Conectar
by Birhan Berihun Abebe, Abebe Girma Demissie, Habtie Bassie Felatie, Aderajew Adgo Tesema, Baye Wodajo, Wondye Ayaliew Shiferaw, Sualih Gobeze Hailu
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a widely used vegetable in Ethiopia, but its production is severely affected by late blight, early blight and bacterial wilt. This study aims to isolate Pseudomonas fluorescens as a bio-control agent against Alternaria solani. Biological control using Pseudomonas fluorescens offers a potential alternative to chemical fungicides. Rhizosphere soil and healthy tomato roots were sampled from three Kebeles in North Wollo, Ethiopia. P. fluorescens was isolated on Pseudomonas Isolation Agar, while A. solani isolated from infected leaves on Potato Dextrose Agar and confirmed pathogenic on tomato seedlings. Three isolates of P. fluorescens (Pfs12, Pfk13, Pfsa31) were screened in vitro using the dual culture method, and their efficacy was further tested in vivo under greenhouse conditions. Isolates Pfs12 and Pfk13 showed moderate effectiveness against the radial growth of A. solani, achieving percent growth inhibitions of 56.04% and 55.04%, respectively. The standard chemical treatment (mancozeb) resulted in a 54.84% growth inhibition. The control group (Pseudomonas fluorescens) also demonstrated a moderate growth inhibition of 57.65% against A. solani. Data were gathered regarding disease parameters. The day after transplanting, the percent disease index was significantly lower in all treated groups compared to the control (water). The isolate Pfsa31 achieved the lowest disease index of 24.733%, which was comparable to the standard chemical treatment at 28.467%. Both treatments were significantly different from the control (water) at 60.333%. The findings showed the bio-control potential of selected P. fluorescens isolates as effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the management of early blight disease in tomato cultivation, emphasizing the importance of utilizing indigenous strains for optimal performance.This study employs structural equation modelling to explore the inter-relationships among optimal antenatal care (ANC), health facility delivery and early postnatal care (EPNC) in Ethiopia. By identifying both direct and indirect influencing factors, the study offers valuable insights to support integrated maternal health strategies and guide informed decision-making by policymakers and women alike.
The secondary analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 was performed to investigate inter-relationships between optimal ANC, health facility delivery and postnatal care (PNC) among women in Ethiopia. Data were analysed with R software V.4.3.2. The study used binary logistic regression to examine differences in optimal ANC, health facility delivery and EPNC, focusing on variables with a p value of 0.1 or less. Selected variables were incorporated into a generalised structural equation model (GSEM) using the LAVAAN package to explore both direct and indirect effects. The GSEM method assessed the impact of exogenous variables on endogenous variables, all binary, using a logistic link and binomial family. Missing data were handled with the multiple imputation by chained equations package, and sampling weights were applied to ensure national and regional representativeness.
The source population comprised all women of reproductive age (15–49 years) who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. From 16 650 interviewed households (98% response rate), we identified 7590 eligible women with recent births. Finally, we included 2415 women who had attended four or more ANC visits.
Media exposure significantly boosts the likelihood of using ANC (OR=1.8, 95% CI (1.04 to 3.23), p=0.04), health facility delivery (OR=1.7, 95% CI (1.23 to 2.45), p=0.05) and PNC (OR=2.0, 95% CI (1.6 to 4.01), p=0.01). Urban residence and secondary education also enhance ANC (OR=1.2, 95% CI (1.01 to 2.88), p=0.022; OR=1.3, 95% CI (1.20 to 3.01), p=0.018), health facility delivery (OR=1.1, 95% CI (1.01 to 3.24), p=0.035; OR=1.5, 95% CI (1.22 to 3.45), p=0.03) and PNC (OR=1.6, 95% CI (1.01 to 4.32), p=0.03). ANC directly affects health facility delivery (OR=1.4, 95% CI (1.28 to 3.09), p=0.01) and PNC (OR=1.6, 95% CI (1.01 to 3.80), p=0.03). Additionally, women aged 20–34 years and those from male-headed households positively impact health facility delivery (OR=1.5, 95% CI (1.20 to 4.80), p=0.01; OR=1.3, 95% CI (1.07 to 3.45), p=0.014) and PNC (OR=1.4, 95% CI (1.10 to 2.90), p=0.01; OR=1.2, 95% CI (1.07 to 3.08), p=0.025).
Optimal ANC is vital for encouraging health facility delivery and EPNC. To enhance maternal and neonatal health, policies should integrate these services. Key predictors include being aged 20–34, having secondary and higher education, media exposure, male-headed households and living in urban areas. Improving education and media exposure can boost maternal healthcare service use.
To assess the incidence, progression and predictors of chronic kidney disease among adult patients living with HIV/AIDS who are receiving antiretroviral therapy.
An institution-based, multicentre retrospective follow-up study was conducted among a randomly selected sample of 535 adult patients. Data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6.0 and analysed using STATA version 14.0. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted to identify independent predictors of chronic kidney disease incidence. Variables with p
The study was conducted at comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Adult patients with HIV/AIDS receiving follow-up antiretroviral therapy between 1 April 2012 and 31 September 2022 were the cohort participants.
Of the 528 adult patients included in the final analysis, 15 (2.84%) developed chronic kidney disease during the follow-up period, resulting in an overall incidence rate of 4.1 per 1000 person-years of observation. Significant predictors of chronic kidney disease included baseline age (adjusted HR (AHR)=1.053; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.108), serum creatinine (AHR=1.698; 95% CI, 1.302 to 2.215), blood urea nitrogen (AHR=1.031; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.061) and baseline viral load ≥1000 copies/mL (AHR=3.464; 95% CI, 1.104 to 10.871).
The incidence of chronic kidney disease among adult patients with HIV was clinically significant. Older age, baseline viral load ≥1000 and high blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were significant predictors of higher risk. Proactive measures, such as closer kidney monitoring, targeted care for older patients and ensuring optimal viral suppression with effective antiretroviral therapy, can delay or prevent the development of chronic kidney disease.
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