Browsing by Author "Habtamu Guja"

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    Assessment of the Effects of Ethiopian orthodox Christians Fasting on Biochemical Risk Factors and Anthropometric Measurements.
    (Addis Abeba University, 2016-04) Habtamu Guja; Jemal Haidar
    Background: As in many developing countries, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ethiopia has been increasing dramatically. Unhealthy changes in the dietary patter are among the responsible factors for the rise. Religious beliefs play a significant part in shaping those behaviors; however, there is no study conducted on the role Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ fasting practice in relation to biochemical indicators for CVD risk factors and anthropometric indices. Objective: To assess the effects of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ Easter fasting on the anthropometric indices and biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methodology: Before and after study design having controls was used among 88 voluntarily selected participants from eligible population and followed over Easter fasting period in two groups; those who fast (fasting group) and do not fast (control group). Participants were measured for serum lipid profiles and anthropometric indices before the beginning and at the end of Easter fasting. Paired t-test was used for comparison of baseline and endline measurements in each group. Besides, independent sample t-test was used for comparison of differences between groups. Results: In comparison to controls, fasters showed significant mean reduction at the end of fasting; 11% in total cholesterol, 20% in LDL-C, 11% in TG, 21% in LDL/HDL ratio, 12% in TC/HDL ratio, and 7% in blood glucose concentrations. Similarly, significant reductions in the anthropometric measurements were observed (p < 0.001); 2% in body weight, BMI and waist to hip ratio whereas, waist circumference was reduced by 3%. However, there was no statistically significant change observed in lipid profiles among control group. Conclusion: Periodic abstinence from animal source foods during the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ Easter fasting period and shifts to calorie restricted vegetarians’ diet style by fasters in this study attributed to the observed biochemical and body measurement changes highlighting that religious fasting has a substantial impact on health-related dietary behaviors.
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    Dietary Diversity in Addis Ababa Mothers and Children Aged 6-36 Months in: Assessing Variation Across a year (2022-2023)
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-06-05) Eden Amare; Kaleab Baye; Habtamu Guja
    Background: Diverse diets provide the nutrients needed for an active and healthy life. However, lack of diversified diets are public health concern in worldwide and women and children in low- and middle income countries are disproportionality affected. In the face of increased food price these days, how do diets are affected in low income countries like Ethiopia remains to be studied. Objective: This study aims to assess variations in women’s and children’s dietary diversity across a year. It also looked at the consumption status of each food group across a year. Methods: The study employed within subject study design among 123 pairs of women and children (6-36 months) in five selected sub- cities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dietary data were collected from two consecutive years, on January 2022(the first round) and January 2023 (the second round). Result: We found that the mean DDS of children increased by 26%, while that of women showed a slight reduction. Proportion of minimum DDS achieved in children was increased from 29 to 49%, where as that of women decreased from 12 to 10%. Consumption of milk and vitamin A rich vegetables were decreased, whereas legumes, other fruits and vegetables were increased. Prices of all the food items across the study period has significantly increased. Conclusion and Recommendation: Therefore, in order to promote food-based dietary intervention, there should be food price stabilization and subsidizing nutrition relevant foods groups like animal source foods and vitamin A rich food sources. Nutrition sensitive sectors [agriculture] should aggressively work on diverse food availability to the level that enhance economic access of consumers. Community level awareness [education] should be further promoted regarding nutritional benefits of cheaper alternative foods that could somehow substitute the expensive high-quality food items. In doing so, we could promote urban food security.