The malaria control programmes are facing a challenge due to a rapidly increasing resistance to currently available synthetic insecticides. Medicinal plants offer a promising alternative for mosquito control, addressing environmental and resistance concerns. The study aimed to assess the larvicidal and adulticidal effects of crude extracts and fractions of selected Ethiopian medicinal plants. Methanol crude extract/fractions of leaves of Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae) and Dodonaea angustifolia (Sapindaceae), rhizomes of Kniphofia foliosa (Asphodelaceae) and roots of Rumex abyssinicus (Polygonaceae) were tested for their larvicidal and adulticidal activity against late 3rd to early 4th instar larvae and 3 to 5 days adults of Anopheles gambiae, respectively. For both assays, the plants were incubated with the parasites for 48 h at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm. Percent mean mortality rate was compared using one-way ANOVA, and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated using a generalized linear Probit model. Croton macrostachyus crude extract exhibited the strongest activity, achieving 100

BACKGROUND:Despite notable progress in the control and prevention of malaria in the Horn of Africa, the disease continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in various regions of Ethiopia, and elsewhere in the region. The transmission of malaria is affected by genetic, sociocultural, and ecological factors. Lare is an Ethiopian district adjacent to the Ethio-South Sudan border, in Gambella region. The region currently has the highest prevalence of malaria in Ethiopia. This study assesses the burden and spatiotemporal patterns of disease transmission, including the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of malaria, across an international border crossing. This understanding can assist in crafting informed programmatic and policy decisions for interventions.METHODS:This study was conducted in Lare district, Southwest Ethiopia, a temperate zone. A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using clinical service data collected between 2011 and 2021 from the 9 health facilities of the district. Both clinically diagnosed patients and those identified using microscopy and rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) were included in the study. Additionally, climate data was incorporated into analyses. Examples of analyses include malaria burden, positivity rate, incidence, species frequency, and an ANOVA to assess inter-annual case number and meteorological factor variation.RESULTS:Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 96,616 suspected malaria cases were tested by microscopy or RDT, and 39,428 (40.8%) of these cases were reported as positive. There were 1276 patients admitted with 22 deaths recorded. There were further more significant fluctuations in positivity rates across years, the highest being 74.5% in 2021. Incidence varied from 18.0% in 2011 to 151.6% in 2016. The malaria parasite species most detected was Plasmodium falciparum, followed by a smaller proportion of Plasmodium vivax. The greatest proportions of P. falciparum cases were observed in 2018 and 2019, at 97.4% and 97.0% prevalence, respectively. There was significant seasonal variation in case number, the highest observed in July through September of each year. Climatic conditions of annual rainfall, temperature and humidity favored the increment of malaria cases from June until October.CONCLUSION:The study shows that the burden, i.e. morbidity and mortality (with fluctuating patterns) of malaria are still significant public health problems and can pose serious consequences in the district. This has implication for cross-border malaria transmission risk due to considerable border crossings. The predominant cause of the disease is P. falciparum, which causes severe complications in patients. The district has to prepare to deal with such complications for better patient care and outcomes.

Purpose: To determine the effect of interpersonal psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among breast cancer patients with mental health disorders at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: A two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial study was conducted among 114 (n=57 intervention, and n= 57 control group) breast cancer patients with common mental health disorder at the oncology center of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. The hospital anxiety and depression measurement scale was used to assess depression and anxiety disorder and a 30-item quality of life questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. General Linear Model analysis was done, confounding factors were controlled, and P<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: Patients in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in the anxiety (coefficient -3.68; 95% CI -5.67,-1.69; P<0.001), depression (coefficient -3.22; 95% CI -4.7,-1.69; P<0.001), physical functioning (coefficient 10.55; 95% CI 3.13, 17.98; P=0.006), health related quality of life (coefficient 21.85; 95% CI 14.1, 29.59; P<0.001), Insomnia (coefficient -19.56; 95% CI -31.87, -7.25; P=0.002), and fatigue (coefficient -11.37; 95% CI -21.49, -1.24; P=0.028) respectively. Conclusions: The adapted Ethiopian version of interpersonal psychotherapy had improved anxiety, depression, and some domains of health-related quality of life. Hence, health programmers should consider incorporating it as a treatment option in oncology centers. Trial registration number: PACTR202011629348967 granted on 20 November 2020 which was retrospectively registered.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice and challenges of women executive members intheir participations in decision making in the National Sport organizations of Ethiopia. In the study, 21federations,4 associations and 2 committees were included. We applied descriptive design with qualitativeand quantitative method to conduct the study and the participants,from these organizations, were executiveofficers (n=162), general secretaries (n=27), and experts (n=27). The samples from each of the populationunit were selected using universal sampling technique. For analyzing the collected data, Pearson Chisquare(sig) and descriptive statistics including computation of percentile and mean were used. The resultsreveal that women executive officers in most originations have shown low performance and low participationindecision making and policy implementation of the organizations. The major inhibiting challenges havebeen found to be incompetence (p<0.002), lack of conducive working conditions (p<0.004)and lack of timeto make contribution in the organizations (p<0.006). To increase women’s performance and participation indecision making in the national sport organizations, it is essential to change the work place environment andempower them through recurrent training workshops

