DETERMINANTS OF PRETERM BIRTH AMONG MOTHERS WHO GAVE BIRTH AT A REFERRAL HOSPITAL, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA: UNMATCHED CASE- CONTROL STUDY.

Preterm birth is described as babies that are born alive before the end of 37 weeks of pregnancy. About 15 million babies are born preterm annually and more than a million died due to complications. In developing nations, like Ethiopia, PTB is underreported and underestimated. Objective - to identify determinates of preterm birth among mothers who gave birth at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Unmatched case-control study design was conducted. The total sample size was 558 mothers 140 cases and 418 controls. Simple random sampling was used to select the study population. Data were coded and entered into Epidata, version 3.2, and was analyzed by using STATA version 14. Mothers with a history of antepartum hemorrhage (AOR 3.53, 95% CI 1.31-9.47), premature rupture of membrane (AOR 8.9, 95% CI 4.51-17.57), pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR 3.65, 95% CI 1.78-7.51), history of multiple pregnancies (AOR 2.49, 95% CI 0.89-6.95), primigravida (AOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.97) and Primiparity(AOR 0.054, 95% CI 0.05-0.64) had statistically significant association with experiencing preterm birth. The odds of giving preterm birth were higher among women with antepartum hemorrhage, PIH, PROM, and multiple pregnancies, but lower among primigravida and primiparous mothers.

One Health collaborations for zoonotic disease control in Ethiopia.

Zoonotic diseases require a One Health approach for successful control and elimination due to the nature of their transmission between animals and humans. One Health recognises that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are all interconnected. Ethiopia has committed itself to controlling five prioritised zoonotic diseases (rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis and echinococcosis), using a One Health approach. The National One Health Steering Committee (NOHSC) provides a framework for national stakeholders to address gaps in multisectoral communication, coordination and collaboration. In addition, the NOHSC oversees the formation of several specialised disease-focused groups, referred to as 'Technical Working Groups' (TWGs). These TWGs are responsible for developing disease prevention and control strategies, as well as implementing disease-focused public health activities and providing recommendations to the NOHSC. Ethiopia's success using the One Health approach and its efficient control of zoonotic diseases will depend on the commitment of all member Ministries to support the NOHSC and TWGs, as well as to build capacity in Ethiopia's workforce and laboratories, a task supported by its many international partners.

Les zoonoses étant par nature des maladies transmissibles entre les animaux et l'homme, l'approche Une seule santé est la seule qui permette de les contrôler efficacement en vue de les éliminer. Le concept Une seule santé repose sur la prise en compte de l'interconnexion entre la santé humaine, celle des animaux et celle de l'environnement. L'Éthiopie s'est fixé pour objectif de lutter contre cinq maladies zoonotiques classées comme prioritaires (rage, fièvre charbonneuse, brucellose, leptospirose et échinococcose) en suivant une approche Une seule santé. Le comité de pilotage national Une seule santé (NOHSC) apporte un cadre permettant aux parties prenantes du pays de résoudre les problèmes de communication, de coordination et de collaboration intersectorielles. En outre, le NOHSC supervise la création de plusieurs groupes de travail techniques dédiés à des maladies spécifiques. Ces groupes de travail sont chargés d'élaborer des stratégies de prévention et de contrôle, de mettre en oeuvre des activités de santé publique axées sur ces maladies et de formuler des recommandations à l'intention du NOHSC. La réussite des efforts déployés par l'Éthiopie pour appliquer les principes Une seule santé et l'efficacité de la lutte contre les maladies zoonotiques dépendront de l'engagement des ministères concernés à soutenir le NOHSC et les groupes de travail techniques et à renforcer les capacités des ressources humaines et des laboratoires éthiopiens, tâche qui bénéficie de l'appui de nombreux partenaires internationaux.

Toda labor eficaz de control y eliminación de las enfermedades zoonóticas, por la propia naturaleza de su transmisión entre animales y personas, pasa por abordar estas patologías desde los planteamientos de Una sola salud, noción esta que parte del reconocimiento de que salud humana, animal y ambiental están siempre interconectadas. Etiopía está embarcada en el innegociable empeño de combatir cinco enfermedades zoonóticas consideradas prioritarias (rabia, carbunco bacteridiano, brucelosis, leptospirosis y equinococosis) trabajando desde la óptica de Una sola salud. El Comité Directivo Nacional de Una sola salud proporciona a los interlocutores del país un marco de referencia que sirve para subsanar las lagunas existentes en cuanto a comunicación, coordinación y colaboración entre los diversos sectores. Ese órgano, además, supervisa la formación de varios grupos especializados y centrados en una u otra enfermedad, denominados grupos de trabajo técnicos, que tienen por cometido elaborar estrategias de prevención y control de una enfermedad concreta, llevar adelante acciones de salud pública dirigidas contra ella y formular recomendaciones para el Comité Directivo. El éxito de Etiopía a la hora de aplicar los postulados de Una sola salud y de combatir eficazmente las enfermedades zoonóticas dependerá del nivel de compromiso con que todos los ministerios copartícipes presten apoyo al Comité Directivo y los grupos de trabajo técnicos y ayuden a instaurar en el país un tejido lo bastante solvente de laboratorios y recursos humanos, empresa esta en la que Etiopía cuenta con el respaldo de sus numerosos asociados internacionales.

Occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in surface sediments of Lake Awassa and Lake Ziway, Ethiopia.

Microwave-assisted acid digestion and modified aqua regia (HNO3:HCl:HF:H3BO3) leaching techniques were used for the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg and Pb) in sediment samples from Lake Awassa and Lake Ziway, Ethiopia. The digests were subsequently analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mercury was directly determined in the solid samples using an elemental mercury analyzer. The precision and accuracy of the digestion procedures were verified using certified reference materials. The experimental results were in good agreement with the certified values (P < 0.05) and the recoveries were quantitative (>90%). The average relative standard deviations were below 10%. There is significant correlation between the two lakes at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). Using the sediment quality guidelines, both lakes are heavily polluted with Zn and some of the sites are heavily polluted with Cu, Ni and Pb. Based on effect range low (ERL) - effect range medium (ERM), in both lakes for Ag were greater than the ERM, indicating that the areas could be toxic to aquatic organisms, while for Cr, Cu, As and Hg the values were less than ERL.

Tuberculosis infection in animal and human populations in three districts of Western Gojam, Ethiopia.

Tuberculosis concurrent infection in cattle and their respective owners in North-western Ethiopia had been investigated. Two hundred and ten cattle owners and 1220 heads of their cattle were included in the study to determine degree of tuberculosis infection in cattle owned by tuberculosis patients and tuberculosis patients. Comparative intradermal tuberculin test, bacteria culturing, acid fast staining and biochemical tests were used to conduct the study. The prevalence of tuberculosis was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in cattle owned by tuberculosis patients than in cattle owned by non-tuberculosis owners, and infection with tuberculosis was threefold greater in cattle owned by tuberculosis-positive owners. Further more, cattle owners who consumed raw milk were at higher risk (P < 0.001, OR = 3.23) for tuberculosis infection than those who consumed boiled milk. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (15.4%), Mycobacterium bovis (44.1%) and atypical mycobacteria (38.5%) were identified from milk collected from tuberculin-positive cows using biochemical tests. Similarly M. tuberculosis (74.5%), M. bovis (14.9%) and atypical mycobacteria (8.5%) were identified from sputum and fine needle aspiration specimens of tuberculosis patient cattle owners. Mutual transmission of mycobacterium from animals to humans and vice versa has been signified.

Cryptosporidium recovered from Musca domestica, Musca sorbens and mango juice accessed by synanthropic flies in Bahirdar, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted to determine the role of house flies, Musca domestica and Musca sorbens to carry Cryptosporidium species in natural environment and filth flies potential for contamination of food item they visited using acid-fast stain technique. Cryptosporidium was identified from flies collected in dairy cow barns, butchery, market and defecating grounds. Musca domestica captured from dairy cow barns and M. sorbens from defecating ground were found carrying more oocyst of Cryptosporidium parvum. Oocyst load per fly for M. domestica and M. sorbens was 5.84 and 3.42, respectively. Flies' population dynamics in each month had little relation to the monthly oocyst frequency, r = 0.06 and 0.02 for M. domestica and M. sorbens, respectively. Cryptosporidium species oocysts were isolated from frozen mango juice, which filth flies visited in dairy farm barn. Load of oocysts in the mango juice was dependent on time contact of flies with mango juice and more oocysts were recovered (P < 0.05) in mango juice samples accessed by filth flies for longer period. Role of filth flies to carry and deposit Cryptosporidium species oocyst for development of food-borne cryptosporidiosis is signified.

Prevalence and financial effects of hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered in Birre-Sheleko and Dangila Abattoirs, Northwestern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional survey of bovine hydatidosis was carried out on local zebu cattle slaughtered at Birre-Sheleko and Dangila Abattoirs from August 2007 to July 2008 to determine the prevalence and to estimate financial loss caused by the disease. Postmortem examination, hydatid cyst characterization and direct and indirect financial loss estimations were conducted. Out of the total of 521 animals examined (255 Birre-Sheleko and 266 Dangila), 79 (15.2%) were found harbouring one or more hydatid cyst. The prevalence of the disease between the two abattoirs was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The result obtained from postmortem examination indicated that a total of 112 visceral organs were found harbouring one or more hydatid cysts. The involvement of lung, liver, spleen and kidney was found to be 70.5%, 21.4%, 6.3% and 1.8% respectively. From the total of 224 cysts counted, 147 (65.6%), 29 (12.9%), 3 (1.3%) and 45 (20.1%) were small, medium, large and calcified cysts respectively, and 114 (50.9%) and 65 (29%) were sterile and fertile cysts respectively. Viability rate of 47.7%, all from the lungs, and higher liver calcification rate were observed. The annual financial loss from organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to bovine hydatidosis at Birre-Sheleko and Dangila abattoirs were estimated to be $18911.6.

