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Item Nexus of water quantity, microbiological quality and diarrheal diseases in children under five: a case of Hosanna town, Central Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-03) Abiot Abera; Sirak Robele (PhD); Seid Tiku (Prof)While various studies worldwide have examined the impact of water quantity and quality on childhood diarrhea, there is limited evidence available on how seasonal changes in domestic water use and microbial water quality affect childhood diarrhea. Additionally, limited longitudinal studies have tracked diarrhea incidence, and those that measured domestic water use often miss the daily and seasonal variations. Hence, this study aimed to investigate seasonal variations in household water use, microbiological water quality, and their implications on the incidence of diarrheal disease among under-five children in the peri-urban and informal settlements in Hosanna town. The study employed a mixed-method approach. The study incorporated a prospective cohort study with a one-year follow-up period, along with cross-sectional and qualitative study, to fulfill all its objectives. The study was conducted in three Kebeles of Hosanna town, namely Bobicho, Sech-Duna, and Jelo-Naremo Kebeles. The sample size for the prospective cohort study and cross-sectional study was limited to 292 and 424 households, respectively. The original data was obtained through a structured questionnaire, observational checklist, observational spot-check method, storage container inventories, interviews, laboratory analysis, FGDs, KIIs, and HWISE Scale. The data was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression, stepwise-multiple linear regression, GEE model, thematic analysis, non-parametric tests, and t-tests. All households had access to piped water, either on or off-premises. However, the reliability of these water sources was a significant issue, with only 8.9% of households having access to reliable water services. A total of 440 stored water samples were analyzed for E. coli presence during dry and rainy seasons. The prevalence of stored water contamination with E. coli was 43.2% (95% CI = 36.6% - 49.8%) and 34.5% (95% CI = 28.2% - 40.9%) during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. The daily per capita water consumption was 19.4 liters (95% CI = 18.81 - 20.05) in the dry season and 20.3 liters (95% CI = 19.69 - 20.94) in the rainy season. The study found that 68.6% of the households experienced water insecurity, and 16% of children under the age of five suffered from diarrhea. Only 42.2% of the mothers practiced good handwashing. The incidence of diarrhea was 1.6 episodes per child-year, with high rates in exposed groups. Households without piped water on premises had 2.2 episodes per child-year, while those with piped water on premises had 1.0 episodes. Piped water off premises, unsafe disposal of child’s stool, eating unheated food, and poor handwashing practices at critical times also contributed to the increased incidence of diarrheal diseases. Consuming water contaminated with E. coli during the dry and rainy seasons has significantly increased diarrhea risk. Additionally, consuming less than 20 liters of water per capita per day during the dry season has also significantly increased the risk of diarrhea. The study found that most households had access to unreliable drinking water sources and lacked basic sanitation and handwashing facilities. Seasonal changes significantly affected household water use and microbiological water quality. Diarrhea incidence and prevalence and household water insecurity were notably high, creating public health concerns. Most mothers exhibited poor handwashing practices. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need to enhance on-premises water access and improve the reliability of the drinking water sources to reduce diarrhea risk. Seasonal monitoring of drinking water safety is also recommended to maintain its health standards.Item Analysis of Irrigation Water Governance and Institutions in the Central Rift Valley Sub-Basin, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-09) Endalew Jibat; Feyera Senbeta (Prof); Tesfaye Zeleke (PhD); Fitsum Hagos (PhD)Water governance requires multi-sectoral stakeholders‟ participation and appropriate policies, laws, and regulations. The Central Rift Valley (CRV), the study area possesses water resources such as major lakes (Ziway/Dembel, Langano, and Abiyata) and major rivers (Katar, Meki, and Bulbula). These water sources are sources for livestock and ecosystem services, industry, and agricultural irrigation. Although these water resources are vital for the local community and wider areas, these resources are endangered due to an imbalance in human-water interaction. This study aimed to examine the water governance framework, governance practices, role of water institutions, stakeholders‟ interaction and power dynamics, and irrigation water service fees in the CRV sub-basin of Ethiopia. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches. For qualitative data, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and content analysis were used. A thematic approach was employed to analyze qualitative data using NVivo software packages. For quantitative data, a household survey was administered to collect data from 302 HHs. A mixed logit Model was used to analyze choice experiment survey data (willingness to pay). STATA software packages were used for quantitative data organization and analysis. The results indicate that water-related policies, regulations, and strategies were enacted and implemented in the country. However, the water policy and related regulations were not supported by enforcement mechanisms such as detailed standards, guidelines, and procedures. Water allocation and apportionment were not practiced. This study results shown that both formal and informal institutions were involved in irrigation water governance, and contributed to community awareness creation, irrigation water distribution, and conflict resolution at a local level in the study area. Regarding stakeholders, different types of stakeholders including government, community-based associations, NGOs, development partners, private companies, and individual farmers were involved in water governance aspects. However, the power of these stakeholders was imbalanced; federal and regional government organizations dominated in decision-making processes, and stakeholders at federal and regional levels and development partners had more power in terms of human resources capacity, resource generation, knowledge creation, and information accessibility compared to local level stakeholders. Regarding farmers‟ willingness to pay (WTP), the result of the Mixed Logit xii indicates that the mean WTP for improved irrigation water attributes (intensity, frequency, and water quality) showed positive and significant. This implies irrigator farmers have positive attitudes toward the implementation of irrigation water charge policy to make trade-offs by nonmonetary attributes. On the other hand, the cost of irrigation water pump using petrol was observed as a major challenge to irrigation water fee policy. In conclusion, the state of irrigation water governance is poor in the CRV sub-basin of Ethiopia. Both formal and informal institutions were not harmonized and interlinked to shape the behavior and practices of irrigation water users in the study area. Hence, emphasis should be given to revisiting water governance policy and its enforcements, institutional roles and responsibilities, stakeholders‟ interaction platforms, and non-monetary attributes of water and cost-effective water lifting technologies to improve water governance and sustainable water use in the CRV sub-basin of Ethiopia.Item Presented in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Water Resources Engineering and Management (Surface Water Management)(Addis Ababa University, 2024-12) Endaweke Assegide; Gete Zeleke (PhD); Tena Alamirew (PhD)In many places across the world, non-point source pollutants (NPSP) are the primary threat to aquatic ecology and the primary cause of surface water deterioration. Because pollutants and waste may be dumped easily into the surface waters, they are especially vulnerable to pollution. NPSs contaminate surface water more than point sources do. Fertilizers, herbicides, oil, silt, and nutrients from animals and malfunctioning septic tanks can all contribute to NPSP. It has several negative impacts on aquatic life, including their invasion and a rise