Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dyslipidemia Among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Follow-Up Care at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Despite its importance as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia remains poorly characterized in the African population. Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with dyslipidemia in people with HIV/AIDS in follow-up at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the charts of 288 people living with HIV/AIDS who had received Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment for at least six months at Zewditu Memorial Hospital from July to September 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the patient's charts. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25. Results: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 55.2% in people living with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dl in men and <50 in women was 46.9%; total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dl was 22.6%; triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl was 18.8%, and low-density lipoprotein ≥130 mg/dl was 4.9%. Sex [Female adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.595, 95% CI: 0.37-0.956], age greater than 40 years (AOR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.005-1.048), body mass index >25 kg/m2 (AOR = 1.767, 95% CI: 1.099-2.84), viral load >50 (AOR = 0.477, 95% CI: 0.27-0.842), and CD4 <500 (AOR = 1.938, 95% CI: 1.18-3.183) were identified as determinants of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among study participants compared to several studies published in a similar population. Being male, older age, higher BMI, low CD4 count, and viral load of < 50 copies/mL were associated with dyslipidemia in people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, lipid profile measurements at baseline must be part of routine care to prevent the devastating effects of dyslipidemia.

Grain yield and quality responses of durum wheat (Triticum turgium L. var. durum) to nitrogen and phosphorus rate in Yilmana Densa, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Proper rate of fertilizer application is the major factor that affects yield and quality of durum wheat. Location specific fertilizer recommendation is lacking for durum wheat, therefore, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) field experiment on durum wheat was carried out on farmer's field in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons at Yilmana Densa district, Northwestern Ethiopia. The objective was to examine the response of durum wheat to N and P application and determine the optimal rate of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for durum wheat production in the district and similar agro ecology areas. Factorial combinations of four N levels (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) and four P levels (0, 17.5, 35 and 52.5 kg ha-1) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications per site, over two sites in each year. Results indicated that N significantly affected most of the crop parametrs including grain yield, plant height, total number of tillers and effective tillers, spike length and seeds per spike, and the maximum value of the parameters recorded at the highest rate of N while application of phosphorus affected grain yield, plant height and spile length. The interaction effect of N and P significantly affected grain yield, plant height and seeds per spike. Grain yield showed quadratic and linear response to N and P application, respectively. The maximum grain yield (5182 kg ha-1) was obtained from the highest rate 270/52.5 N/P kg ha-1. The economic analysis revealed application of 270/52.5 N/P kg ha-1 gave the highest net benefit of 169741 ETB ha-1 with marginal rate of return 1453% and full fills the standard for quality of durum wheat production and hence can be recommended in Yilmana Densa District and other similar agro-ecologies in Ethiopia. The study revealed the need to further investigation for optimal N and P rates for different durum wheat varieties as they differ in protein content under the same management practices.

Co-infections and Comorbidities of Multiple Parasites and Hepatitis B Virus Infections in the Lowland Area of Western Ethiopia: Implications for Integrated Approaches.

BACKGROUND: In the current study area, the burden of morbidities associated with S. mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), asymptomatic malaria, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and co-infection has not been known for the last 20 years. This necessitated a systematic investigation of the status of these infections and their associated morbidities in the lowland areas of the Abbey and Didessa Valleys in Western Ethiopia. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study design in three schistosomiasis endemic areas. Systematic random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select households and one study participant from each household. Each selected and consented participants were give stool sample for S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths screening using duplicate kato-Katz technique; blood sample for screen of asymptomatic malaria using malaria rapid diagnostic test and microscopy and hepatitis B virus using hepatitis B surface antigen kit and anthropometric measurement to assess nutritional status and digital hemoglobin meter to measure hemoglobin and interviewed using structured questionnaire to assess factors associated with infections. A descriptive statistic to summarize the data and a chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression models were used to see the associations. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of studied infections was 74.5%. It was highest for Schistosoma mansoni (53.9%), followed by asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection (23.6%). The prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni co-infection with asymptomatic malaria was 8.6%, Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths co-infection was 6.2%, and the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus was 2.9%. About half (49.9%) of the study participants were undernourished and about a quarter (24.4%) were anemic. Age group, the younger age group and infection status, those with multiple infections were more anemic and commonly undernourished. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of infections in the study area. Morbidities such as undernutrition and anemia were still prominent public health problems. There was a significant association between infection status and undernutrition and anemia.

