Corrigendum to "Genetic diversity and population structure of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes in Ethiopia as revealed by microsatellite markers" [Heliyon Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2023, Article e12830].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12830.].

Genetic diversity and population structure of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes in Ethiopia as revealed by microsatellite markers.

In the tropical and semi-arid regions of Africa, sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is mainly grown as a major food security crop. Understanding the extent and pattern of genetic variability is a prerequisite criterion for sorghum improvement and conservation. The genetic diversity and population structure of 100 genotypes of sorghum were profiled using 15 microsatellite loci. A total of 108 alleles, with an overall mean of 7.2 alleles per locus, were produced by all of the microsatellite loci used due to their high polymorphism. Polymorphic information content values ranging from 0.68 to 0.89 indicated that all of the loci are effective genetic tools for analysing the genetic structure of sorghum. Different diversity metrics were used to evaluate genetic diversity among populations, and Nei's gene diversity index ranged from 0.74 to 0.81 with an overall mean of 0.78. Poor genetic differentiation (FST: 0.02; p < 0.0001) was found, where 98% of entire variability was accounted by the within populations genetic variability, leaving only 2.32% among populations. The highest genetic differentiation and Nis's genetic distance were observed between the sorghum populations of the Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples and Dire Dawa regions. Due to increased gene flow (Nm = 10.53), the clustering, principal coordinate analysis and STRUCTURE analysis failed to categorize the populations into genetically different groups corresponding to their geographic sampling areas. In general, it was found that the microsatellite loci were highly informative and therefore valuable genetic tools to unfold the genetic diversity and population structure of Ethiopian sorghum genotypes. Among the five populations studied, sorghum populations from Amhara and Oromia had the highest genetic variation, indicating that the regions could be perhaps hotspots for useful alleles for the development of better-performing genotypes, and also for designing appropriate germplasm management strategies.

Injury-related gaining momentum as external causes of deaths in Ethiopian health and demographic surveillance sites: evidence from verbal autopsy study.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, though all kinds of mortality due to external causes are an important component of overall mortality often not counted or documented on an individual basis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of mortality from external causes using verbal autopsy (VA) method at the Ethiopian HDSS Network sites. METHODS: All deaths at Ethiopian HDSS sites were routinely registered and followed up with VA interviews. The VA forms comprised deaths up to 28 days, between four weeks and 14 years and 15 years and above. The cause of a death was ascertained based on an interview with next of families or other caregivers using a standardized questionnaire that draws information on signs, symptoms, medical history and circumstances preceding death after 45 days mourning period. Two physician assigned probable causes of death as underlying, immediate and contributing factors independently using information in VA forms based on the WHO ICD-10 and VA code system. Disagreed cases sent to third physician for independent review and diagnosis. The final cause of death considered when two of the three physicians assigned underlying cause of death; otherwise, labeled as undetermined. RESULTS: In the period from 2009 to 2013, a total of 9719 deaths were registered. Of the total deaths, 623 (6.4%) were from external causes. Of these, accidental drowning and submersion, 136 (21.8%), accidental fall, 113 (18.1%) and transport-related accidents, 112 (18.0%) were the topmost three leading external causes of deaths. About 436 (70.0%) of deaths were from the age group above 15 years old. Drowning and submersion and transport-related accidents were high in age group between 5 and 14 years old. CONCLUSION: In this study, external causes of death are significant public health problems and require attention as one of prior health agenda.

Field expansion of DNA polymerase chain reaction for early infant diagnosis of HIV-1: The Ethiopian experience.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of infants infected with HIV (EID) and early initiation of treatment significantly reduces the rate of disease progression and mortality. One of the challenges to identification of HIV-1-infected infants is availability and/or access to quality molecular laboratory facilities which perform molecular virologic assays suitable for accurate identification of the HIV status of infants. METHOD: We conducted a joint site assessment and designed laboratories for the expansion of DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing based on dried blood spot (DBS) for EID in six regions of Ethiopia. Training of appropriate laboratory technologists and development of required documentation including standard operating procedures (SOPs) was carried out. The impact of the expansion of EID laboratories was assessed by the number of tests performed as well as the turn-around time. RESULTS: DNA PCR for EID was introduced in 2008 in six regions. From April 2006 to April 2008, a total of 2848 infants had been tested centrally at the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) in Addis Ababa, and which was then the only laboratory with the capability to perform EID; 546 (19.2%) of the samples were positive. By November 2010, EHNRI and the six laboratories had tested an additional 16 985 HIV-exposed infants, of which 1915 (11.3%) were positive. The median turn-around time for test results was 14 days (range 14-21 days). CONCLUSION: Expansion of HIV DNA PCR testing facilities that can provide quality and reliable results is feasible in resource-limited settings. Regular supervision and monitoring for quality assurance of these laboratories is essential to maintain accuracy of testing.

Menstrual Problems and Associated Factors among Students of Bahir Dar University; Amhara National Regional State; Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: Menstrual problems are the most common gynecologic complaints. The prevalence is highest in the 20 to 24-year-old age group and decreases progressively thereafter. They affect not only the woman; but also family; social and national economics as well. However; Population studies on Menstrual problems and associated factors were very little for university students in Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based quantitative cross-sectional study was employed at Bahir Dar University from October 14 to 20; 2010; Ethiopia. Stratified sampling technique was used and 491 study subjects were randomly selected from faculties. Only 470 respondents had given complete response for the self-administered questionnaire and were included in the final analysis. Data was entered and analyzed with SPSS version 16.0 windows. The main statistical method applied was logistic regression (unconditional) and both the classical bivariate and the multivariate analyses were considered. Results: : The prevalence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome were 85.1 and 72.8 ; respectively. The most contributing factors remained to be statistically significant and independently associated with dysmenorrhea were having menstrual cycle length of 21-35 days (AOR=0.16; 95 CI: 0.04; 0.71); family history of dysmenorrhea (AOR=3.80; 95 CI: 2.13; 6.78) and circumcision (AOR=1.84; 95CI: 1.001; 3.386) while with premenstrual syndrome were educational status of mothers being certified in certificate and beyond (AOR=0.45; 95 CI: 0.25; 0.83); living in Peda campus (AOR=2.11; 95 : 1.30; 3.45); having irregular menstruation (AOR=1.87; 95 CI: 1.17; 2.99) and family history of premenstrual syndrome (AOR=4.19; 95 CI: 2.60; 6.74). Conclusion: The prevalence of menstrual problems among students of Bahir Dar University was very high. Menstrual cycle length; family history of dysmenorrhea and circumcision were the most contributing factors associated with dysmenorrhea while educational status of mothers; regularity of menstruation; and family history of premenstrual syndrome were for premenstrual syndrome. Health education; appropriate medical treatment and counseling; should be accessible and persistently provided to the affected students by Bahir Dar University. Maximum effort is needed to eliminate circumcision by all levels and further steps that would enable females to join their college education should be applied