Food Hygiene Practices and Associated Factors Among Street Food Vendors in Urban Areas of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Street food is expanding all around Ethiopia. Street vendors have become commonplace near schools, hospitals and bus stations. Because street vended food is sold in unsanitary surroundings near streets, it can be contaminated with variety of pathogens, exposing consumers to foodborne illnesses. There haven't been enough studies on Ethiopian street food, and little is known about how hygienic these foods are. The local authorities don't even have a regulatory system to ensure food safety for street food vendors. Thus, this study aimed to assess food hygiene practices among street food vendors and associated factors. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional analytical study design was conducted from June, 2021 to July, 2021 including 402 respondents. Structured questionnaire and observational checklists were used for assessing food hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics (version 25.0). Binary logistic regression analyses were used to check association of covariates with food hygiene practices. Adjusted odds ratio, and P-value less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were used to report significant association. Results: Out of 402, 390 individuals responded. About 123 (31.5%) (95% CI: 27.2-36.4) of vendors had good food hygiene practices. Being female (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.09-0.27), age (19-25 years (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11-0.81) and 26 to 35 years (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.74), marital status (being married (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29-0.93), educational status (college and above (AOR = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.35-8.62), monthly income (1001-2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.19-0.68), being inspected (AOR = 13.15; 95% CI: 2.76-62.66) and lack of water at vending site (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17-0.97) were factors significantly associated with food hygiene practices of street vendors. Conclusion: Few street food vendors who adhered to good food hygiene were present. Significant variables of food hygiene behaviors included gender, age, marital status, education level, monthly income, inspection frequency, and the availability of water at vending sites. The vendors' food hygiene practices needed to be improved, which necessitated continual assistance, frequent inspections, and public awareness campaign.

Menstrual hygiene management practices and determinants among schoolgirls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The urgency of tackling bottlenecks - Water and sanitation services.

Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) service provision and improving schoolgirls' hygienic practices in schools are among the major challenges for low and middle income countries, including Ethiopia, in meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This study was conducted to assess schoolgirls' MHM practices and what influences those practices in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 adolescent schoolgirls and 98 school directors that were selected using a multistage sampling method. Pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and observational checklists were used to collect data. Results: During menstruation, about 90% of schoolgirls used commercially made disposable sanitary pads. However, only 45.9% of girls had access to emergency pads from their schools. Of the 98 directors, 79 (80.6%) responded that they had MHM provisions for schoolgirls. However, 42 (42.9%) schools had no water and soap in the pad changing rooms/toilets, and 70% lacked a covered dustbin for disposal/storage of soiled sanitary pads. Besides, more than 55% of the schools practiced open burning and dumping to dispose of used menstrual materials. More than half of the schools had no sanitary pad changing rooms, three-quarters of them lack MHM education, and only 2.5% had a bathing area. The location of schools (AOR = 5.44, 95% CI: (2.34-12.66)), health club availability (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: (1.53, 6.42)), being informed about MHM before menarche (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: (1.04, 4.00)), and availability of emergency sanitary pad at schools (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: (1.36, 4.91)) were significantly associated with the status of schoolgirls menstrual hygiene practices. Conclusions: About one-quarter of the schoolgirls had poor menstrual hygiene practices. Being a student in inner-city schools, attending a school that had a health club, being informed about MHM before menarche, and having access to emergency pads from schools were the determinant factors for good menstrual hygiene practices. However, most schools lack water, soap, and a covered dustbin in the pad changing rooms/toilets. Moreover, only a few schools provided MHM education and emergency pads. Improving water and sanitation services along with tailored MHM education are urgently needed to circumvent unsafe MHM practices among adolescent schoolgirls.

