ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to assess the potential occurrence of coal deposits in the East Gojjam zone, specifically in Debre Eliyas woreda. It also aims to determine the quality and quantity of coal through field and laboratory techniques. A total of twenty coal samples and twenty rock samples were systematically collected from surface outcrops and analyzed at the Geological Survey of Ethiopia. Major oxides in the rock units were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), while coal samples were subjected to Gravimetric, Proximate, and Adiabatic Calorimetric analyses to quantify moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content, and calorific value. The geologic setup of the study area is predominantly characterized by sedimentary rock, like Sandstone, limestone, mudstone, and basaltic rocks. Geochemical analysis of sandstone, mudstone, and limestone samples reveals distinct compositional characteristics that reflect their depositional environments and diagenetic processes, providing valuable insights for resource exploration and geotechnical assessments. A geological map at a scale of 1:25,000 and three coal occurrence maps at a 1:20,000 scale were prepared based on detailed field surveys and laboratory analyses. Chemical analysis of collected coal samples revealed moisture contents ranging from 2.32% to 29.72%, volatile matter from 20.01% to 37.29%, fixed carbon from 7.12% to 31.88%, ash content from 4.27% to 66.07%, and calorific values between 2,323.044 and 9,378.684 Cal/gm. The values indicate that the coal in Debre Eliyas ranges in rank from lignite to bituminous. Across all identified coal-bearing sites, the average seam thickness ranges from 2.35 to 5.13 meters. The total estimated coal resource of the study area is approximately 2,755,124.83 tons. Keywords: Debre Elias, Coal Deposit, Economic Potential, Calorific value

Abstract
Carrot is a significant root crop in Ethiopia but its production faces challenges such as nutrient loss and unfavorable growth conditions, which hinder its productivity. The objective of this review was to evaluate the impact of nitrogen fertilizer rates on carrot yield in Ethiopia. A systematic review using databases like PubMed and Scopus focused on peer-reviewed, English-language studies with quantitative data on nitrogen fertilizer and carrot yield in Ethiopia, excluding non-peer-reviewed articles and those lacking quantitative data or in other languages. Globally, carrot yields are 30–100 tons per hectare, but only 5.5 tons in Ethiopia. Carrots are rich in vitamins A, C, and B, proteins, minerals, and fiber, with vitamin C boosting immunity and aiding in wound healing and allergy management. Meanwhile, vitamin A plays a crucial role in vision, bone growth, immune function, and reproduction. It is a rich source of carotenoids and anthocyanins. The application of nitrogen fertilizer significantly improved carrot yield (root length, fresh weight, and dry weight). In Ethiopia, the use of nitrogen fertilizer affects the marketability and total yield of carrots, with small-scale farmers employing diverse rates for cultivation. Current recommendations suggest 69 kg/ha of phosphorus (P2O5) and 46 kg/ha of nitrogen, but farmers often do not follow these guidelines. In conclusion, optimizing nitrogen fertilizer usage is crucial for enhancing carrot yields among small farmers, underscoring the need for government support to tailor recommendations to local soil conditions and boost productivity.

Keywords: carrot yield; carrot production; nitrogen fertilizer; nutrient management

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the practices and challenges of good governance in urban land administration, with a particular focus on the Debre Markos City Administration. The study selected the Debre Markos City Administration Municipality service office as a case study. This study employed a mixed research approach, and data were collected through questionnaire and interview methods obtained from both public servants and customers. The data was analysed through descriptive analysis. Based on the analysis conducted using three core elements of good governance—transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, the study found that there were poor practices of good governance in urban land administration. On the other hand, the study investigated various challenges of good governance in urban land administration, which emanate from personal, administrative, and socio-economic problems such as the absence of innovative figures of land registration, lack of monitoring and evaluation, inadequate institutional performance, and absence of reward and punishment systems. In general, the findings of this study revealed that due to various challenges, there were poor practices of good governance in terms of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in the study area. These challenges impede people’s access to quality service in urban areas and undermine the trust between citizens and the government. Finally, enhancing institutional capacity, consistent implementations of monitoring and evaluation, innovative figures of land registration, and giving corrective measures for wrongdoers were stated as recommendations.

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is the basis for the enduring instillationof personal habits and societal ideals. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the practiceand challenges of implementing ECCE in Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia. To thisend, a qualitative research approach with a multiple case study design was used. Quali-tative data were collected from 40 participants (ECCE teachers, caregivers, unit leaders,school principals, and Bahir Dar city administration education experts). Observation,interviewing, and focus group discussion were used as data collection instruments. Asa result, ECCE was poorly implemented. By and large, the finding of this study identi-fied many challenges that inhibit the successful implementation of ECCE, such as lackof teachers and caregivers’ training, poor physical environment, inadequate resources/facilities, inappropriate teacher–student ratio, and unrealistic demands of parents.These hindrances increase learning gaps that widen over time, contributing to higherdropout rates and reduced literacy levels. The study results would have importantimplications for the advancement of the ECCE program. Additionally, the findingsmight inform policymakers and educators on areas that require further developmentor intervention, ultimately contributing to improving of early childhood learningexperiences.Keywords: Caregivers, Challenges, Early childhood care and education, Practice, Teachers

Executive Summary Background and objectivesDiabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) are leading causes of cardiovascular disease, death, and disability, with a growing burden in developing countries. Early detection is essential, and machine learning (ML) offers powerful tools for predicting diseases risk by uncovering complex patterns in health data. At the same time, the Health Belief Model (HBM) explains preventive behaviors through constructs such as perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action. This study integrates ML-based predictive modeling with the HBM to identify individuals at risk of HTN and DM and to better understand the behavioral factors influencing prevention, employing a dataset collected in 2025. Materials and methodsData on DM and hypertension HTN were collected from 1,771 employees of Debre Markos, Injibara, and Bahir Dar universities in Northwest Ethiopia. The cross-sectional survey included demographic, health-related, and behavioral factors, with constructs from the Health Belief Model (HBM) such as perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action. RFE was applied to identify the most relevant predictors of DM and HTN. Four machine learning algorithms—Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), and k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) were developed using theselected features. Model performance was evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, the F1-score, and the area under the ROC curve. ResultsThis study found that the ensemble ML models, RF and GBDT, outperformed in predicting HTN and DM, achieving higher accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the ROC curve. Analysis of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs further showed that preventive behaviors were positively associated with perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, self-efficacy, and cues to action, while perceived barriers were negatively associated. Perceived susceptibility emerged as a significant predictor of HTN and DM, and cues to action contributed to the identification of undiagnosed DM cases.

Youth unemployment in the East Gojjam Zone is a critical issue. This study focuses onidentifying the factors that influence unemployment duration and evaluating the impact ofjob creation programs on the well-being of youth in this region. We employed Cox regres-sion to analyze the determinants of unemployment duration and used propensity scorematching to assess the welfare effects of job creation initiatives. Our multistage clustersampling revealed a youth unemployment rate of 33.3% (95% CI: 27.3–39.3). Over half ofthe unemployed youth transitioned to employment within four years, with 25% securingjobs within two years. Participation in job creation programs led to an average earningsincrease of 1,069.716 birr, though retention in these programs was low at 49%. The find-ings reveal a connection between prolonged unemployment, skill mismatches, financialconstraints, limited work experience, weak social networks, low income, and a preferencefor public-sector employment. To effectively address these challenges, interventions mustfocus on improving job accessibility, aligning vocational training with labor market needs,promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing social support systems.

Backgrounds Poverty is a complex and multifaceted global public health issue, particularly prevalent in Ethiopia,including the East Gojjam Zone. Previous studies on poverty have largely relied on unidimensional measures,providing limited evidence on multidimensional poverty (MP). Therefore, this study tried to assess the prevalenceand identify the associated factors of MP among rural households in selected woredas of East Gojjam Zone, NorthernEthiopia.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the fall of 2020 in randomly selectedworedas of East Gojjam zone, involving 770 rural households. Multistage cluster sampling was used, and data werecollected through structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires covering eleven MP indicators. The globalmultidimensional poverty index (MPI) was applied to assess poverty status. The multivariable partial proportionalodds model (PPOM) was employed to identify the associated factors of MP, and variables with a p-value < 0.05 wereconsidered as significant.Results Among 770 rural households considered 37.27% (25.45% moderately and 11.82% severely) of them wereclassified as multidimensionally poor. The standard of living dimension accounted for the largest contribution to MP.Household head aged, 30–45years (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.15) and those over 45 years (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.42,5.33), weather condition(Kolla) (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.05, 3.07), experiencing drought in the preceding 12 months(AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.41), dependency ratio (AOR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.13,1.59), and adult equivalence (AOR = 1.13,95%CI: 1.07,1.19) were more likely to experience MP. Conversely, marital status (being married) (AOR = 0.36, 95%CI:0.21, 0.64), woreda, Machakel (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.36, 0.86), Sinan (AOR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.95), and road accessibilityin the village (AOR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.37, 0.81) were significantly associated with lower odds of MP among ruralhouseholds in the study area.
Conclusion: Approximately 37% of rural household’s experience moderate to severe MP, and living standardsdimension accounted for the largest contribution. Various socio-demographic, agro-ecological, and related factorshave been identified to rural MP. To address this issue, stakeholders should prioritize to promote climate-resilientagriculture and strengthening drought coping mechanisms. Furthermore, it is essential to account for the variations inpoverty levels across different administrative units and ecological zones to effectively eradicate poverty among ruralhouseholds.Keywords: East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia, Multidimensional poverty, Partial proportional odds model, Rural household

Multidimensional poverty, encompassing deprivations in education, health, and living standards, is a significant challenge in rural Ethiopia. Despite various development initiatives, poverty remains pervasive in the West Gojjam Zone of northern Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the extent of multidimensional poverty in this region and identify key factors contributing to the likelihood of households experiencing it.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the West Gojjam Zone, involving 628 rural households selected through a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), focusing on poverty incidence, gap, and severity. A binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the relationship between household characteristics and the likelihood of being multidimensionally poor.
Results
The study revealed that 93.95% of households in the West Gojjam Zone experience multidimensional poverty, with an intensity of 61.17% and an adjusted multidimensional headcount ratio of 57.47%. Key factors associated with a lower likelihood of multidimensional poverty include land ownership, off-farm income, year-round road access, the frequency of agricultural extension services, and access to loans. Conversely, the age of household heads is positively associated with an increased likelihood of poverty, with older household heads being more vulnerable.
Conclusions
The findings highlight that multidimensional poverty in the West Gojjam Zone is primarily driven by limited access to land, financial services, infrastructure, and agricultural support. Furthermore, older household heads are particularly at risk. To address these challenges, the study recommends policies that focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding access to financial services, improving road infrastructure, and fostering non-farm income-generating activities. Strengthening agricultural extension services is essential to enhancing household resilience and reducing poverty.

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.

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.