Sero-epidemiological study of brucellosis in cattle under pastoral/agro-pastoral and mixed crop-livestock systems in South Omo, southern Ethiopia.

Background: In the pastoral/agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopia, like in South Omo, brucellosis constitutes a serious health threat for livestock and the public. The public health risk is especially high in these communities, as their way of life is highly linked with their herds. Objective: The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and identify potential risk factors of cattle brucellosis in South Omo zone in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 614 traditionally managed local zebu female cattle, above six months old, were bled and data on hypothesized risk factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The preliminary screening of the sera for Brucella antibodies was done using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive sera were further subjected to complement fixation test (CFT). Results: The overall animal level seroprevalence of brucellosis was 2.8 % (95 % CI: 1.72-4.41) while herd level prevalence was 11.3 % (95 % CI: 6.5-19.0). Among the risk factors considered, seroprevalence was associated with herd size, new animal introduction, district, history of occurrence of abortion, and retained fetal membranes (RFM), at both individual- and herd-level (p < 0.05). Higher seroprevalence of brucellosis was observed in cows than heifers and in animals older than 4 years (p < 0.05). Brucella seroprevalence was higher in herds in lowland areas than those in mid-altitude and highlands (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The individual and herd level prevalence observed in our study indicates endemicity of brucellosis and the potential public health threat it poses in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of southern Ethiopia. The results of the study also suggest that the disease might be responsible for significant losses in cattle productivity due to impaired reproductive performance.

Assessment of mothers' satisfaction towards child vaccination service in South Omo zone, South Ethiopia region: a survey on clients' perspective.

BACKGROUND: Even though childhood vaccination is a common and cost-effective public health intervention in preventing and reducing childhood disease and death, significant numbers of children do not complete vaccination within the first year of life. Studies indicated that user satisfaction influences service utilization and used as a key indicator of quality care. However, evidence on the level of mothers' satisfaction with immunization service are limited in urban and accessible places and not well investigated among remote and pastoral communities. As such, this study aimed to address this gap and investigated mothers' satisfaction towards child vaccination in a pastoralist and agrarian community of the South Omo zone in Southern region of Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1221 randomly selected mothers with children eligible for childhood vaccination using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Maternal positive evaluations of the overall vaccination service were measured using 5-point Likert scale questions. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.5.1 and analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical package version 25. Exploratory factor analysis was used for Likert scale questions to extract factor scores which facilitate treatment of variables as continuous for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. A P-value < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI respectively were used to declare statistical significance and degree of association. RESULT: A total of 849 (69.53%) study participants were satisfied with the vaccination care provided for their children. Factors associated with mother's satisfaction with child vaccination care include maternal age less than 30 years (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.61-2.79), infants age between 8 and 12 months (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.62), not having history of adverse events following immunization (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.01-2.45), having 1 child under the age of 5 years (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.02-1.76), waiting 30 min or less to get the service (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.05-1.85), traveling 30 min or less to the vaccination center (AOR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.08-1.98), having poor knowledge about the importance of vaccination (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.06-2.16), and having moderate knowledge about the importance of vaccination (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.06-2.18). CONCLUSION: Interestingly, mothers' satisfaction with their children's vaccination service was relatively higher in a predominantly pastoral community compared with most of previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. Maternal and child age, number of children under the age of 5 years, history of adverse events following immunization, distance to the vaccination center, waiting time to get service and maternal knowledge were factors significantly associated with mothers' satisfaction. Proactive measures with focus on increasing access to vaccination service, improving waiting time and raising awareness among mothers were recommended.

Entomological study on vectorial density, temporal variation of tsetse fly and other biting flies in intervention and non-intervention areas of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia.

