Investing in agricultural water management by improving irrigation schemes helps to establish climate-resilientand sustainable agri-food systems, thus contributing to sustainable poverty reduction. The purpose of this studywas to identify the determinants of farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for irrigation water improvements inNorthcentral Ethiopia. Primary data collected from a random sample of 132 households were analyzed using thedouble-bounded contingent valuation method and binary logit regression model to identify what determinesfarmers’ WTP for irrigation improvement. The findings show that farmers’ mean WTP for irrigation water im-provements is 141.60 Birr/ha/year (2.50 USD/ha/year). The results of bivariate Probit model revealed that croptype, education, relative location to the irrigation scheme, irrigated plot size, and perceived drought risk sta-tistically and positively determine farmers’ WTP for irrigation water improvement. These findings offer valuablepolicy implications on how best to guide practical agricaltural water management. Policy interventions aimed atenhancing farmers’ behavior, awareness, and perception of drought-related issues, while also promoting cashcrop production, are likely to drive more farmers towards a positive WTP for irrigation water improvement.
Keywords: Improved irrigation water; Double-bounded contingent valuation; Willingness to pay; Bivariate probit model

AbstractPurpose – This study aims to identify determinants of single-family residential property values and fill the gap by analyzing respondents’ willingness to pay/receive data alongside real transaction data. Ordinal logistic regression and ordinal least square regression were used.Design/methodology/approach – Ordinal logistic regression effectively analyzes willingness-to-pay/receive data, accommodating the ordered nature of property value responses while incorporating multiple influencing factors. Ordinal least square regression quantifies the impact of continuous and categorical predictors on real transaction data.
Findings – Findings revealed strong associations between property values and several variables. Analysis of willingness-to-pay/accept data from 232 respondents showed significant impacts of factors such as the number of rooms, site area, construction material, property orientation, property age and proximity to bus stations and the central business district (p < 0.05). Similarly, ordinal least square regression analysis of transaction data confirmed the significance of most of these factors, except for property orientation, which indicates the difference of preference in the local market or reporting inconsistencies, demand further investigation. Variables such as views, proximity to wetlands, roads, green areas, religious institutions and schools were statistically insignificant across both data sets (p > 0.05).
Practical implications – It provides a robust basis for housing and urban development strategies. The stakeholders such as real estate developers, urban planners and policymakers are encouraged to incorporate these findings into housing policies, land value capture initiatives and urban planning frameworks to enhance residential property value and align with sustainable urban development goals.
Originality/value – This study contributes original insights into single-family residential property valuation by integrating willingness-to-pay and transaction data, substantiating the determinants of property value.
Keywords Appraisal, Ethiopia, Housing, Ordinal least square regression, Residential property, Value

Introduction: Stillbirth is still a major public health problem in middle- and low-income countries. However, there has been limited research conducted to identify determinants of stillbirth in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of stillbirth among women who gave birth in public hospitals in the West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted among 418 mothers who gave birth from March 1-30, 2022. Consecutive and systematic sampling techniques were used to select the cases and controls, respectively. The collected data were entered into Epidata and exported into SPSS version 16 for analysis. Numerical descriptive statistics were expressed by using the mean with standard deviation (SD) and/or median with interquartile range (IQR), whereas categorical variables were expressed by proportions. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify determinants of stillbirth. The model goodness of fit test was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Variables having a P-value ≤ 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable analysis model. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to report the strength of association, and variables with a P-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 105 cases and 313 controls were included in this study. The odds of having stillbirth were higher among women who were illiterate (AOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.34, 7.55), had first ANC visit in the second trimester (AOR: 11.4, 95% CI: 2.99, 43.71), had an induced mode of delivery (AOR: 8.7, 95% CI: 2.10, 36.03), history of stillbirth (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.45, 4.90), bad obstetric history (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.44, 15.89), history of preterm (AOR: 7.6, 95% CI: 1.57, 37.21), not vaccinated for TT (AOR: 8.8, 95% CI: 2.23, 35.17), labor not followed by using partograph (AOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.10, 8.42), and history of abortion (AOR: 11, 95% CI: 2.91, 41.31).
Conclusion: The determinants of stillbirth included women who were illiterate, started ANC visits in the second trimester, had an induced mode of delivery, history of stillbirth, bad obstetric history, history of preterm, history of abortion, not vaccinated for TT, and not followed by partograph. It is better to improve partograph utilization during intrapartum care and screen mothers who had a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes during their pregnancy to avert the problem.

