Introduction: Occupational health problems are the major issues of the world, particularly in developing countries. Sanitation workers are facing various health problems with little attention while conducting their day today activities. The review emphasizes the critical need for policies that ensure safety standards, provide proper protective gear, and establish regular health monitoring to protect workers' health and wellbeing.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors among sanitation workers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods and materials: This systematic review and meta-analysis was done based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020). Literatures were searched using various database like Google scholar, Science-Direct, Pub-Med (Medline), Hinari, and Google. From eligible studies, data was extracted using Microsoft excel and exported to STATA version 14 statistical software for analysis. The prevalence of respiratory symptom was estimated using a random effect model. Publication bias was determined using Egger test and funnel plot whereas heterogeneity was evaluated using I2. Fortunately, 13 studies were included with a total participants of 4,401.
Results: The pooled prevalence of respiratory symptoms among sanitation workers was 43.79% (95% CI: 35.26, 52.33; I 2 = 97.3%, p < 0.000). Sanitation workers with a history of respiratory illness were 4.16 times more likely to have had respiratory symptoms compared to those without a history (OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 2.67, 5.66). Additionally, sanitation workers who did not wear nose/mouse masks were 2.36 times more likely to experience respiratory symptoms compared to their counterparts (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.32). Moreover, Sanitation workers with working experiences of greater than five were 1.81 times more likely to experience respiratory symptoms than those with less than 5 years working experiences (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.39).
Conclusion: Generally, half of the sanitation workers experienced respiratory symptoms. The symptoms were associated with history of respiratory illness, utilizing of nose/ mouth face mask and working experience. Hence, awareness creation session should conducted mainly for those with history of respiratory illness and poor personal protective users.

Keywords: Sub Saharan Africa; prevalence; respiratory–epidemiology; risk factors; sanitation workers; systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Edible oil manufacturing is a labor-intensive sector with significanttechnological demands, where employees face various occupational hazards.The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not only a legal obligationbut also a key measure for safeguarding workers against job-related injuriesand health risks. Despite these challenges, this industry often remainsunder-researched and overlooked.Objective: To assess utilization of personal protective equipment and its keyfactors among workers in the WA edible oil factory in Debre Markos town,Ethiopia, in 2024.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of theWA Edible Oil Factory in Debre Markos. Using a simple random samplingmethod, 387 workers were selected to participate. Data were collectedthrough an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, focusing on theuse of protective equipment, as well as socio-demographic, work-related,environmental, and organizational characteristics. The data were analyzed usingSPSS version 26. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factorsinfluencing the use of protective equipment, with the strength of associationsexpressed as odds ratios at a 95% confidence level.Results: Out of the total workforce, 214 individuals (55.3%) reportedusing personal protective equipment while on duty. The study identifiedseveral significant factors influencing personal protective equipment utilization,including receiving safety training, having access to protective equipment,regular occupational health and safety inspections, the presence of workplacesafety protocols, having three or more years of work experience, and abstainingfrom alcohol consumption and smoking.Conclusion: The utilization level of personal protective equipment amongworkers at the WA edible oil factory was found to be moderate when comparedto findings from other developing countries. Key factors influencing personalprotective equipment usage included access to safety training, availability ofprotective gear, workplace supervision, the presence of safety protocols, workexperience, and lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco use. To improvepersonal protective equipment utilization, it is recommended to strengthenworkplace supervision, offer comprehensive safety training, and ensure theconsistent availability of safety guidelines.KEYWORDSutilization, personal protective equipment, edible oil factory, factory worker, Ethiopia

