Udder health problems and major bacterial causes of camel mastitis in Jijiga, Eastern Ethiopia: implication for impacting food security.

One hundred and forty-five traditionally kept lactating camels (Camelus dromederius) were examined for mastitis by combination of clinical, mastitis card test and subsequent bacteriological isolation. Clinical and sub-clinical mastitis were prevalent in 8.3% (95%CI = 4.6, 14.4) and 20.7% (95%CI = 14.6, 28.4) of the studied animals, respectively. This gives an overall mastitis prevalence of 29.0% (95%CI = 21.9, 37.2) at animal and 17.9% (95%CI = 14.9, 21.3) at quarter levels. High proportion (33.8%) of lactating camels had blind teats and 5.5% had lesions on udder or teat. Taking clinical mastitis and blocked teats into account, the study revealed that only 57.9% of the camels have four teats for milk production. Out of the 505 quarter milk samples examined, 80 (15.8 %) quarters were positive for indicator paper. Upon subsequent culturing, 68.8% (55 out of 80) of the quarter milk samples yielded bacteria. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E. coli and Bacillus species were the major isolates. Mastitis prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) affected by tick infestations, udder lesions, and increased age and parity of the animals. In conclusion, mastitis is a major problem in traditionally managed camels and deserves further attention owning to its potential impact on milk production affecting food security.

Relation between body composition at birth and child development at 2 years of age: a prospective cohort study among Ethiopian children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Birth weight (BW), independent of socioeconomic status, has been identified as a predictor for childhood cognitive development. However, it is not known whether this relation is related to low BW per se or particularly related to a deficit in fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) at birth. This study therefore aimed at investigating the relation between body composition at birth and child development at 2 years of age. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An Ethiopian birth cohort was followed up at 2 years. Body composition was measured within 48 h of birth using infant air-displacement plethysmography. Child development was assessed at 2 years of age using Denver developmental screening test. Associations between body composition at birth and development at 2 years of age were tested using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: FFM but not FM at birth was positively associated with higher global developmental score at 2 years of age (ß=2.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17; 4.79) adjusted for neonatal, postnatal and parental characteristics. This association was attributable to the association with the language developmental domain (ß=1.61, 95 CI 0.33; 2.90). CONCLUSIONS: Among Ethiopian children, FFM at birth but not FM predicted better global and language development at 2 years of age. Higher FFM at birth might have exerted a positive effect on the growth and differentiation of the brain and neuronal circuits for better development. This study therefore highlights the need to improve mother's nutritional status during pregnancy in ways that stimulate fetal FFM growth.

Protein kinase C and cancer: what we know and what we do not.

Since their discovery in the late 1970s, protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes represent one of the most extensively studied signaling kinases. PKCs signal through multiple pathways and control the expression of genes relevant for cell cycle progression, tumorigenesis and metastatic dissemination. Despite the vast amount of information concerning the mechanisms that control PKC activation and function in cellular models, the relevance of individual PKC isozymes in the progression of human cancer is still a matter of controversy. Although the expression of PKC isozymes is altered in multiple cancer types, the causal relationship between such changes and the initiation and progression of the disease remains poorly defined. Animal models developed in the last years helped to better understand the involvement of individual PKCs in various cancer types and in the context of specific oncogenic alterations. Unraveling the enormous complexity in the mechanisms by which PKC isozymes have an impact on tumorigenesis and metastasis is key for reassessing their potential as pharmacological targets for cancer treatment.

Factors Affecting Fertility Decisions of Married Men and Women Living with HIV in South Wollo Zone; Northeast Ethiopia

Background: In a setting with high HIV prevalence and high fertility rates; addressing fertility issues of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is crucial. However; understanding of the factors associated with fertility decisions of PLWHA in Ethiopia is remarkably low. Objective: The study was conducted to assess factors associated with fertility decisions of PLWHA in South Wollo Zone; Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: The study was conducted from February 1 to March 30; 2008 using cross-sectional design. Quantitative data were collected from a sample of 458 men and 458 women using structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were also collected from six health care providers. Logistic regression was used to analyze the quantitative data. Results: The study showed that 18.3of currently married PLWHA have decided to have a child. The factors found to be independently associated with current decision to have a child were higher family income [OR (95CI) = 2.29 (1.23; 4.26)]; partner's decision to have a child [OR (95CI) = 36.4 (17.0; 77.5)]; having knowledge on PMTCT [OR (95CI) = 2.26 (1.44; 3.54)] and having partner with negative HIV test result [OR (95CI) = 0.408 (0.219; 0.759)]. During in-depth interview the health care providers indicated the fertility related counseling service to be low. Conclusion: In spite of the fact that significant proportion of married PLWHA had decided to have a child; the fertility related counseling service is low. Improving fertility related counseling services to enable clients make informed fertility decision is mandatory. The factors identified to be associated with fertility decision could be of major importance and as such should be investigated further. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev.2010;24(3):214-220]

Determinants of Acceptance of Voluntary HIV Testing among Antenatal Clinic Attendees at Dil Chora Hospital; Dire Dawa; East Ethiopia

Back ground: Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is one of the best interventions to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV. Despite the proven benefits of VCT; many women are not willing to have HIV testing. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify factors that determine the acceptance of voluntary HIV testing among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Dil Chora Hospital in Dire Dawa. Method: The study employed unmatched case control study which was conducted from August 20 to September 10; 2006. The study population consisted of 234 antenatal care followers. Cases were antenatal care followers who were counseled and tested for HIV in the current pregnancy. Controls were antenatal care followers who were counseled but not tested for HIV in the current pregnancy. Data were collected by trained enumerators using structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out using SPSS version 12.0.1 software. Results: The majority (79.5) of respondents (97.4of cases and 60.5of controls) had good knowledge on HIV; mother to child transmission and VCT. Marital status; knowledge about HIV; mother to child transmission and VCT; attitude towards VCT; antenatal care follow up and perceived benefits of VCT were independent predictors of acceptance of voluntary HIV testing. Conclusion: Knowledge on MTCT and VCT; positive attitude towards VCT; antenatal care follow-up were predictors of acceptance of VCT. During the VCT session; health professionals should focus on knowledge; attitude; and benefits of VCT