BackgroundFoodborne disease (FBD) affects millions of people each year, posing a health burden similar to malaria, tuberculosis or HIV. A recent World Bank study estimated the productivity losses alone attributed to unsafe food within Africa at $20 billion in 2016, and the cost of treating these illnesses at an additional $3.5 billion. Ethiopia faces multiple food safety challenges due to lack of infrastructure and basic pre-requisites for food safety such as clean water and environment, washing facilities, compounded by limited implementation of food safety regulations, and a lack of incentives for producers to improve food safety. A consolidation of our understanding and evidence of the source, nature and scale of FBD in Ethiopia is needed to inform policy and future research. We performed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of publications on FBD occurrence in Ethiopia including hazard presence and impact.MethodThe SLR followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed and CAB-Direct for relevant publications between 1990 and 2019 (inclusive). Observational studies and reviews were included. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and retained publications were reviewed in full for quality and data extraction.ResultIn total 128 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles focused on the identification of biological hazards in food. High levels of microbial contamination in different food value chains were often found in the small, ad hoc, observational studies that dominated the literature. Raw milk (22/128, 17.0%) and raw beef (21/128, 16.4%) were the most studied food products. Foodborne (FB) parasites were often found at higher rates in food than bacterial and viral pathogens, possibly due to differences in ease of identification. High levels of bacterial contamination on the hands of food handlers were widely reported. There were no reports on the incidence of human FBDs or resulting health and economic impacts.ConclusionOur findings reflect existing concerns around food safety in Ethiopia. A lack of substantial, coordinated studies with robust methodologies means fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge of FBD in Ethiopia, particularly regarding FBD burden and impact. Greater investment in food safety is needed, with enhanced and coordinated research and interventions.
To increase the efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) and improve reproductive performance of dairy cattle, different governmental organizations (GOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been conducting field level estrus synchronization followed by AI in different locations in Ethiopia. However, success rates varied from low to moderate between locations. North Shewa Zone of Amhara Region was among the areas where on-farm estrus synchronization was applied and resulted with very poor success. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess factors that influenced the success of previously implemented field level estrus synchronization programs. A total of 144 smallholder dairy producers (121 men, 23 women) were interviewed to identify certain factors which affected the previous on-farm estrus synchronization programs. Nearly 64% of respondents had participated in the studied dairy cattle estrus synchronization program which was implemented in 2013 and 2014. Participation of farmers in estrus synchronization program was positively affected by the advancement of educational level being 57.5% illiterates, 64.3% reading and writing, 67.6% 1 to 6th grade and 68% above grade 7. About 53% of respondents did not have awareness in dairy cattle estrus synchronization technology at the time of implementation. About 59.72% of farmers who have awareness about estrus synchronization gave negative feedback towards the technology. The proportion of respondents who gave negative feedback towards the technology attributed to 88.3, 6.98 and 4.65% for poor pregnancy rate, poor heat response and unavailability of the service, respectively. Due to lack of awareness and feed resources, the majority of farmers (68.48%) do not supplement breeding cows/heifers. Inaccessibility of AI and improved bull service; heat detection problems; lack of awareness of farmers and poor cattle management systems were the major factors which are causing low pregnancy rate (20.18%) of the studied synchronization program.
BackgroundIn Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used in vegetable production. However, if used incorrectly they may harm consumers of vegetables contaminated with pesticide residues, as well as producers handling the pesticides and lead to ecological damage. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess pesticide residues in vegetables produced in central and eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 232 vegetable samples (91 tomatoes, 106 cabbages and 35 Swiss chard) were collected from fields and retail markets, and were screened for 35 pesticides (16 organochlorine, 11 organophosphate, 3 pyrethroids, 2 carbamates and 3 other agrochemicals) using GC–MS analysis.ResultsPesticides residues were detected in 60% of Swiss chard, 47% of cabbage and 45% of tomato samples. Two or more pesticides were detected in 20% of cabbages, 13% of tomatoes and over half of Swiss chard samples. Bendiocarb, diazinon, endrin, piperonyl butoxide, profenofos and propargite were detected, but only diazinon, propargite and profenofos had residual values above EU Maximum Residue Level (MRL), with diazinon commonly detected at relatively high levels. About 15% of the total analyzed samples, 10% of cabbages and tomatoes, and nearly half of Swiss chard samples had pesticide concentration exceeding EU MRL. However, none of the tested samples had residues exceeding Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) MRLs.ConclusionThis study showed widespread contamination of vegetables with pesticides, mainly organophosphates. We recommend monitoring and regulation of pesticides usage, with promotion of good agricultural practices.
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