20 research outputs found
Investigating University EFL Teachers’ Perception, Practice, and Challenges in Self-Initiated Professional Development
No full textThe topic of self-initiated professional development has garnered increasing attention among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers who are motivated to identify and address gaps in their professional development. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions, practices, and challenges of EFL teachers at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University with regard to self-initiated professional development. The participants consisted of 35 EFL instructors with 12 holding PhD degrees and the remaining 23 holding MA degrees at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. The study adopted a concurrent mixed methods research design, utilizing both a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews for data collection. The study employed a total population sampling method and conducted semi-structured interviews with four randomly selected EFL teachers. Data analysis was performed separately for the questionnaire and interview data, followed by a mixed analysis to triangulate and corroborate the results. The findings revealed that the majority of the EFL teachers had a positive perception of self-initiated professional development, which was reflected in their practice of self-monitoring and analyzing critical incidents. However, the teachers did not engage in practices such as keeping a teaching journal, conducting action research, reflecting on their teaching, or developing a teaching portfolio. The challenges to self-initiated professional development were identified as lack of commitment, collaboration among colleagues, communication, and institutional support. This study highlights the potential of self-initiated professional development as an alternative means of addressing professional development needs among EFL teachers
Investigating Efl Teachers’ Beliefs in the Use of Information Communication Technologies for Self-Initiated Professional Development
No full textAlthough teachers in Ethiopia are given pre-service training to upgrade their pedagogical knowledge and teaching proficiency, they may not be fully prepared for all the challenges they will face throughout their careers. This is particularly true in the current situation that requires teachers to be able to meet the changing needs of the current learners that use technology. The federal ministry of education has been making efforts to provide teachers at all levels concerning information communication technologies (ICTs) utilization in their educational activities. In addition to the government–initiated training packages, teachers are expected to familiarize themselves with ICTs through their own self-initiated efforts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of ICTs in University EFL teachers’ Self-initiated professional development. The study participants were 35 EFL university teachers from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. They were selected using total population sampling. Concurrent mixed methods were employed in the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The data were then analyzed separately and finally mixed during the discussion of the data. The findings of the study indicated that teachers' beliefs about the use of ICTs in self-initiated professional development were positive
Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Factors among ART user’s women Attending Adama Town Public Health Facility, Central Ethiopia 2019:
No full textBackground: Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a behavior within an
intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm to the victim. It is well
recognized as a gross violation of human rights and affects the health of women, families and
community at large. HIV infected women face increased risk of IPV than uninfected women.
However, the level to which they experienced violence and its associated factor has not been
well investigated in the local context.
Objective: To determine prevalence and associated factors of IPV among ART users women
visiting chronic care unit Adama town public health facility
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1- April 1, 2019
among 396 ART users‟ women visiting chronic care unit of Adama town public health facility.
Validated WHO tools were used to measure IPV and systematic random sampling technique was
used to select individuals. The collected data were entered, using Epi data 4.4.1 and analyzed
using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were used to compute summary statistics and
proportion. Variables at a cut off value (0.25) on bivariate and (0.05) on multivariable logisticregression were used to identify predictors of IPV.