A repeated cross-sectional entomological survey was conducted to estimate Glossina (tsetse) and other biting flies density, their seasonal variation and associated risk factors in intervention and non- intervention areas of South Omo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia from January 2019-November 2019. In both dry and wet seasons, a total of 96 NGU traps (64 traps in tsetse intervention districts and 32 traps in tsetse non- intervention districts) were deployed at an interval of about 100-200 m in purposively selected and suspected tsetse habitats. Thus, Glossina pallidipes was found to be the only cyclical vector along with mechanical vectors of Tabanus, Stomoxys and Haematopota. In tsetse intervention areas, G. pallidipes apparent density of 2.64 F/T/D and 0.42 F/T/D was recorded in dry and wet season respectively. Mechanical vectors (dry; wet) of Tabanus (205; 155), Stomoxys (34; 54) and Haematopota (50; 33) were also recorded in tsetse intervened areas. Whereas, in non- intervention areas, apparent density of G. pallidipes was 2.03 F/T/D and 0.56 F/T/D, respectively in dry and wet season. Similarly, Tabanus (22; 56), Stomoxys (10; 8) and Haematopota (5; 7) respectively in dry and wet (dry; wet) season were recorded in tsetse non- intervention areas. According to Negative Binomial Regression (NBR), season was the only variable significantly affecting (P < 0.05) the Glossina count in the current study area. Accordingly, the incidence G. pallidipes during wet season was decreased by the factor of 0.21 (CI; 0.097-0.47) when compared to its incidence in dry season by holding other variables constant. In conclusion, cyclical vectors were playing vital role in transmission of trypanosomosis in South Omo Zone along with numerous mechanical vectors even though there have been vector intervention activities in the areas. Therefore, strong, sustainable, environmentally friend and community participating vector control strategies should be followed to tackle the vector distribution in the area.

Knowledge, attitude and practices study of acaricide usage and tick control in South Omo Zone pastoral areas, South-Western Ethiopia.

Although acaricide chemotherapy is widely used to control tick infestation in Ethiopia, its effectiveness is uncertain due to misusage by herdsmen. Currently, there is no study being conducted in the South Omo Zone of Ethiopia which shows the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and associated factors of acaricide usage by herdsmen. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess KAP of 120 (83 male and 37 female) pastoralist and agro-pastoralist of Bena-Tsemay district through structured questionnaire survey. Accordingly, Ivermectin was the most preferred acaricide by majority (62.5%) of the herdsmen. Half (50%) of the herdsmen confessed that price of acaricide is the defining variable for acaricide preference in their location where 60.83% of them obtain acaricides from private drug shops. Majority (60%) of the respondents said that they obtain information about acaricide usage from drug sellers in the vet drug shops. According to 72.50% of the respondents, acaricide application/injection on the infested herd was conducted by the herdsmen. A 95.83% of our interviewee revealed that there was no training or awareness creation being given on how to inject or apply acaricide on tick infested animals. Moreover, all responders (100%) confessed that they didn't have a practice of weighing animals and measuring acaricide dosage prior to injection/application. The incidence of acaricide poisoning on animal and personnel was reported by 19.17% and 22.5% of respondents, respectively. Simple logistic regression analysis revealed that gender (OR = 5.09, OR 95% CI = 2.30-11.72), practice of acaricide rotation (OR = 3.22, OR 95% CI = 1.41-7.64) and personnel preference for acaricide application (OR = 2.66, OR 95% CI = 1.18-6.15) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the knowledge score of the respondents. On the other hand, respondent's attitude score was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with their acaricide rotation practice (OR = 3.20, OR 95% CI = 1.39-7.53) and personnel preference for acaricide application (OR = 6.61, OR 95% CI = 2.78-16.93). Similarly, practice of acaricide rotation (OR = 5.31, OR 95% CI = 2.26-12.96) and personnel preference for acaricide application (OR = 7.21, OR 95% CI = 3.03-17.99) were significantly linked with the practice score of the respondents towards acaricide usage. In conclusion, ticks are the major challenge in the study area despite widespread usage of acaricides. Because of extensive misusage of available acaricides, awareness creation should be applied to narrow KAP gaps and to conserve the efficacy of these chemicals. Furthermore, acaricide efficacy investigation (in vitro and in vivo) should be conducted to know the status of commonly used acaricides in the area.

