Analysis of food security among eucalyptus tree farming smallholder farmers in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia: An application of a composite food security indicator.

This study examines the contribution of eucalyptus tree expansion on rural households' food security status, focusing on the specific context of Ethiopia. Eucalyptus trees pose a significant challenge to the rural food system, warranting investigation. A composite food security indicator was used, and data were collected through household surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regression models were employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that among the sampled households, 31.2% were classified as food secured, 24.8% as intermediate food secured, and 44.0% as food insecured. Econometric estimations highlight the positive influence of variables such as total land holding and livestock on the likelihood of being in the food secured category. Moreover, a unit increase in income earned from the sale of eucalyptus trees leads to an 8.5% higher probability of being in the intermediate category, while decreasing the likelihood of falling into the categories of food insecurity by 8.1% and food security by 0.4%. Importantly, this study uncovers the diverse consequences of eucalyptus trees across different food security categories, suggesting that the planting of eucalyptus trees for improving rural livelihoods and food security must be tailored to specific household conditions. The research outcomes provide valuable insights for guiding future policies, practices, and research endeavors aimed at achieving a sustainable food system in rural Ethiopia.

Diatom community structure in relation to environmental factors in human influenced rivers and streams in tropical Africa.

The contemporaneous effect of natural and anthropogenic factors involved in a watershed contribution to the seasonal and spatial variation of diatom community composition is widely discussed in the scientific literature. Yet, there is a paucity of scientific evidence indicating the effect of these factors on diatoms in tropical African regions characterized by distinct dry and wet seasons and season associated human activities like rainfed agriculture are commonly practiced. We applied multivariate techniques to determine the spatio-temporal drivers of diatom assemblage and diatom species richness in human influenced rivers and streams in Ethiopia. We simultaneously collected water and diatom samples from 24 sampling points during the wet (July) and dry (February) seasons. Both water and diatom samples were processed following standard procedures. We identified 169 species belonging to 45 genera in the studied lotic systems. We found that both season and land use factors were important in defining diatom composition (PERMANOVA, p<0.05) and species richness (ANOVA, p<0.05) patterns. Diatom community composition was driven by conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity parameters (Monte Carlo permutation test, p<0.05). Besides, diatom species richness was driven by dissolved oxygen, soluble reactive phosphorus, and turbidity (GLMM, p<0.05). The study highlighted physicochemical parameters influenced by seasonal variation and human activity determined the composition of diatoms. This implies that the unique feature of heavy rain during the rainy season in the region followed by extensive flooding aggravated by the steep slope from the highlands to the lowlands plays a major role in shaping the diatom autecology in the region. Therefore, in applying biomonitoring in such regions considering the effect of runoff and dilution is imperative.

Fluoride concentration in ground water and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift Valley: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The concentration of fluoride in ground drinking water greater than the world health organization standard value imposes a serious health, social and economic problem in developing countries. In the Ethiopian Rift Valley where deep wells are the major source of drinking water, high fluoride level is expected. Though many epidemiological studies on fluoride concentration and its adverse effects have been conducted in the region, the result is highly scattered and needs systematically summarized for better utilization. OBJECTIVE: This research is aimed at estimating the pooled level of fluoride concentration in ground drinking water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis among Ethiopian rift valley residences. METHODS: Cochrane library, MEDLINE/PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched for studies reporting the mean concentration of fluoride in ground water and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Ethiopian Rift valley. Search terms were identified by extracting key terms from reviews and selected relevant papers and review medical subject headings for relevant terms. RESULTS: The mean fluoride level in ground water and the prevalence of dental fluorosis were pooled from eleven and nine primary studies conducted in Ethiopian Rift Valley respectively. The pooled mean level of fluoride in ground water therefore was 6.03 mg/l (95% CI; 4.72-7.72, p < 0.001) and the pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis among residents in Ethiopian rift valley was 32% (95% CI: 25, 39%, p < 0.001), 29% (95% CI: 22, 36%, p < 0.001) and 24% (95% CI: 17, 32%, p < 0.001 for mild, moderate and sever dental fluorosis respectively. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis is 28% (95% CI, 24, 32%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Though, the concentration level varies across different part of the rift valley region, still the level of fluoride in ground drinking water is greater than the WHO standard value (1.5 mg/l). Relatively high-level pooled prevalence of dental fluorosis was also seen in Ethiopian rift valley. Therefore, further studies covering the temperature, exposure time and other intake path ways with large sample size is recommended. Interventional projects should be implemented to decrease the concentration of fluoride in the ground drinking water source.