This study was intended to examine dairy producers market participation decision and volume of milk supply. Cross-sectional data was obtained from 220 sample households and analyzed using Heckman selection model. Heckman first-stage model result shows that age of household head, access to market information, access to extension service, contract agreement and accessibility of animal feed was positively determined the dairy producers milk sale decision. Heckman second-stage model result shows that access to market information, market price, accessibility of animal feed and family size was positively determined the volume of milk supply whereas religion determined negatively. This implies that dairy producers capacity building, improving information delivery system and strengthen extension service are an optional solutions to improve production and market supply decision.

This study was intended to examine dairy producers market participation decision and volume of milk supply. Cross-sectional data was obtained from 220 sample households and analyzed using Heckman selection model. Heckman first-stage model result shows that age of household head, access to market information, access to extension service, contract agreement and accessibility of animal feed was positively determined the dairy producers milk sale decision. Heckman second-stage model result shows that access to market information, market price, accessibility of animal feed and family size was positively determined the volume of milk supply whereas religion determined negatively. This implies that dairy producers capacity building, improving information delivery system and strengthen extension service are an optional solutions to improve production and market supply decision.

Background. Despite a substantial scientific progress over the past two decades, malaria continues to be a worldwide burden. Evergrowing resistance towards the currently available antimalarial drugs is a challenge to combat malaria. Medicinal plants are a promising source of new drugs to tackle this problem. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the antiplasmodial activity of Terminalia brownii in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Methods. A 4-day suppressive test was employed to evaluate the antimalarial effect of 80% methanol and aqueous bark extracts of T. brownii against P. berghei in Swiss albino mice. Results. The in vivo acute toxicity test indicated that both extracts of T. brownii did not cause mortality. The 4-day early infection test revealed that the 80% methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited a significant inhibition of parasitemia p<0.001 compared to negative control. The maximum level of chemosuppression (60.2%) was exhibited at 400 mg/kg dose of 80% methanol extract. Moreover, the 80% methanol extract showed a significant p<0.001 attenuation of anemia associated with infection in a dose-dependent manner. The aqueous extract, on the other hand, exhibited a percent inhibition of 51.1% at the highest dose (400 mg/kg/day). Conclusion. The present study indicated that hydromethanolic and aqueous bark extracts of T. brownii possess a promising antimalarial activity, with higher effect exhibited by the hydromethanolic extract.

Using data from 5262 households, we explored entrepreneurial drivers in the non-farm sector. Marital status, religion, ethnicity, education type and the size of the household plays different roles for rural and urban households’ engagement in non-farm enterprises. In both urban and rural areas, household size is a driver to non-farm enterprise engagement. Shocks in the household such as illness drive rural households to engage in the non-farm enterprise sector. However, drought restrains the participation of rural households in nonfarm businesses. Divorced households engage more in enterprises. Unmarried households, however, witnessed less involvement in the sector and it is significant for rural households. Urban illiteracy and rural primary education significantly determine households’ involvement in the non-formal sectors. Moreover, the study identified a non-linear relationship between age and enterprise engagement where engagement in non-farm enterprises increases with age up to 58 years and then declines and it is significant for urban households. In the case of urban households, male-headed households are driven to non-farm engagement. Understanding variations in marital status, socio-economic make-ups, entrepreneurial training, and education can be plausible areas of intervention to adequately understand both the entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthen the non-farming entrepreneurial sector livelihood.

