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Tungiasis is caused by the flea tunga penetrans and results in painful skin lesions, skin infections, and permanent disability. However, limited information is available that shows the magnitude of the problem and its risk factors that help for intervention in Ethiopia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of tungiasis in children aged 5 to 14 in Mettu woreda in 2020. A community based cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected kebeles of Mettu woreda, in Southwest Ethiopia. To select study participants, multistage sampling was used. The data were collected through physical examination of the children, interview of parents/guardians of the children, and observation of the home environment using checklists and questionnaires. The descriptive analysis was done for socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of tungiasis, and housing conditions. A logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables in multivariable regression reported odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals once the variables were identified using a p-value of 0.05 as a risk factor of statistical significance. The prevalence of tungiasis among children 5–14 years of age in Mettu rural woreda was 52 percent (n = 821). As a risk factor, large family size (AOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 2.13, 4.40); school attendance (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.18), floor inside the house (AOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.76, 8.43); having sleeping bed (AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.82); access to protected water sources (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.39); access to improved toilet facilities(AOR: 0.63: 95% CI: 0.44, 0.89); access to electric services (AOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.62); and lack of own farmland (AOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.50) were found. Therefore, planning and implementation of interventions focus on those risk factors that are particularly important. Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, and livelihood improvement interventions are required to solve the problem in the setting.

Information on soil test and plant analysis is essential for sustainable soil fertility management and crop production. Conversely, this is lacking for smallholder coffee farms in Gomma district, Southwestern Ethiopia. Thus, the objectives of this study were to assess and determine the nutritional status of the soil-plant relation from coffee growing farms in Gomma district. Accordingly, soil samples, coffee leaves and field history were collected from 10 coffee farms during pinhead phase. Soil samples collected from 0-30 cm depth were prepared and analyzed in the laboratory following standard procedures. For data analysis, descriptive statistics was used. Results showed that the soil pH ranged from strongly to moderately acidic (pH 4.72-5.75) and low to medium in their organic matter (2.68-4.72%) content. Total N content was low in 20% of the samples, while 100% of the soil samples found to be deficient in P content. Exchangeable Ca ranged from low to high, exchangeable Mg in all soil samples was medium, while exchangeable K ranged medium to very high. Nevertheless, K to Mg ratio varied from 0.64:1 to 2.62:1, indicating Mg induced K deficiency in 10%. The plant tissue analysis depicted that 50, 60 and 50% low in N, P and K, respectively, while high in Ca and Mg concentrations. Significant and positive correlations of soil phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium with tissue concentration were existed. For sound conclusion, soil test and crop response calibration, appropriate soil, N, P, K, organic fertilizers and lime are recommended for future work.

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This study was to evaluate the influence slope gradient on coffee soil fertility. Accordingly, soil samples, and field history was collected from 10 coffee farms during pinhead phase. Soil samples collected from 0-30 cm depth were prepared and analyzed in the laboratory following standard procedures. For data analysis, one-way ANOVA was used. The results revealed that coffee cultivations have practiced under wide range of slope gradients in study sites. Variations in slope gradients significantly influenced the coffee soil fertility. Consequently, OM, clay, CEC, available P, Mg and Na generally showed a decreasing trend with increasing slope gradient, whereas sand was opposite. For sound conclusion, appropriate soil and water conservation measures, N, P, K, organic fertilizers are recommended for future work.

Household solid waste generation rate in low-income countries is increasing due to population growth and changes in people’s lifestyles. Sorting waste into categories is an important step in household waste management. However, there is limited information about sorting practices in a low-income setting like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess household solid waste (HSW) sorting practices, and factors associated with sorting practices.A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2021 in Bedelle town. Households were randomly selected, and household heads were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 209 households were included. The proportion of households that practice waste sorting was calculated. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between HSW sorting practices and associated factors. A P-value of less than 0.05 was declared as significant. The Hosmer and Lemeshow tests were used to check for model fitness.The result of the study shows that the proportion of householders who practiced waste sorting practice in the setting was 21.53%. The sex of the household head, information on sorting benefits, and the availability of private waste collectors for resource recovery were factors in practicing waste sorting at the household level. Accordingly, male-headed households are 88% less likely to practice sorting practice than female-headed households, and those having access to information on waste sorting benefits are 3.68 times more likely to practice sorting, and similarly, households, where private waste collectors are active, are about 4 times more likely to practice waste sorting at the household level than their counterpart. This finding calls on the municipality to create awareness about solid waste sorting practices at the household level, involving both male and female householders in waste management and mobilizing waste collectors at the household level to facilitate effective waste sorting and reuse as sustainable solid waste management options in the town.