AAU Institutional Repository (AAU-ETD)
Addis Ababa University Institutional repository is an open access repository that collects,preserves, and disseminates scholarly outputs of the university. AAU-ETD archives' collection of master's theses, doctoral dissertations and preprints showcase the wide range of academic research undertaken by AAU students over the course of the University's long history.
How to Submit Your Work
The repository contains scholarly work, both unpublished and published, by current or former AAU faculty, staff, and students, including Works by AAU students as part of their masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral research
- All AAU faculty, staff, and students are invited to submit their work to the repository. Please contact the library at your college.
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Colleges,Institutes in AAU-ETD
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Recent Submissions
Exploring The Relationship between Women’s Economic Empowerment and Fertility Intension in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2024-06) Biruk Kiflu; Muluget Bezabih (PhD)
Women's empowerment is an important indication of societal transition, and it is a global priority because it has implications on population size, development, health, and education. Many women in developing country like Ethiopia had low economic empowerment and had also large population size. Therefore, exploring women economic empowerment and relationship with fertility intention could show the key controlling and balancing the economy and population size. The study aims to explore women’s economic empowerment and their fertility intention in Addis Ababa. Cross-section study was applied for the study. Double population proportion sample size was used to calculate the sample of 605. Two stage cluster sampling techniques were applied. Frequency, t-test, and binary and multiple regression were used in the analysis. The result show economically empowered women who marry between the ages of 28 and 37 have 7.1 times the fertility intention of married women aged 18 to 27 (p-value= 0.022) (AOD 95%CI: 7.1: 1.3-38.1). In contrast, those women economical empowered and those employed women had 95% low fertility intention among those who were not employed (pvalue 0.002) (AOD 95% CI: 0.05: 0.08-0.3). Economically empowered women face barriers to become high fertility intention the barriers were mentioned, mothers' lack of intention to carry a child and the perception that having a minimum number is more civilized. Age at marriage also effects on fertility intention, with women nearing menopause having a stronger intention to have children than those who are far from menopause in both economically and non-economically empowered women. To maintain fertility rates in other parts of the country, it is important to enhance women's economic empowerment through income-generating activities such as employment and trade. This can be done through various stakeholders, including government bodies, using Addis Abeba as an example.
Effect of Postharvest Loss of Fruits and Vegetables on Consumers and Retailers Food Security during Retail at Lafto Fruit and Vegetable Market Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-10) Kalkidan Fekadu; Abebe Haile (PhD)
The study amid to determine effect of postharvest Loss of Fruits and Vegetables during Retail at Lafto Fruit and Vegetable Market Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’. One third of all food produced on the planet and about a half of all fruit and vegetables are lost and not consumed. A crosssectional study was undertaken among 354 retailers and consumers. Simple random sampling technique was employed for selection of consumers attending the market and retailers were selected by systematic sampling, interviewed to obtain quantitative data on demographic and socioeconomic variables, factors associated with post -harvest and food security behaviors. Both descriptive statistics and econometric analysis were applied using SPSS version 20 software. Furthermore, chi-square was done to explore the association between the predictor factors and post -harvest loss of fruit and vegetables. Also ordered logistic regression was used to determine the significance of food security with variables. The study finding showed that 53.2% retailers were food secured which indicate retailers were more food secure than consumers 47.9%. The finding of ordered logistic regression revealed that those who faced the postharvest lost were 12.355 times more likely to be moderately food in secured as compared to being food secured (AOR=12.355; 95%CI = 2.312 - 66.025, Pvalue=0.003). In addition to this, both the retailors and customers who had less amount of household income were found to be 1.0001 times more likely to be moderately food in secured as compared to that of food secured study participants. Based on the finding of this study working on reduction of post -harvest loss of fruit and vegetables were very important to enhance the food security status of both consumers and retailers.
