AMU Journal System (Arba Minch University)
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Assessing the Contributing Factors and Distributions of Road Traffic Accident in Arba Minch Town, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia : Road Traffic Accident
No full textRoad traffic accidents pose a persistent global challenge, with their frequency on the rise. This study aims to examine the contributing factors and spatial-temporal patterns of road traffic accidents in Arba Minch town, located in South Ethiopia. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research utilized descriptive research design for data collection and analysis. Information was gathered through field observations, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and supplemented by road traffic accident records from Gamo zone and Arba Minch town transport and traffic police office. Spatial analysis techniques such as interpolation, kernel density estimation, and point pattern analysis were employed to assess the distribution of accidents and identify hot spot areas. The findings reveal a high incidence of road traffic accidents in Arba Minch town, with 207 incidents recorded between July 2018 and June 2023. These accidents were primarily attributed to drivers aged 18-30 with 2-10 years of driving experience, occurring predominantly during daytime hours and on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Failure to yield to pedestrians, overspeeding, and excessive loading emerged as the primary causes of accident severity in Arba Minch town. Hot spot areas identified include Shecha Daget, around Arba Minch textile factory, Arba Minch University main campus, Arba Minch stadium, in front of Shecha square-Rafael church road, Nechsar Addisu Mesgid, and Sikela around Gamo square. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted traffic law enforcement measures in these identified areas to mitigate the risk of accidents in Arba Minch town.
Keywords: Black Spots/Hotspots, Distance Weighted Road Traffic Accident, Geographic Information System, Inverse, Kernel Density Estimation  
ሂሳዊ የማንበብ ብልሃቶች የተማሪዎችን አንብቦ የመረዳት ችሎታንና የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት ለማሻሻል ያላቸው አስተዋጽኦ፤ በዘጠነኛ ክፍል ተተኳሪነት
Get PDFየዚህ ጥናት ዋና ዓላማ ሂሳዊ የማንበብ ብልሃቶች የተማሪዎችን አንብቦ የመረዳት ችሎታ እና የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት በማጎልበት ረገድ ያላቸውን አስተዋጽኦ በከፊል ፍትነታዊ ምርምር መፈተሽ ነው፡፡ ከሂሳዊ የማንበብ ብልሃቶች መካከል ቅድመ ቅኝት፣ አውዳዊ ማድረግ፣ ለመረዳትና ለማስታወስ መጠየቅ፣ እሴቶቻችንን በሚፈታተኑ ጉዳዮች ላይ ፅብረቃ ማድረግ፣ ዋና ሐሳብን ማውጣትና ማጠቃለል፣ የፀሐፊውን የመከራከሪያ ሐሳቦች መመዘን እንዲሁም ተዛማጅ ጽሑፎችን ማወዳደርና ማነፃፀር ትኩረት የተደረገባቸው ናቸው፡፡ ዓላማውን ለማሳካት ጎንደር ከተማ የሚገኘው የፋሲለደስ አጠቃላይ ሁለተኛ ደረጃ ትምህርት ቤት በአመቺ ንሞና ዘዴ ተመርጧል፡፡ በትምህርት ቤቱ ከሚገኙ ሃያ ሁለት የዘጠነኛ ክፍል ምድቦች መካከል ሁለት ምድብ ተማሪዎች በቀላል የዕጣ ንሞና ተለይተዋል፡፡ ከእነሱም በቅድመ እና ድኅረ ትምህርት አንብቦ የመረዳት ፈተና እና የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት በሚለካ የጽሑፍ መጠይቅ አማካይነት የጥናቱ መረጃዎች ተሰብስበዋል፡፡ የተሰበሰቡት መረጃዎችም ከተደራጁ በኋላ በባዕድ ናሙና ቲ-ቴስት ተተንትነዋል፡፡ በውጤት ትንተናው መሰረትም የሙከራው ቡድን የድኅረ ትምህርት አንብቦ የመረዳት ፈተና ውጤት ከቁጥጥር ቡድኑ አንብቦ የመረዳት ፈተና ውጤት በልጦ ጉልህ ልዩነት (ቲ (111) = 4.313 P = 0.000) አሳይቷል፡፡ በተመሳሳይ መልኩ የሙከራው ቡድን የድኅረ ትምህርቱ የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት አማካይ ውጤት ከቁጥጥሩ ቡድን የድኅረ ትምህርት የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት አማካይ ውጤት በልጦ ጉልህ ልዩነት (ቲ (111) = 3.614፤ P = 0.000) እንዳለ አመላክቷል፡፡ ከዚህም በመነሳት ሂሳዊ የማንበብ ብልሃቶች የተማሪዎችን አንብቦ የመረዳት ችሎታ እና የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት ለማጎልበት አስተዋጽኦ አላቸው ወደሚል መደምደሚያ ላይ ተደርሷል፡፡ በመጨረሻም ከድምዳሜው በመነሳት ለመምህራን እና ለተመራማሪዎች ልዩ ልዩ አስተያየቶች እንዲቀርቡ ተደርጓል፡፡