Result: A total of 396 women participated in the study, providing a response rate of 100%. The
prevalence of current IPV 32.3% and lifetime IPV was 45.5%. Having history of exposure to
first coerced sexual intercourse [AOR =3.0 (1.73, 5.44)], male multi-partnership [AOR = 2.2
(1.21, 4.06)], women who justified husband wife beating is normal when she refused to have sex
with her husband [AOR = 2.3 (1.29, 4.12)], using contraceptive [AOR = 3.33 (1.67, 6.62)] and
women whose partner were farmer [AOR = 3.9 (1.43, 10.79)] were found to be significant factors
for IPV among ART user‟s women
Conclusion: One in three women reported at least two or more forms of violence from their
partner. Individual level factor (exposure to first coerced sex, partner‟s occupation, contraceptive
use and women‟s acceptance of violence) were identified as a determinant. In addition
relationship factor, male multi-partnership was identified as a predisposing factor. In view of this
addressing risky behavior practiced among male partner and challenging women attitude toward
violence was crucial in reducing violence among this populatio
Climate Variability and Small-Scale Farmer Adaptation Strategy in Setema-Gatira Area of Jimmaa, Southwestern Ethiopia
No full textThis study examines rainfall trends, variability and small-scale farmer adaptation strategies to climate change in Setema-Gatira area of Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia. In this study, the trends and variability of rainfall were analyzed for Setema and Gatira meteorological stations. Daily rainfall data for two stations were obtained from National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia. Mann-Kendall’s test was employed for a rainfall trend analysis. Standardized rainfall anomaly index, rainfall concentration index and coefficient of variation were used as descriptors of rainfall variability. The coping mechanism was analyzed using means and frequency. The trend analysis revealed decreasing rainfall trend in Setema and increasing trend in Gatira. However, rainfall trends were not statistically significant (p16 in setema which indicate poor monthly distribution. Monthly rainfall concentration range from moderate to high and total rainfall of the study area concentrated in ½ of the period. The standardized anomalies of annual rainfall revealed negative anomalies 42% at Setema and 50% of years at Gatira. All most in all stations annual rainfall has shown negative anomalies for much of the 1983/4 and 1994. Selling livestock and changing farming practices was the major response to climate variability in the area. Present study only showed local level rainfall trend and variability analysis, so future study should include watershed or regional levels.Peer reviewe
Consumption of vitamin A rich foods and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in North Shoa Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia
No full textBackgroundVitamin A deficiency is a major nutritional concern in poor societies, especially in lower income countries. In Ethiopia vitamin A deficiency was high in preschool children. Recently, the government of Ethiopia has been strengthening nutrition-sensitive programs that focus on promoting healthy dietary practices as a public health intervention to manage vitamin A deficiency. However, there is limited research on the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among children aged 6–59 months in the study area.ObjectivesTo assess magnitude of consumption of vitamin A rich foods and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022.MethodsCommunity based cross sectional study was conducted at North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia in 2022. A total of 916 mothers’ pair children of age 6–59 months were included. A multistage stratified sampling followed by the simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected through a face to face interview. STATA version 14 was used for analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI and a P-values < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance in the multivariable analysis.ResultsOverall, magnitude of Consumption of vitamin A rich food of children aged 6–59 months was 39.1% (95% CI: 37.71, 40.49) in a week before survey. In multivariable regression analysis, maternal educational levels above secondary education and above (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI;1.19, 2.75), paternal educational levels above secondary education and above (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.23),house hold income 3,000 and above ET birr (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.82),adequate dietary diversity score (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.07),adequate meal frequency (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.81) and had nutrition counseling (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.73) were factors positively increases vitamin A consumption among children aged 6–59 moths, Whereas, age of children between 11 and 17 months aged 0.56 (0.33, 0.90) and 18–23 months aged 0.46 (0.29, 0.74) months was negatively associated.ConclusionThis study results showed that vitamin A consumption children aged 6–59 months was low. Strategies to increase vitamin A consumption should focus on promoting parental education, enhancing dietary diversity and meal frequency, supporting household income generation, targeting age groups in the transition to complementary feeding and strengthening nutrition counseling on child feeding practices
Trends in climate extreme indices and implications for coffee farming in The Kafa Biosphere Reserve, southwest Ethiopia
No full textSmallholder coffee farming in tropical highlands is increasingly threatened by climate change. This study examines the trends and potential effects of climate extreme indices on coffee farming households in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve using daily rainfall and temperature data (1985–2023). Twelve extreme climate indices (six temperature and six rainfall indices) were computed from Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI) records following the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) standards. Trend analyses were performed using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator. Results indicate significant warming with annual maximum temperatures (TXx) rising at rates of 0.02–0.04°C yr−1 across stations. The number of hot days (TX90p) increased significantly at all stations except Wushwush. Rainfall extremes show significant upward trends with annual rainfall increment up to 11.43 mm yr−1 in Genji. Heavy rainfall days (RX1day) and rainfall intensity (SDII) increased notably across multiple stations, while consecutive wet days (CWD) decreased slightly in some stations. In general, many climates extreme indices trends seem to exceed the tolerance range of Coffea arabica, reducing yield and quality and raising pest and disease risks. These trends threaten both farmer livelihoods and Ethiopia’s position in the global specialty coffee market. Therefore, adaptation strategies such as shade management, heat-tolerant varieties, and soil and water conservation are essential to sustain smallholder livelihoods. Moreover, integrating local climate adaptation into agricultural and environmental policies is critical for strengthening the resilience of both coffee systems and biodiversity in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve
Altitude is the main driver of coffee leaf rust epidemics: a large-scale survey in Ethiopia
No full textAltitude is the Main Driver of Coffee Leaf Rust Epidemics: a Large-scale Survey in Ethiopia
No full textArabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is native from Africa and Ethiopia is often regarded as its birthplace. Previously of little concern to Ethiopian farmers, coffee leaf rust (CLR) caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is an emergent disease globally. To update the status of CLR, a large survey was conducted in 405 coffee fields across nine production zones of Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) regions. The disease, evaluated one time during the month of the peak for CLR intensity for each region, was present in every single field; mean incidence and severity ranged from 5 to 86.7% (mean = 35.3%) and 0.22 to 55.5 (mean = 9.09), respectively. A complementary log-log model predicted mean field severity from mean field incidence. Altitude, a known surrogate for temperature, was the main driver of the epidemics. Incidence and severity were highest at the lowland fields, where poorly managed plantations of local varieties grown under open sun were also more dominant. CLR intensity decreased with the increase in altitude at the highlands where well-managed improved varieties grown under the shade in forest systems dominate the scenario. This survey contributes to increase awareness of a growing problem in Ethiopia, especially for coffee fields at the highlands should temperatures rise and farmers cut forest to grow plantations of susceptible cultivars. Improving genetic resistance and adoption of best management practices are urgent to prevent the rapid surge of new races and mitigate crop losses currently overlooked by coffee farmers at the lowlands
Investigating the follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
No full textIntroductionFollow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV can increase mortality and HIV spread within communities. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 on follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in Ethiopia.MethodsThis longitudinal study used retrospective document review to compare follow-up status of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic with their status from 2017 to 2019. Data from selected health facilities were collected using a checklist, entered and cleaned in Excel, and analyzed in Stata. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables and line graphs. Incidence risk (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated.ResultsBetween 2017 and 2021, a total of 7,447 people living with HIV were registered to begin ART at selected health facilities. Annual retention rates were consistent from 2017 to 2019, ranging from 0.941 to 0.949. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they dropped to 0.837 in 2020 and 0.840 in 2021. Retention rates were significantly correlated with loss to follow-up (r: −0.959, p ≤ 0.001), death (r: −0.968, p ≤ 0.001), and transfer-out (r: −0.979, p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the incidence of loss to follow-up (IRR: 3.00, 95%CI: 2.71–3.33, p ≤ 0.001), death (IRR: 3.61, 95%CI: 3.13–4.16, p ≤ 0.001), poor adherence (IRR: 2.27, 95%CI: 2.14–2.40, p ≤ 0.001), and severe malnutrition (IRR: 2.32, 95%CI: 2.18–2.47, p ≤ 0.001) significantly increased during the COVID-19.ConclusionThe study found that COVID-19 healthcare disruptions increased follow-up loss among people living with HIV and heightening the disease burden in Ethiopia
Impact of COVID-19 on HIV services and anticipated benefits of vaccination in restoring HIV services in Ethiopia: A qualitative assessment.
No full textBACKGROUND: HIV services were inevitably disrupted and affected due to COVID-19. There are many challenges in implementing appropriate HIV services, particularly in the provision of health care and the link between people living with HIV/AIDS and retention in care. The study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on HIV services and the anticipated benefit of the COVID-19 vaccination on HIV service restoration in North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study approach was used to explore how healthcare delivery evolved during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Sixteen antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics were selected from 13 districts and one administrative town in Ethiopia. From them, 32 ART providers were purposively selected based on their experience in ART provision. Data were collected from June to July 2021 using in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data, based on themes and subthemes emerging from the data. ATLAS.ti software was used for coding. RESULTS: Healthcare for people living with HIV was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical appointments, HIV testing and counseling services, opportunistic infection treatment, medicine supply, and routine viral load and CD4 T-cell count tests were interrupted. Due to a shortage of healthcare staff, outreach testing services and home index testing were discontinued and HIV testing was limited only to hospitals and health centers. This has substantially affected accessibility to HIV testing and reduced the quality of HIV service delivery. Telehealth and less frequent visits to health facilities were used as alternative ways of delivering HIV services. The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is expected to restore healthcare services. Vaccination may also increase the confidence of healthcare providers by changing their attitudes toward COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted HIV services and reduced the quality of HIV care in Ethiopia. Health facilities could not provide routine HIV services as they prioritize the fight against COVID-19, leading to an increase in service discontinuation and poor adherence
