254 research outputs found
Adverse birth outcome: a comparative analysis between cesarean section and vaginal delivery at Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective record review [Corrigendum]
No full textAbebe Eyowas F, Negasi AK, Aynalem GE, Worku AG. Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. 2016;7:65–70On page 65 Abel Fekadu Dadi should have been listed as an author. The incorrect author list was:Fantu Abebe Eyowas1Ashebir Kidane Negasi1Gizachew Eyassu Aynalem1Abebaw Gebeyehu Worku2The correct author list should have been:Fantu Abebe Eyowas1Ashebir Kidane Negasi1Gizachew Eyassu Aynalem1Abebaw Gebeyehu Worku2Abel Fekadu Dadi2Read the original articl
Trans Rights: A detailed analysis of access to gender affirming treatments by minors and the differing approaches taken by Member States in the European Union
No full textIn this paper the author will be discussing the varying approaches by Member States in the European Union regarding the rights of Minors to access/undertake gender affirming treatments. This paper shall have a particular focus on the varying approaches taken by the Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom and the Netherlands in minors having access to gender affirming treatments. The Netherlands has developed a protocol for gender affirming intervention which has been deemed to be the benchmark for providing treatment for minors suffering from gender dysphoria. The protocol developed by the Netherland vastly differs from other Member States such as the United Kingdom and Ireland. The basis for the differing views by such member states lies on the basis of health officials that intervention can be a detriment to minors instead of having a benefit. The varying approaches by Member States raises the question of what can be considered to be the appropriate approach to be undertaken in providing gender affirming treatment to minors and the lines that must be drawn between what can be considered in what is deemed to be providing minors with the right to receive appropriate care against what can be considered to be medical malpractice
Determinants of Time-to-Under-Five Mortality in Ethiopia: A Comparison of Various Parametric Shared Frailty Models
No full textUnder-five mortality is one of the critical indicator of development of a country. It tells of
children’s access to basic health interventions such as vaccinations, medical treatment and
inadequate nutrition (WHO, 2013). According to preliminary estimates, the global U5MR has
declined by more than half, dropping from 90 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and
2015. But, at today’s rate of progress, it will take about 10 more years to reach the global target
(UNICEF, 2015). The main objective of this study is to identify the determinants of time to underfive mortality in Ethiopia. The data for the study were taken from the 2014 Ethiopian Mini
Demographic and Health Survey of women in the age group15-49 years. Mothers’ educational
level, mothers’ age at first birth, place of residence, household size, sex of child born, preceding
birth interval, economic status of family, place of delivery, marital status of family, and source of
drinking water were identified as determinant factors that affect the time to under-five mortality
from the socio-economic and demographic variables, and environmental factors. Regions of study
were used as clusters which was taken care of the frailty term at regional level and shared frailty
models were explored. Comparison of the model was done by using AIC, and Weibull-Gamma
shared frailty model was selected for time-to-under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Based on the result
of selected model, except marital status of family and age of mothers’ at first birth, all the identified
predictor variables had significant effect on time to under-five mortality. Great attention should
be given to these predictor variables while planning to increase child survival time
Opinion Dynamics Optimization by Varying Susceptibility to Persuasion via Non-Convex Local Search
No full textA long line of work in social psychology has studied variations in people's susceptibility to persuasion - the extent to which they are willing to modify their opinions on a topic. This body of literature suggests an interesting perspective on theoretical models of opinion formation by interacting parties in a network: in addition to considering interventions that directly modify people's intrinsic opinions, it is also natural to consider interventions that modify people's susceptibility to persuasion.In this work, motivated by this fact, we propose an influence optimization problem. Specifically, we adopt a popular model for social opinion dynamics, where each agent has some fixed innate opinion, and a resistance that measures the importance it places on its innate opinion; agents influence one another's opinions through an iterative process. Under certain conditions, this iterative process converges to some equilibrium opinion vector. For the unbudgeted variant of the problem, the goal is to modify the resistance of any number of agents (within some given range) such that the sum of the equilibrium opinions is minimized; for the budgeted variant, in addition the algorithm is given upfront a restriction on the number of agents whose resistance may be modified.We prove that the objective function is in general non-convex. Hence, formulating the problem as a convex program as in an early version of this work (Abebe et al., KDD'18) might have potential correctness issues. We instead analyze the structure of the objective function, and show that any local optimum is also a global optimum, which is somehow surprising as the objective function might not be convex. Furthermore, we combine the iterative process and the local search paradigm to design very efficient algorithms that can solve the unbudgeted variant of the problem optimally on large-scale graphs containing millions of nodes. Finally, we propose and evaluate experimentally a family of heuristics for the budgeted variant of the problem. © 2021 held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM
Sugar crystal size characterization using digital image processing.