Effect of watershed land use on tributaries' water quality in the east African Highland.

A study was carried out on four tributaries of Gilgel Gibe Reservoir to identify water physicochemical characteristics in different land use categories (farmland, naturally vegetated land, and settlement). Water samples were collected from 12 sampling sites along four permanent streams flowing into Gilgel Gibe Reservoir. Data sets were evaluated using nonparametric statistical techniques. Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total nitrogen (TN), turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS) spatially showed significant differences in the wet season and DO, temperature, and BOD5 varied significantly during the dry season. When excluding DO, electrical conductivity (EC), and TP during the wet and dry seasons, the remaining variables showed significant differences. During the wet season, concentrations of most water quality parameters were greatest in influents from agricultural land. Pollution and eutrophication risk is closely associated with drainage from agricultural land, requiring that emphasis and priorities be given to land use management and conservation.

Effect of brewery spent diatomite sludge on trace metal availability in soil and uptake by wheat crop, and trace metal risk on human health through the consumption of wheat grain.

Soil plays a crucial role in food safety as it determines the composition of food at the beginning of the food chain. However, the quality of soil resources in terms of their potential impact on human health caused by harmful elements is poorly understood in Ethiopia due to lack of reliable and appropriate experimental data. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate trace metal accumulation in soils amended with brewery spent diatomite sludge (BSDS) in comparison to control, recommended inorganic fertilizers (RIF) and integrated BSDS & RIF (BSDS:RIF). Trace metals uptake by wheat crop and the degree of soil contamination, and human health risk were investigated. BSDS application significantly increased the concentration of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni) in soil compared to that in the control, the RIF, and BSDS:RIF applications. It also significantly increased the concentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni in the wheat grain compared to that in the control and the RIF, but the increase was not significantly different from that in BSDS:RIF amendment. All trace metal concentrations in soil and wheat grain (except Pb in wheat grain) were below the maximum permissible limits in some European countries of agricultural soils, and the maximum permissible limit of FAO/WHO. The degree of soil contamination from each of the treatments was below the maximum acceptable degree of contamination. The Health Risk Index (HRI) was <1 for all metals in all treatments. Thus, we conclude that consumption of wheat grain grown on soils amended with BSDS and BSDS:RIF has no human risks and has low likelihood of human exposure to trace metals.

Seasonal and spatial variation of reservoir water quality in the southwest of Ethiopia.

This research investigated the spatiotemporal variation of water quality in the Gilgel Gibe reservoir, Ethiopia, using physicochemical water quality parameters. Nonparametric tests and multivariate statistical techniques were used to evaluate data sets measured during dry and rainy seasons. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate (NO3-), total dissolved solids (TDSs), and total suspended solids (TSSs) were all significantly different among seasons (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.01). In addition, principal component analysis distinguished dry season samples from wet season samples. The dry season was positively associated with EC, pH, TP, TN, NO3-, TDS, and TSS and negatively associated with BOD5. The wet season was in contrast associated with high values of turbidity, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), water temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Within the reservoir, spatial variation was observed for some of the water quality parameters, with significant difference at p = < 0.05. Overall, high nutrient concentrations suggest eutrophic conditions, likely due to high nutrient loading from the watershed. Levels of TSS, attributed to inputs from tributaries, have been excessive enough to inhibit light penetration and thus have a considerable impact on the aquatic food web. Our findings indicate that the reservoir is at high risk of eutrophication and siltation, and hence, urgent action should target the planning and implementation of integrated watershed management for this and similar reservoirs in the region.

Spatiotemporal variability of drinking water quality and the associated health risks in southwestern towns of Ethiopia.

