ABSTRACT
Understanding the distribution patterns of medically significant sandflies is crucial for effective vector and disease control planning. This study focused on investigating the abundance and distribution of phlebotomine sandflies, specifically emphasizing Phlebotomus pedifer (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vector of Leishmania aethiopica responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the highlands of southern Ethiopia. The study employed CDC light traps and sticky paper traps in various habitats, including human houses, farm fields, and rock cliffs, with and without the presence of hyraxes. The study was conducted along an altitudinal gradient in Kindo Didaye district, Wolaita Zone. A total of 7,994 sandflies belonging to 2 genera, Phlebotomus (26.1%) and Sergentomyia (73.9%), were collected. In the genus Phlebotomus, P. pedifer (74.1%) was the most abundant, followed by P. alexandri (18.05%) and P. gibiensis (7.85%). Altitude showed a strong positive association with the density and distribution of P. pedifer and a negative association with those of P. alexandri, P. gibiensis, and Sergentomyia spp. Furthermore, the study revealed distinct habitat preferences, with P. pedifer showing the highest mean density in hyrax dwellings, followed by human houses, and the lowest in farm fields. These findings provide valuable insights for planning targeted control measures against P. pedifer in both indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in the highland and midland areas of the study region.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Livestock depredation by the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) occurs widely across Africa. The study on human-jackal conflict is important for conservation efforts in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to investigate the diet of black-backed jackals, to understand their predation effects on domestic livestock and perceptions of farmers' in the Konasa-Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley of Ethiopia. The study was conducted using scat analysis, questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion methods. Livestock depredation and the economic impact of farmers were assessed among 290 randomly selected households. A total of 90 scat samples were collected and analyzed during the dry and wet seasons to identify the diet of jackals. RESULTS: A total of 624 domestic animals have been lost in the last 5 years (2016-2020). The estimated economic cost of domestic animals lost due to predation by jackals was US $18,180.0 in the last five years, and US $12.5 per year per household. The major diet composition of jackals was of domestic animal origin (45.5%), followed by wild animals (30.8%) in both the dry and wet seasons. However, more prey diversity was recorded during the wet season. The respondents revealed that the causes of black-backed jackal conflict in the study area were higher due to increasing jackal population size (40%). The major traditional mitigation method was guarding (42%). Most of the respondents (48.2%) had negative perceptions towards the conservation of black-backed jackals. CONCLUSION: Livestock depredations by black-backed jackals were the major issue of conflict in the study area. Scat analysis showed that large percentage of domestic animal species remain in the scat of jackals. Livestock losses caused by jackals represent an economic concern for livestock owners in the area. Local people close to the forest boundary were highly vulnerable to domestic animal loss due to predation by jackals. Therefore, improved livestock husbandry methods will be implemented by the local people for effective jackal conservation in Konasa-Pulasa Community Conserved Forest. Understanding the ecological and social dimensions of conflict situations in the area may have important ecological and management implications for the country.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by a Leishmania parasite and transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies. Community awareness is an essential component of disease control and prevention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward CL in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to include 422 study subjects selected using a systematic sampling technique from two districts, Kindo Didaye and Sodo Zuria. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the household heads. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the participants' knowledge about CL and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Out of the 422 study participants, only 19% had good knowledge of CL in general. Most (67.1%) of the respondents knew CL by its local name ("bolbo" or "moora") though this knowledge varied highly over the study districts. The majority (86.3%) of respondents did not know how CL is acquired, though they considered CL a health problem. Most (62.8%) respondents believed that CL was an untreatable disease. Most (77%) participants responded that CL patients preferred to go to traditional healers for treatment. Herbal treatment was the most (50.2%) used to treat CL. Knowledge about CL was significantly associated with sex, age, and study districts. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge, attitude, and practice about CL and its prevention in the study area were low. This emphasizes the need to implement health education and awareness campaign to reduce the risk of CL infection. Policymakers and stakeholders should also give due attention to the prevention and treatment of CL in the study area.
