A narrative synthesis on COVID-19 risks and concerns in developing countries: The case of Ethiopia

In this review, we addressed risk factors for the spread of COVID-19 in the perspective of developing countries, and necessary measures to be undertaken to minimize or control its consequential crisis. Databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and websites of WHO, CDC, and ECDC were searched for relevant information and a narrative analysis approach was followed. As of April 10, 2020, there were a total of 1,674,967 cases and 101,483 deaths from COVID-19 in 210 countries, territories and two international conveyances around the world. During the same period Ethiopia has reported 64 confirmed cases, three deaths and four recoveries. Despite efforts being made to reduce most destinations, international flight especially to and from COVID-19 most hit countries were potential source of virus to the country. Large family size, low prevalence of the soap-based hand-washing practice, poor living conditions and social gatherings are among the main possible risk factors. On the other hand, limited health systems' capacity in terms of trained workforce, medical supplies, diagnostic facilities, and intensive care units are possible challenges to control the pandemic. The current meagre testing capacity in the country that focuses only on suspected symptomatic cases while the virus is reportedly transmits from asymptomatic cases may result in a catastrophe due to its hidden spread in the community. For countries with weak economies, focusing their efforts on preventive measures is the best and yet cost-effective strategy. Some preventive efforts should focus on community health education about physical distancing, hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, self-isolation and quarantine in the context of the local situation. It is crucial to enhance self-reporting and community-based family level care to the symptomatic cases and their contacts. Additional care needs to be in place during burial ceremonies of the unavoidably dead bodies to prevent further contamination. The socio-psychological consequences of COVID-19 need to be given appropriate consideration to avoid unnecessary discrimination, stigma and social destructions. Finally, coordinated efforts to increase contact tracing, isolation, testing and treating needs to be strengthened through national and international collaborations

Is Colobus guereza gallarum a valid endemic Ethiopian taxon?

Black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza Rüppell, 1835) are arboreal Old World monkeys inhabiting large parts of the deciduous and evergreen forests of sub-Saharan Africa. Two of the eight subspecies of Colobus guereza are endemic to Ethiopia: C. g. gallarum and C. g. guereza. However, the validity of the Ethiopian taxa is debated and observed morphological differences were attributed to clinal variation within C. g. guereza. To date, no molecular phylogeny of the Ethiopian guerezas is available to facilitate their taxonomic classification. We used mitochondrial DNA markers from 94 samples collected across Ethiopia to reconstruct a phylogeny of respective mitochondrial lineages. In our phylogenetic reconstruction, augmented by orthologous sequence information of non-Ethiopian black-and-white colobus from GenBank, we found two major Ethiopian mitochondrial clades, with one being largely congruent with the distribution of C. g. guereza. The second clade was found only at two locations in the eastern part of the putative range of C. g. gallarum. This second lineage clustered with the lowland form, C. g. occidentalis, from central Africa, whereas the C. g. guereza lineages clustered with C. g. caudatus and C. g. kikuyuensis from Kenya and northern Tanzania. These two guereza lineages diverged around 0.7 million years ago. In addition, mitochondrial sequence information does not support unequivocally a distinction of C. g. caudatus and C. g. kikuyuensis. Our findings indicate a previous biogeographic connection between the ranges of C. g. occidentalis and C. g. gallarum and a possible secondary invasion of Ethiopia by members of the C. g. guereza-C. g. caudatus-C. g. kikuyuensis clade. Given these phylogenetic relationships, our study supports the two-taxa hypothesis, making C. g. gallarum an Ethiopian endemic, and, in combination with the taxon's very restricted range, makes it one of the most endangered subspecies of black-and-white colobus.

Determinants of stillbirth among women deliveries at Amhara region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Stillbirth is one of general medical issues that could contribute significantly to creating nations like Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and related factors of stillbirth among deliveries at Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHODS: The study used the Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) data collected from 2555 eligible Amhara region women in 2014. Bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of stillbirth outcomes became 85 per 1000 (total live birth). Besides, majority of women did not attend any formal education and had no antenatal care follow up. Women whose age at first birth below 18 years were 1859(72.8%) and the mean preceding birth interval were 33.6 months. Even women who attended primary and above education were about 50% and they were less likely to have had stillbirth outcomes than those who had no education (AOR: 0.505, 95% CI 0.311-0.820) and women having higher household wealth index were less likely to have had stillbirth outcomes as it is compared to the reference category. Moreover, women having preceding birth interval above 36 months were about 89% of less likely to end up stillbirth outcomes as compared to women having preceding birth interval below 24 months (AOR: 0.109, 95% CI 0.071-8.0.168). CONCLUSIONS: It could be inferred that a stillbirth result is one of the general medical issues in Amhara Region. Among different factors considered in this study, age, age at first birth, wealth index, birth order number and preceding birth interval in months were found to be significantly associated factors for stillbirth. Therefore, more awareness of early birth, widening birth interval, enhancing maternal care (for aged women) and early birth order number could be recommended.