ቁልፍ ቃላት፤ ሂሳዊ ንባብ፣ ሂሳዊ የማንበብ ብልሃቶች፣ አንብቦ መረዳት፣ የማንበብ ተነሳሽነት 
A Life Cycle Cost Analysis over Alternative Maintenance Interventions on Double Bituminous Surface Treatment Road Segments
Get PDFThis research aims to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis of different maintenance activities over DBST road segments undertaken by the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) Sodo Road Network and Safety Management Branch Directorate (RNSMBD) by considering the Maintenance District as a case study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to meet the study's objectives. Road condition survey data were collected by conducting a road condition survey with the help of Sodo RNSMBD staff. After collecting the necessary data, all possible input data was arranged to feed HDM-4. The analysis used the Highway Development and Management Model (HDM-4) tool and the life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to determine the economic viability of different road maintenance intervention alternatives. The analysis was carried out by considering doing nothing, doing routine work, and doing periodic work scenarios. The economic indicator used for this study was Net Present Value (NPV). The results of this study indicate that most of the road conditions of the selected DBST road segments fall under poor conditions. The economic analysis results also depicted that implementing a preventive maintenance strategy on DBST road segments can significantly decrease the life cycle cost in terms of costs incurred by both the road agency and users under Sodo RNSMBD. The study concluded that road agencies should embrace the practices of applying more preventive activities at early signs of pavement deterioration to preserve road assets.
Keywords: DBST, ERA, HDM-4, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Road Maintenance, Bituminou
Customer Satisfaction Assessment in the Public Transportation System of Anbessa City Bus Services
Get PDFAssessing public transportation services can significantly contribute to improving their quality, thereby attracting more commuters over time. In the capital city of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), transportation is mostly facilitated by the publicly owned transportation service providers. These public service providers are the Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise, popularly known as ACBSE Transport, Alliance Bus Services, and Sheger Bus Services. In addition, various other privately owned vehicles, including minibuses and taxis, are also available in the city for public transportation. This study aimed to analyse customer satisfaction with Anbessa city bus services in Addis Ababa using the SERVQUAL model, considering five service attributes, i.e., parameters: Service Responsiveness, Reliability, Tangibility, Assurance, and Empathy. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to 500 regular users of Anbessa city bus services in the city. The data obtained was sorted and analysed using SPSS 20.0 software. The research findings indicate that passengers are satisfied with ACBSE transport services based on responsiveness and tangibility, but they are unsatisfied with the reliability, assurance, and empathy dimensions of service quality. The study results are found to be useful for transport planners seeking to improve ACBSE bus services at selected terminals in Addis Ababa.
