Rural community perceptions and practices toward the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention in Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a lesson for the next pandemic

Background

Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has provided a lesson on preparedness and coping mechanisms for similar pandemics to different community segments. To control and prevent the spreading of COVID-19, people need to possess the correct attitude and perception to follow the appropriate practices against the causative agent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the rural community's perceptions and practices toward COVID-19 prevention among southern Ethiopia's Konso zone rural communities.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2022 on 605 study participants in the Kena district of the Konso zone of Ethiopia. Participants were recruited using simple random sampling techniques. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using structured questionnaires developed from the World Health Organization guide and related literature. A logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of perception and practice.

Results

Among the 564 participants, 296 (52.5%) believed they would go to the healthcare facility if they contracted COVID-19. About 276 (48.9%) perceived that COVID-19 is not a stigma and should not be concealed. About 233 (41.3%) perceived COVID-19 would be controlled. However, the majority, 451 (80%), 440 (78%), 384 (68.1%), 381 (67.6%), 337 (59.8%), and 317 (56.2%) perceived that the cause of COVID-19 is sin, eating some food items were effective against the virus, no cases in their locality, living far away from COVID-19 area, the virus does not exist, respectively. Overall, only 22.5% of the study participants have good perceptions. About 58.5% practiced handwashing to prevent COVID-19, and 45.2% covered their mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing. Among the participants, 39.8% were vaccinated, and about a quarter (24.8%) of the respondents had good prevention practices. Participants with better educational status, use of social media as a source of information, and those with better income levels are found to be protective factors while being married is a risk factor.

Conclusion

The status of the participant's perception and preventive practices toward COVID-19 was meager. There was a substantial magnitude of wrong perceptions about controlling such pandemics. High inaccurate perceptions and low preventive practice need an urgent and sustained improvement strategy to tackle similar pandemics or epidemics.

Comparative in vitro evaluation of five Commelina forage species on ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis

In vitro gas measurement study was known to be a helpful tool for investigating the nutritional quality of feed for ruminant animals. This research was conducted to explore the ruminal fermentation and methane emission potential, and their variability pattern with changing seasons and altitudes for Commelina species, using in vitro test. Samples of the species were collected from different altitudes and seasons and used for the in vitro degradability study. Five species (C.africana, C. albescence, C. benghalensis, C. imberbis and C. diffusa), two altitudes (low and mid), and two seasons (wet and dry) were arranged in a 5 × 2 x 2 factorial manner in a completely randomized design, with three repeats of each treatment. In vitro gas and methane production as well as methane to total gas ratio were all meaningfully (P < 0.001) affected by season and altitude with the highest values observed in wet season and mid altitudes. At 24 h incubation, 44.76 and 37.82 ml/200 mg DM of total gas production was noted for wet and dry seasons respectively, while 39.77 and 47.38 ml/200 mg DM was recorded for low and mid altitudes respectively. Average gas production from immediately fermentable fractions (a) for wet season (4.21 ml) was reasonably (P < 0.001) higher than those for dry season (2.16 ml). Midlands (5.04 ml) had higher (P < 0.001) 'a' value than lowlands (2.77 ml). Both methane production and methane to total gas ratio exhibited a tangible decrease (P < 0.001) from wet season to dry season. 4.88 ml/200 mg DM and 6.52 ml/200 mg DM methane records were recorded for lowlands and midlands respectively. It appears that Commelina species contain nutrients that degrade in vitro, highlighting their potential supplement value for animals. The promising gas production potential added to its low methanogenic coefficient relative to the other species makes C. diffusa to the preferred supplement for poor-quality roughages followed by C. benghalensis and C. imberbis and the rest species being least preferred. But further nutrient analysis, minerals, secondary metabolites and the like, was required. And, in vivo trials must be conducted to strengthen the implications of this study.

Knowledge, Perception and Preparedness Related to COVID-19 among Adult Rural Population in Konso, Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

According to the world health organization, the COVID-19 outbreak has currently affected millions of people worldwide. Since the start of the pandemic in China, everything countries have thrown at the virus turned unsuccessful. As there is no established vaccine to halt the virus transmission, it might be very difficult for developing countries like Ethiopia even after vaccine development. Thus, focusing on improving knowledge, perception, and preparedness related to the virus might be very vital.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using the questionnaire applied in most countries which is suitable to apply in the Konso zone in South Nations Nationalities Region (SNNPR) from April.2020 to July 2020. Data were collected, cleaned, coded, checked, and entered into Epi Info and then exported and analyzed in STATA 15. We fitted a binary logistic regression model. Categorical variables were presented using figure tables, and proportion and for continuous variables, mean and standard deviation were used. The results were also presented using Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI.

RESULTS

From 636 respondents expected, 615(97%) were participated and possessed the knowledge of 39%, and 64% perception and preparedness each. Measurements related to the policy and interventions like restrictions to movement, self-isolation, wearing a face mask, & the need for more tests was not supported by most participants.