The failure to provide safe drinking water services to all people is the greatest development setback of the twenty-first century including Ethiopia. Potential pollutants from various sources are deteriorating drinking water quality in different seasons, and associated health risks were not clearly known. We determined seasonal and spatial variations of urban drinking water characteristics and associated health risks in Agaro, Jimma, and Metu towns, Southwest Ethiopia. Seventy-two samples were collected during dry and rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015. The majority (87.4%) of physicochemical parameters was found within the recommended limits. However, free residual chlorine in Jimma and Agaro town water sources was lower than the recommended limit and negatively correlated with total and fecal coliform counts (r = - 0.585 and - 0.638). Statistically significant differences were observed at pH, turbidity, and total coliform between dry and rainy seasons (p < 0.05). A Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed a statistically significant difference in electrical conductivity, total hardness, fluoride, iron, and fecal coliform across the study towns (p < 0.05). The Agaro town water source was the highest in fluoride concentration (3.15 mg/l). The daily exposure level for high fluoride concentration in Agaro town was estimated between 0.19 and 0.41 mg/kg day, and the average cumulative hazard index of fluoride was > 3.13 for all age groups. Water quality variations were observed in all conventional water treatment systems in the rainy season, and further research should focus on its optimization to safeguard the public.

River Water Pollution Status and Water Policy Scenario in Ethiopia: Raising Awareness for Better Implementation in Developing Countries.

Despite the increasing levels of pollution in many tropical African countries, not much is known about the strength and weaknesses of policy and institutional frameworks to tackle pollution and ecological status of rivers and their impacts on the biota. We investigated the ecological status of four large river basins using physicochemical water quality parameters and bioindicators by collecting samples from forest, agriculture, and urban landscapes of the Nile, Omo-Gibe, Tekeze, and Awash River basins in Ethiopia. We also assessed the water policy scenario to evaluate its appropriateness to prevent and control pollution. To investigate the level of understanding and implementation of regulatory frameworks and policies related to water resources, we reviewed the policy documents and conducted in-depth interviews of the stakeholders. Physicochemical and biological data revealed that there is significant water quality deterioration at the impacted sites (agriculture, coffee processing, and urban landscapes) compared to reference sites (forested landscapes) in all four basins. The analysis of legal, policy, and institutional framework showed a lack of cooperation between stakeholders, lack of knowledge of the policy documents, absence of enforcement strategies, unavailability of appropriate working guidelines, and disconnected institutional setup at the grass root level to implement the set strategies as the major problems. In conclusion, river water pollution is a growing challenge and needs urgent action to implement intersectoral collaboration for water resource management that will eventually lead toward integrated watershed management. Revision of policy and increasing the awareness and participation of implementers are vital to improve ecological quality of rivers.

Developing models for the prediction of hospital healthcare waste generation rate.

An increase in the number of health institutions, along with frequent use of disposable medical products, has contributed to the increase of healthcare waste generation rate. For proper handling of healthcare waste, it is crucial to predict the amount of waste generation beforehand. Predictive models can help to optimise healthcare waste management systems, set guidelines and evaluate the prevailing strategies for healthcare waste handling and disposal. However, there is no mathematical model developed for Ethiopian hospitals to predict healthcare waste generation rate. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop models for the prediction of a healthcare waste generation rate. A longitudinal study design was used to generate long-term data on solid healthcare waste composition, generation rate and develop predictive models. The results revealed that the healthcare waste generation rate has a strong linear correlation with the number of inpatients (R(2) = 0.965), and a weak one with the number of outpatients (R(2) = 0.424). Statistical analysis was carried out to develop models for the prediction of the quantity of waste generated at each hospital (public, teaching and private). In these models, the number of inpatients and outpatients were revealed to be significant factors on the quantity of waste generated. The influence of the number of inpatients and outpatients treated varies at different hospitals. Therefore, different models were developed based on the types of hospitals.

Current state and trends of access to sanitation in Ethiopia and the need to revise indicators to monitor progress in the Post-2015 era.