Discopodium Penninervum Hochst is among the Ethiopian medicinal plants traditionally used for wound healing activity. However, to date, there is no scientific report on its wound healing activity. Thus, the main aim of this study was to investigate the wound healing activity of 80% methanol leaf extract of D. penninervum in mice. Wound healing activity was investigated using excision and incision wound models. Mice were randomly assigned and treated with simple ointment (negative control), nitrofurazone (positive control), 5%, and 10% of D. Penninervum extract. Parameters such as wound contraction, period of epithelialization and tensile strength were evaluated. In addition, anti-inflammatory test using carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema model, in vitro antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion technique against several common bacterial strains that cause wound infection and antioxidant activity studies were performed at different doses of the extract. Both 5% and 10% (w/w) ointments exhibited significant ( p < 0.001) increase in wound contraction and shorter epithelization period in excision wound model. Animals treated with 5% and 10% (w/w) ointments showed about 97% and 98% wound closure, respectively, on day fifteen, while the closure of negative control was 88%. In addition, both preparations of the crude extract showed significant increase ( p < 0.001) in wound tensile strength as compared to negative controls. Mice treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg extract showed significant ( p < 0.001) reduction in paw oedema starting from the 2 nd h as compared to negative controls with maximum inhibition of 56.27%, 57.36% and 58.18%, respectively. The crude extract also showed antibacterial activity against both Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with the former being more sensitive than the latter. The lowest MIC values were observed for S. aureus , (2.6 µg/µl) and the highest (350 µg/µl) for all the studied Gram-negative organisms. The MIC index of the extract was found to be 2. The extract was effective in scavenging DPPH radicals and its IC 50 value was 2.77 mg/ml. In addition, quantification of total flavonoid content revealed the presence of 43.03 mg quercetin equivalent flavonoids in the extract. In conclusion, the extract of D. penninervum is endowed with significant wound healing activity that could be attributed to antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the plant. Keywords: Discopodium penninervum , wound healing, excision and incision models, antibacterial activity, anti-oxidant activity

Causality Assessment of Suspected Adverse Drug Reaction with Anti-Tubercular Therapy by WHO Probability ScaleS. Yadav, K.K. Pillai, P. Kapur

Becium grandiflorum Lam. (Lamiaceae)is used as a traditional medicine against malaria, “Mich” and for treatment of spider bite that culminates in wound. The present study evaluated the potential wound healing activity of the crude extract of B. grandiflorum using rodent wound models. Hydroalcoholic (70% ethanol) leaf extract of B. grandiflorum was formulated as 5% and 10% ointment and its activity was investigated in excision and incision wound models using simple ointment and nitrofurazone as a negative and positive control, respectively. In addition, histopathological analysis was performed. Parameters, including rate of wound contraction, period of complete epithelialization, and skin tensile strength were evaluated. Both 5% (w/w) and 10% (w/w) extract ointments (p < 0.001) and standard drug nitrofurazone (p < 0.001) significantly reduced wound area compared to the negative control. Similarly, both doses of the extract ointment preparations showed significant increase (p < 0.001) in wound tensile strength in the incision wound model. However, it was only 5% of the extract ointment and the standard that significantly shortened epithelialization time (p < 0.001) compared to controls. These findings collectively indicate that ointments prepared from 70% ethanol leaf extract of B. grandiflorum could facilitate the different phases of wound repair, providing support for the traditional claims of the plant in the treatment of wound.Keywords: wound healing, excision model, incision model, Becium grandiflorum, hydroalcoholic extract

Background: Hepatitis B is a global public health problem and a major cause of liver disease, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection are reservoir for the virus and do have high potential to transmit it to their fetuses and newborns. The objective of the study was to investigatesero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and assesses risk factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September, 2014 among pregnant women in Ethiopia. A pretested structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors for HBV infection. Blood sample was collected and tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Obtained data were evaluated by frequency, logistic regression analyses, and a significance level of 5 % (α = 0.05) was established. Result: Of the total pregnant women, 11(5.4%) of the study participants were positive for HBsAg. Majority (40.1%) of participants were in age group 25-29 years. The prevalence of HBV infection was higher above 20 years of age. Our finding revealed that none of the study participants were aware of their HBV sero-status. Sero positivity for hepatitis B surface antigen was statistically associated with history of abortion (AOR: 6; 95% CI :( 1.39-27.69); P-value: 0.017), surgery (AOR: 5;95% CI: 1.04-24.31; P-value: 0.045) and family history for hepatitis (AOR: 11; 95% CI (1.63 80.44); P-value: 0.014). Conclusion: According to the research findings, there was an intermediate endemicity of hepatitis B virus infection. The finding revealed that history of abortion, surgery and family history for hepatitis were the major risk factors for the high prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the study area. Appropriate, targeted and timely response is mandatory for tackling the harmful health effects of HBV infection/disease.