in the amount of suspended matter that blocks light and damages plant life in water. Eutrophication is the outcome of an increase in the rate at which ecosystems receive organic materials. For example, Koka Reservoir regularly experiences algal blooms due to the reservoir's nutrient load. Remedial measures are complex due to their widespread nature. To assess the problem of water quality and the effects of water quality (WQ), a systematic review was conducted using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis Statement). The synthesis points out the following gaps: Inadequate evidence-based research on the effects of contaminated water on agriculture, health, and socioeconomics; a lack of combined spatial and temporal surface water quality data and monitoring; a lack of relative contribution from non-point sources; a lack of detailed integrated spatial and temporal water quality impact; and policy responses for surface water quality drivers for the case studies have received scant attention nationally and in the basin for the identified gaps. This research work is designed to evaluate the non-point source pollutants load, prioritize the subwatersheds based on the sediment load, LULC, and morphometric characteristics using hydrologic modeling, and develop a remote sensing-based water quality model. Several strategies were used to accomplish the designated goals. We used a variety of primary and secondary data sources. Analysis was done on the land use and land cover in 2023 and 2003. Primary data was gathered, including modeling work data and lake water quality analysis from the Koka Reservoir. For a year, water quality data for non-point source pollution modeling was collected every month from the Melka Kunture gauging stations. The remote sensing technology was used to determine the spatiotemporal water quality condition of the Koka reservoir and develop a water quality model. To study the spatiotemporal dynamics of water quality indicators at Koka Reservoir, a Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing data collection was used to develop a water quality monitoring model. For the annual scale, the temporal studies of water quality parameters were carried out from 2017 to 2022; for the monthly scale, it was carried out from June 2021 to May 2022. Regression analysis and empirical model development were used to develop algorithms that correlated satellite reflectance data with in situ measurements of turbidity (TU), total suspended matter (TSS), and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). The determination coefficients (R2 ) for each of the examined parameters are higher than 0.67, suggesting that they can all be used to develop predictive models. Good correlations between field-based and calculated Chl-a, TU, and TSS have been found, as indicated by the developed algorithms' respective R2 values of 0.91, 0.92, and 0.67. The multi-criteria decision-making, AHP-VIKOR, and hydrological modelling were used for subwatershed prioritizing. The findings indicated that 2524.6 km2 (25.45%) is in the high sensitivity class, 2722.14 km2 (27.44%) is in the moderate sensitivity class, 854.35 km2 (8.61%) is in the low sensitivity class, 2205.48 km2 (22.23%) is in the very low sensitivity class, 1611.43 km2 (16.25%) is in the class of very high erosion sensitivity. We evaluated and created linear function models to estimate WQ indicators, including Chl-a, turbidity, and TSS, using the Sentinel-2 image band ratios of B5/B4, B4/B3, and B4, respectively. The built-up area and agricultural land grew by 80.15% and 147.29%, respectively. There was a reduction of 47.55%, 96.7%, and 74.37% in forest, grassland, and shrubland, respectively. The BASIN and SWAT models are the most effective for assessing point and NPS contamination in various basins. SWAT was used to examine the spatial and temporal variation of the non-point source pollutants NO3 í , PO4 í, TN, and TP. The 2003 and 2023 LULCs were the main data sources used to evaluate the change in NPSP loads. The Melka Kunture gaging station non-point source pollution modeling was calibrated and validated between 2009 and 2014 and 2015 and 2019, respectively. The sensitivity analysis led to the selection of nine nutrient-related parameters for calibration. The most critical parameters are the phosphorus uptake distribution (R_P_UPDIS.bsn), the phosphorus percolation coefficient (10 m3/Mg) (R_PPERCO.bsn), and the organic P settling rate (R_RS5.swq). For the calibration and the validation periods, the results revealed good and very good performance. While the mean annual increase in surface runoff ranges from 183.1 mm to 487.9 mm, the mean annual increase in sediment yield ranges from 25.46 to 27,298.75 t. Runoff ranged from a minimum of 10.69 mm (5.1%) to a maximum of 223.3 mm (66.5%). The PO4 í load went from 3.12 to 2459.7 kg, and the NO3 í burden went from 127.6 to 20,739.7 kg. The TP load went up from 1383.5 to 133,641.3 kg, and the TN load went up from 4465.5 to 482,014.5 kg. According to the monthly nitrate loading analysis, the “Belg” season, the second rainy time from February to May when rainfall is highly variable in time and space, has a higher nitrate load than the rainy season, probably due to nitrification. The LULC alteration increased surface runoff and NPSP loads (nitrate, phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and sediment). The study demonstrated that Sentinel-2A-derived regression models can support the spatiotemporal estimation and mapping of the annual and monthly patterns of Chl-a, TU, and TSS over the Koka reservoir. This enables improved capacity to analyze reservoir status and strategies for water resource management. The algorithms could potentially be useful as a monitoring tool for water quality in other regions in the country or other data-scarce areas of the world with comparable environmental and hydro-climatic contexts. The low operational cost of using freely available remotely sensed imagery is a strong incentive for water agencies to complement their field campaigns and produce spatially distributed maps of some water quality parameters. A more complete indicator of erosion risk in a watershed is the multiple values of morphometric parameters, LULC, and sediment load. For planners and decision-makers to comprehend the morphological, LULC, and sediment load characteristics of any particular sub-watershed for planning at the sub-catchment level, AHP-VIKOR, GIS, and remote sensing approaches are more effective. LULC changes at a sub-watershed level by varying ranges of load had an impact on runoff and non-point source pollutant loading, including sediment, PO4 í, NO3 í , TP, and TN, as results revealed. The growth of built-up areas in response to the need for settlement and the rising change in agricultural land were the main causes of the increases in runoff volume, sediment, PO4 í, NO3 í , TP, and TN over two decades.Item Determinants and Waterborne Pathogens to the Cause of Infant Mortality in Eastern Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2023-12) Samuel Mebrahtom; Alemayehu Worku (Prof.); Daniel Gage (Prof.)This dissertation report is for the study entitled ―Determinants and waterborne pathogens to the cause of infant mortality in eastern Ethiopia‖. The main objective of the study was to determine the cause of infant deaths at the population level and analyze patterns of associated factors among the most common deaths; identify facors contribute to diarrhea-related infant deaths; and detect pathogens that cause severe and fatal diarrhea from infant drinking water and analyze their relationship with water quality determinates. Understanding the cause of infant death at population level in developing countries including Ethiopia is still challenging, for the reason that most infants die at home and lost their life without having had contact with health facilities and no civil registration system. Infant cause of death in a range of setting and the pattern of associated factors among the common cause of death against the overall cause is not well known. Infant deaths are intrinsically linked to several causes and influencing factors that need extensive studies. Diarrhea has been shown to be one of the leading causes of infant mortality in Ethiopia, and its burden is still a serious concern. The risk of unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient hygiene practices has a substantial association with diarrheal deaths, which attributed to 88% of diarrhea-related deaths. Diarrhea is typically a waterborne disease that is caused by an extensive range