Assessment of Surface Water Potential and Demand of Upper Genale River Basin under the Impact of Climate and Land Use Land Cover Change, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2024-08) Mehari Shigute; Tena Alamirew (PhD); Adane Abebe (PhD)
Understanding how climate and land-use changes affect water availability and demand in a watershed is crucial for planning and managing water resources effectively. This study addresses this need by examining the Upper Genale River Basin in Ethiopia. It investigates long-term trends in rainfall and temperature to inform agricultural water management. It also analyzes the impact of land use land cover (LULC) change on water flow and future climate change on water resources. Finally, the study assesses the potential for developing water resource systems and future water demand scenarios, providing valuable insights for adaptation and mitigation strategies in the basin. To achieve these objectives, long-term climate data from the Ethiopian National Meteorological Service Agency (NMA) were collected, and 30 m-resolution Landsat imageries were used to assess the impact on watershed hydrology and analyze the dynamics of LULC change. Future climate scenarios for the 2021-2050 and 2051-2080 time periods were developed using four different GCM-RCM combinations from the CORDEX-Africa projections under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Additionally, to investigate water resource demand and allocation under current and future scenarios, socioeconomic data (population, livestock, irrigation) was collected from federal and regional sources. The Coefficient of Variation (CV), Standard Rainfall Anomaly (SRA), and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) were used to evaluate the observed climate characteristics of rainfall and temperature. In addition, the MannKendall test and Sen's slope estimator were used to assess the trend and magnitude of changes in rainfall and temperature. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated in SWAT-CUP using the sequential uncertainty fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm using monthly measured flow data. The model performed well, with a coefficient of determination (R2 ) > 0.74, NashSutcliffe efficiency (NSE) > 0.72, and percent bias (PBIAS) ranging from -5% to 5% for the calibration and validation periods. The annual, winter, spring, summer, and autumn rainfall variability in the basin was high, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 20%, 89%, 30%, 45%, and 32%, respectively. The standardized rainfall anomalies indicated that the basin had a drier season than a wet season. The mean length growing season ranges in 43 to 79 days in Belg and 38 to 170 days in Kiremt seasons. Most rainfall stations showed no significant increasing trend in annual, summer, and autumn rainfall, but there was a decreasing but statistically insignificant trend in spring rainfall at all stations except Bensadaye, Bore, Telamokentise, and Yirba Muda. The analysis result also shows to minimize yield reduction and crop failure during spring and autumn supplementary irrigation is essential. For instance, maize and sorghum varieties require supplementary irrigation of up to 202 mm and 252 mm, XXII respectively. Over the past 30 years, annual and seasonal maximum and minimum temperatures in the basin have been increasing trend in most stations, and the landscape has changed significantly. Satellite images analyses show that settlements, cultivated land, and bare land have all increased in area from 0.16% to 0.28%, 24.4% to 47.1%, and 0.16% to 0.62%, respectively, while forests, shrublands, and grasslands have decreased from 29.6% to 13.5%, 23.9% to 19.5% and 21.8% to 18.9%, respectively, in the area. These changes in LULC have affected the water cycle in the basin, leading to increased runoff and total water yield, and decreased lateral and groundwater flow. Under the two RCPs, annual and seasonal precipitation is expected to decrease while temperatures rise during the 2030s (2021- 2050) and 2060s (2051-2080). The simulation result indicated a significant change in hydrological aspects. Under MPI-ESM-LR, EC-EARTH, and MIROC5 climate models, the study area's total water yield, surface runoff, ground waterflow, and lateral flow all decrease annually. However, all climate models (MPI-ESM-LR, EC-EARTH, CNRM-CM5, and MIROC5) show an increase in evapotranspiration of up to 8.1% due to an increase in temperatures. The decrease in rainfall and increase in temperatures will reduce annual water yield, surface runoff, ground waterflow, and lateral flow by up to 39.8%, 39%, 50%, and 40%, respectively, for the entire study basin. The observed and predicted annual and seasonal rainfall variability, as well as rising temperatures and LULC modification over the study area, have a significant impact on hydrological processes, resulting in droughts, flooding, and extreme water loss due to evaporation. These changes have consequences for agricultural and livestock production, domestic water supply, and municipal services. In addition, the WEAP model was used to evaluate water demand and allocation under different scenarios, the results predict a dramatic rise in water demand across the upper Genale River basin by 2050, driven by population growth, irrigation expansion, and the climate change. Water scarcity is expected to worsen, especially for irrigation, due to combined pressures from increasing consumption, potential climate change impacts, and limited water resources. As a result, natural resource managers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the study area will be better able to design and implement effective and sustainable land use planning and water resource management in order to deal with the ongoing impacts of climate, LULC change, and variability. It is also critical to develop strategic adaptation measures and a longterm approach to climate risk management.