BACKGROUND: Investigating the current level and trends of access and identifying the underlying challenges to sanitation system development will be useful in determining directions developing countries are heading as they plan to promote sustainable development goals (post 2015 agenda). This research investigates the status and trends of access to improved sanitation coverage (ISC) in relation to the MDG target in Ethiopia with the aim of identifying prevailing constraints and suggesting the way forward in the post-MDG era. METHOD: We examined data from a nationwide inventory conducted in accordance with the sanitation ladder at the national level and from a household survey in randomly selected urban slums in Addis Ababa. The inventory data were analyzed and interpreted using the conceptual model of the sanitation ladder. We used administrative reports and survey results to plot the time trend of the ISC. RESULTS: The data from the nationwide inventory of sanitation facilities, which are presented along the sanitation ladder reveal that more than half of the Ethiopian population (52.1%) still used unimproved sanitation facilities in 2014. The majority (35.6%) practiced open defecation, implying that the country is far from the MDG target for access to improved sanitation (56%). Most people in urban slums (88.6%) used unimproved sanitation facilities, indicating that the urban poor did not receive adequate sanitation services. Trend analysis shows that access to ISC has increased, but Central Statistical Authority (CSA) data reveal a decline. This discrepancy is due to differences in data collection methods and tools. Dry pit latrines are the most widely used toilet facilities in Ethiopia, accounting for about 97.5% of the ISC. CONCLUSION: The sanitation coverage is far from the MDG target and the majority of the population, mainly the urban poor, are living in a polluted environment, exposed to water and sanitation-related diseases. The sanitation coverage estimates might be even lower if proper utilization, regular emptying, and fecal sludge management (FSM) of dry pit latrines were considered as indicators. In order to enhance sanitation services for all in the post-MDG era, urgent action is required that will establish proper monitoring and evaluation systems that can measure real access to ISC.

Assessment of composition and generation rate of healthcare wastes in selected public and private hospitals of Ethiopia.

In many developing countries, the inadequacy of data regarding the quantity and composition of healthcare waste is one of the major reasons for improper healthcare waste management. We investigated the generation rate and composition of healthcare wastes in six public and three private hospitals. We conducted healthcare waste composition and characterization measurements for seven consecutive days in the selected hospitals following the protocol described by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results revealed that the total generation rate of healthcare wastes of hospitals ranged from 0.25 to 2.77 kg/bed/day with a median value of 1.67 kg/bed/day for inpatients to 0.21-0.65 in kg/patient/day with a median value of 0.31 kg/patient/day for outpatients. The waste generation rate in private hospitals (median 3.9 kg/bed/day) was significantly greater (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.05) than in government hospitals (median 1.5 kg/bed/day). The median values of percent hazardous waste estimated for private and government hospitals were 63.4% and 52.2%, respectively. These figures are about three times greater than the threshold values recommended by the WHO. This situation might be attributed to the improper practice of healthcare waste segregation by health professionals and auxiliary health workers due to inadequate risk perception and lack of enforced public health regulations. The study revealed that the generation rate and proportion of hazardous waste significantly varies between public and private hospitals and number of patients treated per day.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Wayu Tuka District, East Welega Zone of Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports an ethnobotanical study that focused on the traditional medicinal plants used by local communities to treat human and livestock ailments. A cross-sectional study was undertaken from September 2009 to June 2010 in Wayu Tuka District of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The aim of the study is to document medicinal plants used by local people of the study area and the threats currently affecting medicinal plants. METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations and group discussion in which 63 (41 men & 22 women) randomly selected informants participated. Of which, 11 (10 male and 1 female) were local healers. Paired comparison method, direct matrix ranking and Informant consensus factors (ICF) were used to analyze the importance of some plant species. RESULTS: A total of 126 medicinal plant species, distributed in 108 genera and 56 families, were collected together with their medicinal uses. Of the 126 species of medicinal plants collected from the study area, eighty six (68%) were obtained from the wild whereas thirty three (26%) were from homegardens. The Fabaceae came out as a leading family with 15 medicinal species while the Solanaceae followed with eight species. Seventy eight (62%) of the medicinal plants were reported as being used for treating human ailments, 23 (18.2%) for the treatment of livestock ailments and 25 (20%) for both. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (43%), followed by roots (18.5%) while crushing, which accounted for (29%) and powdering (28%) were the widely used methods of preparation of traditional herbal medicines. CONCLUSION: The number of reported medicinal plants and their uses by the local people of the District indicate the depth of the local indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and their application. The documented medicinal plants can serve as a basis for future investigation of modern drug.

