Hygienic status of beef butcher shop facilities and antibiotic resistance profile of Salmonella enterica in Ethiopia

The microbiological quality of meat is influenced by the conditions of hygiene prevailing during production and handling. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of Salmonella enterica and its antimicrobial resistance, load of hygiene indicator bacteria including E. coli (ECC), coliforms (CC), total coliform (TCC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB) and aerobic plate count (APC), and meat handler's food safety knowledge and hygiene practices in butcher shops in two cities, Addis Ababa and Hawassa in Ethiopia, during 2020 and 2021. A total of 360 samples of beef carcasses (n = 120), knives (n = 60), chopping boards (n = 60), weighing balance (n = 60), and personnel's hands (n = 60) were randomly collected for microbial analysis. Besides, 120 participants were selected to participate in a food safety knowledge and hygiene practices assessment. The S. enterica isolates were identified by agglutination test followed by qPCR targeting invA gene. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. enterica were determined using disk diffusion assays as described in CLSI. The ECC, CC, TCC, EB, and APC populations were quantified by plating onto petrifilm plates. A structured questionnaire was used to determine food safety knowledge and hygiene practices of participants. Overall prevalence of S. enterica was 16.7% (95% CI, 8.3-26.7) and location seems to have no effect (p = 0.806). Only 20% of the S. enterica were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline. However, the majority (80%) of S. enterica isolates were susceptible to the panel of 11 antimicrobials tested. The overall mean ± SD (log CFU/cm2) of ECC, CC, TCC, EB, and APC were 4.31 ± 1.15; 4.61 ± 1.33; 4.77 ± 1.32; 4.59 ± 1.38 and 5.87 ± 1.52, respectively. No significant difference (p = 0.123) in E. coli contamination was observed between samples of beef carcasses and chopping boards. The EB contamination showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) among sample sources. The APC contamination levels on beef carcass were significantly higher (p > 0.05) than other sample sources. A total of 56% (95% CI: 46.7 - 65.0) of the participants had poor knowledge and 65% (95% CI: 56.7 - 73.3) had poor hygiene practices towards food safety. This study highlighted the poor hygiene status of butcher facilities with a potential risk of beef safety. Thus, appropriate food safety control strategies and inspection is needed at retail establishments.

Nutritional and non-nutritional factors associated with low birth weight in Sawula Town, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

Birth weight is a major predictor of infant growth and survival, and is dependent on maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and identify nutritional and non-nutritional factors associated with LBW among newborn in Southern Ethiopia. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was used. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study subjects. Data were entered into Epi-info Version 3.5.3 and then exported to SPSS Version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare birth weight across categories of independent variables. The output of the analysis were presented using adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 358 mothers participated in the study. The mean (± standard deviation) birth weight of all term infants was 3304 (± 684) gram. The prevalence of LBW was 17.3% (95% CI 13.7-21.2%). Mothers who had MUAC less than 23 cm [AOR = 6.51 (95% CI 2.85-14.91)] and with hemoglobin < 11 mg/dl [AOR = 3.42 (95% CI 1.73-6.78)] have increased odds of delivering LBW and mothers who often take dairy products [AOR = 0.36 (95% CI 0.13-0.98)] were less likely deliver LBW babies than their counterparts.

Magnitude and associated factors of anemia among pregnant women in Dera District: a cross-sectional study in northwest Ethiopia

Background

Anemia is associated with adverse health and socio-economic consequences among pregnant women. Particularly, severe anemia increases the risk of maternal mortality by 20%. However, literatures are scarce in the northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Dera District, South Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dera District health centers from June 27 to September 2, 2015. Capillary blood samples were taken from 348 pregnant women. The raw measured values of hemoglobin were obtained using the portable Hb301 instrument and adjusted for altitude. Besides, nutritional status of the women was assessed by the mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) taken on non-dominant upper limb, mostly of the left hand. Socio-demographic factors, obstetric history, environmental related factors and dietary intake were collected by interviewing the pregnant women. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with anemia. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to show the strength of association. In multivariable analysis, a P value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results

The overall prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 30.5% [95% CI 21.0, 40.0]. The result of multivariable analysis revealed that the likelihood of anemia was higher among pregnant women living in rural areas [AOR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.17, 7.82], had no latrine [AOR = 4.75, 95% CI 1.15, 16.60], low monthly income: <Eth. Birr 1200 (US dollar 52.22) [AOR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.17, 5.60], five or above parity [AOR = 4.17; 95% CI 1.62, 10.69], MUAC < 23 cm [AOR = 4.97; 95% CI 2.61, 9.43] and did not prenatal take iron supplementation [AOR = 5.63; 95% 2.21, 14.32].

Conclusion

So far in the district, the magnitude of anemia existed as a moderate public health concern. Thus, improved socio-economic status, latrine and maternal iron supplementation coverage are essential to mitigate the high burden of anemia. In addition, nutritional counseling and education on the consumption of extra meals and iron-rich foods should be intensified.

Sero-prevalence of lumpy skin disease in selected districts of West Wollega zone, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating emerging viral disease of cattle caused by a virus associated with the Neethlig poxvirus in the genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2012 to May, 2013 in two districts of Western Wollega of Oromiya Regional State, with the objectives to determine animal and herd level seroprevalence of lumpy skin disease in the study area. The study population comprised of indigenous and crossbred cattle. Multi-stage sampling method was applied to select cattle and herd owners for the interviews. A total of 544 sera samples were collected from 252 herds and the serological test were conducted using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).

RESULT

An overall individual level sero-prevalence of 6.43% (n = 35) and herd level seroprevalence of 5.95% (n = 15) were estimated. There was significant variation (P < 0.05) between the seroprevalence in Gimbi (4.41%) and Lalo Assabi (8.46%) districts at animal level. The sero-prevalence of LSD exposure among breeds (local and cross) was significantly different in that it was found significantly higher in cross breeds (OR = 2.85, p = 0.016) than in local zebu. There was statistically significant difference (p = 0.384) among the age groups (adult, young and calf) in the sero-prevalence of LSD. The average sero-prevalence according to age groups was 8.78%, 5% and 2.74% in adults, youngs and calves, respectively and this shows the prevalence was very low in calves. The current finding revealed no significant variation between male and female animals (p > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant association between seropositivity to LSD and, the agro-climatic zones (midland and highland).

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed a moderate distribution of sero-positive cattle in the study area and the disease observed warrants future detailed study on the spread of the disease in the area.