Hirmi Valley liver disease: a disease associated with exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids and DDT.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hirmi Valley liver disease was first reported in 2001 in Tigray, Ethiopia. 591 cases, including 228 deaths, were reported up to December 2009. The pyrrolizidine alkaloid acetyllycopsamine was detected in stored grain and residents reported adding the pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) directly to their food stores. We aimed to characterise the clinical features of the disease, and explore the role of these chemicals in its aetiology. METHODS: 32 cases were examined and full clinical histories taken. Nine cases underwent liver biopsy in hospitals. Serum and urine samples were collected from cases and controls. Urine was analysed for acetyllycopsamine by UPLC-MS. Total DDT in serum was measured by ELISA. Hepatotoxicity of DDT and acetyllycopsamine alone or in combination was explored in C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS: Clinical presentation included epigastric pain, abdominal swelling, bloody diarrhoea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and ascites. Histology revealed acute injury characterised by centrilobular necrosis or chronic injury with bile ductular reaction, cytomegaly and fibrosis but no hepatic vein occlusion. Acetyllycopsamine was detected in urine samples taken in the affected area with significantly greater concentrations in 45 cases than in 43 controls (p=0.02). High levels of DDT (>125 ppb) were detected in 78% of serum samples. In mice, DDT (3 × 75 mg/kg) significantly increased the hepatotoxicity (plasma ALT, p=0.0065) of acetyllycopsamine (750 mg/kg), and in combination induced liver pathology similar to Hirmi Valley liver disease including centrilobular necrosis and cytomegaly. CONCLUSIONS: This novel form of disease appears to be caused by co-exposure to acetyllycopsamine and DDT.

Trends and predictors of modern contraceptive use among married women: Analysis of 2000-2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys.

Objectives: Accessing family planning is a key investment in reducing the broader costs of health care and can reduce a significant proportion of maternal, infant, and childhood deaths. In Ethiopia, use of modern contraceptive methods is still low but it is steadily increasing. Identifying the contributing factors to the changes in contraceptive use among women helps to improve women's contraceptive use and helps to plan strategies for family planning programs. Thus, the current study aimed to analyze the trends and predictors of changes in modern contraceptive use over time among married women in Ethiopia. Data source and study design: Secondary data analysis of the national representative data of 2000-2016 Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey was employed. Methods: This secondary data analysis was considered using 2000 through 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. The study used data from the four DHSs conducted in Ethiopia (2000-2016). The data from all EDHS was collated so as to follow the trends throughout the period considered for the survey. Married women aged 15-49 years with sample sizes of 36,721 (9,203 in 2000, 8,438 in 2005, 9,478 in 2011, and 9,602 in 2016) were included. The analysis involved three levels, including trend analysis (to see changes from 2000 to 2005, 2005-2011, 2011-2016 and 2000-2016). Bivariate and multivariate analysis were also considered to identify predictors of modern contraceptive use. Data was extracted from the EDHS datasets for which authorization was obtained from the DHS Program/ICF International using a data extraction tool. SPSS 24 was employed for data management and analysis. Results: Among married women of reproductive age, modern contraceptive prevalence increased from 6.2% in 2000 to 35.2% in 2016. This 5-fold increment in modern contraceptive use was due to being in the age group of 25-29 years (AOR = 1.4; 95%CI (1.1, 1.7)), having two children (AOR = 1.3; 95%CI (1.1, 1.6)), the richest wealth category (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI (2.5, 3.5)), currently working (AOR = 1.3; 95%CI (1.2, 1.5)) and attending secondary and above education (AOR = 1.2; 95%CI (1.1, 1.6)) were found to be predictors. Conclusions: Over the past 15 years, an annual average of a 1.9% point increment has been observed in modern contraceptive use, but the country lags behind the SDGs's 2030 target of achieving zero unmet needs for contraception. Program interventions, and continued education of women, are mandatory, as education is one of the major factors contributing to increasing contraceptive use.

Effect of maternal nutrition education on early initiation and exclusive breast-feeding practices in south Ethiopia: a cluster randomised control trial.

Introduction: Optimal breast-feeding practices make a major contribution to the promotion of healthy growth and development through much prevention of diarrheal and respiratory diseases which majorly cause morbidity and mortality in under-five children. However, breast-feeding practices remain suboptimality in Ethiopia. Objective: The study objective was to determine the effect of maternal nutrition education on early initiation and exclusive breast-feeding practice in the Hawela Tulla sub-city. Methods: A cluster randomised, parallel-group, single-blinded trial was used. About 310 pregnant women (155 for the intervention group and 155 for the control group) were included. Result: An early initiation of breast-feeding was significantly higher among women who received breast-feeding education than those who did not receive (104(72·7 %) v. 85(59·9 %), P = 0·022) and exclusive breast-feeding practice was also significantly higher among women who received breast-feeding education than those who did not receive (106(74·1 %) v. 86(60·6 %), P = 0·015). Breast-feeding education [AORs 1·55, 95 % CI (1·02, 2·36)], institutional delivery [AOR 2·29, 95 % CI (1·21, 4·35)], vaginal delivery [AOR 2·85, 95 % CI (1·61, 5·41)] and pre-lacteal feeding [AOR 0·47, 95 % CI (0·25, 0·85)] were predictors of early initiation of breast-feeding. Breast-feeding education [AOR 1·72, 95 % CI (1·12, 2·64)] and institutional delivery [AOR 2·36, 95 % CI (1·28, 4·33)] were also determinants of exclusive breast-feeding practices. Conclusion: Breast-feeding education improved early initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding practices. Providing sustained education to women regarding early initiation and exclusive breast-feeding practice should be strengthened.