Browsing by Author "Tilahun, Ephrem"

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    Determination of trace metals in commercially available Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) in Addis Ababa Graduate Project
    (Addis Ababa Universty, 2009-06) Tilahun, Ephrem; Tessema, Merid (PhD)
    Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a plant that grows in certain areas of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula. A large number of people in Ethiopia chew khat leaves because of its pleasurable and stimulating effects. In the present study the level of selected Trace metals ( Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd and Pb) in four different kinds of khat sampled from different khat shops in Adiss Abeba were analyzed. Known weights of oven dried Khat samples were digested by wet digestion using 3 mL of HNO3 ,1 mL of HCLO4 and 1 mL of H2O2 by setting the temperature first to 60 0C for 30 min and then increased to 210 0C for the next 2 h and 30 min. The contents of the minerals in the digests were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The following concentration ranges in dry weight (μg/g) were obtained in the khat samples: Cu (19.2 - 24.4); Zn (24.1 – 46.9); Mn (14.92 – 20.6); Ni (4.7 – 7.7); Co (3.1 – 7.76); Cr (3.1 – 6.76); Cd (1.3 – 2.9) and Pb (4.8 – 9.1). Among the essential metal analyted Zn was the most abundant one followed by Cu,Mn,and Ni Whereas Co and Cr were less than Pb. Generally ‘Bahirdar’ Khat contained higher concentration compared to Gelemso, Gurage and Wondo for the majority of the mineral nutrients identified. The tested four kinds of khat proved high variability (p<0.05) in their content of trace metals. The possible uptake by the human body from fresh khat has also been determined. Except Cd and Pb the amount of metal that one may take through consumption of fresh khat alone were found to be below the recommended daily allowance . Key Wordes: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk), Bahirdar, Gelemso, Gurage, Wondo, Adiss Abeba, Trace metal, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
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    Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Emergency contraception among preparatory, and high school female students in Debrezeit town Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2010-06) Tilahun, Ephrem; Seme, Assefa
    Introduction: - Maternal mortality in Ethiopia is one of the highest in the world. Surveys conducted on issue related to abortion and unwanted pregnancy suggests that the magnitude of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion are among the main cause of maternal mortality in Ethiopia. Emergency contraceptive can serve as back up method to reduce the occurrence of un wanted pregnancy and its out come following un protected sex. Objectives: -To assess level of awareness, attitude and utilization of emergency contraceptives and factor influencing knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraceptive among preparatory & high school female students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during April 2009. There were a total of 3792 female students in one preparatory & two high schools of Debrezeit town. Three hundred eighty four of them were sampled for the study with response rate of 91.1% . Self administered questionnaire was used to collect data Result: The magnitude of unwanted pregnancy for those who practiced sex was 33.3%. Among all respondents 213(60.9%) had knowledge about emergency contraception; Correct timing of emergency contraception was reported by 149 (70%) and only 25 (7.1%) of them had ever used emergency contraception. Oral contraceptive pill was the most widely used 24(96%). About one third 111 (31.7%) had this information from School education. Two hundred (77.1%) of the respondents had good attitude towards the use of emergency contraception. Knowledge of emergency contraceptive was significantly higher of those in higher class OR =3.4(95% CI 1.58 -7.51). Conclusion: even though there is a favorable number of knowledge on ECs by respondents, utilization of emergency is un satisfactory. Hence Youth friendly service should be strengthened as they are considered a major contributor on practicing modern contraception including EC, also by considering the importance of prevention of STD and HIV/AIDS.