Background: High-strength wastewater defined by elevated levels of hazardous pollutants measured in BOD, heavy metals, nutrients and other toxic substances. This kind of wastewater discharged to water body without treatment from different industrial sectors that adversely affects aquatic environment and downstream water consumers. The general objective of this study is to investigate efficient substrate with selected plant type for constructed wetland to remove hazardous pollutants from tannery wastewater. This study was conducted at Modjo town, Modjo tannery PLC. Plug flow experimental study design was carried out. The substrate (Pumice) was collected around the study area and chemical characteristics were determined. Chrysopogon zizanioides was planted and grown for 5 months before running tannery wastewater for the treatment. The composite wastewater was introduced to the constructed wetland from Modjo leather industry, Ethiopia. The physicochemical analysis of the sample wastewater was done before and after treatment at four different hydraulic retention time. Results: Characterization of the untreated tannery wastewater revealed that the mean concentration of BOD_5, COD, TSS, PO₄-P, TP, NO₃-N, TN and total chromium were 1641 ± 373.6, 6953.33 ± 339.4, 1868 ± 863.1, 88.06 ± 40.8, 144.53 ± 20.8, 116.66 ± 26.6, 650.33 ± 93.6 and 18.33 ± 6.7 mg/l respectively beyond the permissible limits. The maximum removal efficiency of the constructed wetland in pumice bed revealed that BOD₅ at HRT 7and 9 days (96.42%, 96.30%), COD at HRT 5 and 7 days (96.76%, 96.91%), NO₃-N at HRT 5 and 7 days (99.99%, 99.68%), TN (98.67%, 99.00%), PO₄-P HRT 7and 9 days (96.97%,100%), TP at HRT 5 and 7 days (94.79%, 96.17%) and total Chromium at HRT 5 and 7 days (98.36%, 98.91%) respectively. Whereas, the removal efficiency of constructed wetland bed with gravel substrate used as a control subject with similar condition to pumice showed lower performance. The result between pumice and gravel bed was tested for their significance difference using two sample t-test statistics. Based on the test statistics, the pumice substrate perform better than the gravel significantly at 95% confidence interval, p-value = 0.01. Conclusion: Pumice substrate and Chrysopogon zizanioides have a potential ability to remove hazardous pollutants from tannery wastewater in horizontal subsurface constructed wetlands.

In Ethiopia, most of the coffee processing plants are generating large amounts of wastewater with high pollutant concentrations and discharge directly into the water bodies untreated or partially treated. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of coffee wastewater discharged to river water quality using physicochemical parameters and macro-invertebrate indices. This study was conducted from November to the end of December 2019. Ten wastewater and river water samples were taken from coffee the processing plant and river. The macro-invertebrate samples were collected by kick sampling technique using a standard hand net. Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were examined at 3 sampling stations. The Pielou evenness index was also determined. It was found that except for TDS all the parameters of the raw wastewater and river water did not comply with the international discharge limit. The mean concentration of Faro coffee processing plant wastewater were BOD₅ (2409.6 ± 173.1 mg/L), COD (4302 ± 437 mg/L), TSS (2824.6 ± 428.4 mg/L), TDS (3226 ± 623.6 mg/L), and TS (4183.3 ± 432.9 mg/L). Whereas from Bokaso coffee processing plant were BOD₅ (3770 ± 604.4 mg/L), COD (4082.6 ± 921.9 mg/L), TSS (2766 ± 501.7 mg/L), TDS (3017 ± 747.6 mg/L), and TS (3874 ± 471.1 mg/L). A total of 392 macroinvertebrates belonging to 24 families and 7 orders were collected. The benthos assemblage communities in this river were 40, 56, and 296 at downstream 1, downstream 2, and upstream respectively. The value of the Simpson diversity index varies from 0.4 to 0.75. In the same manner, the value of the Shannon diversity index also varied from 0.5 to 1.36. Most of the physicochemical parameters of the raw wastewater were beyond the national and international discharge limits. The quality of Orsha river water downstream was more adversely affected compared to upstream.

Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in the Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 479 pregnant women visiting governmental and private health facilities in the Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. We selected study participants using systematic random sampling techniques. The Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. We collected the status of HIV of the pregnant women from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression for the analysis. An adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the association between HBsAg sero-positivity and various factors. A P-value of less than .05 was considered significant. This study revealed that the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedeo Zone. A previous history of blood transfusion [AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1, 12.5], a previous history of hospital admission [AOR = 3, 95% CI: 1.4, 6.6], a history of having an abortion [AOR = 4.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 11.7], the age of the pregnant women [AOR = 5.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 18.0], and their HIV status [AOR = 8.1, 95 % CI: 1.9, 36.0] had a statistically significant association with HBsAg sero-positivity. Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in Gedeo Zone which is higher than the national pooled prevalence which was 4.75%. The health facilities must implement early initiation of antenatal care services which incorporate the prevention and control of HBV in the Gedeo Zone.