Chronic Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months in South Ari, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Chronic undernutrition (stunting) among children is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The global community is committed to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Regardless of this, children are suffering from some form of malnutrition but the reason is unclear. This study thus was intended to identify stunting and associated factors among children aged 6 to 59 months in the South Ari Woreda of South Omo Zone. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in South Ari Woreda from 1, January 2022 to 30, February 2022, and 409 children participated. A simple random sampling technique was used to identify study participants, and mothers/caregivers were interviewed. Data on sociodemographic, economic, and environmental determinants were collected by trained professional nurses using interviewer-administered questionnaires and anthropometric data were collected via weighting and measuring the height/length of the child. Emergency Nutrition Assessment for Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions 2020 software was used to generate an anthropometric index, and a child with a height for age index below -2standard deviations of the standard population was considered stunted. Factors of stunting were assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Results: The study revealed that 44.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 39.19%-48.81%) of children were stunted in the study area. Household's wealth status (the poorest; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.14 [95% CI = 2.08-8.22] and poor; AOR = 3.31 [95% CI = 1.60-6.82]), improper solid waste management practice of the household (AOR = 2.67 [95% CI = 1.56-4.55]), and the children sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) (AOR = 0.37 [95%CI = 0.22-0.60]) were statistically significantly associated with stunting status of the children. Conclusion: Stunting among the children in the study area was very high. Improving household's (HH) economy, safe management of domestic solid waste, and ensuring that the children are sleeping under ITNs are expected to reduce stunting.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Ovine Brucellosis in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with economic and public health significance in developing countries that rely on livestock production including Ethiopia. This study intended to establish the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of ovine brucellosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on seroepidemiology of ovine brucellosis from January 2017 to June 2020 G.C in five districts of South Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 1536 sera samples were collected from sheep and serially tested using modified Rose Bengal plate test, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and complement fixation test to detect antibodies against natural infection by Brucella species. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from individual animals, and flocks for the analysis of the association between expounding and outcome variables. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14.0 and potential risk factors for seropositivity of brucellosis were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The study discovered an overall 5.40% (95% CI: 6.34, 14.25) and 39.74% (95% CI: 6.50, 6.97) seroprevalence of ovine brucellosis at individual and flock level, respectively, by a confirmatory test. Age groups, sex, flock size, district, history of abortion, and body condition were significantly associated risk factors with Brucella seropositivity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To conclude, the prevalence of ovine brucellosis in the South Omo Zone was relatively high which needs integrated intervention approaches in place to curb the spread of the disease.

Genetic Diversity and Acquired Drug Resistance Mutations Detected by Deep Sequencing in Virologic Failures among Antiretroviral Treatment Experienced Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Patients in a Pastoralist Region of Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the drug resistance mutations and genetic diversity of HIV-1 in ART experienced patients in South Omo, Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted on 253 adult patients attending ART clinics for ≥6 months in South Omo. Samples with VL ≥1000 copies/mL were considered as virological failures (VF) and their reverse transcriptase gene codons 90-234 were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. MinVar was used for the identification of the subtypes and drug resistance mutations. Phylogenetic tree was constructed by neighbor-joining method using the maximum likelihood model. RESULTS: The median duration of ART was 51 months and 18.6% (47/253) of the patients exhibited VF. Of 47 viraemic patients, the genome of 41 were sequenced and subtype C was dominant (87.8%) followed by recombinant subtype BC (4.9%), M-09-CPX (4.9) and BF1 (2.4%). Of 41 genotyped subjects, 85.4% (35/41) had at least one ADR mutation. Eighty-one percent (33/41) of viraemic patients harbored NRTI resistance mutations, and 48.8% (20/41) were positive for NNRTI resistance mutations, with 43.9% dual resistance mutations. Among NRTI resistance mutations, M184V (73.2%), K219Q (63.4%) and T215 (56.1%) complex were the most mutated positions, while the most common NNRTI resistance mutations were K103N (24.4%), K101E, P225H and V108I 7.5% each. Active tuberculosis (aOR=13, 95% CI= 3.46-29.69), immunological failure (aOR=3.61, 95% CI=1.26-10.39), opportunistic infections (aOR=8.39, 95% CI= 1.75-40.19), and poor adherence were significantly associated with virological failure, while rural residence (aOR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.62-9.10, P= 0.05), immunological failures (aOR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.62-9.10, P= 0.05) and high viral load (aOR 16; 95% CI: 5.35 51.59, P <0.001) were predictors of ADR mutation among the ART experienced and viraemic study subjects. CONCLUSION: The study revealed considerable prevalence of VF and ADR mutation with the associated risk indicators. Regular virological monitoring and drug resistance genotyping methods should be implemented for better ART treatment outcomes of the nation.