Low awareness and common misconceptions about schistosomiasis in endemic lowland areas in Western Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the health behavior of the target population is crucial for sustainable schistosomiasis control. The aim of this study was to assess schistosomiasis related levels of knowledge, attitude, and practices of communities in lowland areas of western Ethiopia, where schistosomiasis is endemic. METHODS: A community-based multilevel triangulation mixed-methods design was conducted in three schistosomiasis endemic villages in the Abbey and Didessa valleys of the Benishangul Gumuz Region of Western Ethiopia, where mass drug administration (MDA) was done 30 years back and again the last 5 years. A structured survey questionnaire, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, and observation was conducted to assess levels of knowledge, attitude, and practices related to schistosomiasis in the communities. RESULTS: Among the survey participants, 13% reported having heard of schistosomiasis, locally called Pecka (meaning worm). The majority of this 13% believe that schistosomiasis is caused by the biting of the worm Pecka, while others say drinking dirty water is the cause of infection, or they didn't know what the cause is. A majority of respondents answered "I don't know" to most of the questions about established knowledge of schistosomiasis. Male participants and students were more aware of schistosomiasis than their counterparts, and awareness increased with the educational level. Only one participant perceived that schistosomiasis was a serious disease. There were negative attitudes and misconceptions about the drug used in the mass treatment and many complaints were raised related to the size of the tablet and its side effects. There was no local budget and specific plan to prevent and control the disease. Local health personnel had insufficient knowledge about schistosomiasis, and the diagnosis and treatment capacities of local health institutions were poor. CONCLUSION: In the current research area, schistosomiasis prevention and control recommendations should be redesigned to change the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community and local health workers. It is also necessary to have the local budget and trained manpower in order to diagnose and treat schistosomiasis locally. There is a great need to have a safer Praziquantel pediatric formulation.

Sowing methods and seeding rates effects on yield and yield components of Tef(Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) at Adet, North West Ethiopia.

Tef is one of the most important staple cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, the production and productivity of the crop remain low due to lack of appropriate agronomic recommendations. Lack of optimum sowing methods and seed rates are key agronomic factors limit the productivities of the crop. Hence, field experiment was conducted to study the effects of seed rates and sowing methods on growth, yield and yield components of tef. The treatments contains factorial combination of two sowing methods (row and broadcast) and five seeding rates (5, 7.5,10, 12.5, and 15 kg ha-1in randomized factorial complete block design with three replications. Days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, spike length, total number of tiller, total number of effective tiller, above ground dry biomass yield, grain yield and straw yield collected and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS system. The main effect seed rate significantly affect days to physiological maturity, plant height, panicle length, and straw yield and the maximum values of these parameters were recorded at the seed rate of 5 kg ha-1. Similarly, number of total tillers, fertile tillers, total biomass, grain yield, and lodging percent were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by interaction effect of sowing methods and seeding rates. The highest grain yield (2.301 kg/ha) and other growth parameters recorded at the interaction effect of 5 kg ha-1 of seed rate and row planting method compared to other treatments. Maximum net benefit (795,689.21ETB) with acceptable marginal rate of return (104.32) also recorded at the interaction effect of 5 kg ha-1 of seeding rate and row planting. Hence, 5 kg ha-1 seed rate with row planting method could be recommended for maximum yield of tef in Adet soil and climatic conditions.

Current status of Schistosoma mansoni infection among previously treated rural communities in the Abbey and Didessa Valleys, Western Ethiopia: Implications for sustainable control.

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma constitutes a major public health problem and developmental challenges in the majority of developing and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization has set guidelines for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis. Ethiopia is providing school-based Mass Drug Administration (MDA) at the study areas of the Abbey and Didessa Valleys of western Ethiopian since 2015. Moreover, mass treatment was already done in the same villages 30 years ago. However, the current Schistosoma mansoni infection status among humans and snails in the study areas is not known. Hence, the present study aims to determine the current status. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the three communities; Chessega, Agallu Metti and Shimala in Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas of the Abbey and Didessa valleys in Western Ethiopia. Using the list of households obtained from the Kebele administration, a systematic sampling technique was used to select households in each village. RESULTS: Even though the area is under the Ethiopian national Mass Drug Administration campaign, the present study reports prevalence above 50%. Although the majority of the infections were moderate, we found that 13% had heavy infection, above 400 eggs per gram of stool, which is at the same level as before the treatment campaign 30 years ago. The infection was significantly higher among those below 12 years of age, among non-attending school-age children and daily laborers. CONCLUSION: Schistosoma mansoni infection is still a public health problem in the study areas, despite control efforts already 30 years ago and present mass treatment in the last years. We suggest making the mass treatment campaign just early after the rainy season, when the snails are washed away. This should be supplemented with provisions of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and reduction of water contact and possible snail control efforts' to prevent reinfection.