Assessment of Farmers' Access to Flood Forecast Information and its Impact on Household Food Security in Ilu Woreda, Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2024-09) Mengistu Dargie; Desalegn Yayeh (PhD)
Flooding is a significant natural hazard in Ethiopia, particularly affecting rural agricultural communities. Floods damage crops and infrastructure and worsen food insecurity by disrupting livelihoods. The absence of timely flood forecast information further heightens vulnerability. This study assesses farmers’ access to flood forecast information and its impact on household food security in the flood-prone Ilu Woreda. A mixed-method descriptive research design was employed, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative data were collected from 309 households selected randomly from the Wererso Kelina and Mulo Satay kebeles using structured questionnaires. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s modified formula, yielding a proportional representation of households. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions to gain deeper insights into community perceptions and responses to flood forecast information. Data were analyzed using statistical methods, including descriptive analysis, logistic regression for quantitative data, and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing access to flood forecast information and its impact on food security, with variables such as education, gender, access to media devices, and farm size. The study found that 75.7% of households did not receive any flood forecast information ahead of flooding events, and access to such information was influenced by the level of education, gender, and ownership of media devices. Households led by male heads and those with higher education levels were more likely to have access to forecast information. Despite 42.4% of households possessing at least one media device, only a small proportion utilized these devices to receive flood forecast information. Among households with access to forecast information, 68% reported that it helped them to take flood preparedness measures. Households with access to flood forecast information were found to be 90% less likely to experience food insecurity. The study also revealed high levels of food insecurity, with 78% of households categorized as moderately food insecure. The impact of floods on agricultural output, coupled with limited access to flood forecasts, contributed significantly to the food insecurity levels in the region. Constrained access to flood forecast information recommends that stakeholders involved in disseminating forecast information assess their communication approaches in a manner that messages reach and have an impact on end users in vulnerable areas.
Study on Price Estimating Method in Selected Ethiopian Road Administration Construction Projects
(Addis Ababa Univesrity, 2024-05) Gediyon Addis; Abebe Dinku (Prof.)
Road construction is a major sector for national income growth and generates employment within a country. Accurate road construction project price estimation solves the project finance problem for country by providing efficient resource allocation. Hence, identification and analysis of price estimation accuracy is important for successful project completion. Accordingly, this research attempts to identify the major shortcoming and limitation during price estimation, factors leading to price estimation inaccuracy road construction sector, computer price estimation software used for price estimation; which can serve as the way to provide structured approach for price estimation stakeholder. Literature review and desk study were done to investigate price estimation method in road construction projects. The questionnaire survey was conducted with stakeholders from contractors, client and consultants. The questionnaire include total of fourteen major factor affecting price estimation process. In addition, other questions which enable to achieve the objectives of the research were developed. The result of the desk study indicated that out of ten investigated road construction projects eight projects encounter price variance. All projects have encountered project delay. There is lack of database technique and advanced price estimating method like ANN and 74% of respondent indicates existence of price estimation inaccuracy. The survey result of respondent indicates project size, project location, market condition and external event are major factor affecting price estimation accuracy. In order to improve price estimation accuracy data availability and documentation should be improved; identify each factor affecting price estimation accuracy and document it; implement advanced computer price estimating software. In addition, use specialized group for each road work and finally check estimate with independent estimator.