Background: Providing safe and adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in response to emergencies is a major problem. Globally, few studies have investigated the bacteriological quality of drinking water at the IDP sites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality of drinking water and associated factors at the IDP sites of Gedeo zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 water samples collected from November to December 2018. The membrane filter technique was used to retain bacteria and lauryl sulphate broth media was used to detect faecal coliforms. After incubation of 14 hours at 44°C, faecal coliforms with yellow colonies were counted and expressed in terms of CFU/100 ml of water. The data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis with 95%CI and P ⩽ .05 was used to identify factors associated with an outcome variable. Results: Out of 213 water samples collected, 107 (50.2%) samples were tested positive for faecal coliforms. The presence of latrines in uphill (AOR: 6.7, 95%CI: 1.0-42.9), other sources of pollution (AOR: 5.0, 95%CI: 1.1-22.3), inadequate fencing (AOR: 7.1, 95%CI: 1.3-40.2) and lack of diversion ditch (AOR: 6.3, 95%CI: 1.0-37.6) were factors significantly associated with faecal contamination of springs. Dug wells that had a latrine within 10 m (AOR: 11.4, 95%CI: 1.8-72.1), other pollution sources within 10 m (AOR: 7.9, 95%CI: 1.9-32.4), inadequate fencing (AOR: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.0-7.9), drawing water using a bucket with rope (AOR: 7.3, 95%CI: 1.6-33.4) and unsanitary well cover (AOR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.1-10.4) were factors significantly associated with faecal contamination of wells. Conclusions: The majority of the water sources in internally displaced people sites were tested positive for faecal coliforms. The presence of latrine in uphill, other sources of pollution, inadequate fencing, lack of diversion ditch, drawing water using a bucket with rope and unsanitary well cover were factors associated with the presence of faecal coliforms. Therefore, adequate fencing, proper diversion ditch construction and hygiene promotion should be done to protect water sources from faecal contamination. Furthermore, latrines and other point sources of contamination should be located at least 10 m away or at a lower elevation from water sources.

Proper hand hygiene practices are critical in disease prevention and control, including preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but according to a recent global report, three billion people lack access to basic hand washing facilities (soap and water) at home. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the challenges related to safe and adequate water provision for hand hygiene in the prevention of COVID-19 in Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the challenges associated with safe water supply in the prevention of COVID-19 in Gedeo Zone. Simple random sampling was used. The water sector's challenges were assessed using in-depth interviews with key informants. Water samples were collected from hand washing stations using a sterile bottle and the standard tap water sampling procedure. Bacterial analysis was carried out using membrane filtration techniques. The Wagtech Palin test and the Delagua portable water testing kit procedure was used to analyze World Health Organization (WHO) critical physicochemical parameters. The physicochemical analysis of the sample water from the hand washing facilities reveals that the pH (6.5–8) is within the WHO guideline in all samples except Gedeb town (11.1%). The residual chlorine in the samples was less than 0.2 mg/l, which is below the standard in all towns, but 15.8% of the samples in Wonago town were between 0.2–0.5mg/l. Faecal coliforms were not found in 27.5%, 21.0%, 16.6%, and 40.7% of the samples collected in Dilla, Wonago, Yirgachefe, and Gedeb town, respectively. The remaining samples were all positive for faecal coliforms. Unbalanced demand versus supply, inaccessibility, supply interruptions, financial constraints, a scarcity of competent human resources, a lack of regular water quality assessments, and a lack of stakeholder support were all identified as major challenges by all water sectors of the study towns. The majority of hand washing water samples from all of the study towns were bacteriologically unsafe. The water sector must work hard to ensure that the community has safe drinking water. All responsible bodies and potential stakeholders must support the water sectors in the Gedeo zone.

Background: Research indicates that homelessness is associated with an increased risk of suicide. While street homelessness is a global problem, it is a disproportionately serious concern in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Despite their high risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts, there has been limited research on this subject among homeless young people in Ethiopia. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and factors contributing to suicidal behaviour among homeless young people in the southern region of this country. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from 15 June to 15 August 2020 involving 798 homeless young adults in four southern Ethiopian towns and cities. The Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) was used to assess suicidal behaviour. Data were coded and entered into Epi-Data version 7 and analysed using SPSS version 20. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with suicidal behaviour. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was determined to indicate the association’s strength. Results: The overall prevalence of suicidal behaviour among young homeless individuals was 38.2% (95% CI: 34.8%, 41.5%). The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and attempt was 10.7% (95% CI: 8.6–12.9%), 5.1% (95% CI: 3.6–6.6%) and 3% (95% CI: 1.9–4.3%), respectively. A longer duration of homelessness (1–2 years) (AOR = 2.244, 95% CI: 1.447–3.481), stressful life events (AOR = 1.655, 95% CI: 1.132–2.418) and the stigma associated with homelessness (AOR = 1.629, 95% CI: 1.149–1.505) were significantly associated with suicidal behaviour. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that suicide is a serious public health problem among homeless young people in southern Ethiopia. We have found associations between suicidal behaviour and stressful events, homelessness lasting for one to two years and stigma. Our study suggests that policymakers and programme planners need to develop a strategy for preventing, detecting and managing suicidal behaviour among street-dwelling homeless young adults, a vulnerable and understudied population. A community-based suicide prevention campaign is also essential for street-dwelling homeless young people in Ethiopia.