Keywords: Cases; Controls; Determinants; Ethiopia; Stillbirth.

Background: Managing chronic illness requires navigating a complex trajectory from diagnosis to end-of-life, with each phase necessitating specific nursing approaches. Effective management throughout these phases is vital for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Objective: This study aims to explore nursing approaches in managing chronic illness across its trajectory, from diagnosis to end-of-life care, focusing on phase-specific care, emotional support, education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the challenges faced by nurses.
Methods: A qualitative research design using a grounded theory approach was employed to construct a theoretical framework grounded with the insights and experience of nurses' approaches across the chronic illness trajectory within Western Amhara, Ethiopia. The study comprised 24 nurses who were selected through the process of purposeful and theoretical sampling methods. Data was collected via in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed a constant comparative method, involving open, axial, and selective coding to identify key strategies and challenges across the illness trajectory.
Results: The primary finding of this study emphasizes the evolving and adaptive role of nurses in chronic illness management, highlighting their ability to provide personalized care, emotional support, and education throughout the illness trajectory. Central to the investigation is the theory of nurses' evolving and adaptive role in chronic illness management, where they adjust their strategies to address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients and families, from pre-diagnosis to end-of-life care. The study identifies key adaptive strategies, including fostering resilience, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, and managing fluctuating symptoms. Despite challenges such as heavy workloads and emotional strain, nurses require training for continuous professional development, technological integration, and collaborative platforms to reinforce their critical role in optimizing patient outcomes in chronic illness management.
Conclusion: This study highlights nurses' adaptive role in chronic illness care, focusing on phase-specific interventions, emotional support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education across entire illness trajectory to meet diverse needs of patients and their families. Despite challenges such as heavy workloads and emotional strain, the study recommends ongoing professional development and technological integration to optimize patient outcomes.

Keywords: chronic illness trajectory; diagnosis; end-of-life; grounded theory; nursing approaches.

Background: Diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) in children is challenging due to the difficulties in acquiring respiratory specimens, which unspecific and paucibacillary disease presentation, and the lack of sensitive diagnostic assays with non-invasive sample collection methods. As a result, millions of children around the world get tuberculosis (TB) each year, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Stool and Respiratory Sample-based Genexpert MTB/RIF assay from presumptive TB among children in Northwest, Ethiopia.
Methods and Materials: Hospital based cross-sectional with diagnostic accuracy study was conducted on consecutively recruited presumptive TB children. Data were collected by sem-structured questionnaires. Single respiratory (5ml) and 3g stool specimen were collected Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) and Xpert assay. Laboratory SOPs were strictly followed to assure the quality of whole procedures. The diagnostic accuracy of stool Xpert was evaluated against respiratory specimen Xpert, culture and composite reference standards (CRS). Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for the stool Xpert assay were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) with MedCal statistical software. Data were entered in EPIData V4.2 and exported to SPSS 25 for further analysis.
Results: A total of 557 children were recruited; 510 of whom had complete microbiological results. Overall, pTB was diagnosed in 52/510 (10.2%) of the children with presumptive TB. Of these, only four had microbiologically unconfirmed pTB, were clinically diagnosed with positive response to anti-TB and the remaining 48 were microbiologically confirmed (Positive Xeprt and LJ culture). Stool specimen Xpert had sensitivity of 93.8 %( 95%CI: 82.8-98.6) and specificity of 99.8% (95%CI: 98.7–100) compared to culture; however, the sensitivity of stool was 88.5% (72-95.6) and specificity 100% (99.2-100) when compared to CRS. The Xpert on respiratory specimen had sensitivity and specificity of 95.8 % (85.8– 99.5) and 99.8% (98.7–100) to culture and 92.3 %( 81.4-97.9) and 100% (99.2-100) compared to CRS.
Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert assay for stool specimen is almost similar to that of respiratory specimen. Stool specimen is a highly promising alternative specimen in the diagnosis of pTB in children when respiratory specimen is impossible.