Keywords: ACBSE, Ambessa City Transport, Reliability, SERVQUAL Model, Tangibility
 
Key Determinants of Health and Safety Management in Building Construction Projects in SWEPR, Ethiopia
Get PDFConstruction workers are often victims of accidents, causing physical suffering and financial losses due to the multifaceted nature of construction tasks. Moreover, due to inadequate site management that results in poor health and safety management practices, a higher incidence of accidents and injuries occurs among workers. This research identified key factors influencing HSM in building construction projects in the area and how they influence project outcomes. A mixed-methods approach incorporating both quantitative and qualitative techniques was utilized. The systematic random sampling technique was used to select samples from a building construction site, employing a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the survey responses, and rankings were assigned based on the relative importance index (RII). The findings reveal that the top factors affecting HSM are implementation of safety protocols and procedures (RIR=0.910), compliance with safety regulations and standards (0.851), worker training and awareness programs (0.789), adequacy of safety training provided to workers (0.787), and implementation of risk assessment and management procedures (0.754). Lack of regular safety inspections and absence of designated safety personnel exacerbate the safety concerns. The most prevalent impact is increased accidents and injuries. The findings put forward that ensuring compliance with safety regulations, providing adequate safety training, implementing effective safety protocols, and addressing cultural and language barriers are perceived as key priorities for achieving positive project outcomes, particularly in terms of worker safety, project timelines, and overall quality. In general, the findings provide actionable insights for contractors and policymakers to enhance safety standards in the region.
Keywords: Building construction project, health and safety management, factors affecting health and safety, occupational safety, construction risk management, mixed-method stud
Optimizing Agricultural Water Use: A Comparative Analysis of Soil Moisture and Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Carrot Crop (Daucus Carota)
Get PDFCrop production in Ethiopia is limited owing to water scarcity. Various technologies and management options are being used for efficient use of the available water resources in crop production. This study evaluated the performance of Soil Moisture (SM) and Evapotranspiration (ET) based irrigation scheduling methods on carrot yield and Water Use Efficiency (WUE), Water Productivity (WP) and field water use efficiency at water scarce areas of Arba Minch for two consecutive years/seasons of 2021 and 2022. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. The treatments combined two scheduling techniques (soil moisture, SM, and evapotranspiration, ET). Water was delivered to furrows using an RBC flume, and data was analyzed with ANOVA at 5% significance level using SAS software and the graphs were drawn by Python. Across 2021 and 2022 seasons, SM-based irrigation consistently required less water than ET-based scheduling, achieving 5–5.4% water savings at full irrigation levels without reducing yields. Under moderate deficit irrigation (50–75%), both methods sustained comparable yields (42–43 t/ha), but SM-based treatments showed higher WUE, FWUE, and WP, with peak values at SM50% (WUE = 31.4 kg/m³; FWUE = 22.7 kg/m³; WP = 1.78 kg/m³) compared to ET50% (WUE = 25.8 kg/m³; FWUE = 18.1 kg/m³; WP = 1.78 kg/m³). Severe deficit irrigation (25%) drastically reduced yield and all efficiency indices in both methods. Economic analysis indicated that moderate irrigation levels (50%) maximized net benefits and cost-benefit ratios. Overall, SM-based irrigation was more efficient in water use, improved yield stability, and enhanced WUE, FWUE, and WP across irrigation levels. Thus, it demonstrated its suitability for sustainable carrot production under limited water resources. This saving is particularly relevant for Ethiopia where water scarcity limits crop production. It demonstrates a practical strategy for farmers to grow more food with less water while supporting sustainable resource management.
