Objective: Edible vegetable oils are prone to quality deterioration through oxidation and microbial degradation resulting in nutritional loss and off-flavors. Quality deterioration may contribute in the formation of oxidation products that are reactive and toxic, which ultimately pose health risks including cancer and inflammation. The objective of this study was to assess quality of both imported and locally made edible vegetable oils accessed in Gondar City, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study design was used to collect 60 samples randomly; 30 from locally made (Niger seed at market 14, Niger seed at production center 11, sunflower at the market 5) and 30 from imported palm oil brands (Avena 11, Hayat 4, Jersey 5 and Chef 10). Results: The mean value for: moisture content (%) (0.333 ± 0.08 while 0.089 ± 0.11), specific-gravity (0.823 ± 0.14 and 0.807 ± 0.115), peroxide value (15.09 ± 1.61 and 7.05 ± 0.102 mill-equivalents of oxygen/kg), acid value (2.43 ± 0.9 and 0.98 ± 0.23 mg KOH/g oil) and iodine value (115.63 ± 6.77 and 21.8 ± 3.4 g I₂/100 g oil) for local and imported edible oils, respectively. The results highlight that all rancidity quality parameters of the locally made oil samples were not within the joint WHO/FAO standards whilst the imported oils showed a greater fatty acid saturation.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess pesticide handling and storage practice, and its associated factors among farmers engaged in irrigation in Gondar town, Ethiopia, 2019. Community-based cross-sectional study was used to assess pesticide handling and storage practice, and its associated factors among farmers. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were entered using Epi Info 7.0 and exported to SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were used for some variables. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to test the factors associated with the outcome. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with P value less than 0.05 were used to report association. Results: About 409 study subjects completed the semi-structured questionnaires. Among the studies subjects, 261 (63.8%) of them had poor pesticide handling and storage practice. Knowledge [AOR = 3.23 (95% CI 1.91, 5.46)], attitude [AOR = 1.77 (95% CI 1.11, 2.81) and educational status (informal education [AOR = 3.05 (95% CI 1.72, 5.42)], elementary education [AOR = 5.38 (95% CI 2.62, 11.06)], secondary education [AOR = 9.51 (95% CI 4.24, 21.32)] and certificate and above [AOR = 6.00 (95% CI 1.58, 22.78)]) were factors significantly associated with pesticide handling and storage practice. To improve the pesticide handling and storage practice, it is imperative to enhance the level of the farmer’s knowledge through training, and information dissemination in workshops.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' knowledge about radiation exposure and risks was previously reported as inadequate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge and associated factors regarding radiation exposure among medical students from common diagnostic imaging procedures at the University of Gondar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge and associated factors regarding radiation exposure among medical students. A total of 473 medical students (first through sixth years of study) completed a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multi-variable binary logistic regression was used to see the factors associated with knowledge of medical students on radiation sources, exposure and risks. Variables with p-value < 0.2 during the bivariable binary logistic regression were tested in the multivariable binary logistic regression. P-value<0.05 was used to declare significant association at the final model. RESULTS: Response rate was 100%. Two hundred fifteen (45.5% 95% confidence interval (CI)(41.0%-50.3%)) participants had good knowledge regarding radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging procedures. Only 177(37.4%) participants correctly knew that Computer Tomography (CT) use X-ray. However, subjects incorrectly named magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as if it used x-ray (12.1%) and source of ionizing radiation (19.5%). Being female [Adjusted-odds-ratio (AOR)=1.57,95% CI(1.05,2.36)], 18-20 years of age [AOR=2.18, 95% CI(1.26, 3.76)], and 1st to 3rd year of study [AOR=3.64, 95% CI(2.23,5.95)] were predictors of knowledge identified. CONCLUSION: The results highlight that medical students need to be trained well with sufficient radiological education that enable them later to adhere to safe practices.