An increase in urban population and the rising demand for food and other essentials perpetuate a rise in the amount of waste being generated daily by each household. In Ethiopia, this waste is eventually thrown into open dump sites. It can cause severe impact on soil and surface water quality. As a result, it becomes the probable source of human health risk through food chain. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the effect of a solid waste dump site on surrounding soil and river water quality in Tepi town, Southwest Ethiopia. Three surface water, one leachate, and four soil samples were collected and analyzed. Six heavy metals for surface water and leachate samples and four heavy metals for soil samples were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, physiochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods. The data were analyzed statistically using Origin pro version 8.0 computer software packages. The pH of soil was slightly basic ranging from 8 ± 0.1 to 8.7 ± 0.21. Electrical conductivity was lower at 60 meters (1800 ± 0.5 μs/cm) and higher in the other sample sites (3490 ± 0.66–4920 ± 1.04 μs/cm). The concentration of heavy metals in soil samples revealed cadmium (0.53 ± 0.01–2.26 ± 0.02 mg/kg), zinc (623.93 ± 0.29–859.41 ± 0.02 mg/kg), lead (3.26 ± 0.25–57.560.26 mg/kg), and copper (204.06 ± 0.06–337.11 ± 0.01 mg/kg). Lead, cadmium, manganese, nickel, copper, and zinc were found in the leachate water; nickel and manganese were found in the nearby river water; BOD₅ and COD for both leachate and stream water samples were found to be higher than standard guideline values. The finding suggested that solid waste open dump site adversely affects soil and water quality in the study area and becomes a probable source of risk for human health via the food chain.

Background. Most of the households in developing countries burn biomass fuel in traditional stoves with incomplete combustion that leads to high indoor air pollution and acute respiratory infections. Acute respiratory infection is the most common cause of under-five morbidity and mortality accounting for 2 million deaths worldwide and responsible for 18% of deaths among under-five children in Ethiopia. Although studies were done on acute respiratory infections, the majority of studies neither clinically diagnose respiratory infections nor use instant measurement of particulate matter. Methods. The community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among under-five children in Jimma town from May 21 to June 7, 2020. A total of 265 children through systematic random sampling were included in the study. The data were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire and laser pm 2.5 meter for indoor particulate matter concentration. Associations among factors were assessed through correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression was done to predict childhood acute respiratory infections. Variables with -value less than 0.25 in bivariate regression were the candidate for the final multivariate logistic regression. Two independent sample t-tests were done to compare significant mean difference between concentrations of particulate matter. Results. Among 265 under-five children who were involved in the study, 179 (67.5%) were living in households that predominantly use biomass fuel. Prevalence of acute respiratory infections in the study area was 16%. Children living in households that use biomass fuel were four times more likely to develop acute respiratory infections than their counterparts (AOR: 4.348; 95% CI: 1.632, 11.580). The size of household was significantly associated with the prevalence of acute respiratory infections. Under-five children living in households that have a family size of six and greater had odds of 1.7 increased risk of developing acute respiratory infections than their counterparts (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.299, 2.212). The other factor associated with acute respiratory infection was separate kitchen; children living in households in which there were no separate kitchen were four times at increased risk of developing acute respiratory infection than children living in households which have separate kitchen (AOR: 4.591; 95% CI: 1.849, 11.402). The concentration of indoor particulate matter was higher in households using biomass fuel than clean fuel. There was statistically higher particulate matter concentration in the kitchen than living rooms (t = 4.509, ). Particulate matter 2.5 concentrations (μg/m³) of the households that had parental smoking were significantly higher than their counterparts (AOR: 20.224; 95% CI: 1.72, 12.58). Conclusion. There is an association between acute respiratory infections and biomass fuel usage among under-five children. Focusing on improved energy sources is essential to reduce the burden and assure the safety of children.

Background. Mismanagement of healthcare waste (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic can facilitate the transmission of coronavirus. Regarding this problem, there is gap of evidence in Ethiopia, and this study aimed to assess the HCW generation rate and management in Tepi General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional and case studies were conducted. The total amount of waste generated and its type among various case teams were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the total numbers of patients and the total amount of HCW generated. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed with Open Code version 4.02 software, and content analysis was followed. Results. The total mean weight (±SD) of waste generation rate in all service units of the hospital was 492.5 ± 11.5 kg/day. The higher proportion (61.9%) of the total HCW produced was general waste and the remaining (38.1%) was hazardous waste. There was a statistically significant (X2 = 82.1, p < 0.001 ) difference in daily HCW generation rate among different case teams. Similarly, the hospital waste generation amount and total patient flow had a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.7, p = 0.032 ). COVID-19-related medical wastes were not properly handled, segregated, stored, and disposed. There was a scarcity of resources needed to manage HCW, and available resources were utilized poorly. Overall, healthcare wastes were managed as usual (pre-COVID-19). Conclusion. The mean HCW generation rate in Tepi General Hospital was high. Overall, wastes were mismanaged, and COVID-19-related HCWs have been managed as usual. Availing of important resources and training the concerned bodies should be considered during the crisis of COVID-19.