Ethnobotany of an indigenous tree Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. (Fabaceae) in the arid and semi-arid areas of South Omo Zone, southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Trees are important components of terrestrial ecosystems; they provide ecological, economic, and cultural services to humans. There is an urgent need for undertaking ethnobotanical investigations and documentation on the indigenous botanical knowledge of the local communities of a given area. This study was conducted to assess and document the categoric ethnobotany of Piliostigma thonningii and the associated indigenous knowledge of the local people related to use, management practices, and the threatening factors in the South Omo Zone of southwestern Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six Kebeles were purposively selected from two districts of the zone and a total of 84 respondents were sampled, with consideration of gender, age, and wealth status. Data were collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, field observations, and group discussions. Relevant descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Ethnobotanical knowledge held by informants were computed using Pearson's chi-square test and direct matrix ranking and pair-wise ranking was used to prioritize the uses according to community preferences and the level of the destructiveness of the reported threats. RESULTS: The results showed that P. thonningii provides different functions to people's livelihoods as shade, food, fodder, soil fertility, fuelwood, medicine, rope, multipurpose materials (e.g., Borketa for sitting and head support), huts, beehives, farm implements, chairs, fences, and timber. The indigenous knowledge of local people on the uses of P. thonningii has shown significant (P < 0.05) relationship to age groups (being higher for elderly people). The consumption practice of respondents has significant (P < 0.05) association to the Kebeles, age, and income, with higher value for Hamer, lower aged groups, and low-income families. It provides nutritious animal feed to improve browse intake, survival, and productivity of domestic animals and also improve productivity of farm through amelioration of soil fertility. The status of P. thonningii has been decreasing due to agricultural expansion, collection of the species for firewood, dry fencing, and due to browsing. Respondents' attitude and interest to maintain and conserve the species has shown a significant (P< 0.05) association to gender, wealth, and level of education. Higher interest was observed in men than women, mid-high wealth class households than low income, and people with education than uneducated. CONCLUSIONS: This study attempted to provide information on the multiple uses of P. thonningii. Given the key roles of P. thonningii for the people and the environment to improve household food security, agricultural productivity, and income sources and the threats to it, the need to protect it in natural forests and woodlands and optimize its uses in agroforestry systems is high. Serious consideration of this species will ultimately allow households to reap the benefits expected to accrue from it in the arid and semi-arid areas of Ethiopia where plants of this nature are usually rare.