CONCLUSION

The poor knowledge, perception, and preparedness were correlated with the unavailability of water and electricity, less education, and informal source of information which could be improved through area appropriate health education interventions.

Prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in Konso district, southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background

Undernutrition during pregnancy is an important public health problem. It is highly prevalent in Ethiopia but not sufficiently addressed yet. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Konso district, Ethiopia.

Methods

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a qualitative inquiry from December 2018 to January 2019. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select 527 subjects and quantitative data were collected from these subjects using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and additionally qualitative data were generated through two focus group discussions among purposely selected discussants. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured by standard non-stretchable MUAC tape. Data were entered into Epi-data version3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. In multivariable binary logistic regression, a statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05 while thematic framework analysis was employed for the qualitative data.

Results

Among 501 participants, the overall prevalence of undernutrition (MUAC < 23 cm) was 43.1% (95% CI 38.7–47.5%). Household food security (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.1–4.6), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.6–9.2), medium dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.7), absence of latrine (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.6) and having family resource decision making by husband only (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6) were significantly associated factors. Traditional believes to restrict food such as egg, milk, and milk products, avocado for women, weak nutrition education and malnutrition screening program, daily consumption of locally prepared alcoholic drink called “Cheka”, drought-prone nature of this setting, traditional way of farming practices and low socio-economic status were found to be barriers for women’s undernutrition.

Conclusions

The prevalence of undernutrition was found to be higher than previously reported findings. Household food security, dietary diversity, latrine availability, family resource decision making, food restrictions, weak maternal nutrition education, and malnutrition screening program, the practice of depending on a local alcoholic drink called “Cheka”, drought, traditional way of farming and low socio-economic status were identified factors. Hence, interventions targeting maternal nutrition education, hygiene, and sanitation promotion, household food insecurity improvement strategies should be implemented to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women.

Sero-prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among the consumers of the alcoholic beverage, cheka in Konso zone, southwestern Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic and partially double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus that causes the immune-mediated killing of infected liver cells. It is a public health conundrum due to its considerable morbidity and mortality. Cheka is a cereal and vegetable-based fermented beverage that is consumed as a key dietary component in the southwestern parts of Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and associated risk factors among cheka consumers in the Konso community, southwest of Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 633 cheka consumers between October 01, 2018, and May 31, 2019. The socio-demographic characteristics and associated factors were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. HBV infection was screened using immune-chromatographic strip tests and positive results were further confirmed with ELISA.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HBV was found to be 18.2% (95% CI, 15.1-21.5). Gender (male) (AOR = 1.757:95% CI, 1.009-3.059), age (35-44 yrs), (AOR = 4.123:95% CI, 1.718-9.892), nature of the job (daily laborer) (AOR = 4.551:95% CI, 1.115-18.57), awareness about the transmission of the disease (AOR = 2.056:95% CI, 1.074-3.934) and previous history of contacts with patients having liver diseases (AOR = 2.496:95% CI, 1.187-5.248) were identified as factors which are being significantly associated with the HBV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Very high endemic levels of HBV infection are identified in the study. Male participants of age between 35 and 44 years, who are daily laborers and are aware of HBV transmission, with a previous history of contacts with patients having liver diseases were even at higher risk of HBV infection. The need for more research to find the links between cheka consumption and other mechanisms of HBV cross-infection in these communities is indicated.

Nutritional and alcoholic contents of cheka: A traditional fermented beverage in Southwestern Ethiopia

Cheka is a cereal and vegetable-based beverage which is consumed in Southwestern parts of Ethiopia particularly in Dirashe and Konso. In this study, nine cheka samples were collected from vending houses in Konso and Dirashe districts for the laboratory analysis of the nutritional profile and chemical properties of cheka. The pH and titratable acidity of the samples ranged from 3.53-3.99 and 0.80%-1.11%, respectively. The total solids, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, total ash, carbohydrate, and gross energy contents of the samples ranged from 21.05%-26.87%, 3.12-4.44 g/100 g, 1.17-1.81 g/100 g, 0.94-1.27, 0.65-0.93 g/100 g, 14.16-19.03 g/100 g, and 82.04-107.17 Kcal, respectively. The dietary Ca, Fe, and Zn content of the samples were ranged from 8.31-19.60 mg/100 g, 13.94-27.59 mg/100 g and 0.82-1.07 mg/100 g, respectively. The methanol and ethanol contents of the cheka samples ranged from 163.1-2,380 ppm and 3.04%-8.96% v/v, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that cheka has low nutrient content and thus, suggests that people in Konso and Dirashe should not rely on it without eating solid foods as it is almost always diluted with a significant amount of water. In conclusion, the longer fermentation time of cheka resulted in high methanol levels that can present adverse health effects to consumers.