Pesticides are risk factors in human life causing chronic human health effects. They are commonly used across the globe to enhance human endeavors. In Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used by local farmers and governmental organizations for pest control purpose. Pesticide residues in food items have been a concern to the consumers and environment they live in. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the amount of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in cereal crops in Bench‐Sheko Zone, Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional laboratory‐based study design was employed to determine the amount of pesticide residues. The samples were extracted using a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction and clean up method. Finally, the extracted samples were injected into gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometer and the types and concentrations of pesticide residues were analyzed. The highest concentration of endosulfan sulfate (0.076 mgkg^-1) was detected in rice, followed by dimethoate (0.068 mgkg^-1) and p,p ^′‐DDE (0.087 mgkg^-1) in sorghum and common millet, respectively, in the samples obtained from the Gurafarda site.The highest concentration of p,p ^′‐DDT (0.133 mgkg^-1) was detected in common millet, followed by aldrin (0.082 mgkg^-1) and dimethoate (0.077 mgkg^-1) in sorghum and common millet, respectively, in the samples obtained from the North Bench site. In addition, aldrin detected in rice, sorghum, and common millet obtained from the three sites was a residue of above the maximum residual limits set by Codex Alimentarius regulations and European Union. The finding shows that an indication of the widespread use of pesticides in cereal crops.

Background: Prisons and detention centers in Ethiopia lack adequate hand washing, personal protective equipment, and quarantine areas. As a result, they are vulnerable to the expansion of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its high risk for the COVID-19 pandemic, no study has been made to assess the preparedness and readiness in prison institutions and detention centers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design mixed with a qualitative approach was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2020. A total of four prison institutions and 17 detention centers were included in the study. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the institutions. The data were entered into the EpiData and exported to SPSS Windows version 22 for data management and analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed for the quantitative section and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results: Five out of 17 detention centers and three out of four prison facilities did not fulfill the standards related to human rights. Almost all detention centers and prison facilities did not implement recommended activities of risk assessment and management of COVID-19. In addition, none of the prison facilities and detention centers had quick access to laboratory tests for suspected cases. Neither the prison facilities nor the detention centers had a contingency plan for the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, all staff working in prison facilities and detention centers mentioned that training regarding COVID-19 had not yet been given. However, in all prisons and detention centers, preventive measures such as physical distancing, utilization of hand washing facilities, wearing masks, and keeping respiratory hygiene were not practiced.

Background: Measles is a serious respiratory disease that is spread easily through coughing and sneezing of the measles virus for which humans are the only reservoir. Even though prevention and elimination strategies had been implemented, the outbreaks of measles infection quietly occur in different parts of the world. As of November 2019 a suspected measles outbreak was reported from Tepi campus student’s clinic. We investigated the outbreak to determine its possible sources, control measures and identify associated risk factors among students of Mizan-Tepi University. Methods: A facility based unmatched case-control study was conducted. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were cleaned and entered to Epi-info7 and analyzed using SPSS-20. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with measles outbreak at a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 40 measles cases were reported during the investigation. The probable source of the outbreak was an index case who had a travel history to a district with the measles epidemic. Five samples were collected for confirmation of the diagnosis. No measles-related deaths were reported. The major risk factors for measles infection in Mizan-Tepi University were being unvaccinated [AOR = 5.21, 95% CI (1.938, 12.058)], being female [AOR = 4.21, 95% CI (1.426, 11.182)], age group of 18– 20 [AOR = 0.123, 95% CI (0.041, 0.37)] and having a contact history [AOR = 0.149, 95% CI (0.041, 0.544)]. Conclusion: The findings of the present investigation indicated that being unvaccinated and having a contact history with confirmed or suspected cases increased the risk of measles infection. Reduction in the level of protective antibodies over time may accelerate transmission of measles in the campus. Strengthening case-based surveillance and supplemental measles vaccination are imperative.