Commodity exchange can play a major role for agricultural development as an instrument to bring efficient agricultural market by providing lower transaction cost, efficient and transparent means for price discovery, managing risks related with prices volatility and provide a forum for exchanging information about supply and demand condition. The objectives of the present study are to examine the contributions of ECX for exports, to identify the respective gainers and losers in using ECX for exporting agricultural products, to assess the effect of ECX for generating foreign exchange and to address the feeling of exporters towards the contribution of ECX. The primary data were collected through distributing questionnaire for exporters and interview with executive officer of the company, while secondary data collected from journals, market bulletin, articles and company website. In order to achieve the stated objectives, the focus of the study was on the contribution of ECX in providing market information, grade and standard, contract enforcement, storage, ordering the market, and price discovery. The study employed cross sectional survey design. Even though 148 structured questionnaires distributed to the exporters, only 84.5% of the questionnaires are returned. The sampling design of the study was census survey. Moreover, semi-structured interview conducted with executive officer of the company. Data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS version 16; whereas data collected through interview were analyzed qualitatively. The research result indicated that the grading and sampling system of the company has a problem of bias, lack of knowledge and equipment; there is distrust between the seller, buyer and the exchange; there is high penalty cost imposed by ECX for delaying of withdrawing the commodities on time; problem of intolerable fee for membership seat and also there is a problem of dispute resolution mechanism. Finally, to enhance complete contribution to the exporters the researcher recommended to make grading free from corruption and bias by avoiding the problematic behavior through training and behavioral change of its employees, providing fair membership seat price, avoidance of imposing exaggerated penalty cost and creating acceptable dispute resolution mechanism to the exporters. Keywords: Exchange (ECX), contribution, Agricultural Products, Promoting, export.

The widespread use of Hypericum perforatum for the treatment of mild to moderate depression has prompted screening of the antidepressant-like effect of other species of the genus. The present study was designed to assess the antidepressant-like activity of the 80% methanol extract of Hypericum quartinianum and Hypericum revolutum in behavioral despair model. Eighty percent methanol extract of H. quartinianum and H. revolutum was investigated using learned helplessness models of depression such as tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming tests (FST) and avoidance tests. In addition, locomotor activity was investigated with open field test (OFT). Mice (for TST, avoidance test and OFT) and rats (for FST) were randomly assigned into different groups and treated with distilled water (control), imipramine 64 mg/kg (standard) and extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). At 200 and 400 mg/kg, H. revolutum was effective in reducing immobility time in the TST (43.84%, p<0.01 and 49.08%, p<0.01, respectively) and FST (33.7%, p<0.05 and 38.4%, p<0.01, respectively). Similarly, H. quartinianum also showed anti-immobilty effect at 200 (30.67%, p<0.01) and 400 mg/kg (41.19%, p<0.01) in TST. However, only the larger dose produced significant anti-immobility effect in FST (35.3%, p<0.05). Moreover, both extracts at the doses used significantly decreased the escape failure (p<0.01) and increased the intertrial crossing (p<0.05 and p<0.01) during the resting periods in the avoidance task in a shuttle box. In OFT, the tested crude extracts did not significantly alter locomotor activity, suggesting that it is very unlikely that the observed antidepressant effects are false positives. These observations together provide evidence that the 80% methanolic extract of leaves of H. quartinianum and H. revolutum display antidepressant-like actions in established models of behavioral despair without affecting locomotion.Keywords: Hypericum quartinianum, Hypericum revolutum, depression, antidepressant-like activity

Introduction Based on the 2007 census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA, 2008), the Tigray Region has an estimated total population of 4,314,456; among which 19.5% are urban inhabitants. The region is primarily agricultural and the majority of the population is employed in this sector. Agriculture is dependent on unreliable rainfall. Livestock play an important role in the rural economy of Tigray. They are sources of draft power for tillage and transportation, cash income from sale of livestock and livestock products, food such as milk for household consumption and manure to maintain soil fertility. Tigray has 47 districts (woredas) and among them, Degua Temben is one, which has a relatively cool temperature. Hagere Selam is the capital of the Degua Temben District, where all the district offices are located.