Utilization of Insecticide-Treated Nets in Households for Under-5 Children and Associated Factors in East Mesekan District, Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Introduction: Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are widely used tools that have been proven effective in preventing and controlling malaria. However, usage varies among households and can greatly affect the benefits of ITNs. Thus, this study aimed to assess the household utilization of insecticide-treated nets and its associated factors for under-5 children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March-April 2020 in the East Mesekan district. A total of 591 households with under-5 children were chosen by using a systematic random sampling approach for the interviews. The data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS version 21 for analysis. A P-value of .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, 58.2% (95% CI: [54.1%-62.2%]) of household participants used ITN for children under 5 years of age while sleeping the night before the survey. The study participants' overall knowledge and practice of malaria prevention were 27.1% and 23.9%, respectively. Having a family size of less than 5 (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: [0.37-0.98]) and complaints of skin irritation (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI: [0.29-0.63]) significantly decreased ITN utilization. However, having 1 ITN (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: [1.15-4.02]) or 2 ITNs (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI: [1.51-4.39]), as well as low (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: [1.33-3.20]) and medium (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: [1.11-3.02]) knowledge of ITN importance, increased ITN utilization significantly. Conclusions: The households' use of ITNs for children under the age of 5 was inadequate. It was significantly associated with having a family size of less than 5, complaints of skin irritation, owning 1 or 2 ITNs, and having low and medium knowledge of its importance. It is recommended that continuous and progressive health awareness about the consistent use of ITN for malaria prevention in the study area be promoted.

Environmental Management and Sanitation as a Malaria Vector Control Strategy: A Qualitative Cross-Sectional Study Among Stakeholders, Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.

Background: For centuries malaria infection remains a public health burden globally as well as in the Sunyani Municipality. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to assess the prospects of environmental management and sanitation (EMS) as a malaria vector control strategy among key stakeholders involved in the prevention and control of malaria in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Method: We used an exploratory qualitative study and a designed focus group discussion (FGD) guide (with specific research questions) to solicit opinions and/or views among Malaria Control Focal Persons, Environmental Health Officers (Health Inspectors), and Honourable Assembly Members. Data were collected between December 2019 and February 2020. The responses were analyzed according to the specific research questions. Result: Findings from this study shows that high government support and/or political will by investing in environmental sanitation infrastructure, creating the enabling environment for strict enforcement of environmental sanitation bye-laws by Environmental Health Officers/Health Inspectors, effective and efficient collaboration among key stakeholders and organization of communal labor activities is likely to help reduce the majority of the mosquito breeding sites. Conclusion: The prospects of environmental management and sanitation (EMS) as a vector control strategy, look promisingly very high, pertinent, and workable and a likelihood game changer of winning the fight against malaria due to the residual transmission that is happening outdoors. However, EMS can be employed as a supplementary method to the current core vector control methods if the following conditions and bottlenecks are addressed and in place: (a) Effective collaboration among key stakeholders at all levels; (b) Adequate allocation of funds to the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department; (c) Enactment of robust educational campaigns across all educational levels and via different media; (d) Recognition, empowerment, and adequate resourcing of Environmental Health Officers; (e) Adherence to the building regulations to prevent encroachment of natural wetlands; (f) Revision of fees/fines and prosecution of sanitary offenders; (g) Enactment of an Environmental Sanitation Day (ESD), and establishment of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Fund (EHSF).

The link between indoor air pollution from cooking fuels and anemia status among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Ethiopia.

Objective: The effect of indoor air pollution from different fuel types on the anemia status among non-pregnant women is rarely studied. This study aimed to assess the link between indoor air pollution from different fuel types and anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive ages in Ethiopia. Method: The secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data have been employed for this study. The anemia status of women in reproductive age was the outcome variable with multiple outcomes as (moderate to severe, mild, and no anemia) and households using biomass fuel and clean fuel were selected for this study. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to estimate the association of biomass fuel use with the anemia status controlling for the predictor variables. Relative risk ratio was calculated at 95% confidence interval. An independent-sample t-test was used to assess the mean difference in blood hemoglobin level (g/dL) between the two fuel users. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Result: From the total of 10,961 participants included in this study, the proportion of anemia in women of non-reproductive age was 41.8% and 19.4% among biomass fuel and clean fuel users, respectively, with a mean blood hemoglobin level of 12.71 (±1.81) g/dL. In the final model, women using biomass fuel for cooking were 47% more likely to have mild anemia than households who use cleaner fuels, whereas the association was insignificant for moderate to severe anemia. Biomass fuel users were also found to have 5.8 g/dL lower blood hemoglobin level than the clean fuel user (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of biomass fuel was associated with reduced blood hemoglobin levels and significantly associated with mild anemia levels in women of reproductive age in Ethiopia. National efforts should be in place to reduce indoor air pollution from biomass fuels.