Mange Mites of Goats in Malle District of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Mange mites are economically damaging goat ectoparasites that cause skin rejection or downgrading in Ethiopian tanneries and leather industries. METHODS: A study was done on 384 randomly selected goats to identify the proportion of mites and potential associated factors in the Malle district of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia using a cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire investigation was also performed to evaluate the knowledge and preventative measures taken by goat owners during mange mites infection. A skin scraping was employed to collect mange mites for identification. RESULTS: Out of 384 examined goats, 34.6% (133/384) of goats were infected with a variety of mange mite species. Demodex (2.86%), Psoroptes (8.1%), and Sarcoptes (23.7%) were the three mange mite genera identified in three sites of Malle district. Goats with poor body condition score (BCS) were the most infected (43.6%) with mange mites compared with moderate (39.1%) and good body condition (17.3%) goats. Adult goats (37.6%) were more infested than young (32.3%) and old (30.1%), whereas there was a higher infestation in males (60.2%) than females (39.8%). However, age, sex, and BCS of the goats had no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with the occurrence of mange mites. Skin lesion due to mange mites infection was most frequently observed on the head region (26.3%), followed by legs (24.8%) and thoracic region (22.6%). The questionnaire survey indicated that 86.27% of the participants preferred to use modern acaricides to control mange mites, while 97.4% of participants have been involved in government-sponsored deworming programs. CONCLUSION: Mange mites especially Sarcoptes species were major skin problems in goats in the study, so the owners should be advised to improve their management and use mite control in goats regularly in the area.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomosis in tsetse suppression and non-suppression areas of South Omo Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and its potential risk factors was conducted in tsetse suppression and non-suppression areas of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia from November 2018- May 2019. A total of 1284 blood samples from local zebu cattle (642 each in dry and wet season) were examined by using buffy coat technique and thin blood smear method. The overall prevalence was 11.05 % with 14.33 % in dry and 7.78 % in wet season. According to multiple logistic regression analysis of tsetse suppression areas, higher prevalence in female than male (OR = 0.48, 95 % CI: 0.27, 0.83), in poor (OR = 3.25, 95 % CI: 1.26, 11.09) and medium (OR = 2.07, 95 % CI: 0.74, 7.37) than good body conditioned animals was recorded. Moreover, tethered animals (OR = 2.07, 95 % CI: 1.06, 3.92) were more likely to be infected than communal grazers and also higher prevalence in dry season than wet season (OR = 0.52, 95 % CI: 0.30, 0.87). Similarly, in tsetse non-suppression areas, higher prevalence in female than male (OR = 0.48, 95 % CI: 0.27, 0.85) and in wet season (OR = 0.41, 95 % CI: 0.23, 0.7) than dry season was recorded. Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax were found in cattle with the former more prevalent in both areas. Overall pooled mean packed cell volume (PCV) of parasitaemic animals (23.57 ± 3.13) was significantly lower than aparasitaemic animals (27.80 ± 4.95). Similarly, parasitaemic animals from tsetse suppression areas and tsetse non-suppression areas had significantly lower mean PCV than their aparasitaemic counterparts. Mean PCV of T. congolense (23.59 ± 3.22) infected animals was not different (P > 0.05) from T. vivax infected animals (23.26 ± 3.31). It was also indicated that the probability of anaemic animals to be parasitaemic was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than non-anaemic animals in both areas. In conclusion, the prevalence of trypanosomosis revealed its endemicity which bottlenecked the livestock production and productivity in the study area despite of tsetse suppression activities. Therefore, integrated parasite and vector control approach should be undertaken to curve the disease.

Sero-prevalence of West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever virus infections among cattle under extensive production system in South Omo area, southern Ethiopia.

West Nile fever (WNF) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases of veterinary and public health importance in Africa. Despite the existence of potential vectors and a wide range of hosts, the transmission of these diseases in domestic animals has not been well documented in the South Omo area of Ethiopia. This study aimed to estimate the sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies produced against West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infections among cattle in the South Omo area. Between May and June 2019, blood samples were collected from 397 cattle and screened for IgG antibodies against WNV and RVFV infections using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall sero-prevalence of IgG antibody to WNV infection was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.67-6.88%), while it was 5.0% to RVFV infection (95% CI: 2.87-7.18). Compared to 1-3 years old cattle, those in the age group ≥ 7 years had significantly higher odds of being positive for WNV (AOR = 6.82; 95% CI: 1.72-26.99) and RVFV (AOR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.08-17.88) infections. The occurrence of WNV and RVFV infections in cattle population in the present study area indicates the risk of transmission to humans. Strengthening the surveillance system and conducting further studies to identify active cases in domestic and wild animals as well as in humans is crucial to reduce the risk of possible outbreaks.