of pathogenic microbes. Cryptosporidium, Shigella, a toxinproducing strain of E. coli, and rotavirus have all been reported as the most responsible for causing severe and fatal diarrhea in infants. Many infants died from illnesses caused by these pathogenic agents, which thrive in contaminated water. The first study objective employed a community-based prospective longitudinal survey, which was conducted with routinely enumeration of reported infant deaths for a period of two years (from September 2016 to August 2018) in Eastern part of Ethiopia. Using the two-stage cluster sampling technique, the study was undertaken in four randomly selected districts of West Hararghe zone in Oromia and two districts of zone 3 in Afar regional state. The study included a total of 362 infants who were deceased during the study period. Data was collected by trained enumerators by interviewing the mothers or guardians of the deceased infant using a 2014 standardize World Health Organization (WHO) Verbal Autopsy questionnaire. InterVA-4 model were used for processing and interpreting verbal autopsy data in order to arrive at the most likely causes of infant death. SPSS version 23 was also used for statistical analysis of frequency distribution and logistic regression for the association between covariates and outcomes. The second study objective employed community based unmatched nested case-control study design in Eastern Ethiopia. The cases were infants who died from diarrheal disease while controls were those who survived their first year of life from September 2016 to August 2018. A total of 305 study subjects (61 cases and 244 controls) were included in the study. Infants dying from diarrhea were compared to four neighborhood controls in terms of several risk components of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Data were collected from mothers/care takers of infants using pre-tested structured questionnaires, and entered onto CSpro version 5.1 and transform to SPSS version 23 to analyzed potential risk factors. A molecular (LAMP)-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 410 water samples were collected from infant point-of-use at household level and 37 samples from the corresponding water sources from June 2020 to May 2021. Data were collected from the household‘s mothers/care takers of infants using pre-coded structured questionnaires. The LAMP assay was applied for the detection of the targeted pathogens. The data were entered using CSpro version 6.1 and transform to SPSS version 23 for analyses. For the study objective one, the result shows that Of the overall (362) deceased infants‘ during the study period, 53.0% of deaths occurred during neonatal time while 47.0% died in the postneonatal period. Acute respiratory infection including neonatal and post-neonatal pneumonia (38.4%), birth asphyxia (16.4%), diarrheal diseases (16.3%), prematurity (7.4%) and malaria (4.3%) were found to be the leading causes of infant mortality in the study area. The independent factors strongly associated with probable ARI, including pneumonia related mortality as compared to all-causes of death were infants with maternal age lower than 20 years old (p=0.001, AOR: 4.82, 95% CI: 1.88, 12.3) and infant being died outside of heath facilities (P=0.007, AOR: 2.85, 95% CI: 1.33, 6.12). The post-neonatal period (P=0.000, AOR: 15.5, 95% CI: 6.35, 37.8) and infant died in the wet season (P=0.006, AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.44) had strong relationship with dying from diarrhea-related death than those infants died from all nondiarrhea. The death due to malaria robustly associated with infants whose mothers age between 20-35 years old (P=0.024, AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.22, 16.2) and infant who was dwelled in the districts of Afar region (P=0.013, AOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.35, 12.4). The factors that found to be significantly associated with infant death from diarrhoea after adjustment for confounding variables included the age of mother with level and 37 samples from the corresponding water sources from June 2020 to May 2021. Data were collected from the household‘s mothers/care takers of infants using pre-coded structured questionnaires. The LAMP assay was applied for the detection of the targeted pathogens. The data were entered using CSpro version 6.1 and transform to SPSS version 23 for analyses. For the study objective one, the result shows that Of the overall (362) deceased infants‘ during the study period, 53.0% of deaths occurred during neonatal time while 47.0% died in the postneonatal period. Acute respiratory infection including neonatal and post-neonatal pneumonia (38.4%), birth asphyxia (16.4%), diarrheal diseases (16.3%), prematurity (7.4%) and malaria (4.3%) were found to be the leading causes of infant mortality in the study area. The independent factors strongly associated with probable ARI, including pneumonia related mortality as compared to all-causes of death were infants with maternal age lower than 20 years old (p=0.001, AOR: 4.82, 95% CI: 1.88, 12.3) and infant being died outside of heath facilities (P=0.007, AOR: 2.85, 95% CI: 1.33, 6.12). The post-neonatal period (P=0.000, AOR: 15.5, 95% CI: 6.35, 37.8) and infant died in the wet season (P=0.006, AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.44) had strong relationship with dying from diarrhea-related death than those infants died from all nondiarrhea. The death due to malaria robustly associated with infants whose mothers age between 20-35 years old (P=0.024, AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.22, 16.2) and infant who was dwelled in the districts of Afar region (P=0.013, AOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.35, 12.4). The factors that found to be significantly associated with infant death from diarrhoea after adjustment for confounding variables included the age of mother with < 20 years old (P=0.010, AOR: 21.7, 95% CI: 2.10, 224.7), unsafe drinking water storage (P=0.014, AOR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.22, 5.56), infants in households without point-of-use water treatment practices (P=0.004, AOR: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.66, 13.5), households with unimproved sanitation (P=0.050, AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 0.99, 7.58), unsafe disposing of child feces (P=0.015, AOR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.23, 6.75), improper management of solid waste (P=0.003, AOR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.50, 7.07), households with improper management of liquid waste management (P=0.011, AOR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.32, 8.66), households did not practiced hand washing at any critical times (P=0.015, AOR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.34, 16.5) and households practice hand washing in lesser than three critical times (P=0.029, AOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.12, 8.04) as compared with their reference group. Cryptosporidium oocysts, Shigella species, a toxin-producing strain of E. coli, and rotavirus were detected in 28.5%, 30.0%, 26.3%, and 32.2%, respectively, of the water samples tested from infant point-of-use. All four pathogens together were detected in about 13.2% of the water samples. Cryptosporidium oocysts, Shigella species, toxin-producing E. coli, and rotavirus were detected in 27.0%, 32.4%, 29.7%, and 37.8%, respectively, of the water samples tested from water sources. For each targeted pathogen, there was a significant positive correlation between the infant's point of ingestion and the water sources it was drawn from. The presence of Shigella species, toxin producing E. coli, and Cryptosporidium oocysts in the water samples was significantly and strongly associated with the unimproved water source. In conclusion, the highest cause of infant mortality was associated with diseases of the respiratory system, followed by diarrheal diseases. Most of the infant deaths that existed were as a result of diseases and conditions that are readily preventable or treatable, similar to those reported worldwide. The patterns of significantly associated factors across the most leading cause-specific mortality against all-causes of death were dissimilar. Infants mother/caretakers whose the age with < 20 years old, households without point-of-use water treatment practices and households did not practiced hand washing at any critical times shows the most higher odds of diarrhea-related infant deaths. Infants demonstrated high