Browsing by Author "Masresha Gebeyehu"

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    Microplastics Pollution and its associated Determinants in Donkeys, Humans, and the Environment in Central Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba University, 2026) Masresha Gebeyehu; Bersissa Kumssa; Dinka Ayana; Yitbarek Getachew
    Microplastic (MPs) pollution has become a major global public health and environmental sustainability issue. In Ethiopia, the health implications of MP contamination remain understudied compared to global studies. This study aimed to detect MPs in donkey feces, human urine, and water samples collected from near and around some rivers in central Ethiopia; assess the determinants of plastic ingestion in working donkeys; to assess the awareness of community members and donkey owners about the effects of plastic pollution; and analyze the retrospective clinical records on colic cases in donkeys associated with plastic ingestion, within a One Health framework. This study employed a cross-sectional approach, sampling river water (27), human urine (36), and donkey feces (41). Additionally, 223 cases of retrospective veterinary records (2020-2026) of donkey colic cases were reviewed to examine the prevalence of plastic-related risks. Community member (110) and donkey owner (110) awareness surveys were conducted to assess the perceptions of plastic pollution. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize contamination levels, and a one-way ANOVA was used to assess spatial differences. A multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with donkey health outcomes. MPs were detected in all sample types, with water having the highest concentration (2.01 ± 0.91 particles/L). Donkey feces and human urine had concentrations of 1.36 ± 0.50 particles/g and 1.12 ± 0.89 particles/mL, respectively. ANOVA confirmed statistically significant variation among sample types (p<0.05). The dominant shape of MP particles was fiber across all sample types, with a size range of <500 μm. In the retrospective analysis, 95.7% of donkey colic cases were linked to plastic ingestion, with a mortality rate of 23.5% in Merkato and 56.1% in Bishoftu. A logistic regression indicated that no significant predictors of outcome were identified, including age, sex, or plastic risk. Community awareness of the health risks of plastic was moderate (40.9%), with higher levels in urban centers. MP contamination is widespread across environmental and biological samples in Ethiopia. This study underscores the urgent need for an interconnected waste management strategy, awareness campaign, strong policy, and One Health interventions to reduce plastic pollution.