Spatial Variations and Determinants of Acute Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2019 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey.

Background and aims: Childhood acute malnutrition, in the form of wasting defined by a severe weight loss as a result of acute food shortage and/or illness. It is a critical public health problem that needs urgent attention in developing countries, like Ethiopia. Despite its variation between localities, the risk factors and its geospatial variation were not addressed enough across the various corner of the country. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to assess spatial variation and factors associated with acute malnutrition among under-five children in Ethiopia. Methods: A total weighted sample of 4 955 under-five children were included from the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey. Getis-Ord spatial statistical tool used to identify the hot and cold spot areas of severe and acute malnutrition. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model using was used to examine predictors of acute malnutrition. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% CI was used to declare significant determinants of acute malnutrition among children. Result: Among 4 955 under-five children, 7% of them were wasted and 1% of them were severely wasted in Ethiopia during the 2019 national demographic survey. The distribution was followed some spatial geo-locations where most parts of Somali were severely affected (RR = 1.46, P37 value <0.001), and the distribution affected few areas of Afar, Gambella, and Benishangul Gumz regions. Factors that significantly associated with childhood wasting were: gender(male)1.9 (1.3-2.7), age (above 36 months) 0.5 (0.2-0.9), wealth index(richest) 0.5 (0.2-0.8), and water source (unimproved source) 1.5 (1.0-2.3). Conclusions: Our finding implies, the distribution of childhood wasting was not random. Regions like Afar, Somali, and pocket areas in Gambella and SNNP should be considered as priority areas nutritional interventions for reducing acute malnutrition. The established socio-demographic and economic characteristics can be also used to develop strategies.

High Strength Wastewater Reclamation Capacity of Vetiver Grass in Tropics: The Case of Ethiopia.

It is generally accepted that industrial wastewater like tannery effluent is high strength wastewater. The aim of this study was to examine the capacity of Vetiver grass for the treatment of high strength wastewater in a constructed wetland. Two constructed wetland beds were designed and one of them was not planted used as a control group. The grass was planted with 20 cm by 20 cm distance from each seedling. The biometric characteristics of Vetiver grass was evaluated by taking randomly selected clusters of the grass. The concentration of chromium in the extract of parts of the grass was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Chromium bioaccumulation and Translocation factor was estimated. Composite samples before and after treatment of 4 different hydraulic retention time was collected. The physiochemical analysis of the wastewater has been carried out. The constructed wetland bed with Vetiver grass performed that, BOD, COD, NH4-N, NO3-N, TN, PO4-P, and TP were reduced at the retention time of 9 days by 91.9%, 96.3%, 62%, 86%, 88.7%, 96.3%, and 92.2% respectively. Chromium was also reduced by 97% at retention time of both 7 and 9 days over the planted bed. The bed with plant performs significantly better than without plant at P-value <.01. Therefore, Vetiver grass has a capacity to reclaim high strength industrial wastewater in tropical areas.