levels of exposure to contaminated drinking water by those recognized pathogens that cause the most severe and fatal diarrhea. Unimproved water sources remained the only strong predictors for the presence of these pathogens in infant drinking water. Therefore, strengthening maternal and child health programs with effective preventive interventions emphasizing the most common cause of infant deaths and those factors contributing to raising mortality risk is required. Due attention should be given to the reduction of diarrhea-related infant deaths through WASH intervention, taking into account the strong associated risk factors typically during the infantile period. Efforts should be made to improve water supplies, protect the sources, and educate caregivers of infants about safe drinking water practices and health.Item Characterization of Major Alluvial Aquifers of Ethiopia and Determination of their Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Land use Changes(Addis Ababa University, 2024-06) Tesema Kebede; Tenalem Ayenew (PhD); Taye Alemayehu (PhD); Tekalegn Ayele (PhD)Water is an essential resource for the sustainability of life. Goals for access to clean water, the growth of the energy sector, and food security can all be met with the help of climate-resilient groundwater management. Nonetheless, not much study has been done to evaluate Ethiopia's groundwater resources. The purpose of this study was to examine the physical attributes of Ethiopia's principal alluvial aquifers and determine how sensitive they were to changes in the country's climate and land cover. Geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method of multicriteria decision-making (MCDM), and machine learning algorithms (MLAs) were all utilized in the first segment. The hydro-geological, climatic, and land use land cover (LULC) characteristics were explored as potential influencing variables for groundwater in the study regions. Following that, the stable isotope and geochemical analysis were employed to better understand the groundwater and the underlying geological components. Examination of aquifer vulnerability using a modified DRASTIC index was the third technique implemented. The study's other main emphasis was the effect of changing climate and land cover on groundwater. Independent research on LULC and climate change was also conducted in this part. Lastly, the study looked at how groundwater is affected by changes in climate and land cover together. According to the groundwater potential analysis, 81.93% of Fafen-Jerer, 22.35% of Gambela, and 17.38% of Shinile are classified as low and very low potential zones. The high and very high groundwater potential zone covers 4.32% of Fafen-Jerer, 55.52% of Gambela, and 64.8% of the Shinile sub-basin. The key criteria highly influencing groundwater potential in the research areas are geomorphology, rainfall, and geology. The geochemical analysis indicates that the predominant cation and anion concentrations are Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and SO4 2- > HCO3 - > Cl-> NO3 - respectively. The groundwater in the study sites is slightly alkaline and quite hard. Mixed (Na-Mg-Ca) water is the most prevalent water type kind in the research area. The primary hydrochemical process is the interaction between rocks and water. The isotope analysis revealed that groundwater samples of hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions were mostly concentrated close to the meteoric water line. The results demonstrate that precipitation has been found to have more enriched isotope compositions than groundwater at both locations (Dire Dawa and Jigjiga). The LULC's findings show that croplands have reduced, whereas forests have increased significantly in coverage in the western catchment (WC). The LULC shift for the eastern catchment (EC) indicates an increase in area coverage of grasslands, croplands, and urban areas, XVIII and a reduction in shrublands, and barren. Climate research reveals that climate change will be a major concern for water supplies in the studied regions. Over the reference period (1981-2010), the WC and EC had annual temperature rises of 1.5 and 0.06 oC, and annual precipitation declines of 15.73 and 3.68 mm/year respectively. These changes in these core climatic parameters continue to affect future cases. According to the UNEP aridity index (AI) and De Martone aridity index (DMI) results the aridity indices also followed a downward trend for the past periods. These changes shift the climate characters from humidity conditions to semi-arid and arid climates. According to the study, the effect of climatic change is more pronounced in the WC than in the EC. The results of the current period's climate change show that it is particularly robust in the study regions' dry corners. The effect of climate on groundwater will be pronounced in these regions by the end of 2070. The outputs of this research should provide a significant understanding of Ethiopian alluvial aquifer zones for future studies in paleoclimatology, hydrogeology, meteorology, and geomorphology. The study's findings might be useful for water resource and environmental management, as well as policy and decision-making.Item Adequacy of Ethiopian EIA Procedure and Its Implementation: Case of Yeka Abado, and Kasanchis Condominium Projects(Addis Ababa University, 2024-09) Yemane Zegeye; Shimeles Damene (PhD)The absence of evaluation results from project EIAs limits access to reliable legislative and administrative information, hindering effective mitigation of environmental and social impacts. Thus, analyzing Ethiopia's EIA framework and the status of environmental and social impact assessments in condominium projects is essential. This study examines the adequacy and execution of the Ethiopian Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system, with a specific focus on condominium projects in Addis Ababa. It addresses and evaluates the legislative and procedural aspects of EIA in Ethiopia. Utilizing a survey-based approach, the research integrated document reviews, field observations, and feedback from stakeholders through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, project proponents, EIA practitioners, NGOs, and academic institutions, to assess their views on EIA legislation, processes, and implementation. Interviews and focus group discussions provided insights into community perspectives on environmental and social impacts. Field observations were conducted to verify both existing and unforeseen environmental impacts using descriptive qualitative analysis method. The findings highlight varied levels of familiarity with EIA legislation among stakeholders, with EIA practitioners demonstrating the highest understanding. Perceptions of the clarity and effectiveness of the legislative framework were mixed, with regulatory bodies and EIA practitioners generally finding it clear, while others expressed dissatisfaction. Stakeholder opinions on public participation, community concerns, and the effectiveness of EIA in managing cumulative impacts varied. Key issues included inadequate administrative procedures, poor communication, and ineffective mitigation measures. The study also revealed concerns about the integration of EIA into development planning and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Focus Group Discussions revealed both positive and negative impacts of condominium projects, such as changes in air quality, infrastructure, and community dynamics. The study underscores significant strengths and weaknesses in the Ethiopian EIA framework, emphasizing the need for improved procedures and implementation to support sustainable development.Item Spatial-Temporal Variations and Influencing Factors of Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Underground Parking Facility: A Case Study of Meskel Square, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Azaria Abebe; Engdawork Assefa (PhD)Urban underground parking facilities, while managing surface congestion, pose significant indoor air quality risks from vehicular Carbon Monoxide (CO). This study comprehensively assessed CO spatial-temporal variations, identified influencing factors, and evaluated existing control mechanisms' effectiveness and compliance in the Meskel Square Underground Parking Facility, Addis Ababa. Employing a mixed-methods approach, 432 hourly CO readings from 18 fixed sensors across six zones were integrated with traffic/ventilation logs and qualitative observations from five key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a Linear Mixed-Effects