Key words: Diagnostic accuracy, pulmonary tuberculosis, Xpert MTB/RIF, Stool, Children

Introduction Protecting digital health data from unauthorized access, alteration, and destruction is a crucial aspectof healthcare digitalization. Currently, digital security breaches are becoming more common. Healthcare databreaches have compromised over 50 million medical records per year. In Ethiopia, health digitization has growngradually. However, there is a limitation of study in digital health security. Studying digital health data security helpsindividuals protect digital data as a baseline and contributes to developing a digital health security policy.Objective To assess the practice of healthcare professionals in digital health data security among specializedteaching referral hospitals in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.Method A cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative purposive sampling method was usedto measure the digital data security practices of health professionals. The sample size was determined via singlepopulation proportion formula. A simple random sampling technique was used for the study participants. Then, self-administered questionnaires were administered. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify associated factorsusing STATA software. For the qualitative study, key informant interviews were used and analyzed using thematicanalysis approach via open-code software.Results Out of the 423 health professionals, 95.0% were involved in the survey. The finding indicates digital healthdata security practice of health professionals working at specialized teaching hospitals were 45.0%, CI: (40, 50). Healthprofessionals 41–45-year age group (AOR = 0.107), master’s degree (AOR = 2.45), postmaster’s degree (AOR = 3.87),time to visit the internet for more than two hours (AOR = 2.46), basic computer training (AOR = 2.77), training indigital data security (AOR = 2.14), and knowledge (AOR = 1.76) were associated with the practice of digital health datasecurity. For the qualitative study, three teams were prepared. The findings indicate digital health data security can beimproved through training, advanced knowledge and working with digital security.
Conclusion The practice of digital health data security in specialized teaching hospitals in the Amhara region wasinadequate. Therefore, it can be improved through enhancing education status, increasing the time needed to visitthe internet, providing computer training, and updating health professionals’ knowledge toward digital health datasecurity.Keywords Practice, Digital health, Digital data security, Health profession

Knowledge of domestic dog ecology and demography has been recognized as central to the designof an effective rabies control program. The study was conducted to assess owned dogs’ ecologyand demography and to identify predictors associated with dog ownership and rabies occurrencein the Amhara region, Ethiopia.Method: ology: The study employed dog census and questionnaire surveys of 907 householdsselected using a multistage sampling technique from six rural and six urban districts of theAmhara region, Ethiopia. The ecology and demography of owned dogs in the selected areas wererecorded and described using descriptive statistics. Mixed-effect logistic regression models wereused to identify factors associated with dog ownership and rabies occurrence.Results: A total of 6609 dogs were estimated from 42 kebeles in the 12 study districts. The male-to-female ratio of dogs was 1.7:1.0, and the mean age of dogs was 3.2 years. The proportion ofhouseholds who owned at least one dog was 5.9 %. The average number of dogs per dog-ownedhousehold was 1.3. Dog to household ratio was 1.0:13.0, and dog to human ratio was 1.0:48.5.The majority of the dog owners (97 %) keep dogs for home guard and livestock herding. Only 57% of the dogs were confined, and 16 % of them were vaccinated. Ninety-one percent of the dogowners did not practice neutering and spaying for dog population control. Religion, livestockownership pattern, and occupation were associated with dog ownership (p < 0.05). Communityresidence and age of respondents were associated with rabies occurrence (p < 0.05), while zonewas associated with both dog ownership and rabies occurrence at p-value