Safe water supply challenges for hand hygiene in the prevention of COVID-19 in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Proper hand hygiene practices are critical in disease prevention and control, including preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but according to a recent global report, three billion people lack access to basic hand washing facilities (soap and water) at home. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the challenges related to safe and adequate water provision for hand hygiene in the prevention of COVID-19 in Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the challenges associated with safe water supply in the prevention of COVID-19 in Gedeo Zone. Simple random sampling was used. The water sector's challenges were assessed using in-depth interviews with key informants. Water samples were collected from hand washing stations using a sterile bottle and the standard tap water sampling procedure. Bacterial analysis was carried out using membrane filtration techniques. The Wagtech Palin test and the Delagua portable water testing kit procedure was used to analyze World Health Organization (WHO) critical physicochemical parameters. RESULT: The physicochemical analysis of the sample water from the hand washing facilities reveals that the pH (6.5-8) is within the WHO guideline in all samples except Gedeb town (11.1%). The residual chlorine in the samples was less than 0.2 mg/l, which is below the standard in all towns, but 15.8% of the samples in Wonago town were between 0.2-0.5mg/l. Faecal coliforms were not found in 27.5%, 21.0%, 16.6%, and 40.7% of the samples collected in Dilla, Wonago, Yirgachefe, and Gedeb town, respectively. The remaining samples were all positive for faecal coliforms. Unbalanced demand versus supply, inaccessibility, supply interruptions, financial constraints, a scarcity of competent human resources, a lack of regular water quality assessments, and a lack of stakeholder support were all identified as major challenges by all water sectors of the study towns. The majority of hand washing water samples from all of the study towns were bacteriologically unsafe. The water sector must work hard to ensure that the community has safe drinking water. All responsible bodies and potential stakeholders must support the water sectors in the Gedeo zone.

Utilization of Community-Level Fluoride-Filtered Water and its Associated Factors in Dugda Woreda of East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Long-term consumption of water containing an excessive amount of fluoride causes dental and skeletal fluorosis. De-fluoridation options differ in terms of scale, efficacy, long-term viability, and user acceptance. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the challenges of using fluoride-filtered water and its associated factors among households. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May, 2018 among 405 randomly selected households in Dugda Woreda of Ethiopia Rift Valley East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. SPSS version 20 was used to enter and analyze the collected data. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify association between dependent and independent factors and explained by odds ratio with 95%CI. RESULTS: A total of 228 (56.3%) households were found to utilize fluoride filtered water from community water supply schemes for drinking and cooking purposes. No family history of fluorosis (AOR = 44.4, 95%CI: 18.8, 104.74), monthly income of less than 1000 ETB (AOR = 0.03, 95%CI: 0.004, 0.23), good knowledge of community fluoride filter schemes (AOR = 5.93, 95%CI: 1.30, 26.9), and not afford to pay bill of ⩾0.50 ETB [AOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.91] were factors significantly associated with utilization of community-level fluoride-filtered water. CONCLUSION: In this study, more than half of the households used fluoride filtered water. Family monthly income, affordability, presence of family members with the history of fluoride exposure, and knowledge about community fluoride filter schemes were factors significantly associated with utilization of community-level fluoride-filtered water.

Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water and Associated Factors at the Internally Displaced People Sites, Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Providing safe and adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in response to emergencies is a major problem. Globally, few studies have investigated the bacteriological quality of drinking water at the IDP sites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality of drinking water and associated factors at the IDP sites of Gedeo zone. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 water samples collected from November to December 2018. The membrane filter technique was used to retain bacteria and lauryl sulphate broth media was used to detect faecal coliforms. After incubation of 14 hours at 44°C, faecal coliforms with yellow colonies were counted and expressed in terms of CFU/100 ml of water. The data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis with 95%CI and P ⩽ .05 was used to identify factors associated with an outcome variable. RESULTS: Out of 213 water samples collected, 107 (50.2%) samples were tested positive for faecal coliforms. The presence of latrines in uphill (AOR: 6.7, 95%CI: 1.0-42.9), other sources of pollution (AOR: 5.0, 95%CI: 1.1-22.3), inadequate fencing (AOR: 7.1, 95%CI: 1.3-40.2) and lack of diversion ditch (AOR: 6.3, 95%CI: 1.0-37.6) were factors significantly associated with faecal contamination of springs. Dug wells that had a latrine within 10 m (AOR: 11.4, 95%CI: 1.8-72.1), other pollution sources within 10 m (AOR: 7.9, 95%CI: 1.9-32.4), inadequate fencing (AOR: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.0-7.9), drawing water using a bucket with rope (AOR: 7.3, 95%CI: 1.6-33.4) and unsanitary well cover (AOR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.1-10.4) were factors significantly associated with faecal contamination of wells. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the water sources in internally displaced people sites were tested positive for faecal coliforms. The presence of latrine in uphill, other sources of pollution, inadequate fencing, lack of diversion ditch, drawing water using a bucket with rope and unsanitary well cover were factors associated with the presence of faecal coliforms. Therefore, adequate fencing, proper diversion ditch construction and hygiene promotion should be done to protect water sources from faecal contamination. Furthermore, latrines and other point sources of contamination should be located at least 10 m away or at a lower elevation from water sources.