Model (LMM). The study revealed significant spatial heterogeneity, with Central Parking Zone 1 exhibiting the highest mean CO at 11.92 ppm and entrance/exit zones the lowest (e.g., 5.29 ppm). Temporally, CO progressively increased from morning to evening, peaking at 13.05 ppm during evening hours, with weekend bazaars consistently showing the highest pollution burden (mean 13.07 ppm). CO concentrations frequently exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) permissible limits; Central Parking Zone 1, for instance, reached 31.5 ppm mean CO level or 40 ppm highest individual measurement (1-hour) and 18.3 ppm (8-hour, 103% exceedance of 9 ppm limit) during weekend bazaars. The LMM confirmed that zone, time period, day type, traffic count (β = 0.109 ppm/vehicle), and ventilation status all significantly influenced CO levels. Qualitative insights revealed critical ventilation management challenges, including manual control, low-speed operation, lack of automation, and maintenance gaps, resulting in poor Air Changes per Hour (ACH) performance below American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 62.1 standards in multiple zones. The study concludes that inconsistent ventilation, institutional inaction, and inadequate protective measures contribute significantly to acute and chronic CO exposure risks for workers and visitors. It recommends automated sensor-based ventilation systems, fan redesign, stricter traffic/idling controls, enhanced occupational safety protocols, and alignment with international health and ventilation standards.Item Railway Development and its Implications: Displacement, Resettlement and its Effects on Livelihoods and the Environment in South Wello Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Adane Egze; Tesfaye Zeleke (PhD); Abrham Seyoume (PhD)The dissertation examines the impacts of railway development-induced displacement on household livelihoods in the South Wello Zone Amhara Region, the northern part of Ethiopia. The region works on multiple development projects, including railway expansion for economic growth, and leads to disruptions of livelihoods and creates social challenges due to displacement. The dissertation utilized a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from 304 households, including both displaced and non-displaced participants, through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. To analyze the primary and secondary data, the study employed quasi-experimental techniques such as propensity score matching, ordered logistic regression, and probit analysis. The research demonstrates that involuntary displacement causes major income reduction together with financial instability that erodes natural resources while breaking down social unity. Displacement of households leads to major income decreases as well as expense reductions which suggest that current resettlement plans and compensation schemes do not provide adequate support in rural areas - worsening socio-economic challenges. The research findings demonstrate how demographic characteristics including marital status together with religious background and age along with educational level that affect household satisfaction concerning paid compensation. Education functions as a vital factor that powerfully controls different aspects of livelihood elements. Research demonstrates that people who advance their education level gain much stronger human capital because those holding tertiary degrees experience 3.80 times better advantages in obtaining advanced skills and training compared to those with elementary education only. People who transition from elementary education to certificate-level training show nearly double the probability to advance their skills and build their social networks. Thus, education is a far way impactful on livelihood sustainability. Moreover, employment status strongly determines livelihood results. The stability and resilience benefits of obtaining employment on one's own farm surpass private business and organizational work. On the other hand, there was a pronounced disparity among households compensated in their willingness to accept and the compensation they received. This was due to the fact that the compensation received was by far lower than the expected amount. Sustainable rehabilitation becomes difficult because training programs do not match the requirements and recovery plans that do not support long-term success. The dissertation proposes developing compensation programs that combine non-financial benefits with customized training and methods to earn additional income and community participation to minimize displacement’s adverse impacts.Item Assessing the Perceptions and Effects of the Single Use Plastic Ban Measures on Socio-Economic and Environmental Dimensions in Nairobi, Kenya(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Mahelet Tarekegn; Ephrem Assefa (PhD)Due to the growing threat posed by plastic packaging and materials, many countries have implemented restrictions since 2010. Despite these efforts, empirical research on public perceptions and the environmental impacts of such bans remains limited, making it difficult to align policy actions with public support. This study aimed to assess perceptions and the impact of plastic ban measures in Nairobi, Kenya. A combination of descriptive and explanatory research designs was used, with data collected from 336 enterprises through questionnaires, as well as key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The data were analyzed using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Findings revealed that most stakeholders believe the ban has reduced litter, improved environmental aesthetics, and strengthened enforcement. However, uncertainty remains regarding its effects on marine life, drainage systems, and landfill reduction, due to uneven realization or communication of benefits. Additionally, the ban has enhanced community health and safety through improved waste management and public engagement, though awareness of social equity issues remains low in low-income areas. The study recommends targeted support for small and medium enterprises and informal workers through tax incentives, subsidies, and capacity-building initiatives to support the shift to sustainable packaging. Enforcement and regulatory coordination challenges further compromise the ban's effectiveness. The study identified limited government awareness, inconsistent implementation across jurisdictions, and weak monitoring systems. Although there is positive outcome with EPR regulation stakeholder coordination among government agencies, community groups, manufacturers undermines policy coherence and public trust. These systemic weaknesses necessitate enhanced regulatory enforcement through increased resource allocation, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and regional cooperation with neighboring countries to address cross-border smuggling. The research emphasizes that successful plastic ban implementation requires a holistic approach encompassing infrastructure development, regulatory strengthening, and comprehensive waste segregation awareness campaigns, particularly targeting younger generations to ensure long-term behavioral change and policy sustainability. Keywords: plastic ban, social impact, economic impact, environmental impact, single use plasticItem Assessment of Livestock Waste Recycling Practices and Chalenges in Addis Ababa City Adiminstration: The Case of Lami Kura and Akaki Kality Subcities(Addis Abeba University, 2025-03) Mebratu Paulos; Asefa Seyoume (PhD)Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, is experiencing significant growth, and with it, challenges in managing waste from urban livestock farming. This study assesses the livestock manure recycling practices of urban farmers and associated challenges in Addis Ababa, focusing on the Lemi Kura and Akaki Kality sub cities. The primary objectives are to assess the existing waste management practices, identify the challenges hindering recycling efforts, and assess the perceptions of stakeholders towards manure recycling. The study basically used Qualitative and quantitative approaches. 