Browsing by Author "Kumie, Abera"

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    Air Pollution in Ethiopia: Indoor air Pollution in a Rural Butajira and Traffic air Pollution in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2009-06) Kumie, Abera; Berhane, Yemane
    Background About half of the global population and over 70% of countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa rely on biomass fuel as a source of household energy. Over 95% of households in Ethiopia use biomass fuel for cooking. Despite the prevailing major concerns among policy makers and professionals on air pollution, the magnitude of air pollution from domestic and traffic sources in Ethiopia is not well established. Objectives This thesis attempted to examine the magnitude of air pollution by measuring 24-hr concentrations of indoor nitrogen dioxide in rural Butajira and daily measurement of ambient carbon monoxide in traffic congested areas of Addis Ababa. Materials and Methods A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the indoor air pollution component between March 2000 and April 2002. Concentrations of NO2 were measured cross-sectionally at about threemonth interval using a modified Willems badge air samplers. Mothers of children in households were interviewed within 24 hours of air sampling about characteristics of fire use, type of fuel and cooking pattern. A Saltzman colorimetric method using a spectrometer calibrated at 540 nm was used to analyze the mass of NO2 in field samples. Roadside traffic air pollution was assessed using portable CO USB data loggers. CO monitor is small electronic equipment installed along 40 roadside sampling points to continuously measure and record CO concentrations at an average interval of 10 seconds for about 10 hours in the daytime. Four on-road traffic light posts were also included to explore the association with the results of roadside CO concentrations. Data were entered and analyzed using EPI INFO version 6.02 statistical software. SPSS version 15.0 was further used to run regression analysis. Data from CO logger were downloaded in Excel format. Summary statistics, graphs, charts, and tables were the main tools used to present findings. One-way ANOVA, multiple regression analysis and linear mixed model analysis were also used to sort out any non-random differences in NO2 and factors affecting the levels of NO2. viii Results Wood, crop residues and animal dung were the main fuels in rural households in the study area. The mean 24-hr concentration of NO2 was 97.3 μg/m3 (95% CI: 95.9, 98.6). The median (IQR) was 68.4 (98.7) μg/m3. Ecology and season have shown differences in the mean concentration of NO2. Households in the highland areas and during wet season had higher indoor NO2 concentration. Biomass fuel type, ecology, purpose of fire use, cooking of at least one type of food in a day, and frequency of fire use were important household variables to explain the variations in the daily NO2 concentration. While ecology was the major predictor, housing physical structures showed little influence on the variation of indoor NO2. In Addis Ababa, the 15-minute mean (+SD) CO concentrations were 2.03 (1.94) and 2.64 (2.53) ppm respectively observed during the wet and dry seasons of 2007 and 2008. The two means did not vary significantly. There were variations in average CO by time and location of sampling. CO tended to be high in early mornings and in the afternoon rash hours. The CO profiles between roadside and on-traffic post light were, however, not different from each other. Conclusions and Recommendations About 70% of NO2 Key words: magnitude, NO indoor measurements were more than double the currently proposed annual mean of WHO air quality guideline. Ecology and fire-fuel use household characteristics were important determinants of indoor air pollution. Although average CO concentrations were below the US-EPA and WHO ambient air quality guidelines, there is a strong indication that CO concentrations will exceed or approach these guidelines shortly. Further studies in the description of burden of diseases attributed to indoor air pollution are highly recommended. Interventions targeting at improving the design and utilization of fuelstove efficiency and ventilation are essential. The measurement of traffic particulate matter in high traffic areas is suggested given the high proportion of on-road diesel-engined vehicles in Addis Ababa. 2, indoor air pollution, agro-ecology, sources, biomass fuel, variation, Addis Ababa, CO, traffic air pollution, Ethiopia.
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    Assessment of Knowledge and Practice on Safety Information among Factory Workers
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2007-07) Motbainor, Achenef; Kumie, Abera
    Background: Annually, throughout the world, an estimated 271 million people suffer from work related injuries, and 2 million die from the injury. In recent years, in developed countries the occupational health and safety of workers has improved, but it is not true in developing countries. Ethiopia is categorized among under developed countries and do not have much data on health and safety. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of factory workers on occupational safety information. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted in Kality Metal Product and Ethiopian Iron and Steel factories in March 2007. A total of 417 study subjects were randomly selected from the two factories according to their worker number proportions. The data was collected using the questionnaires, focus group discussion, and observational checklists. The questionnaire was pre-tested for their accuracy and validation prior to the actual study and the necessary adjustments were done accordingly. The data were entered after being encoded and analyzed using Epi info and SPSS. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the respondents was 39.56± (11.08). Sixty nine percent of the respondents recognized at least one safety sign. Two hundred eighteen (52.3%) respondents got training on different occupational health and safety information and 71.5% of the respondents used glove and 48.2% used boots. Safety recommendation, sex, and work experience were found to be the determinant factors of respondents knowledge level [OR: 2.394(1.439, 3.984)], [OR: 2.398(1.169, 4.922)], and [OR: 1.934(1.178, 3.174)] respectively. Health and safety training was found to be a positive determinant factor for PPD usage [OR: 1.970(1.146, 3.386)]. Conclusion and recommendation: The workers have less knowledge level compared to other studies. Health and safety recommendations have positive effects on both knowledge levels and safe practices. Health and safety training has positive effects on safe practice but did not impact knowledge. Health and safety recommendation should be given to the workers. Safety signs should posted at a reasonable work sites. Keywords: occupational health and safety information,knowledge,practice
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    Assessment of Latrine Utilization and Associated Factors Among RuralCommunity Members in Diksis Woreda,West Arsi Zone,Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2021-03) Alemu, Birhanu; Kumie, Abera
    Background Sanitation is a fundamental requirement to be accessible to every individual to protect from many diarrhoeal related infections. The maximum benefit of sanitation facilities, such as latrine, is achieved if latrines are used properly. There exist many factors that challenge the use of latrines in the rural areas of Ethiopia. This master’s thesis attempted to fill this gap. Objectives: The study aimed at determining latrine utilization and associated factors among the rural community members in Diksis woreda, Arsi, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods: - A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December, 2020 among 591selected households with latrine facilities from 4 randomly selected Kebeles. Multistage systematic random sampling method was used. Data were collected by trained Environmental Health professionals using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire via face-to-face interviews and on-the-spot observations of the latrines. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21.0 for data cleaning and analysis. Data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression model at 95% confidence interval (CI).From the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with p-value < 0.025 were taken as statistically significant and independently associated with latrine utilization. Model fitness was checked using Hosmer-Lemes how test. Result: About 60 %( 591) households surveyed had latrines functioning. The rate of latrine Utilization was 30.7% in the rural communities. using them regularly. Main reasons for non-use of latrine were latrine pit is full, slab not safe to use and lack of material to construct of the latrine. Sex of the respondent [AOR= 0.18, 95%CI, 0.18 (0.11-0.29), Educational status of wife AOR= 2.2, 95%CI, 2.2 (1.44-3.34), a school age children AOR= 1.66, 95%CI, 1.66 (1.1-2.55),), a family size, AOR= 2.1, 95%CI, 2.1 (1.36-3.16), Climate condition, OR= 0.56, 95%CI, 0.56 (0.35-0.90),were the major predictors affecting utilization of latrines. Conclusion: The rural community of Diksis woreda's latrine status and utilization were found to be very low, indicating that more attention was needed to encourage hygiene and sanitation behavior in the community. It is suggested that an intervention be implemented to promote behavioral changes toward latrine use.