Is Indoor Air Pollution From Different Fuel Types Associated With the Anemia Status of Pregnant Women in Ethiopia?

BACKGROUND: Indoor air pollution from different fuel types has been linked with different adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to assess the link between indoor air pollution from different fuel types and anemia during pregnancy in Ethiopia. METHOD: We have used the secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The anemia status of the pregnant women was the dichotomous outcome variable and the type of fuel used in the house was classified as high, medium, and low polluting fuels. Logistic regression was employed to determine the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio was calculated at 95% Confidence Interval. RESULT: The proportion of anemia in the low, medium, and high polluting fuel type users was 13.6%, 46%, 40.9% respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the use of either kerosene or charcoal fuel types (AOR 4.6; 95% CI: 1.41-18.35) and being in the third trimester (AOR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.12-2.64) were significant factors associated with the anemia status of the pregnant women in Ethiopia. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, the application of either kerosene or charcoal was associated with the anemia status during pregnancy in Ethiopia. An urgent intervention is needed to reduce the indoor air pollution that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as anemia.

Sero-Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Services in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in the Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 479 pregnant women visiting governmental and private health facilities in the Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. We selected study participants using systematic random sampling techniques. The Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. We collected the status of HIV of the pregnant women from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression for the analysis. An adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the association between HBsAg sero-positivity and various factors. A P-value of less than .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: This study revealed that the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedeo Zone. A previous history of blood transfusion [AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1, 12.5], a previous history of hospital admission [AOR = 3, 95% CI: 1.4, 6.6], a history of having an abortion [AOR = 4.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 11.7], the age of the pregnant women [AOR = 5.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 18.0], and their HIV status [AOR = 8.1, 95 % CI: 1.9, 36.0] had a statistically significant association with HBsAg sero-positivity. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in Gedeo Zone which is higher than the national pooled prevalence which was 4.75%. The health facilities must implement early initiation of antenatal care services which incorporate the prevention and control of HBV in the Gedeo Zone.

Effect of biomass fuel use and kitchen location on maternal report of birth size: Cross-sectional analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey data.

Objectives: Household air pollution from the use of biomass fuels has been associated with low birth weight in many developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of indoor air pollution from biomass fuels and kitchen location on maternal reports of child size at birth in Ethiopia. Study design: A cross-sectional study design based on the secondary data analysis was used. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey. Birth weight from child health cards and/or mother's recall was the dependent dichotomous variable. Fuel type was classified as high-pollution fuels (i.e. wood, straw, animal dung, crop residues, kerosene, coal and charcoal) and low-pollution fuels (i.e. electricity, liquid petroleum gas, natural gas and biogas). Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the effect of fuel type on birth weight. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 17% and 26.2% among low- and high-polluting fuel users, respectively. Compared with low-polluting fuels, the use of high-polluting cooking fuels was associated with an increased likelihood of low birth weight (unadjusted crude odds ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.3, 2.3). AOR remained at 1.7 (95% CI 1.26, 2.3) after controlling for child variables. AOR after controlling for both child and maternal factors was 1.5 (95% CI 1.1, 2.1). In the final model, the association became insignificant with an AOR of 1.3 (95% CI 0.9, 1.9). The kitchen location, gender of the baby, mother's anaemia status, maternal chat chewing and wealth index were significant factors in the final model. Conclusions: In this study, the use of biomass fuels and kitchen location were associated with reduced child size at birth. Further observational studies should investigate this association using more direct methods for measurement of exposure to smoke emitted from biomass fuels on birth weight.