Prevalence, species composition, and associated risk factors of small ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes in South Omo zone, South-western Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to generate data on the prevalence, species composition, and factors associated with small ruminant nematode infection in the South Omo zone, in South-western Ethiopia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study through fecal nematode parasite examination was conducted. Simple floatation test and coproculture, followed by Baermann technique, were used for nematode egg and third-stage larvae (L3) separation and identification. The McMaster method was used to calculate the egg per gram of feces (EPG). RESULTS: From a total of 242 sheep and goats examined, 72.34% were infested with single or mixed nematode parasites. District, "Kebele", species, body condition score, and age were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with nematode infestation. Simple logistic regression analysis indicated that nematode infestation in Bena-Tsemay district (78.33%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by a factor of 0.54 (OR 95% CI: 0.30-0.96) than Hamer district (66.39%). Among the species, caprine (79.43%) was significantly (p < 0.05) infested than ovine (62.37%) by a factor of 0.45 (OR 95% CI: 0.25-0.81). Moreover, infestation on poor (79.12%) and medium (70.96%) body conditioned animals was higher by a factor of 2.94 (OR 95% CI: 1.41-6.26) and 1.76 (OR 95% CI: 0.88-3.53) than on good body conditioned animals (63.79%). Likewise, infestation in age groups of 1-3 years (78.66%) and >3 years (84.40%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by a factor of 4.83 (OR 95% CI: 2.31-10.46) and 8.23 (OR 95% CI: 3.98-17.75) than younger age groups (41.37%), respectively. A moderate parasitic burden was observed on 52.90% of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN)-infested animals with significantly (p < 0.05) higher EPG in females than males. Furthermore, mixed infestation of Trichostrongylus axei and Eimeria (6.19%), Haemonchus contortus and Eimeria (5.78%), and Trichostrongylus vitrines and Eimeria (5.78%) were dominantly identified. On the contrary, T. axei (15.70%), Eimeria (8.67%), H. contortus (7.43%), and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (7.02%) were dominant single infestations. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed the highest prevalence of GIN in the study area, which needs strategic control, needs to enhance community awareness toward GIN control and prevention, and to implement further investigation into anthelminthic efficacy to solve the problem.

Molecular epidemiology of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Mapping the genetic diversity of MTBC in high TB burden country like Ethiopia is important to understand principles of the disease transmission and to strengthen the regional TB control program. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates circulating in the South Omo, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: MTBC isolates (N = 156) were genetically analyzed using spacer oligotyping (spoligotyping) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing. Major lineages and lineages were identified using MTBC databases. Logistic regression was used to correlate patient characteristics with strain clustering. RESULTS: The study identified Euro-American (EA), East-African-Indian (EAI), Indo-Oceanic (IO), Lineage_7/Aethiops vertus, Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium africanum major lineages in proportions of 67.3% (105/156), 22.4% (35/156), 6.4% (10/156), 1.9% (3/156), 1.3% (2/156) and 0.6% (1/156), respectively. Lineages identified were Delhi/CAS 23.9% (37/155), Ethiopia_2 20.6% (32/155), Haarlem 14.2% (22/155), URAL 14.2%(22/155), Ethiopia_3 8.4% (13/155), TUR 6.5% (10/155), Lineage_7/Aethiops vertus 1.9% (3/155), Bovis 1.3% (2/155), LAM 1.3% (2/155), EAI 0.6% (1/155), X 0.6% (1/155) and Ethiopia H37Rv-like strain 0.6% (1/155). Of the genotyped isolates 5.8% (9/155) remained unassigned. The recent transmission index (RTI) was 3.9%. Orphan strains compared to shared types (AOR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04-0.25) were associated with reduced odds of clustering. The dominant TB lineage in pastoral areas was EAI and in non-pastoral areas was EA. CONCLUSION: The epidemiological data, highly diverse MTBC strains and a low RTI in South Omo, provide information contributing to the TB Control Program of the country.

