Abstract

Introduction: The most common and severe cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV- positive children is opportunistic infections (OIs). All HIV-infected children are at risk of developing a variety of OIs. Healthcare workers, programmers, and other stakeholders are in doubt about using the onset and predictors of OIs among schoolchildren on antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the presence of conflicting results found in the primary studies. Hence, this study was conducted to provide a single figure of onset and specific predictors of OIs by overcoming the existing heterogeneity in Ethiopia.
Methods: The included studies were searched from different national and international databases systematically. The included studies were cohort in design and published in English between 2015 and 2022. The data were extracted using a validated Microsoft Excel tool after the quality of the included studies was assured. The extracted data were exported to Stata Version 17.0 for further management and analysis. The presence of heterogeneity across studies was checked using the Chi-square test and quantified using the I 2 test. Various methods, including forest plots, publication bias assessment, sensitivity tests, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression, were employed to determine the source of heterogeneity, but none were successful. The overall onset of OIs was estimated by pooling the incidence of primary studies using a random-effects meta-analysis model. The predictors were identified using meta-regression and the presence of significant association was declared using a p-value of 0.05 with 95% CI. The strength of association was reported using an adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI.
Results: Eleven studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The onset of OIs among schoolchildren on ART in Ethiopia was 5.58 (95% CI: 4.50, 6.67) per 100 children-years of OI-free observations. Those children who had no parents had a 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.80) times higher chance of getting OIs when compared with those children having one or both parents. Children who had poor ART adherence had a 2.96 (95% CI: 1.66, 5.29) times higher chance of experiencing OIs than children who had good ART adherence. Finally, the chance of experiencing OIs among rural children was 2.15 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.83) times higher than their counterparts in Ethiopia.
Conclusions: Three in every 33 schoolchildren on ART developed OIs in Ethiopia. Predictors of OIs included schoolchildren without parents, those with poor adherence to ART, and rural residents. This suggests that social support, medication adherence, and access to healthcare services may play important roles in preventing and controlling OIs among schoolchildren living with HIV in rural areas.

Keywords: Ethiopia; children on ART; onset and predictors; opportunistic infections; schoolchildren.

Introduction: The most common and severe cause of morbidity and mortalityamong HIV- positive children is opportunistic infections (OIs). All HIV-infectedchildren are at risk of developing a variety of OIs. Healthcare workers,programmers, and other stakeholders are in doubt about using the onset andpredictors of OIs among schoolchildren on antiretroviral therapy (ART) due tothe presence of conflicting results found in the primary studies. Hence, thisstudy was conducted to provide a single figure of onset and specificpredictors of OIs by overcoming the existing heterogeneity in Ethiopia.Methods: The included studies were searched from different national andinternational databases systematically. The included studies were cohort indesign and published in English between 2015 and 2022. The data wereextracted using a validated Microsoft Excel tool after the quality of theincluded studies was assured. The extracted data were exported to StataVersion 17.0 for further management and analysis. The presence ofheterogeneity across studies was checked using the Chi-square test andquantified using the I2 test. Various methods, including forest plots,publication bias assessment, sensitivity tests, subgroup analysis, andmeta-regression, were employed to determine the source of heterogeneity,but none were successful. The overall onset of OIs was estimated by poolingthe incidence of primary studies using a random-effects meta-analysis model.The predictors were identified using meta-regression and the presence ofsignificant association was declared using a p-value of 0.05 with 95% CI. Thestrength of association was reported using an adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI.Results: Eleven studies were included in this systematic review andmeta-analysis. The onset of OIs among schoolchildren on ART in Ethiopia was5.58 (95% CI: 4.50, 6.67) per 100 children-years of OI-free observations.Those children who had no parents had a 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.80) timeshigher chance of getting OIs when compared with those children having oneor both parents. Children who had poor ART adherence had a 2.96 (95% CI:1.66, 5.29) times higher chance of experiencing OIs than children who hadgood ART adherence. Finally, the chance of experiencing OIs amongrural children was 2.15 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.83) times higher than theircounterparts in Ethiopia.
Conclusions: Three in every 33 schoolchildren on ART developed OIs in Ethiopia.Predictors of OIs included schoolchildren without parents, those with pooradherence to ART, and rural residents. This suggests that social support,medication adherence, and access to healthcare services may play importantroles in preventing and controlling OIs among schoolchildren living with HIV inrural areas.KEYWORDS: schoolchildren, opportunistic infections, onset and predictors, children on ART, Ethiopia

