A Review on Biohazards Removal in Ethiopia: Efficacy of Existing Treatment Systems and Challenges.

Background: Wastewater treatment is crucial to protecting public health and the environment by removing Biohazards. In Ethiopia, however, significant research gaps limit progress, especially regarding the efficiency of Biohazard removal in existing treatment facilities. This review evaluates the effectiveness of current treatment methods for Biohazard removal, highlights key challenges, and offers recommendations.

Contribution of domestic animals' feces to the occurrence of diarrhoea among children aged 6-48 months in Sidama region, Ethiopia: a laboratory-based matched case-control study.

Background: In developing countries, due to improper management of domestic animals' exposures, under-five (U5) children have been affected by diarrhoea. However, there is no evidence that shows the presence of diarrhoea-causing pathogens in the faeces of U5 children and animals residing in the same houses in the Sidama region, Ethiopia.

Methods: A laboratory-based matched case-control study was conducted on children aged 6-48 months in the Sidama region of Ethiopia from February to June 2023.

Effects of channelization on macroinvertebrate assemblages in a small stream: The case of Awetu in Jimma City, Ethiopia.

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly modified worldwide by anthropogenic activities. Land use change is one of the leading factors responsible for stream ecosystem degradation. Physical habitat disturbance due to channelization is among the factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity and degradation of river water quality worldwide.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers towards healthcare- associated infections in Jimma University Medical Center, southwestern Ethiopia: using structural equation model.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a common challenge faced in healthcare facilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Evaluating the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among healthcare personnel regarding HCAI prevention and identifying the relevant factors is important for handling and controlling these infections. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the direct and indirect effects of knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare workers (HCW) towards HCAIs prevention in Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC).

Menstrual hygiene management practices among schoolgirls in resource-limited settings of Bahir Dar City administration, Northwestern Ethiopia.

Background: Schoolgirls in resource-limited settings encounter significant challenges in maintaining proper menstrual hygiene management practices. Studies on associated factors in menstrual hygiene management practices among schoolgirls in Bahir Dar City are limited.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the menstrual hygiene practices of schoolgirls and identify factors that influence these practices in the limited settings of Bahir Dar City.

Assessment of the barriers towards menstrual hygiene management: evidence from a qualitative study among school communities: lessons from Bahir Dar city in northwest Ethiopia.

Background: The challenges of safe menstrual hygiene management practices in low-income settings, including the study areas are pressing. However, Studies specifically focusing on barriers that schoolgirls face in managing monthly menstruation in schools of Bahir Dar are inadequate and scarce.

Method: To ensure the robustness of the findings, a comprehensive study was conducted among schoolgirls and boy students aged 12-20 in three schools.

Predicting the effect of nosocomial infection prevention on neonatal mortality and hospital stay in Ethiopia: a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Neonatal Nosocomial infections (NNIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for neonates in an intensive care unit. Neonatal causes of death in healthcare facilities are attributed to different factors. We aimed to investigate factors associated with NNIs, estimate the burden of NNIs, and assess how the prediction effects help to save medical mortality and length of hospital stay.

Fecal Sludge Management and Sanitation Safety: An Assessment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Sanitation safety practices and risks associated with fecal sludge management are crucial for public health and the environment. This study assessed sanitation safety practices and risks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at different stages of fecal sludge management. The research aimed to understand the current state of sanitation facilities, practices, and associated risks and identify areas for improvement.

Rainfall and Temperature Influences on Childhood Diarrhea and the Effect Modification Role of Water and Sanitation Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted the worsening impacts of climate change. Two climate factors-temperature and rainfall uncertainties-influence the risk of childhood diarrhea, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. They create a conducive environment for diarrhea-causing pathogens and overwhelm environmental prevention measures.

Investigating Microbial Contamination of Indoor Air, Environmental Surfaces, and Medical Equipment in a Southwestern Ethiopia Hospital.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections, primarily caused by microorganisms, are widespread in healthcare facilities. These infections pose a significant challenge, especially in low and middle-income countries, and have a detrimental impact on patient outcomes. It is crucial to assess the level of microbial load and associated factors to prevent the spread of these infections.

Incidence of diarrhea and risk factors among wastewater-irrigating urban farmers along Akaki Rivers in Addis Ababa.

The importance of diarrhea risk associated with wastewater exposure in agriculture is almost unknown. This study aimed to examine diarrheal infection and risk factors among farmers using wastewater for irrigation in Addis Ababa. A cross-sectional study was employed among 380 farmers (190 exposed and 190 unexposed farmers).

Vulnerability Assessment and Protection Zone Delineation for Water Supply Schemes in the Upper Awash Subbasin, Ethiopia, Sub-Saharan Africa.

Water quality issues in Ethiopia necessitate the implementation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP) to safeguard drinking water. Despite its benefits, WSP implementation is underutilized, a situation exacerbated by urbanization, agriculture, pollution, and climate change. This study evaluated water supply system vulnerability and delineated protection zones in the Upper Awash River subbasin.

Antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae isolated from street foods in selected towns of Ethiopia.

Background: Street foods are any foods or drinks prepared or sold by street vendors in an open space. The purpose of this study was to determine the Bacteriological safety and antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae isolated from street foods.

Method: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was used from December 2022 to February 2023 on street foods of Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma towns of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Street Foods: Working Conditions and Governance Perspectives. A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Street foods are foods and beverages as either ready for direct consumption or minimally processed, prepared, and/or sold by vendors and handlers. The objective of this study was to explore the condition and governance of street foods in Ethiopia.

Method: A qualitative exploratory study was employed from December 2022 to January 2023 in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma, cities of Ethiopia.

Water Safety Practices Along the Water Service Chain in Addis Ababa: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cosmopolitan City.

This study investigated water safety practices and risk levels along Addis Ababa's water supply service chain. The data came from 23 random woredas, 384 random households, 115 microbiological water quality tests, and diagnostic inspections from source to point of use. Findings from this study indicate that the surface water sources (53%) and the water source catchments (62%) are characterized by very high-risk and high risk contamination levels respectively.

Rural community perceptions and practices toward the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention in Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a lesson for the next pandemic.

Background: Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has provided a lesson on preparedness and coping mechanisms for similar pandemics to different community segments. To control and prevent the spreading of COVID-19, people need to possess the correct attitude and perception to follow the appropriate practices against the causative agent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the rural community's perceptions and practices toward COVID-19 prevention among southern Ethiopia's Konso zone rural communities.

Public health risks associated with drinking water consumption in the upper Awash River sub-basin, Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa.

The Upper Awash sub-basin characterized by urban, industrial, agricultural and population growth, has impacted the quality of its water sources. This study focuses on the assessment of public health risks associated with drinking water sources in the sub-basin. In accordance with WHO guidelines, 120 water samples were collected from 60 water supply schemes in dry and wet seasons located in areas with low and high water pollution risk (WPR).

Analysis of leaf extract and acute toxicity study on fingerlings of Nile tilapia, .

Schistosomiasis is a debilitating chronic disease with great socioeconomic and public health impact affecting the poor rural populations who lack access to sanitation, and safe water supply. The high cost of synthetic molluscicides, their toxicity to non-target organisms, and their persistence in the environment have forced the research of plant-derived molluscicides. Although plant molluscicides are cheap, biodegradable, ecofriendly and less toxic to higher animals, unregulated applications could affect non-target organisms.

Trihalomethanes and physicochemical quality of drinking water in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Trihalomethanes (THMs) are the most dominant fraction of all the byproducts formed during chlorination of water. Disinfection by product (DBP) formation in water is a function of numerous factors, including pH, temperature, residual chlorine, source water characteristics, and organic matter. No study has determined the THM level in the drinking water supply of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Micropollutant Removal Efficiency of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Various review papers have been published regarding the occurrence and fate of micropollutants (MPs). MPs in the aquatic environment are still not well reviewed to generate comprehensive summaries with a special focus on their removal from wastewater using conventional and advanced treatment processes. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a synopsis of the efficiency of the advanced wastewater treatment plants in the removal of MPs.

Depth profile of reservoir water quality in the Southwest of Ethiopia.

The objective of this research was to investigate the variation of water quality parameters at different depths of the Gilgel Gibe I reservoir in Oromia Jimma zone during wet seasons. Five stations within the reservoir were selected, and water quality parameters were determined at four different depths (surface, 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m). Water quality parameters were analyzed on-site using a HACH, HQ40d portable multi-meter, and turbidity was measured using Wag tech turbidity meter and in the laboratory using the standard method.

Evaluating the relationship between community water and sanitation access and the global burden of antibiotic resistance: an ecological study.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a leading cause of death, with the highest burden occurring in low-resource settings. There is little evidence on the potential for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access to reduce antibiotic resistance in humans. We aimed to determine the relationship between the burden of antibiotic resistance in humans and community access to drinking water and sanitation.

Fecal Contamination in the Wastewater Irrigation System and its Health Threat to Wastewater-Based Farming Households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Due to rapidly growing demand, the production of vegetables is increasing along the Akaki Rivers. The objective of this study was to examine the degree of fecal contamination and levels of fecal contamination and dissemination throughout the wastewater irrigation system. Irrigation water, irrigated soil, and leafy vegetables were collected twice during 2 vegetable growing seasons, at the maturity period of the growing season, from 19 sampling points along the 2 Akaki Rivers.

Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in domestic settings: a global analysis for selected adverse health outcomes.

Background: Assessments of disease burden are important to inform national, regional, and global strategies and to guide investment. We aimed to estimate the drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-attributable burden of disease for diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, undernutrition, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, using the WASH service levels used to monitor the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as counterfactual minimum risk-exposure levels.

Methods: We assessed the WASH-attributable disease burden of the four health outcomes overall and disaggregated by region, age, and sex for the year 2019.