Flooding exacerbates health challenges by spreading waterborne diseases like diarrhea throughthe destruction of sanitation infrastructure and contamination of drinking water sources. However,evidence on the prevalence and contributing factors of diarrheal diseases among under-five childrenin the Dasenech district is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of acute diarrhea andits determinants among under-five children in flood-affected areas of the South Ethiopia region. Acommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2024, in flood-affectedareas of the Dasenech district, involving 696 under-five children. Five kebeles were purposivelyselected, followed by the proportional allocation of households, after which a systematic samplingtechnique was applied to identify study participants. Data were collected using a pretested andstructured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Multivariable logistic regressionanalysis was performed to identify factors associated with acute diarrhea, with statistical significanceset at p < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of acute diarrhea was 31.6% (95%CI: 28.7–34.3%). Significant predictors of acute diarrhea included non-adherence to exclusivebreastfeeding (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.65–3.98), lack of latrines (AOR: 12.08, 95% CI: 9.77–13.13), unsafedisposal of child excreta (AOR: 3.86, 95% CI: 2.38–6.26), home delivery (AOR: 6.02, 95% CI: 5.53–8.82),and a recent history of diarrhea among mothers or caregivers (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.33–5.66). Acutediarrhea is highly prevalent among under-five children in the Dasenech district. The findings underscorethe need for targeted public health measures, such as improving waste management, promotingexclusive breastfeeding, constructing and utilizing latrines, and addressing maternal and caregiverhealth, to mitigate the burden of diarrheal diseases in this vulnerable population.Keywords Acute diarrhea, Dasenech district, Ethiopia, Flood-affected, Under-five childrenDiarrhea is defined as an increase in bowel movement frequency or a change in stool consistency, commonlyidentified as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools within a 24-h period1. This condition oftenresults from intestinal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, which are closely associated withlimited access to safe water and inadequate sanitation facilities2. Inadequate water and sanitation contributeto over 94% of the four billion annual cases of diarrhea worldwide3,4. This condition claims approximately twomillion lives each year, representing 4% of global mortality. Alarmingly, 1.3 million of these deaths occur amongchildren annually5.

Introduction: Tungiasis is an overlooked tropical disease resulting from the penetration of the skin by sand fleas. It leads to significant suffering and can be fatal, particularly affecting school age children and elders, primarily above 60 years old, in rural and urban slums across Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its great public health consequences, the condition remains largely under reported by the scientific communities mainly in Sub Saharan African countries.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of Tungiasis and associated factors among school-age children in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods and materials: This systematic review and meta-analysis was done based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020). Literatures were searched from a variety of databases, including PubMed, Science-Direct, Google Scholar, Hinari, and Google. The eligible studies data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to statistical software, STATA version 14 for further analysis. A random-effect model was considered to estimate the prevalence of Tungiasis. The Egger test and funnel plot were used to evaluate publication bias, whereas I2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity. The finding of this SRMA was done using 23 selected studies with 9781 study participants.
Results: This review revealed that the pooled prevalence of Tungiasis was 37.86%% (95% CI: 30.95-44.77; I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.000). In terms of risk factors of Tungiasis, school children who lived with domestic animals (cat or dog) in their home were 2.73 times more likely to affected by Tungiasis compared to those without these pets in their home (OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.53-3.94). Additionally, school age children who did not wear shoes at all and wear occasionally were 11.26 (AOR: 11.26, 95% CI: 4.04, 18.49) and 7.61 (OR: 7.61, 95% CI: 3.39, 11.83) more likely to affected by Tungiasis compared to those who were regularly. Finally, school-age children who lived in mud-plastered walls were 4.97 times more likely to be affected by Tungiasis compared to those who lived in cemented wall homes (OR: 4.97, 95% CI: 2.61, 4.61).
Conclusion: Generally, this systematic review and meta-analysis disclosed that a third of school age children were affected by Tungiasis. Additionally, housing conditions, shoe-wearing practices, and the condition of living with domestic animals were factors significantly associated with Tungiasis. Hence, concerned governmental and non-governmental organizations should work to enhance behavioral modification towards prevention and control of Tungiasis. One-third of the school-aged children were affected by Tungiasis. Contributing factors included inadequate housing conditions, footwear habits, and the presence of domestic animals. Therefore, relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations should promote behavioral changes to prevent and control Tungiasis.

Background: An edible oil factory is a labor-intensive and technologically complex industry, with workers potentially exposed to a variety of dangers associated with such industries. Personal protective equipment is a universal, legal requirement, and an important strategy for preventing occupational injuries and illnesses caused by workplace hazards. However, such industries receive little attention, especially in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess personal protective equipment utilization and its associated factors among workers in the PhiBela edible oil factory in Burie, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among the PhiBela edible oil factory workers in Burie. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 389 PhiBela edible oil factory workers. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data on workers' protective equipment utilization practice, socio-demographic, work-related, environmental, and organizational factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The logistic regression method was used to see factors associated with workers' protective equipment utilization. The strength of the association was calculated using an odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of the total workers, 216, 55.52% (48.33-57.78) workers utilize personal protective equipment in the factory. The study showed safety training [AOR (4.68, 95%CI (2.76-7.45)], availability of personal protective equipment [AOR = 4.86; 95%CI: 2.23-6.98], regular health and safety supervision [AOR = 2.751; 95%CI: 1.806-3.801], availability of safety guideline at workplace [AOR = 3.798; 95%CI: 1.248-6.173], having work experience 3 years and above [AOR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.18], not using alcohol [AOR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.11-4.76], and not smoking cigarette [AOR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.55-3.11] were predictors of personal protective equipment utilization.
Conclusion: The level of personal protective equipment utilization among Phibela edible oil factory workers is 55.52%, which is moderate when compared to other studies done in developing countries. The presence of Safety training, availability of personal protective equipment, regular health and safety supervision, availability of guidelines at workplaces, having work experiences, not using alcohol, and cigarrete smoking were factors found to be a significant predictors of personal protective equipment utilization. As a result, close workplace supervision, safety training, and availing guidelines are the recommendations to be in place.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Utilization; factory worker; personal protective equipment.

Background: An edible oil factory is a labor-intensive and technologically complex industry, with workers potentially exposed to a variety of dangers associated with such industries. Personal protective equipment is a universal, legal requirement, and an important strategy for preventing occupational injuries and illnesses caused by workplace hazards. However, such industries receive little attention, especially in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess personal protective equipment utilization and its associated factors among workers in the PhiBela edible oil factory in Burie, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed among the PhiBela edible oil factory workers in Burie. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 389 PhiBela edible oil factory workers. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data on workers' protective equipment utilization practice, socio-demographic, work-related, environmental, and organizational factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The logistic regression method was used to see factors associated with workers' protective equipment utilization. The strength of the association was calculated using an odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of the total workers, 216, 55.52% (48.33-57.78) workers utilize personal protective equipment in the factory. The study showed safety training [AOR (4.68, 95%CI (2.76-7.45)], availability of personal protective equipment [AOR = 4.86; 95%CI: 2.23-6.98], regular health and safety supervision [AOR = 2.751; 95%CI: 1.806-3.801], availability of safety guideline at workplace [AOR = 3.798; 95%CI: 1.248-6.173], having work experience 3 years and above [AOR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.18], not using alcohol [AOR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.11-4.76], and not smoking cigarette [AOR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.55-3.11] were predictors of personal protective equipment utilization.
Conclusion: The level of personal protective equipment utilization among Phibela edible oil factory workers is 55.52%, which is moderate when compared to other studies done in developing countries. The presence of Safety training, availability of personal protective equipment, regular health and safety supervision, availability of guidelines at workplaces, having work experiences, not using alcohol, and cigarrete smoking were factors found to be a significant predictors of personal protective equipment utilization. As a result, close workplace supervision, safety training, and availing guidelines are the recommendations to be in place.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Utilization; factory worker; personal protective equipment.

Industries are among the largest global consumers of water, with a significant portion beingconverted into industrial wastewater. Paint factories, in particular, are major contributors toenvironmental lead pollution, releasing lead (II) through untreated effluents. Exposure to lead (II)poses serious health risks, including carcinogenic effects, neurological disorders, blood-relatedcomplications, and damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. While exten-sive research has focused on lead (II) removal from synthetic wastewater, limited studies haveaddressed the application of these methods to real industrial wastewater. This study aimed toevaluate the efficiency of Noug stalk activated carbon in removing lead (II) from paint factoryeffluent under optimized conditions. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the per-formance of Noug stalk activated carbon in treating wastewater from a paint factory. Statisticalanalysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was employed, with a pairedsample t-test determining the significance of differences in lead (II) concentrations before andafter treatment, considering a p-value of

BACKGRouNd: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, particularly impacting the poorest nations, includingEthiopia.oBjECTivE: To assess knowledge, practice, and associated factors of trachoma transmission and prevention among primary school stu-dents in Addis Zemen town, South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.METhodS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 randomly selected primary school students (grades 5-8),aged 10 to 24 years. Data collection included face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and an observation checklist. Epi-dataversion 4.2.0.0 and SPSS version 20 were used to enter and analyze the collected data, respectively. The data were analyzed using thedescriptive statistical method and using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Variables with a P-value