No full textThesis (PhD)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.The measurement of the crystal size distribution is a key prerequisite in optimising the growth of sugar crystals in crystalisation pans or for quality control of the final product. Traditionally, crystal size measurements are carried out by inspection or using mechanical sieves. Apart from being time consuming, these techniques can only provide limited quantitative information. For this reason, a more quantitative automatic system is required. In our project, software routines for the automated measurement of crystal size using classical image analysis techniques were developed. A digital imaging technique involves automatically analyzing a captured image of a representative sample of ~ 100 crystals for the automated measurement of crystal size has been developed. The main problem of crystals size measurements using image processing is the lack of an efficient algorithm to identify and separate overlapping and touching crystals which otherwise compromise the accuracy of size measurement. This problem of overlapping and touching crystals was addressed in two ways. First, 5 algorithms which identify and separate overlapping and touching crystals, using mathematical morphology as a tool, were evaluated. The accuracy of the algorithms depends on the technique used to mark every crystal in the image. Secondly, another algorithm which used convexity measures of the crystals based on area and perimeter, to identify and reject overlapping and touching crystals, have been developed. Finally, the two crystal sizing algorithms, the one applies ultimate erosion followed by a distance transformation and the second uses convexity measures to identify overlapping crystals, were compared with well established mechanical sieving technique. Using samples obtained from a sugar refinery, the parameters of interest, including mean aperture (MA) and coefficient of variance (CV), were calculated and compared with those obtained from the sieving method. The imaging technique is faster, more reliable than sieving and can be used to measure the full crystal size distributions of both massecuite and dry product
Emergent trends in the reported incidence of prostate cancer in Nigeria
No full textGodwin O Ifere1, Fisseha Abebe2, Godwin A Ananaba1,31Department of Biological Sciences, 2Department of Mathematical Sciences, 3Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USABackground: To date there has not been any nationwide age-standardized incidence data reported for prostate cancer in Nigeria. We examined and integrated diverse trends in the age-specific incidence of prostate cancer into a comprehensive trend for Nigeria, and examined how best the existing data could generate a countrywide age-standardized incidence rate for the disease.Methods: Data were obtained from studies undertaken between 1970 and 2007 in referral hospital-based cancer registries. Records from at least one tertiary hospital in each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria were examined retrospectively. Data were also reported for the rural population in cross-sectional prospective studies. Age-standardized incidence rates and the annual incidence of disease were calculated.Results: Higher incidence rates for prostate cancer during this period were recorded for patients aged 60–69 years and 70–79 years, with a lower incidence rate for patients aged younger than 50 years. An exponential annual incidence rate of disease was observed in the 50–79 year age group and peaked at 70–79 years before dropping again at age 80 years. The results showed metastasis in more than half of these hospital-based prostate tumors.Conclusion: Our results suggest that prostate cancer occurs at a relatively young age in Nigerians and that hospital-based registry reports may not appropriately reflect the incidence of the disease in Nigeria. A countrywide screening program is urgently needed. Finally, the difference in reported stages of disease found in Nigerians and African-Americans versus Caucasians suggests biological differences in the prognosis. Nigeria may thus typify one of the ancestral populations that harbor inherited genes predisposing African-Americans to high-risk prostate cancer.Keywords: prostate cancer, annual age-standardized incidence rate, Nigeria cancer registr
Consumption of vitamin a rich foods and dark adaptation threshold of pregnant women at Damot Sore District, Wolayita, southern Ethiopia
No full textBACKGROUND:
More than 7.2 million pregnant women in developing countries suffer from vitamin A deficiency. The objective of this study was to assess dark adaptation threshold of pregnant women and related socio-demographic factors in Damot Sore District, Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 104 pregnant women selected by a two stage cluster sampling. A Dietary Diversity Score was calculated by counting the number of food groups consumed by the women in 24 hour period prior to the study. Scotopic Sensitivity Tester-1 was used to test participant's pupillary response to graded amounts of light in a dark tent.
RESULTS:
Half of the pregnant women in this study had dietary diversity score less than three. The majority of participants (87.5%) had consumed either animal or plant source vitamin A rich foods less than three times a week. For a unit increase in individual dietary diversity score, there was a decrease in dark adaptation measurement by 0.29 log cd/m(2) (p=0.001). For a unit increase in gestational week of pregnancy, there was an increase in dark adaptation measurement by 0.19 log cd/m(2) (P=0.027).
CONCLUSIONS:
Results from this study indicated that the pregnant women had low consumption of vitamin A rich foods, and their dark adaptation threshold increases with gestational age indicating that their vitamin A status is getting worse. There is a need to design appropriate intervention and target this group of population.