Effect of Wastewater Discharge From Coffee Processing Plant on River Water Quality, Sidama Region, South Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, most of the coffee processing plants are generating large amounts of wastewater with high pollutant concentrations and discharge directly into the water bodies untreated or partially treated. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of coffee wastewater discharged to river water quality using physicochemical parameters and macro-invertebrate indices. This study was conducted from November to the end of December 2019. Ten wastewater and river water samples were taken from coffee the processing plant and river. The macro-invertebrate samples were collected by kick sampling technique using a standard hand net. Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were examined at 3 sampling stations. The Pielou evenness index was also determined. It was found that except for TDS all the parameters of the raw wastewater and river water did not comply with the international discharge limit. The mean concentration of Faro coffee processing plant wastewater were BOD5 (2409.6 ± 173.1 mg/L), COD (4302 ± 437 mg/L), TSS (2824.6 ± 428.4 mg/L), TDS (3226 ± 623.6 mg/L), and TS (4183.3 ± 432.9 mg/L). Whereas from Bokaso coffee processing plant were BOD5 (3770 ± 604.4 mg/L), COD (4082.6 ± 921.9 mg/L), TSS (2766 ± 501.7 mg/L), TDS (3017 ± 747.6 mg/L), and TS (3874 ± 471.1 mg/L). A total of 392 macroinvertebrates belonging to 24 families and 7 orders were collected. The benthos assemblage communities in this river were 40, 56, and 296 at downstream 1, downstream 2, and upstream respectively. The value of the Simpson diversity index varies from 0.4 to 0.75. In the same manner, the value of the Shannon diversity index also varied from 0.5 to 1.36. Most of the physicochemical parameters of the raw wastewater were beyond the national and international discharge limits. The quality of Orsha river water downstream was more adversely affected compared to upstream.

Estimation of rainwater harvesting potential for emergency water demand in the era of COVID-19. The case of Dilla town, Southern, Ethiopia.

Safe and adequate quantity of water is crucial for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures during the prevention of COVID-19. Rainwater harvesting could be an optional water source to fulfill or support the emergency water demand in areas where there is abundant rainfall. The study aimed to assess the rainwater harvesting potential and storage requirements for households and selected institutions and to determine its adequacy to satisfy the emergency water demand for the prevention of COVID-19 in Dilla town, Southern Ethiopia. Rainwater harvesting potential for households and selected institutions were quantified using 17 years' worth of rainfall data from the Ethiopian Meteorology Agency. To address the rainfall variability, we computed the confidence limits of monthly harvest-able rainwater potential using confidence intervals about the mean as well as confidence intervals using Coefficient of Variation (COV) of monthly rainfall. The storage requirements were also estimated by considering the driest and west seasons and months. The average annual rainfall in Dilla town was 1464 mm. Households with a roof area of 40 and 100 m2 have the potential to harvest 7.2-39.66 m3 and 19.11-105.35 m3 of rainwater respectively. Similarly, the rainwater harvesting potential for the selected institutions was in the range of 34524.5-190374.5, 4070.8-14964.8 , 1140.4-6288.6, 4561.7-25154.3, 5605.8-14152.8 , and 402.4-2219.1 m3 of rainwater for colleges, vocational schools, secondary schools, primary schools, Dilla University Referral Hospital and health centers respectively. These institutional rainwater harvesting potentials can address, 24-132.2, 222.4 -817.8, 59.4-327.3, 34.6-190.9, 94.5-238.5, and 28.2-155.7 % of the colleges, vocational schools, secondary schools, primary schools, Dilla University referral hospital, and, health centers emergency water demand respectively. Rainwater can be an alternative water source for the town in the prevention and control of COVID-19. Further applied researches must be conducted that can address the rainwater quality and treatment for ease of use.