Introduction
Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with its prevalence steadily rising in both developed and developing nations. An unhealthy lifestyle significantly contributes to the development of dyslipidemia, with smoking being a well-known risk factor.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted across several databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, African Journals Online (AJOL), HINARI, and PubMed/MEDLINE. Articles published up until June 24, 2024, were considered for inclusion. Data extraction and organization were carried out using Microsoft Excel, while analysis was performed using STATA/MP 17.0. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). To analyze the pooled data, a weighted inverse variance random effects model with a 95% confidence interval was applied. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochrane’s I2 statistics, and Egger’s test was conducted to detect potential publication bias. The association between dyslipidemia and its associated factors was examined using the log odds ratio, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results
A total of 44 articles involving 12,395 participants were included. The overall pooled prevalence of dyslipidemia in Ethiopia was 56.60% (95% CI 50.40–62.80). Dyslipidemia was observed across various population groups, with notable prevalence rates associated with different risk factors. Among individuals with insufficient physical activity, the prevalence was 30.12% (95% CI 22.53–37.70). In those who smoked cigarettes, it was observed in 6.81% (95% CI 4.27–9.34). Among chronic alcohol consumers, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 15.75% (95% CI 9.65–21.86). Furthermore, 30.12% (95% CI 22.53–37.70) of dyslipidemia was reported among individuals with inadequate physical exercise.
Conclusions
The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Ethiopia was 56.60%, indicating a significant public health concern. The condition is particularly prevalent among individuals with insufficient physical activity, smoking habits, and chronic alcohol consumption, suggesting strong associations with these modifiable risk factors. To reduce dyslipidemia, public health initiatives should focus on promoting physical activity, anti-smoking campaigns, and educating on the risks of excessive alcohol use. Health professionals should also prioritize early detection and management in high-risk groups to reduce long-term cardiovascular risks.

Recent advances in electrochemistry and electrode surface modification highlight the potential of transitionmetal coordination compounds as effective modifiers. This study presents sodium tetraresorcinolatocuprate(II)(Na₂[Cu(HR)₄]), a newly synthesized compound characterized using UV–Vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, ICP OES, andmelting point analysis. A poly(Na₂[Cu(HR)₄])/GCE was fabricated via potentiodynamic techniques, with cyclicvoltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirming the formation of a polymer film thatenhanced the electrode’s active area and electrocatalytic properties. The developed poly(Na₂[Cu(HR)₄])/GCEwas applied for determination of ciprofloxacin (CPF), an antibiotic prone to resistance issues, that requiresreliable monitoring in pharmaceutical and biological samples. The poly(Na₂[Cu(HR)₄]) modifier significantlyimproved CPF detection by reducing its oxidation potential and increasing current response by eightfoldcompared to unmodified electrodes, suggesting the modifier’s catalytic role in CPF oxidation. Differential pulsevoltammetry (DPV) showed a linear CPF response over concentrations of 1.0 × 10 8 to 4.0 × 10 4 M, withdetection and quantification limits of 2.0 nM and 6.8 nM, respectively. Analysis of commercial CPF brandsshowed 98.05–100.00 % accuracy, while spike recovery rates (99.25–100.40 %) and low interference errors(

Method Twenty inactive males (BMI 27.67 ± 0.88 kg/m2 , age 49.15 ± 2.58 years) participated in an eight-week wererandomly assigned to one of three intervention groups (combined (CT), resistance (RT), and aerobic (AT)) exercisemodalities to assess within-subject and between group changes in glycolipid profile. Data were analyzed usingrepeated measures ANCOVA.Result Pre-post mean values of body fat percentage (%BF), area under the curve (AUC), low density lipoprotein (LDL),high density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol (TC) decreased in all three groups. The main effect of exercisemodality on the AUC (F (2, 26) = 10.577, P = 0.001, η2 = 0.569) was significant. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the RTgroup (-30.653 ± 6.766, p = 0.001) with 11.53% and the CT group (M = -0.896, SE = 3.347, P = 0.015) with 3.79% exhib-ited significantly greater reductions in AUC compared to the AT group. LDL levels showed significant differentbetween groups (F (2, 26) = 6.33, p = 0.009, η2 = 0.442), specially significantly 3.7% lowered in AT (MD = 4.783, SE = 1.563,P = 0.002) and 3.79% lower in CT (MD = 4.57, SE = 1.284, P = 0.008) groups compared to the RT group. AT significantlyreduced TC by 17.716 ± 5.705 mg/dL (p = 0.02) compared to RT, representing a 7.97% decrease.Conclusion Exercise type significantly influences lipid profiles and glycemic control. Notably, both aerobic and com-bined training demonstrated a superior ability to modulate the lipid profile, and resistance training and combinedtraining were more effective in reducing the AUC.Trial registration May, 31st 2024. Registration no: PACTR202405463745521 “Retrospectively registered”.Keywords Glucose tolerance, Lipid profile, Resistance training, Aerobic training and combind training