The impact of traditional coffee processing on river water quality in Ethiopia and the urgency of adopting sound environmental practices.

Although waste from coffee processing is a valuable resource to make biogas, compost, and nutrient-rich animal food, it is usually dumped into nearby water courses. We carried out water quality assessment at 44 sampling sites along 18 rivers that receive untreated waste from 23 coffee pulping and processing plants in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Twenty upstream sampling sites free from coffee waste impact served as control, and 24 downstream sampling sites affected by coffee waste were selected for comparison. Physicochemical and biological results revealed a significant river water quality deterioration as a result of disposing untreated coffee waste into running water courses. During coffee-processing (wet) season, the highest organic load (1,900 mg/l), measured as biochemical oxygen demand, depleted dissolved oxygen (DO) to a level less than 0.01 mg/l, and thus curtailed nitrification. During off season, oxygen started to recuperate and augmented nitrification. The shift from significantly elevated organic load and reduced DO in the wet season to increased nitrate in the off season was found to be the determining factor for the difference in macroinvertebrate community structure as verified by ordination analysis. Macroinvertebrate diversity was significantly reduced in impacted sites during the wet season contrary to the off season. However, there was a significant difference in the ratio of sensitive to pollution-tolerant taxa in the off season, which remained depreciated in the longer term. This study highlights the urgency of research exploring on the feasibility of adopting appropriate pollution abatement technologies to implement ecologically sound coffee-processing systems in coffee-growing regions of Ethiopia.

Urban impact on ecological integrity of nearby rivers in developing countries: the Borkena River in highland Ethiopia.

Accelerated pollution and eutrophication of rivers and streams because of human activity are a concern throughout the world and severe in Africa where Ethiopia is case in point. The objective of this study was to assess the urban impact on the ecological integrity of the Borkena River at the eastern escarpment of the central Ethiopian highlands. The water quality status and macroinvertebrate distribution and diversity of the river were assessed during the dry and wet seasons. Diversity indices revealed that a severe decline in the ecological integrity of the Borkena River downstream of Dessie and within Kombolcha towns in terms of macroinvertebrate abundance and composition. Clustering and ordination analysis clearly separated reference sites from urban impacted sites. At the urban-impacted sites, dissolved oxygen was also depleted to 0.5 mg/l and BOD5 values were reached to a level of above 1,000 mg/l, with extremely low biological diversity of pollution-sensitive taxa. These patterns are the result of a combination of rampant dumping of untreated wastes exacerbated by geologic, topographic, climatic and land use factors.

Assessment of siltation and nutrient enrichment of Gilgel Gibe dam, Southwest Ethiopia.

Gilgel Gibe hydroelectric power dam was located in the submerging part of the Addis Ababa, Jimma highway in Ethiopia which is about 55 km far from Jimma was constructed in 2004. A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2005 to assess the siltation and nutrient enrichment level of the dam. It was found from the study that siltation and nutrient enrichment were the major problems in this reservoir. The sheet erosion of catchment area was found to be 4.47x10(7) ton/year and hence 2210 ton/km(2). The contribution of the sediment load deposition of the Gilgel Gibe River to the dam was 277,437 ton/year and the total sediment load was 4.50x10(7)ton/year and this amount could cover 3.75x10(7) m(3)/year of the dam. From the analysis of water samples of Gilgel Gibe dam, the concentrations of ammonia, chlorophyll a, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), pH and temperature were found within the permissible limits as prescribed by WHO standards, but other parameters like phosphate, nitrate, sulphate, total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS) and visibility were much higher than the permissible limits. Due to the high concentration of suspended and sediment load, the secchi disc visibility of Gilgel Gibe dam was 0.72 m which indicated that it was well within the range of eutrophic lakes.