KEYWORDS:
Southern Ethiopia; Vitamin A deficiency; dark adaptation threshold; pregnant wome
Nutritional care and support among adults living with HIV at Hawassa Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia: A qualitative study
No full textBackground Improving nutritional care and support for people living with HIV (PLHIV) is an integral part of comprehensive HIV treatment according to the National Nutritional Strategy of Ethiopia. However, there is no adequate published study that assesses the nutritional care and support services for adult people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHIV) in this setting. Objective The objective of the study was to identify the existing nutritional care and support services and determine the challenges facing adults living with HIV at Hawassa Referral Hospital in southern Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was carried out using focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews and participant observation. Four FDGs were held and five in-depth interviews were conducted. A two-week participant observation was also conducted by trained nurses. All interviews and FDGs were tape-recorded and transcribed; those conducted in Amharic were translated back to English. Finally thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed. Results Most of the FDG participants were unsatisfied with their nutritional care and support services and expressed difficulty with disclosing their HIV status for fear of stigma and discrimination. The in-depth interviews and participant observation showed results similar to those of the FDG. Some key informants expressed a fear that such poor nutritional care and support may threaten the quality of life of people living with HIV and suggested that all stakeholders work on improving the services. Conclusion Current nutritional care and support services for people living with HIV are not well coordinated. They focus mainly on monthly supplementation of antiretroviral drugs and occasional handouts of food. The need to provide health education on antiretroviral drugs and nutrition, and to emphasise strategies aimed at improving the nutritional status of peoples living with HIV is critical. Furthermore, the study recommended strengthening the initiatives of some organisations regarding sustainable income-generating activities.
KEYWORDS:
Africa; HIV/AIDS; qualitative research; stigma and discriminatio
Changes in nutritional, functional and immunological status of HIV-infected adults with antiretroviral therapy.
No full textBACKGROUND:
Literature has shown that there is vicious cycle between malnutrition and HIV infection. In Ethiopia, antiretroviral therapy (ART) was started about eight years back but, to the best of authors' knowledge, there was no published study that assessed treatment outcome indicators.
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the outcomes of ART from the perspective of nutritional, clinical, functional and immunological status.
METHODS:
A retrospective recored review was used to assess the nutritional status of adults before and after ART in Hawassa University referral hospital. This analysis included 358 living HIV positive adults who were on ART for 3 - 96 months.
RESULTS:
The mean age of the study participants was 33.75 +/- 9.12 years and the median duration of ART was 24 months (Inter-quartile range: 12, 36). After ART, cases with body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 dropped from 38% to about 20% and cases with CD4 count < 200/mm3 dropped from about 73% to about 9% (P < 0.0001 for each). However, there were 58 and 14 cases whose BMI and CD4 count were even below the Pre-ART levels, respectively. The regression line demonstrating an overall change in CD4 count showed a positive linear trend as the duration of ART increases but the change in BMI was a downward linear trend. In multiple linear regression, current nutritional status was found to have significant association with baseline low CD4 count, clinical stage III/ IV, low BMI and low meal frequency. Multiple logistic regression also demonstrated a significant association of low BMI after ART with low CD4 count before ART. With ART, decreased frequency of illness, baseline WHO clinical stage I/II and high BMI were independent predictors of improvement in functional status.
CONCLUSION:
Patients started on ART with low BMI, severely immunosuppressed and clinical stage III/IV illnesses were found to have poorer nutritional, functional and immunological response. This study provided another evidence to support the WHO recommendation on initiating ART before patients' nutritional, clinical and immunological statuses deteriorate. The nutritional care needs to be given more emphasis since the ART response was found to be unsatisfactory.journal articleresearch support, non-u.s. gov't2012 Janimporte
Prevalence of abomasal nematodes in sheep and goats slaughtered at Haramaya municipal abattoir, eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia
No full textThe study was conducted from November 2009 to March 2010 in Haramaya district, eastern Hararghe zone of
Oromiya region, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of abomasal nematodes of
small ruminants slaughtered at Haramaya municipal abattoir. During the study period a total of 384 abomasums
of small ruminants (181 sheep and 203 goats) were examined. Three genera of nematodes were identified in
both sheep and goats abomasa with overall prevalence of 95.8%. The prevalence in sheep and goats were
94.5% and 97% respectively. The prevalence in both animal species was 85.7% Haemonchus contortus, 82.3%
Trichostrongylus axei and 79.9% Teladorsagia. The specific prevalence observed were 90% for Haemonchus
contortus, 75.7 % for Trichostrongylus axei, and 80.7 % for Teladorsagia spp. in sheep and 81.8 % for
Haemonchus contortus, 88.2 % for Trichostrongylus axei and 79.3 % for Teladorsagia spp. in goats.
Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in nematode species except Teladorsagia species was observed.
There was no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) among the risk factors of age and sex considered in
relation to the prevalence of abomasal nematodes. Generally, a high infection rate of small ruminants with
abomasal nematodes was observed during the study period
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