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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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