216 randomly selected livestock farmers and seven key informants were selected purposely from relevant government offices to collect primary data. Livestock farming plays a crucial role in urban livelihoods in Addis Ababa. However, the improper disposal of manure often dumped in open spaces or connected to drainage systems, poses serious environmental threats, including soil and water pollution, and public health risks. Despite the benefits of manure recycling such as composting and biogas production only a small percentage of urban livestock farmers adopt these sustainable practices. The study reveals that the primary methods of waste disposal include dumping in open spaces 60%, while only 32.5% of farmers engage in composting or biogas production. Furthermore, most respondents 77.5% indicated that they are not updated with advancements in recycling technologies, and over 60% expressed inability to apply modern waste recycling technologies due to various barriers, including limited space, lack of knowledge, and insufficient government support. However, monitoring of the environmental impact of waste management is limited, with 73% of respondents reporting no regular assessment of their practices. The study identifies several key challenges hindering effective manure recycling, including limited space 50%, regulatory barriers 27.5%, and a lack of market 12.5%. Although 80% of participants believe that recycling manure can mitigate environmental pollution, 73% do not regularly monitor the environmental impact of their waste management practices. The findings suggest that improved government support for livestock manure recycling, policy reforms, and training on modern technologies are essential to promote sustainable livestock waste management. The study concludes that there is a need for increased governmental and NGO support, better access to modern recycling technologies, and enhanced training and awareness programs to promote recycling livestock waste which is sustainable way of waste management practices.Item Dynamics of Water Quality and Public Health Risks in the Case of Upper Awash River Basin, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-05) Tesfa Aklilu; Geremew Sahilu (PhD); Argaw Ambelu (PhD)Introduction: Water quality issues are a major global concern, particularly in the upper Awash subbasin, where reports highlight both water quality problems and unmet water demands. As a critical socioeconomic and political center and a key water source for rural and urban residents, the subbasin is experiencing declining water quality due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, agriculture, and population growth. Efforts should focus on mitigating water pollution risks by addressing these factors. This study aims to address water quality issues and public health risks associated with drinking water consumption while narrowing existing gaps in understanding the cumulative effects of these factors on water quality and public health. Through the lens of watershed management, this study introduces new approaches to quantify public health risks, exposed populations, and vulnerable water supply schemes. It employs technologies such as GISs, statistical models, and risk characterization tailored to the local context, offering fresh insights to improve existing practices, water quality management, advocacy, and policy formulation. Objective: To analyze the dynamics of water quality and public health risks in the Upper Awash Sub-River Basin, including mapping water pollution risks, characterizing temporal and spatial water quality distributions, identifying pollution sources, quantifying public health risks, and delineating protection zones to ensure the safety of water supply users, with the aim of informing effective management and mitigation strategies. Methods: To achieve the objectives of this study, the DRASTIC model was employed along with the integration of the National WASH Inventory-2 (NWI-2) to identify vulnerable water schemes and conduct water source pollution risk (WSPR) mapping and water pollution indexing, including the estimation of exposed populations via the ArcGIS environment. Additionally, an artificial neural network (ANN) was utilized to predict the water quality index (WQI) from samples collected from 60 water supply schemes during dry and wet seasons, along with samples from 10 river water sampling stations across three seasons. Furthermore, Aquachem 2014.2, principal component analysis (PCA), and positive matrix factorization (PMF) models were applied to analyze 197 borehole samples, 70 surface water samples, and 60 water supply samples to identify water pollution sources. In accordance with the WHO guidelines, 120 water samples were collected from 60 drinking water supply schemes in both the dry and wet seasons, which are located in low and high water pollution risk (WPR) areas. XIV The concentrations of the target parameters were measured via instruments such as multiple meters, spectrophotometers, digital arsenators, and microbiological test kits. The assessment involved methods of hazard identification, exposure and dose‒response analysis, and risk characterization, including hazard quotient (HQ), cancer risk (CR), hazard index (HI), and probability of infection. Results: The findings reveal that 32.96% of the groundwater in the study area has low pollution risk, while 53.56% are at a moderate risk level, and 13.5% face high groundwater risk, with a model explanation of 67.8% (R2 =0.678). In terms of surface water, 72.64% of the sites presented a low pollution risk, whereas 27.36% presented moderate to very high risks, including 4.82% at high and 3.7% at very high pollution levels, with water pollution index values exceeding 1 for all ten water quality monitoring sites during the dry season, indicating significant surface water pollution. The study estimates that 5.64%, 3.88%, and 2.30% of the population are exposed to high groundwater pollution risk (GWPR), surface water pollution risk (SWPR), and water source pollution risk (WSPR), respectively. Additionally, among the 2,864 water supply schemes analyzed, only 14.4% had a water safety plan, while 20.7% practiced water safety, and 6% reported the occurrence of waterborne diseases. Over 39.23% of the schemes were located in high vulnerability areas, with 12.32% in very high vulnerability areas and only 8% in low vulnerability areas, as validated by a model accuracy of 61.7%. Animal grazing (66.7%), agriculture (61.7%), and other human activities (40%) were identified as potential sources of water pollution in water supply systems. Na-HCO3 (65%) and Ca-HCO3 (32.5%) geogenic sources contributed to 64% of the drinking water pollutants, with 29% and 7% attributed to agricultural and anthropogenic sources, respectively. Significant variations in drinking water quality were observed between districts. The surface water parameters, such as total hardness, TDS, pH, F, Mg, chloride, and HCO3, varied significantly between the dry and wet seasons. The ANN model accurately predicted drinking WQI via five parameters (85% prediction accuracy and 94% overall accuracy) and surface water quality (95.1% accuracy) via four parameters. The Health Quotient (HQ) for nitrate exceeded unity (HQ>1) in the dry season for all groups, whereas a chromium HQ>1 was observed for women (1.1E+00) and children (1.4E+00) in the wet season in high Water Pollution Risk (WPR) areas. The risk of arsenicrelated cancer exceeded 1 in 10,000 children in the dry season across all groups and for women and children in the wet season in high WPR areas. The cancer risk associated with chromium XV exceeded 1 in 1000 people. Moreover, the Hazard Index (HI) was consistently above unity (HI>1) for most cases, and all daily and annual risks of E. coli infection were deemed unacceptable. Conclusion and recommendations: WSPR modeling plays a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities and pollution risks in new and existing water supply systems. Integrating various approaches and models, along with predicting populations exposed to health risks associated with water quality, emphasizes the importance of considering public health through a comprehensive approach. The demonstration of the integration of NWI-2 with vulnerability assessments along with the quantification of public health risks and identification of water pollution sources, contributes to solve water quality issues. This highlights the importance of implementing water source protection measures by all relevant authorities for the integration of WASH inventory in monitoring and evaluation systems, utilizing GIS technology, and adopting integrated watershed management practices. Specifically, recommendation for actions are 1. Comprehensive water source protection measures, including vulnerability assessments, water source pollution risk mapping, watershed management, and the application of water treatment technologies and sanitation measures at the source and point-of-use levels, should be implemented. 