Browsing by Author "Abebe, Meseret"

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    Governance in Saving and Credit Associations Operating in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2017-01) Abebe, Meseret; Berhanu, Habtamu (PhD)
    Corporate Governance in Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) is pivotal for such institutions having a peculiar nature of member-owner attributes. This study aimed at the assessment of governance practices in SACCOs. The study has targeted on three functional SACCOs in Addis Ababa of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, & Catholic Relief Services. Purposive sampling techniques were used to gather data from the selected SACCOs. Pertinent data were collected through primary data sources using structured questionnaires and secondary data sources. Data collected has been entered, edited and analyzed using SPSS tool. Based on the study, there are no consistencies as to ownership within the SACCOs. The Board size ranges from seven to nine members in these SACCOs with limited representation of female members at around 30% of total board size. The study identified challenges in conducting periodic meeting and performance assessments at Board level. Annual audits in the SACCOs were not conducted timely after closure of a fiscal period. Trainings related to governance and management of SACCOs was not adequately provided to Board members. Incentive schemes either in cash or in kind for Board members are poor, if not none at all like at CRS. SACCOs mostly pay an annual interest rate of 5% on saving depositors which is the risk free market rate offered in most commercial banks on saving accounts. Interest rate on loans of the three SACCOs remains stagnant ranging from 6% to 8% which doesn’t consider at least yearly inflation and time value of money. Finally, it is commendable to consider on a clear definition of ownership, improving capital adequacy position, periodic and timely supervision and audit, strengthening sound financial discipline in optimal utilization of huge savings mobilized to productive loan portfolios and better investment opportunities. It necessitates revisiting interest rates both on savings and loans to reflect administrative costs, cost of funding, inflation and elements of capitalization
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    Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Pregnant Women in Selected Health Facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2015-05) Abebe, Meseret; Ali, Ibrahim (PhD)
    Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly endemic in several African countries with high mortality rate among pregnant women. The prevalence of antibodies to HEV in Ethiopian pregnant women is not known. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM among pregnant women seen between April 2014 to January 2015 in Gandhi Memorial Hospital and four selected Health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Material and methods: A total of 386 serum samples were collected from pregnant women. All pregnant women socio demographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire form. Serum samples were examined for anti-HEV IgG and anti- HEV IgM using ELISA. The association of anti-HEV status with risk factors was assessed. Factors demonstrating significant association in bivariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression models. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: From 386 women, 122 (31.6%) cases were positive for anti- HEV IgG and two women (0.5%) were anti-HEV IgM positive. Age and educational had statistically significant association with HEV infection. There was no significant association between anti-HEV antibody seroprevalence rate with trimester, parity, HIV status and other risk factors. Conclusion: Conclusion: This study found a high seroprevalence rate of anti-HEV IgG among pregnant women in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Preventive measures like improvement of education in personal and public hygiene may reduce the risk in pregnant women. Moreover nationwide surveillance of HEV especially in rural setting should be conducted to establish a national estimate and validate our findings. Keywords: Seroprevalence, Hepatitis E virus, pregnant women, Addis Ababa Ethiopia