Object tracking is a technique for finding moving objects of interest and estimating their trajectoryor path with regard to time in a series of images. It involves object representation, detection,and tracking. It becomes an important field of study due to the need in video surveillance, trafficmonitoring, live sport video analysis and many other applications. In this paper, both static camera-based and dynamic camera-based object tracking techniques have been developed. The static camera-based object tracking was developed with NI LabVIEW, and Shape adaptive mean-shift algorithmhas been used for tracking. In case of dynamic camera-based object tracking, an optimal Fuzzy-PIDcontroller has been designed to adjust the position of the pan/tilt mechanism so as to trace the object’strajectory. Genetic algorithm (GA) was used to find the optimal values of the operating ranges (scalingfactors) of the membership functions. The performance of the system has been tested by differenttrajectories like step, sinusoidal, circular and elliptical at different frequencies 1, 50 and 100 rad/sec.The system has best performance at low frequencies and when the frequency or speed of the objectincreases, the system performance decreases which complies for real systems. The simulation resultsdemonstrate that GA tuned Fuzzy-PID controller has given us the best results in terms of reducedsteady-state error, faster rise time and settling time, and object position stabilization than PID,Fuzzy and Fuzzy-PID controllers, which shows that optimal Fuzzy-PID controller designed is moreappropriate and efficient.Keywords: Object tracking, LabVIEW, Fuzzy-PID, Pan/Tilt system, Genetic algorithm

This paper introduces the Efficient Metaheuristic BitTorrent (EM-BT) algorithm, aimed at optimizingthe placement and sizing of photovoltaic renewable energy sources (PVRES) and capacitor banks(CBs) in electric distribution networks. The main goal is to minimize energy losses and enhance voltagestability over 24 h, taking into account varying load profiles, solar irradiance, and temperature effects.The algorithm is rigorously tested on standard distribution networks, including the IEEE 33, IEEE69, and ZB-ALG-Hassi Sida 157-bus systems. The results reveal that EM-BT outperforms establishedmethods like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), and Whale OptimizationAlgorithm (WOA), demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing energy losses and maintaining stablevoltage profiles. By effectively combining PVRES and CBs, this research highlights a robust approach toenhancing both technical performance and operational reliability in distribution systems. Additionally,the consideration of temperature effects on PVRES efficiency adds depth to the study, making it avaluable contribution to the field of power system optimization.Keywords: Efficient Metaheuristic BitTorrent (EM-BT) algorithm, Photovoltaic renewable energy sources(PVRES), Capacitor banks (CBs), Energy loss minimization, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey WolfOptimizer (GWO), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Operational reliability

Abstract: Peanut production plays a crucial role in global food security, particularly in developingcountries, where it provides essential nutrition and income. This paper examines the optimizationof peanut production through genetic advancements, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainablepractices. The primary objective is to increase yields by addressing challenges related to climatechange, pests, and resource constraints. Globally, peanut production is hindered by rising temper-atures, irregular rainfall, and declining soil quality, impacting both yield and quality. Developingcountries, especially in Africa and Asia, face additional challenges, such as limited access to advancedagricultural technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for smallholder farmers.The vital issues include genetic vulnerabilities to pests, climate stress, and inefficient water use.Recent genetic research has provided insights into breeding more resilient, drought-resistant varieties,offering hope for improving yields, despite environmental challenges. The adoption of climateadaptation strategies, precision farming, and integrated pest management is essential for boostingproductivity. These, along with optimized irrigation and nutrient management, have significantlyimpacted peanut production in resource-limited settings. Additionally, drought-resistant varietieshave proven crucial, enabling farmers to increase resilience and yields in areas facing climate stress.In conclusion, optimizing peanut production requires continued investment in genetic advancements,infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Future efforts should focus on improving climate adaptationand sustainable farming techniques for long-term success.Keywords: climate adaptation; drought-resistant varieties; genetic advancements; integrated pestmanagement; precision farming; sustainable practices

O. abyssinica, known in Ethiopia as lowland bamboo, is a solid-stemmed clump-forming bamboo species widelydistributed in the western dry regions of Ethiopia. The versatility of the species means that it has enormouspotential for land restoration in arid and semi-arid areas, in addition to bringing socio-economic benefits. It alsodisplays remarkable adaptability, allowing it to thrive in the challenging ecological conditions of areas such asthe Abay Gorge. The Abay Gorge, situated within the Upper Blue Nile River Basin of Northwestern Ethiopia ischaracterized by problems associated with soil erosion and land degradation. This study, therefore, aimed toevaluate and recommend a suitable spatial analysis for the adoption and development of lowland bamboo(O. abyssinica). Fifteen primary influencing factors were chosen according to the needs of O. abyssinica, theaccessibility of data, and the financial implications associated with data analysis, particularly the expensesrelated to soil laboratory testing. Eight composite soil samples were taken directly by dividing the watershed intotwo categories (upper and lower catchment areas). These composite soil samples were analyzed. Data analysiswas performed via Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in conjunction with Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM) analysis and the use of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS). The spatialanalysis employed in this study was a weighted sum overlay analysis, which was applied by considering thecriteria weight assigned to each factor. The analysis revealed that 21.2 % (666.5 ha) of the total area was highlysuitable for the growth and development of O. abyssinica. About 56 % (1753 ha) of the land was moderately andmarginally suitable for the desired land utilization type. However, 23 % (723.8 ha) of the study area was un-suitable for O. abyssinica. O. abyssinica has the potential to rehabilitate large parts of challenging areas such as theAbay Gorge due to its naturally invase rhizomes and drought-tolerance. It can also be introduced into agrofor-estry systems and used as living fences for villages.
Keywords: AHP, GIS, Land evaluation, Lowland bamboo, MCDM, Remote sensing

Introduction: The rising global prevalence of cancer reveals significant regional disparities in palliative care adoption. While some countries have incorporated palliative care into their systems, over half of the world lacks such services, and oncology-specific palliative care integration is sparse. This study evaluates the global prevalence of palliative care use among cancer patients.
Methods: A comprehensive search across multiple databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Data extraction and organisation were managed using Microsoft Excel, and analysis was performed with STATA/MP 17.0. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was applied, and heterogeneity was assessed with Cochrane I² statistics. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and Egger's test were used to explore heterogeneity, publication bias and influential studies.
Results: The global prevalence of palliative care among cancer patients was 34.43% (95% CI: 26.60 to 42.25). Africa had the highest utilisation rate at 55.72% (95% CI: 35.45 to 75.99), while the USA had the lowest at 30.34% (95% CI: 19.83 to 40.86). Studies with sample sizes under 1000 showed a higher utilisation rate of 47.51% (95% CI: 36.69 to 58.32). Approximately 55% (95% CI: 35.26 to 74.80) of patients had a positive attitude towards palliative care, and 57.54% (95% CI: 46.09 to 69.00) were satisfied with the services. Positive attitudes were significantly associated with higher palliative care utilisation.
Conclusion: Only about one-third of cancer patients globally receive palliative care, with the highest utilisation in Africa. Nearly half of patients have a favourable attitude towards palliative care, and a similar proportion are satisfied with the services.

Keywords: Cancer; End of life care; Nursing Home care; Palliative Care.

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.

In the post-1991 period, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front clearly endorsed the separationof state and religion. More importantly, the government is obliged to deliver equal protection for the peacefulworshiping and well-being of religious institutions. However, there is little or no protection given to the Ethi-opian Orthodox Church and Christians, specifically in the post 2018 political transition. Therefore, this studyexamines the most devastating and selective murdering and slaughtering of Orthodox Christians and the de-molition of the church a few months after a new governmental transition took place in April 2018. To do so, thispaper applied the theory of “religious victimization” to analyze the interplay between the so-called politicalreform and religious practice since 2018. In this respect, a qualitative research approach with a case researchdesign was used: ten in-depth interviews, three focus group discussions, field observations, and secondarysources analysis. According to the findings, thematic analysis was applied by arranging items in the team basedon their similarities. The results of the study also revealed that there were mass killings and demolition of or-thodox Christian properties in the Ethio-Somalia, Oromia, and Sidama regions of Ethiopia. Vandalism wassupposed to be systematic and well-planned. In this study, the researchers strongly recommend that the gov-ernment identify intervention strategies to stop the atrocities of Ethiopian Christians.
Keywords: Church burnings, Demolition properties, Ethiopian orthodox church, Political transition, Religious freedom, Mass killings