Keywords: Soil moisture; Furrow Irrigation; Crop evapotranspiration; ET-Based irrigation; SM-based irrigatio
Combined Effect of Bamboo Fiber and Kaolin on Concrete Properties: An Experimental Study
Get PDFConcrete is the most widely used construction material globally, but its production is energy-intensive, depletes natural resources, and contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions. This study investigates the potential of using locally sourced waste materials—calcined kaolin (CK) as a partial cement replacement and bamboo fiber (BF) as reinforcement—to develop a more sustainable concrete. An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete mixes with CK (4%, 8%, 12% by weight of cement) and BF (0.5%, 1%, 1.5% by volume of concrete). The compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths were tested after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. The results indicate that the combination of 8% CK and 1% BF (mix CK8BF1) yielded the optimal performance, with a 28-day compressive strength of 37.9 MPa, approximately 10.5% higher than that of the control concrete (34.3 MPa). Strength improvements were also observed in splitting tensile and flexural tests for this optimal mix. Beyond these optimum percentages, strength declined due to a reduction in cementitious content and the balling effect of fibers. This research demonstrates that the synergistic use of calcined kaolin and bamboo fiber can enhance mechanical properties while reducing the environmental footprint of concrete, offering a promising alternative for sustainable construction, particularly in regions where these materials are abundant.
Keywords: Bamboo Fibers, Calcined Kaolin, Concrete, Mechanical Properties, Metakaolin, Sustainable Constructio
Determinants of Livelihood Diversification among Rural Households in the Context of Climate Variability and Conflict-Affected Areas of East Wallaga Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.: Livelihood Diversification
No full textAbstract
This study investigates the factors influencing livelihood diversification among rural households in East Wallaga Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, a region affected by climate variability and conflict. Diversification is essential for resilience and food security in such vulnerable areas. A mixed-methods approach, using quantitative data from 400 households and qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions, was employed. The findings reveal that most households have not successfully diversified, leaving them susceptible to climate and conflict-related risks. Key factors positively influencing diversification include access to electricity, credit, water, irrigation, and higher income, while marital status, specific agro-ecological zones, and higher dependency ratios hinder diversification. The study recommends improving rural infrastructure, expanding financial services, and promoting irrigation to support livelihood diversification. These interventions can enhance economic stability and food security for rural households facing environmental and social challenges. This research contributes to understanding rural livelihood strategies in climate and conflict-affected regions.
 
English Language Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development Target Needs: Lacks, Want and Necessities
Get PDFThis study explored the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) needs of high school English teachers in Ethiopia. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, it investigated teachers' perceived lacks, wants, and necessities. Findings revealed significant gaps in teachers' technological knowledge, pedagogical skills, and research abilities. While teachers expressed a strong need for professional development that enhances their contextual understanding, research skills, and technology integration, intrinsic motivation for CPD was limited. The study underscores the critical need for tailored, teacher-centered CPD programs that address specific needs and foster genuine professional growth. Finally, recommendations are provided to stakeholders, including policymakers and educational institutions, on designing CPD programs that align with teachers' professional aspirations and the unique demands of the educational context. The ultimate goal is to improve teaching efficacy and enhance student learning outcomes
In-vitro quality assessment of commercially available ciprofloxacin tablets marketed in Arba Minch City, Ethiopia
Get PDFThis investigation focused on examining the quality of various ciprofloxacin tablets sold in drug outlets in Arba Minch, applying criteria from Pharmacopoeia as well as non-official measures. Samples were obtained through convenience sampling from local pharmacies in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia. Quality testing was performed at the Jimma University drug quality control laboratory. Each sample underwent assessments for identity, weight uniformity, solubility, friability, and assay, following the guidelines of the United States and British Pharmacopoeias. Among the tested brands, C1 showed the highest friability value (0.199). None of the brands deviated more than 5% from the average tablet weight, which is within acceptable limits. All brands released over 80% of the active ingredient within 30 minutes during dissolution testing. ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences in dissolution profiles across brands, and the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model provided the finest fitting description of dissolution behavior. Identification tests confirmed consistency with the reference standard, as retention times differed by less than 0.1 minutes. All seven brands met the assay requirements. Overall, all ciprofloxacin tablet brands examined complied with pharmacopeial in vitro quality standards.
Keywords: Assay test; Dissolution; Friability; Quality assessment; Weight uniformit