A community-level investigation following a yellow fever virus outbreak in South Omo Zone, South-West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, yellow fever virus (YFV) remains an important public health problem across Africa and South America due to its high case-fatality rate. This study investigated the historical epidemiology and contemporary entomological and social determinants of a YFV outbreak in South Omo Zone (SOZ), Ethiopia. METHODS: A YFV outbreak occurred in SOZ, Ethiopia in 2012-2014. Historical epidemiological data were retrieved from the SOZ Health Department and analyzed. Entomological sampling was undertaken in 2017, including mosquito species identification and molecular screening for arboviruses to understand mosquito habitat distribution, and finally current knowledge, attitudes and preventative practices within the affected communities were assessed. RESULTS: From October 2012 to March 2014, 165 suspected cases and 62 deaths were reported, principally in rural areas of South Ari region (83.6%). The majority of patients were 15-44 years old (75.8%) and most case deaths were males (76%). Between June and August 2017, 688 containers were sampled across 180 households to identify key breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes. Ensete ventricosum ("false banana") and clay pots outside the home were the most productive natural and artificial breeding sites, respectively. Entomological risk indices classified most sites as "high risk" for future outbreaks under current World Health Organization criteria. Adult mosquitoes in houses were identified as members of the Aedes simpsoni complex but no YFV or other arboviruses were detected by PCR. The majority of community members had heard of YFV, however few activities were undertaken to actively reduce mosquito breeding sites. DISCUSSION: Study results highlight the potential role vector control could play in mitigating local disease transmission and emphasize the urgent need to strengthen disease surveillance systems and in-country laboratory capacity to facilitate more rapid responses to future YFV outbreaks.

Latent tuberculosis infection and associated risk indicators in pastoral communities in southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research pertaining to the community-based prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is important to understand the magnitude of this infection. This study was conducted to estimate LTBI prevalence and to identify associated risk factors in the Omo Zone of Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six South Omo districts from May 2015 to February 2016. The sample size was allocated to the study districts proportional to their population sizes. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling approach. A total of 497 adult pastoralists were recruited. Blood samples were collected from the study participants and screened for LTBI using a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Logistic regression was used to model the likelihood of LTBI occurrence and to identify risk factors associated with LTBI. RESULTS: The prevalence of LTBI was 50.5% (95% CI: 46%, 55%) with no significant gender difference (49.8% among males versus 51.2% among females; Chi-square (χ2) = 0.10; P = 0.41) and marginally non-significant increasing trends with age (44.6% among those below 24 years and 59.7% in the age range of 45-64 years; χ2 = 6.91; P = 0.075). Being residence of the Dasanech District (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.30, 5.28; P = 0.007) and having a habit of eating raw meat (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.09, 7.66; P = 0.033) were significantly associated with an increased odds of being positive for LTBI. A large family size (size of 5 to 10) has significant protective effect against associated a reduced odds of being positive for LTBI compared to a family size of below 5 (AOR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.99; P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of LTBI in the South Omo Zone raises the concern that elimination of TB in the pastoral communities of the region might be difficult. Screening for and testing individuals infected with TB, independent of symptoms, may be an effective way to minimize the risk of disease spread.

A retrospective study on tuberculosis treatment outcomes at Jinka General Hospital, southern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Information on tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes would be useful for the improvement of the TB control program. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of TB and identify associated factors in TB patients at the Jinka General Hospital (JGH), remote Zone of Ethiopia. RESULT: The result showed that 13.1% (154/1172) of the cases were cured, 60.9% treatment completed, 10.2% died and 9.1% were lost to follow-up. Thus, the overall treatment success rate was 74%. Male patients [AOR = 0.70 (0.52-0.93)] and HIV co-infected patients [AOR = 0.67 (0.45-0.98)] were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes.