This study systematically assessed the concentrations of selected metals and the proximate composition of milk samples collected from six locations: Agerie Milk Cooperative, Andassa Livestock Research Center, Tekelehymanot Monastery, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar Dairy Cooperative, and households in Keble-7, Bahir Dar city. Proximate composition, including moisture, ash, protein, and fat, was determined using the Kjeldahl digestion and Gerber methods, while metal analysis was performed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy technique. The findings revealed significant variations (P

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis in students atBochesa Elementary School in the wetlands of Lake Ziway.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 384 students was conducted in May 2016. Intestinal schistosomiasis wasexamined using the Kato-Katz technique. For the association between the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasisand categorical variables, the chi-square (𝜒2 ) test was used. A binary logistic regression was applied.Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%. Males were more infected (17.45%)than women (8.07%), and the difference was significant (𝜒2 = 17.756; P

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of malaria in individuals visiting health centers in the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used on 422 study participants from three selected health centers from February to March 2020. Plasmodium parasite detection was examined using thick and thin blood smears, with a rapid diagnostic test. The chi-square (χ2) test was used to analyze the association between the prevalence of malaria and categorical variables, whereas binary logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors using SPSS Version 25. For all types of tests, P-values below 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of malaria observed at the selected health centers around the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District was 23.90% (95% confidence interval: 20.30-27.70%). There was a higher prevalence of malaria in males (39.78%) than in females (11.44%). The younger age group (16-30 years) was the most affected (47.76%), compared with the remaining 0-2 (19.23%), 3-15 (8.64%), 36-45 (37.25%), and above 45 years age groups (13.01%). Individuals with bed net-using habit decreased the risk of malaria infection by 99.70% compared with their counterparts (adjusted odds ratio: 0.003, 95% confidence interval: 0.001-0.011).
Conclusions: In this study, the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District were found conducive to the survival and reproduction of mosquitoes, and the occurrence of malaria prevalence was very high. Therefore, wetland management practices and community mobilizations that might decrease vector abundance and malaria transmission should be strengthened in the study area.

Keywords: Bahir Dar Zuria; Malaria; Prevalence; Rapid diagnostic test; Wetlands.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections occur in patients under medical care, which is a major public health issue in hospitals worldwide. The prevalence is two to three folds higher in developing countries compared to developed countries. Inanimate objects used by healthcare professionals such as gowns, mobile phones, and stethoscopes are highly prone to bacterial contamination from the healthcare setting. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of published data on the bacterial profile and susceptibility patterns of an isolates.
Objective: To determine the bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns from inanimate objects used by healthcare professionals and associated factors at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from inanimate objects from April 10, 2023 to June 30, 2023 using simple random sampling technique with lottery method. Socio-demographic data was collected using a structured questionnaire. A swab sample from healthcare professionals' gowns, mobile phones, and stethoscopes were collected and inoculated onto blood agar, chocolate and MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified and characterized by colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed in all isolates by the disk diffusion technique on Muller Hinton agar according to CLSI, 2022 guidelines. Data was entered into EPI-Data and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression model was used. Variables with p-value ≤ 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression was fitted to multivariate logistic regression analysis. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 with 95%CI was considered statistically significant.
Result: A total of 376 healthcare professionals' inanimate objects were included from 191 study participants. Overall, 60.1% (226/376) (95%CI: 55.1-65) inanimate objects were contaminated. The proportion of bacterial contamination was (65.1%; 82/126), (60.3%; 76/126) and (54.8%; 68/124) for mobile phones, gowns and stethoscopes, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent isolate accounting (22.1%; 83/376) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (17.0%; 64/376), Escherichia coli (8.8%; 33/376) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.9%; 18/376). Working in gynecology/ obstetrics wards (AOR: 8.69; 95%CI: 1.09-69.41, P = 0.041), did not disinfect mobile phones (AOR: 2.69; 95%CI: 1.15-6.25; P = 0.021) and stethoscopes regularly (AOR: 3.06, 95%CI: 1.23-7.59; P = 0.016), carry mobile phones with patient care materials (AOR: 2.72; 95%CI: 1.18-6.29, P = 0.019) and not taken infection prevention training (AOR:3.91; 95%CI:1.71-8.93; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with bacterial contamination.Most Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amoxacilline-clavunic acid, while Gram-positive isolates showed high level of resistant to penicillin. On the other hand, meropenem, for Gram-negative and clindamycin for Gram-positive bacteria showed lower level of resistance. Multidrug resistance among Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were (62.6%; 92/147) and (75.3%; 64/85), respectively with over all MDR (67.2%, 156/232).
Conclusion: Inanimate objects commonly used by healthcare professionals are important sources of bacterial contamination. S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. coli were the predominant isolates. Most Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to ampicillin while Gram-positive isolates showed high level of resistant to penicillin. All healthcare professionals should regularly disinfect their inanimate objects to prevent bacterial colonization and potential spread of infection.

Abstract: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are the leading cause of infectious diarrhea and posea significant global, regional, and national burden of disease. This study aimed to investigate theprevalence of six DEC pathotypes in children with diarrhea and determine their antibiotic resistancepatterns. Samples from 107 diarrheagenic children were collected and processed for Escherichiacoli (E. coli). Single-plex PCR was used to detect target virulence genes as well as characterize andcategorize DEC pathotypes. Antibiotic resistance patterns were determined by the Kirby–Bauerdisk diffusion method. E. coli was detected in 79 diarrheal stool samples, accounting for 73.8% ofthe samples collected. Additionally, 49.4% (39 out of 79) of the isolates harbored various typicalvirulence factors. Results revealed six pathotypes of virulence: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (53.8%),enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (12.8%), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (10.3%), Heteropathotypes(7.8%), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) (7.7% each).The isolates exhibited high antibiotic resistance against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (82.1%),amoxicillin (79.5%), ampicillin (74.4%), gentamicin (69.2%), and streptomycin (64.1%). An overalloccurrence of 84.6% of multiple-drug resistance was observed in the isolates, with resistance rangingfrom three to four antibiotic classes. Our findings revealed a high level of pathogenic E. coli that werehighly resistant to multiple categories of antibiotics among children in the Awi zone. These findingshighlight the potential role of pathogenic E. coli in childhood diarrhea in tropical low-resourcesettings and underscore the need for continued research on the characteristics of pathogenic andantibiotic-resistant strains.Keywords: children; diarrheagenic Escherichia coli; resistance; virulent genes; Awi zone

Background: Developmental delay is a group of disorders that cause commondeficits of adaptive and intellectual function in children. It happens when achild fails to achieve one aspect of developmental skills. Limited informationis available regarding the prevalence of developmental delay among childrenaged 12–59 months in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assessthe prevalence of developmental delay and its associated factors among thispopulation.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted inDembecha district among 702 children aged 12–59 months. Data were gatheredthrough face-to-face interviews, and by taking anthropometric measurementsusing a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Dataversion 4.2 software and exported into Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) version 25 software for analysis. The WHO Anthro software was used toanalyze anthropometric-related data. Bivariable and multivariable binary logisticregression analyses were done to identify factors associated with developmentaldelay. The odds ratio with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was estimated todetermine the strength of the association.Results: The prevalence of developmental delay among children was 26.7%(95% CI: 23.5, 30.2). Toddler child age (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.42, 4.87), lowbirth weight (LBW; AOR =4.90; 95% CI: 2.14, 11.48), cesarean section mode ofdelivery (AOR = 8.60; 95% CI: 3.93, 18.65), preterm delivery (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI:1.28, 4.74), early initiation of complementary feeding (AOR = 8.40; 95% CI: 3.61,19.63), stunting (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.67, 5.22) inadequate meal frequency(AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.74, 5.94), and inadequate dietary diversity (AOR = 3.10;95% CI: 1.68, 5.85) were significantly associated with child developmental delay.Conclusion: The prevalence of developmental delay among children was highin Dembecha district compared to the global prevalence. Child developmentaldelay was associated with toddler child age, LBW, cesarean section mode of

This research has been designed to explore some choreographic matters of selected Amharic Music, and it has employed stylistics approach in association with the musical functions or thematic purposes related to visual narrative inquiry.
The rationale behind the research project was related to the discussion of some choreographic maters of this study in relation to theme, creativity and deviation related to the videos of the selected music, for such practice has been less experienced in researches before. This is so, for people in most of the time perceive the choreographic matters or form related issues of music and the thematic function which could be transferred through the videos as independent concerns. However, form and content of a certain artistic production are the two sides of a coin which could not be investigated and understood independently; this is so, for, it is obvious that what is made on the form is all about the content of any artistic production and vice-versa. This was made in this study with the discussion of the concept, choreographic matters of some selected Amharic Music made on the presupposed themes advocated by the videos in relation to the range of creativity and deviation.
Therefore, the intention of the current study was to deal with the exploration of choreographic matters as reflected in the musical videos in relation to creativity and deviation made to convey thematic matters of the videos, for these two artistic concepts (creativity and deviation) are the inevitable techniques of music as one genre of fine art. The study has been concluded with the following demonstration.
On top of their own peculiarities, all the videos are similar in their disclosure of artistic creativities experienced both in content and form levels. This creativity extends the range of experiencing artistic deviations. At least all the selected videos commonly share the ideas in dealing with the videos potential of keeping traditional dance movements, the range of improvisations and expressiveness inculcated in line with modernizing the dances in the videos and the intentional and unintentional global influences and hybridizations.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen associated nephrotoxicity is a significantadverse effect that restricts the standard dose of cisplatin by impairing renal function. There is alack of data on cisplatin-based chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) in Ethiopian patientswith gynecological cancer. This study evaluated the factors associated with CIN and its impact onthe survival status of patients with gynecological cancer at Northwest Ethiopia oncology centers.Methods: This institutional-based retrospective cohort study included patients with gynecologicalcancer who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy between 2020 and 2021 at NorthwestEthiopia oncology centers. CIN was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria forAdverse Events (CTCAE) version 4 criteria and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO) Guideline. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated withCIN. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the impact of CINonpatients survival. The cutoff point was a P value of < 0.05 for declaring statistical significance.Results: A total of 394 patients with gynecological cancer were included in the final analysis. Theincidence of CIN was 27.9 % (95 % CI 23.4,32.7). Old age (≥60 years) [adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=1.7,95 % confidence interval (CI) (1.1–2.9); P=0.039],low serum albumin (50 mg/m2) [AOR=2.6,95% CI (1.4–4.7), P=0.002]were significantly associated with CIN.CIN[(adjusted hazard ratio(AHR)=3.2,95 % CI (2.7–9.5), P=0.004]and cisplatin dose reduction [AHR=2.7,95 % CI(1.7–4.3) P=0.021] were significant factors of death among patients with gynecological cancer.Conclusion: More than a quarter of patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy developedCIN, which negatively affected their survival. This study recommends that prescribers pay specialattention to patients with older age, lower serum albumin levels, and high-dose cisplatin toimprove renal function and survival. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicitysignificantly affects the survival of gynecological cancer patients.
Keywords: Gynecological cancer, Cisplatin, Nephrotoxicity, Factors, Impact, Ethiopia

IntroductionCancer is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, significantly impairing patients’quality of life (QoL). Integrated Palliative Care (IPC) has been proposed as a holisticapproach to enhance quality of life by addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and psy-chosocial needs. While some studies suggest Integrated Palliative Care improves qualityof life more than standard care, the evidence remains inconclusive. This systematic reviewand meta-analysis aim to evaluate the comparative impact of Integrated Palliative Careversus standard care on the quality of life in cancer patients.MethodsA comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase wasconducted. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Integrated Palliative Careand standard care for cancer patients, focusing on the quality of life as measured by validatedtools such as the EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G. Data were pooled using a random-effectsmodel to account for study heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed.ResultsNine randomized controlled trials involving 1,794 patients met the inclusion criteria.Meta-analysis showed that Integrated Palliative Care significantly improved quality oflife compared to standard care (SMD = 3.25; 95% CI: 1.20–5.30; p < 0.001). Studiesconducted in Asia showed the highest standardized mean difference (SMD = 6.15; 95%CI: 3.07–9.23; p < 0.001), followed closely by studies from Africa (SMD = 6.0; 95% CI:5.13–6.87; p < 0.001), compared to those from other regions. Similarly, research focusingon lung cancer patients showed the greatest standardized mean difference of (SMD =6.15; 95% CI: 3.07–9.23; p < 0.001) relative to other cancer types. Furthermore, studies
involving newly diagnosed cancer patients recorded the highest standardized mean differ-ence of (SMD = 5.69; 95% CI: 4.57–6.80; p < 0.001).ConclusionIntegrated Palliative Care significantly enhances the quality of life in cancer patients comparedto standard care. These findings support integrating Integrated Palliative Care into oncologypractices to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses both physical andemotional needs. Further research should explore long-term benefits across diverse populations.

This study investigates the performance of hemispherical solar stills (HSS) enhanced with date kernelsand olive kernels as heat storage materials to improve water distillation efficiency. By utilizing thesenatural and sustainable materials, the research highlights an alternative to synthetic options. Rigorousexperimentation and detailed analysis under identical conditions reveal that both kernels significantlyimprove heat retention and water production rates. The HSS with date kernels (HSSDK) achieved adaily water productivity of 6.66 kg/m2 day, representing an efficiency increase of 10.87%, while theHSS with olive kernels (HSSOK) produced 8.00 kg/m2 day, enhancing efficiency by 13.54%. The cost perm3 of distilled water for HSSDK is approximately USD 4.65, while HSSOK costs USD 3.89, comparedto USD 7.83 for the conventional CHSS system. These results demonstrate that the inclusion of heatstorage materials has significantly reduced the cost of water production, with reductions of about 40%for HSSDK and 50% for HSSOK compared to the conventional system. These results are attributedto the high thermal conductivity and specific heat capacities of the kernels, enabling effective heatstorage and gradual release. This study demonstrates the potential of agricultural by-products ascost-effective and sustainable solutions for solar water distillation. Further research is recommendedto optimize the quantities and configurations of these materials, as well as to explore their integrationwith other renewable energy systems to enhance overall efficiency and sustainability.Keywords: Hemispherical solar still, Date kernels, Olive kernels, Heat storage materials, Distillation efficiency