95%CI:3.6-5.8%)were trachomatous inflammation-intense cases.Ocular discharge(aOR=5.2;95%CI:3.3-8.2),nasal discharge(aOR=1.8;95%CI:1.2-2.7),time taken to fetch water(aOR=0.02;95%CI:0.01-0.05),frequency of hand and face washing(aOR=4.4;95%CI:1.1-17.8),and access to a latrine(aOR=0.006;95%CI:0.001-0.030)were found to be independently associated with the presence of active trachoma.Conclusions:There is a high burden of active trachoma among children in the study areas.Lack of personal hygiene and limited access to a safe water supply and latrines were associated with increased prevalence of active trachoma.In order to reduce the burden of active trachoma,facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of the SAFE strategy should be upgraded in the study areas.

Outlook of future climate in northwestern Ethiopia

Climate change is described as the most universal and irreversible environmental problem facing the planet Earth. While climate change is already manifesting in Ethiopia through changes in temperature and rainfall, its magnitude is poorly studied at regional levels. The objective of this paper was to assess and quantify the magnitude of future changes of climate parameters using Statistical Downscaling Mode (SDSM) version 4.2 in Amhara Regional State which is located between 8°45‘N and 13°45‘N latitude and 35°46‘E and 40°25‘E longitude. Daily climate data (1979- 2008) of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures were collected from 10 observed meteorological stations (predictand). The stations were grouped and compared using clustering and Markov chain model, whereas the degree of climate change in the study area was estimated using the coupled HadCM3 general circulation model (GCM) with A2a emission scenarios (Predictors). Both maximum and minimum temperatures showed an increasing trend;the increase in mean maximum temperature ranges between 1.55°C and 6.07°C and that of the mean minimum temperature ranges from 0.11°C and 2.81°C. While the amount of annual rainfall and rainy days decreased in the study Regions in the 2080s. The negative changes in rainfall and temperature obtained from the HadCM3 model in the current study are alarming and suggest the need for further study with several GCM models to confirm the current results and develop adaptation options.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased mortality during tuberculosis treatment:a prospective cohort study among tuberculosis patients in SouthEastern Amahra Region,Ethiopia

Background:There is growing evidence suggesting that diabetes mellitus(DM)affects disease presentation and treatment outcome in tuberculosis(TB)patients.This study aimed at investigating the role of DM on clinical presentations and treatment outcomes among newly diagnosed TB patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted in South-Eastern Amhara Region,Ethiopia from September 2013 till March 2015.Study subjects were consecutively recruited from 44 randomly selected health facilities in the study area.Participants were categorized into two patient groups,namely,patients with TB and DM(TBDM)and TB patients without DM(TBNDM).Findings on clinical presentations and treatment outcomes were compared between the two patient groups.Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with death.Results:Out of 1314 TB patients enrolled in the study,109(8.3%)had coexisting DM.TBDM comorbidity[adjusted hazard ratio(AHR)3.96;95%confidence interval(C.I.)(1.76–8.89)],and TB coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)[AHR 2.59;95%C.I.(1.21–5.59)]were associated with increased death.TBDM and TBNDM patients did not show significant difference in clinical symptoms at baseline and during anti-TB treatment period.However,at the 2nd month of treatment,TBDM patients were more symptomatic compared to patients in the TBNDM group.Conclusions:The study showed that DM is associated with increased death during TB treatment.DM has no association with clinical presentation of TB except at the end of the intensive phase treatment.Routine screening of TB patients for DM is recommended for early diagnosis and treatment of patients with TBDM comorbidity.