Retrospective survey of human hydatidosis in Bahir Dar, north-western Ethiopia.

To determine the prevalence of human hydatidosis in Bahir Dar and the sex and age distribution and awareness, we used a questionnaire and retrospective analysis covering 5 years of the case reports at public health institutions in Bahir Dartown and the surrounding areas. We interviewed 244 individuals: 150 households, 32 abattoir workers, 30 butchers and 32 health professionals. None of the householders or butchers knew about cystic echinococcosis, nor did 25% of the health professionals; however, 100% of the abattoir workers and 75% of the health professionals recognized it. The householders owned on average 3 livestock and 1 dog and during holidays, ceremonies and other feasts, the community mostly practised backyard slaughter. Case book analysis between January 2002 and December 2006 showed that out of the total of 36,402 patients admitted for ultrasound examination, 24 hydatidosis cases were registered, giving a mean annual incidence rate of approximately 2.3 cases per 100,000 per year. Ultrasound was the most frequently used diagnostic method.

Retrospective survey of human hydatidosis in Bahir Dar, north-western Ethiopia

To determine the prevalence of human hydatidosis in Bahir Dar and the sex and age distribution and awareness, we used a questionnaire and retrospective analysis covering 5 years of the case reports at public health institutions in Bahir Dar town and the surrounding areas. We interviewed 244 individuals: 150 households, 32 abattoir workers, 30 butchers and 32 health professionals. None of the householders or butchers knew about cystic echinococcosis, nor did 25% of the health professionals; however, 100% of the abattoir workers and 75% of the health professionals recognized it. The householders owned on average 3 livestock and 1 dog and during holidays, ceremonies and other feasts, the community mostly practised backyard slaughter. Case book analysis between January 2002 and December 2006 showed that out of the total of 36 402 patients admitted for ultrasound examination, 24 hydatidosis cases were registered, giving a mean annual incidence rate of approximately 2.3 cases per 100 000 per year. Ultrasound was the most frequently used diagnostic method

Chemistry of the diazeniumdiolates. 3. Photoreactivity.

We have found O(2)-substituted diazeniumdiolates, compounds of structure R(2)N-N(O)=NOR' that are under development for various possible pharmaceutical uses, to be rather photosensitive. With R = ethyl and R' = methyl, benzyl, or 2-nitrobenzyl, the observed product distributions suggest that two primary pathways are operative. A minor pathway involves the extrusion of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) with simultaneous generation of R(2)N(*) and R'O(*), which may then form amines, aldehydes, and alcohols. The major reaction pathway is an interesting photochemical cleavage of the N=N bond to form a nitrosamine (R(2)NN=O) and an oxygen-substituted nitrene (R'ON). The intermediacy of the O-nitrene was inferred from the production of abundant oxime, via rearrangement of the O-nitrene to a C-nitroso compound (R'ON --> O=NR'), and subsequent tautomerization to the more stable oxime. Involvement of the O-nitrene was confirmed by trapping with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene to form the aziridine and with oxygen to generate the nitrate ester. 2-Nitro substitution on the benzyl derivative had surprisingly little effect on the reaction course. For each compound examined, minor amounts of nitric oxide (NO), presumably produced by secondary photolysis of the nitrosamine, were observed. Time-resolved infrared experiments provided additional support for the above reaction pathways and confirmed that the nitrosamine is a primary photoproduct. We have also found that the relative contributions of the reaction pathways can be altered in certain derivatives. For example, when R' = 2,4-dinitrophenyl, the contribution of the nitrosamine/O-nitrene-forming pathway was diminished. Pharmacological implications of these results are discussed.

From soil to brain: zinc deficiency increases the neurotoxicity of Lathyrus sativus and may affect the susceptibility for the motorneurone disease neurolathyrism.

Zinc deficiency and oversupply of iron to the roots of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) induce increases in the content of the neurotoxin beta-L-ODAP (3-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid) in the ripe seeds. The transport of zinc to the shoots is enhanced by the addition of beta-L-ODAP. The neurotoxin of L. sativus is proposed to function as a carrier molecule for zinc ions. Soils, depleted in micronutrients from flooding by monsoon rains (Indian subcontinent) or otherwise poor in available zinc and with high iron content (Ethiopian vertisols), may be responsible for higher incidence of human lathyrism, one of the oldest neurotoxic diseases known to man. A role for brain zinc deficiency in the susceptibility for lathyrism is postulated.

Analysis of the neurotoxin beta-ODAP and its alpha-isomer by precolumn derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate.

A method is presented for determining 3-N-oxalyl-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (beta-ODAP), the most potent neurotoxic substance of the seeds and seedlings of Lathyrus sativus, and its much less toxic 2-isomer (alpha-ODAP). The separation of the two forms is achieved after derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate employing a HPLC system. This method was used to monitor the isomerization of beta-ODAP to alpha-ODAP at different time intervals and to quantify the toxin level in seed extracts.