BackgroundBovine tuberculosis is among the primary zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis which has significant impact on the health of livestock and human. It has been significantly a cause for great economic loss in animal production.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to June 2016 on 315 cattle in selected areas of eastern Ethiopia, aiming to estimate the occurrence of bovine tuberculosis using comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test and assess cattle owners’ awareness on its public health implication. Random sampling method was applied in order to select animals from farm/household and associated risk factors were recorded before purified protein derivative (PPD) injection. Forty three farm/household owners of tuberculin tested animals were interviewed using pre-tested structured questionnaires.ResultsThe overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 20.3% (n = 64) in dairy cattle at recommended cut off > 4 mm. From a total of 43 farms/households tested, 22 were positive; each farm exhibited at least one tuberculin positive reactor animal with a total herd level prevalence of 51.2%. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in individual animal level was significantly different (χ2 = 45.2; P-value = 0.000) in different sites with a higher prevalence (50%) in Dire Dawa. Farming system, herd size and other risk factors were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with bovine tuberculosis occurrence. Of the total interviewed farm owners, only 33% had the knowledge of or had heard about bovine tuberculosis and 23% respondents were aware of the zoonotic importance of the disease. More than 50% of the interviewees had shown their preference of raw milk consumption. Out of the total interviewed households, 3 (7%) farm workers had TB cases that had direct contact with the animals.ConclusionThe study showed bovine tuberculosis is highly prevalent. Associated risk factors contributed to the prevalence of the disease in cattle and its transmission. Moreover, the majority of cattle owners lack awareness about the disease and its public health significance. Awareness rising about the disease, its transmission and zoonotic implication is of great importance for reduction and control measures. Evidence of tuberculosis patient farm attendants calls also for further detail investigation.

Background Dietary folate inadequacy is one the most common micronutrient deficiencies that cause neural tube defect (NTD) among infants in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to determine the dietary intake of folate among women of reproductive age (WRA) of Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study took place among voluntary women that were selected from 1140 random households. Using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, participant’s weekly dietary intake history of Ethiopian foods and dietary folate intake was worked out. Statistical analysis was done at a 95% confidence interval. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary folate consumption. Result The estimated median usual intake of folate was 170 μg/d (IQR: 118.3; 252.2) and about 33% of WRA had low folate intake and 73.9% were at risk for folate inadequacy. From the reported food groups, Beans and Peas, Starchy staples, and Vitamin-A rich dark-green leafy vegetables were the top three ranked foods that contributed much of the dietary folate. The following conditions were statistically related to dietary folate inadequacy; women’s age, being in poor wealth index, low dietary diversity, having seasonal employment, and reliance on market food sources. Conclusions We found that women’s dietary intake of folate in Kersa is very low and cannot protect their offspring from the risk of having NTD. They could also potentially be predisposed to poor health outcomes. Diversifying and fortification of Ethiopian wheats and salts could decrease the burden of folate deficiency in the country.

Introduction: Most individuals in low and middle income countries do not meet nutritional requirements. This can be at least partially attributed to poor diet quality, which is impacted by both external and personal food environment factors. Personal food choice factors among socio-economically disadvantaged groups of Ethiopia are not well researched. Objective: This study aimed to assess food choice factors in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 1196 households in Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia with women age 18-49 years. Confirmatory factor analysis models were used to estimate factors that influence food choice. Cronbach’s alpha for internal reliability coefficients were tested. Results: A majority of respondents were employed in agricultural work and a quarter of the families were poor. Women were primarily responsible for household food procurement. Factors that play a role in food choice included food price, convenience, quality, household preference, household food production and market advertisement. Conclusion: Improving nutritional knowledge and diversifying food availability may help to improve food choices and dietary intake in this rural part of eastern Ethiopia.

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Dietary iron inadequacy is a public health concern in developing countries. Women of reproductive age (WRA) are the most at risk for this micronutrient deficiency due to biological, socio-cultural, and dietary factors. This analysis aimed to assess estimated dietary intakes of iron (including heme and non-heme) and estimate bioavailability of dietary iron intake in Ethiopian women of reproductive age in Kersa district, Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 1140 randomly selected women from households in Kersa participated in this study. We used a non-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess total dietary iron consumption in WRA. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using modified Poisson regression to evaluate factors for inadequate dietary iron intake. The median usual iron consumption was 24.7 mg/d and 41.8 % of WRA were at risk for iron inadequacy. The following factors were associated with a greater likelihood for the risk of iron inadequacy: seasonal (APR 1.56; 95% CI 1.36-1.80) and part-time (APR 1.75; 95% CI 1.45-2.12) agricultural employment, market food source (APR 1.30; 95% CI 1.14-1.49), old age (APR 1.29; 95% CI 1.05-1.60) and low women’s dietary diversity (APR 2.34; 95% CI 1.88-2.91). Two-fifths of women had an inadequate dietary iron intake. Improving dietary diversity and food security, fortifying staple foods that have low iron bioavailability, and increasing animal-based foods and fruit consumption with meals would help to decrease the burden of iron dietary inadequacy and deficiency in WRA.