Search Results (5)

Food insecurity in peri-urban areas is exacerbated by high living costs, limited access to healthy food, and economic inequality. Despite its growing prevalence due to factors like land loss from urban expansion, food insecurity has received limited attention. In Ethiopia, drastic urbanization creates competition for land between agriculture and urban development, which is becoming extreme in peri-urban areas., This study aims to assess the impact of urban expansion on food security among expropriated peri-urban households in Ethiopia. Using a calorie intake-based food security line, we categorize respondents as food-secure or -insecure. The research analyzed data from 350 expropriated peri-urban households through a structured questionnaire, employing descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. About 67% of the respondents were classified as food-insecure. The binary logit model identified several significant determinants of food security, including compensation amount and type, household head demographics, agricultural land rent participation, irrigation and credit access, off-farm income, and organic fertilizer use. To address food insecurity among expropriated households, policymakers must prioritize these factors. Government attention and policy consideration are crucial to ensure the well-being of these vulnerable populations. Full article

Preventive chemotherapy (PC) with praziquantel and albendazole co-administration to all at-risk populations is the global intervention strategy to eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) from being public health problems. Due to weak pharmacovigilance systems, safety monitoring during a mass drug administration (MDA) is lacking, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted large-scale active safety surveillance to identify the incidence, types, severity, and associated risk factors of adverse events (AEs) following praziquantel and albendazole MDA in 5848 school children (5–15 years old). Before MDA, 1484 (25.4%) children were prescreened for S. mansoni and STH infections, of whom 71.8% were infected with at least one parasite; 34.5% (512/1484) had S. mansoni and 853 (57.5%) had an STH infection. After collecting the baseline socio-demographic, clinical, and medical data, including any pre-existing clinical symptoms, participants received single dose praziquantel and albendazole MDA. Treatment-associated AEs were actively monitored on days 1 and 7 of the MDA. The events reported before and after the MDA were cross-checked and verified to identify MDA-associated AEs. The cumulative incidence of experiencing at least one type of MDA-associated AE was 13.3% (95% CI = 12.5–14.2%); 85.5%, 12.4%, and 1.8% of reported AEs were mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. The proportion of experiencing one, two, or ≥ three types of AEs was 57.7%, 34.1%, and 8.2%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of AEs in S. mansoni- and (17.0%) and STH (14.1%)-infected children was significantly higher (p < 0.001, χ² = 15.0) than in non-infected children (8.4%). Headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea were the most common AEs. Being female, older age, having S. mansoni or STH infection were significant predictors of MDA-associated AEs. In summary, praziquantel and albendazole co-administration is generally safe and tolerable. MDA-associated AEs are mostly mild-to-moderately severe and transient. The finding of few severe AEs and significantly high rates of AEs in helminth-infected children underscores the need to integrate pharmacovigilance in MDA programs, especially in high schistosomiasis and STH endemic areas. Full article

In Ethiopia, like in other developing countries, land disputes are critical problems both in peri-urban and rural areas. Handling such disputes requires scientific and evidence-based interventions. This study analyzes the nature, types, and causes of land tenure disputes and the resolution mechanisms thereof in peri-urban and nearby rural kebeles of Debre Markos town. Interviews for the investigation were conducted with sample landholders and concerned legal experts in Debre Markos town’s peri-urban area and Gozamin Wereda of Amhara National Regional State in Ethiopia. Compared to rural areas, the incidence of land tenure disputes is high in peri-urban areas. The land tenure disputes identified in the study areas are boundary trespassing disputes, landholding disputes, land rental disagreements, divorce-related land disputes, bequeath disputes, parcel exchange disputes, and land use-related disputes. The land tenure disputes are resolved mainly by formal means such as court litigations and administrative decisions, or by informal means known as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADRMs). In both study areas, negotiation, mediation/conciliation, and arbitration are the most frequently employed ADRMs. In particular, mediation plays a significant role in resolving symmetrical land tenure disputes both in peri-urban and rural areas. Full article

In Ethiopia, expropriation and compensation measures have become a great concern due to horizontal urban expansion and development induced projects. Especially in peri-urban areas, the livelihood of farmers is affected by expropriation without fair and comparable compensation. This paper investigates the impacts of expropriation and compensation activities on livelihood of peri-urban smallholders taking Debre Markos Town as a case study area. Mixed research methods were employed. Quantitative data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and by interviewing about 100 smallholders. Qualitative data were collected in focus group discussions and by analyzing legal documents. The analysis showed a high trend of expropriation without fair and appropriate compensation as result of ignoring legal procedures of expropriation and compensation. Expropriated farmers also complained that they did not get any support from the government to use compensation money properly for further investments. Due to incomparable compensation and lack of advice, peri-urban farmers faced multi-faceted problems, such as food insecurity and social and family disintegration. The government has to enable families of expropriated households to earn suitable livelihood, which could be achieved by fair compensation and appropriate guidance. Full article

Preventive chemotherapy (PC) is a WHO-recommended strategy to control and eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). We assessed the prevalence, intensity, and correlates of schistosomiasis and STH infection after five rounds of PC in southern Ethiopia. A total of 3162 school children from four schools in Wondo Gennet and Hawella Tula districts were screened for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs infection. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 25.8% (range between schools 11.6% to 54.1%), with light (19.1%), moderate (5.3%), and heavy (1.4%) infection intensities. A total of 61.6% S. mansoni-infected children were STH co-infected. The overall prevalence of STHs infection was 54.7% (range between schools 30.6–71.0%), with moderate-to-heavy intensity infections being 16.3%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent 45% (95% CI, 43.5–47) followed by Trichuris trichiura 25.3% (95% CI, 23.8–26.9) and hookworm 6.1% (95% CI, 5.3–7). A total of 33.7% of STHs-infected children had A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura co-infections. S. mansoni infection was significantly associated with school and STHs co-infection (p < 0.001). STH infection was correlated with school and younger age (p < 0.001). Despite repeated PC, S. mansoni and STH infection remain significant health problems, and the WHO target to control schistosomiasis and eliminate STH by 2020 may not be achieved. Intensified control and prevention measures, including drug efficacy surveillance, is recommended. Full article