2. Waste disposal management should be enhanced, groundwater quality should be monitored, fertilizer use should be controlled, and the conservation of water sources via integrated watershed management should be promoted. 3. The enabling environment should be strengthened through policy formulation, regulatory frameworks, and community awareness initiatives to address pollution sources, integrate public health into water management, protect water resources, and institutionalize Water Safety Plans (WSPs). Furthermore, to fill evidence gaps, research on pollutant travel, assimilation, and land use priorities for accurate delineation should be undertaken. 4. Further research is needed on pollutant travel time, assimilation capacity, and land-use priorities to effectively delineate protection zones, along with policy analysis for identified risks and pollution sources.Item Developing Web-Based Geographic Information Systems as a Tool for Planning and Providing Tourism Resource in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia(2021-06) Abiy Hailemariam; Ermias Teferi PhDIn many Sub-Saharan African countries, tourism is one of the most important and fastestgrowing economic sectors. However the sector has not developed at the anticipated rate in emerging nations such as Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia has many potential tourist attractions, due to insufficient and inadequate tourism promotion, shortcomings in website content, such as a lack of maps and up-to-date information, have become a barrier to the sector's development. These are not only costly due to the need for information updates and expirations, but they also lack sufficient abstractions to assist visitors in making travel plans.Web-GIS databases are one of the most successful ways to sell tourism. The primary goal of this study was to create a GISenabled online interactive tool for tourists. Using data obtained from the Addis Ababa city administration, this study created a Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) model with dynamic and interactive maps for managing and promoting tourism resources. This was created using open source Web-GIS software, GeoServer, PostgreSQL, and Tomcat Apache, and users have access to it. Web maps were designed and created using the outcomes of spatially based tourism data flow and database models contained in a web-based GIS with more abstractions.The designed model allows for the management and promotion of tourism resources in order to ensure a successful and long-term tourism industryItem Deconstructing REDD+ Implementation: Power Relations, Discourse and Gender Inclusion in the Bale Eco Region, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-12) Aklilu Bekele; Engdawork Assefa (PhD)The imperative to combat climate change has catalyzed the development of innovative institutional frameworks, with REDD+ emerging as a prominent global initiative aimed at incentivizing sustainable forest management. This study delves into the intricate REDD+ institutionalization, stakeholder engagement, discourse and gender perspectives within Ethiopia’s Bale eco-region, a crucial focal point of international climate policy. The study used text documents, socio metric survey, interviews and Focus group discussion with project actors and participants. Snowball and purposeful sampling was employed to recruit participants for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 22 institutions to take part in the socio metric survey. Depth interviews were conducted with 92 key informants who represented a variety of stakeholder groups, including small-scale farmers, NGOs representatives, REDD+ expert, government officials, community leaders, academics, practitioners, and policymakers. In addition, 4 four focus group discussions, 2 in each village were conducted. The study employs a policy arrangement approach (PAA) and discursive institutionalism (DI), Social Network analysis, discourse analysis and it also makes use of Agrawal’s insight analytical framework and involvement typology to analyze the data. (PAA) and (DI) were used to analyze the complex frameworks influencing the project’s institutionalization processes. While SNA looks at power dynamics and interactions between actors, the qualitative framework allows for a comprehensive evaluation of actor participation. The social network data was analyzed using an open source software called NodeXL. In addition, discourse analysis serves as the methodological lens, unraveling the narratives and environmental discourse that shape REDD+ implementation. Agrawal’s insight analytical framework and involvement typology was used to explore gender disparities and barriers to women’s involvement in the project engagement. The analysis captures the intricacy of REDD+ and their practical implications. Our study sheds light on multifaceted challenges persisting within REDD+ institutionalization despite progress made in formulating strategies. In addition, our study delves into the complex discourse surrounding REDD+ implementation, highlighting divergent perspectives among stakeholders, including promoters, moderators, and opponents. While promoters envision REDD+ as a transformative solution to climate change, opponents express concerns about potential negative effects and advocate for systemic changes. Actor participation and power dynamics within the Bale ecoregion’s REDD+ project emerge as focal points of our inquiry. The study findings unveil the intricate web of actors contributing to national strategies, funding, and capacity building, while also revealing disparities in local community involvement and decision-making. Moreover, the exploration of gender inclusions within REDD+ development interventions underscores the importance of gender equity and inclusivity in achieving broader environmental and social goals. To sum up, our study provides critical insights into the challenges and opportunities within REDD+ implementation, emphasizing the importance of inclusive decision-making processes, This necessitates a shift towards more decentralized and participatory governance structures that empower local communities, particularly women, to have greater control over forest management decisions and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Strengthening local institutions, promoting transparency and accountability, and integrating REDD+ with existing local governance systems are crucial steps towards achieving this. By fostering local ownership, enhancing environmental integrity, and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits, a more robust and sustainable REDD+ institutional framework can be established in the Bale eco-region.Item Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pesticide Use among Smallholder Onion Farmers: Evidence from Fogera District, South Gondor Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-10) Beamlak Zegale; Aseffa Seyoum (PhD)This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of smallholder onion growing smallholder farmers in Fogera District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, towards pesticide use, addressing significant gaps in understanding how these factors influence safe pesticide practices. The primary objective was to assess farmers’ awareness of the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and to evaluate their pesticide application practices. Utilizing a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 300 smallholder farmers through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and field observations. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27, employing both descriptive and inferential methods, including regression and correlation analyses. The findings reveal that while a considerable proportion of farmers possess a certain level of knowledge regarding pesticide use, but notable gaps exist in their understanding of safe practices and the environmental impacts of pesticides. Approximately 62.4% of the variance in pesticide use was attributed to knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The study highlights a concerning trend of unsafe pesticide handling, including the mixing of expired chemicals and inadequate use of personal protective equipment. In conclusion, the study underscores the need for enhanced awairness creation programs focused on safe pesticide practices and improved access to personal protective equipment’s. Recommendations include promoting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and establishing safe waste disposal facilities, aiming to mitigate health risks and environmental hazards associated with pesticide use among smallholder onion farmers in Ethiopia.Item The Linear Relation of Service Quality and Customer Loyalty: The Case of Star-Rated Hotels in Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06) Endegnanew Assefa; Ephrem Assefa (PhD)Ethiopia, notably Addis Ababa, is a well-known tourist destination and the headquarters of a number of international and intercontinental organizations. Tourism is an important part of the country's economy, a source of income for many people, and drive factor for investment. Hotels are an indispensable part of the tourism industry. The purpose of this study is to assess the linear relation of service quality and customer loyalty in the case of star-rated hotels in Addis Ababa. To this end, pertinent data were gathered through structured questionnaire from 384 customers of three, four and five-star hotels in Addis Ababa. The study used five dimensions of SERVQUAL model to test the effect of service quality (independent variable) on customer loyalty (dependent variable). Quantitative data gathered through structured questionnaire were processed via SPSS and analyze by using descriptive and inferential statistics (linear regression analysis). The findings of the study indicated that each of the five service quality dimensions (reliability, responsiveness, tangibles, empathy, and assurance) have a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty, with tangibles having the greatest impact. To sum up, hotels should pay attention to what their customers think about the service quality of the hotels, as this study discovered that service quality has a direct impact on customer loyalty.Item Analyses of House-Hold Willingness to Pay for Off-Grid Electricity Service Koftu Mini-Grid Akaki District Oromia Region, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-12) Kifilu Getachew; Aseffa Seyoum (PhD)Satisfying the ever-growing energy demand, but at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change are some of the most challenging and ardent issues for the policymakers around the world. Renewable energy is perceived as an effective way to cope with the dual nature of these challenges, usually topping the list of meaningful changes that our society can implement. Mini-grids play a critical role in providing electricity to remote, off-grid communities in grid option is not feasible. However, success of mini-grid projects can be hindered by poor cash flows and limited revenue returns. A clear understanding of off-grid household’s preferences for electricity services is a prerequisite for mini-grid stakeholders to set tariff structures and stimulate income-generating power demand to scale up mini-grid deployment. The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent the rural population is willing to make financial expenses for development of renewable energy. We also explore what lifestyle and socio-demographic factors influence willingness to pay. A contingent valuation methods were applied to 380 households from the rural populous and willing to pay is 355 birr (USD 6.57) per month. However, the empirical model reveals that the rural household’s WTP value alone is insufficient to cover the cost of electricity. The total willingness to pay (TWTP) falls significantly short of the proposed project costs, covering only about 57% of the running costs and 39% of the total monthly costs. Investing in a decentralized mini-grid (DMG) with these characteristics would result in a capital loss over the system lifetime, necessitating subsidies to avoid financial losses. Our results also show that the creation of new jobs, household income, family size, age, basic education level, gender of the household head, occupation (particularly farming), and marital status, significantly impact household’s WTP for renewable mini-grid services in the study area. Additionally, asset ownership, particularly land access, also significantly influences household WTP for these services. The study is useful in the design of adequate fiscal and renewable support policies and serves companies by identifying willingness to pay influence factors, as well as by demonstrating a market segmentation procedure. Additionally, creating an enabling environment by improving access to low-cost financing, implementing regulations that minimize project-related risks and fostering collaborative partnerships through a mix of public and private investments should be key policy objectives. These measures will facilitate the deployment of renewable hybrid mini-grid systems and help achieve targeted electrification ratios in a sustainable mannerItem Flood Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation and Challenges. The Case of Akaki-Kality Sub-City, Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2024-06) Sabrin Nureddin; Engdawork Assefa (PhD)Flooding is one of the most pervasive and destructive natural disasters, disproportionately affecting urban areas with inadequate infrastructure and vulnerable communities. Addis Ababa's Akaki-Kality sub-city, particularly Woreda 03, is highly prone to flooding due to its location near the Akaki River, making it a critical area for study. This research aims to assess the flood vulnerability of households in Woreda 03, with a focus on gender disparities, to provide actionable insights for equitable flood risk management. The study employs an indicator-based flood vulnerability index, drawing on socioeconomic data from 120 households. Factors such as early warning systems, flood frequency and duration, family size, proximity to water, elderly population, access to emergency services, household income, sanitation access, housing quality, education level, previous flood experience, evacuation routes, flood protection measures, flood insurance, and communication networks were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, regression, and ttests were used to examine adaptive responses and the impact of socioeconomic factors on vulnerability. Findings reveal that female-headed households are more vulnerable to flood risks compared to male-headed households. This heightened vulnerability is attributed to social factors such as lower income, limited access to resources, and reduced adaptive capacity. The study also identifies significant differences in adaptive responses and socioeconomic determinants of vulnerability between the two groups. To address these challenges, the study recommends targeted interventions, including the implementation of gender-sensitive flood risk management strategies, improved early warning systems, and enhanced community-based flood protection measures. Policymakers are urged to prioritize the adaptive capacity of femaleheaded households through infrastructure development, better access to information, and inclusive urban planning to mitigate the negative effects of flooding on vulnerable groups.Item Retailers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Pesticide Waste Disposal and Their Implications on the Environment and Human Health: The Case of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.(Addis Ababa University, 2022-10) Semhar Berihun; Ermiyas Teferi (PhD)In Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used for a variety of purposes. These pesticides have wastes which are considered as potentially dangerous chemicals to human health and the environment. The occurrence of contamination and poisoning among humans and the environment is highly reported due to unsafe handling practices and their usage. This is due to insufficient knowledge and unfavorable attitude towards the hazardous risk of pesticide wastes among retailers. Hence, the overall objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and disposal practices of pesticide retailers found in Addis Ababa city. The data were collected from 85 pesticide retailers which were selected through simple random sampling technique. The data were collected through questionnaires, interview and related literature review. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics tools such as t- test and Pearson chi-square were used. Among the respondents, 80% of them didn’t use the proper methods of pesticide waste. 58.8% of pesticide retailers dispose pesticide wastes in a place which is not given or known by the government. 55.3% of them do not dispose their wastes in unsuitable place. 51.8% of the respondents replied that they don’t dispose according to the instruction labeled on the container. In general we can conclude that there is improper pesticide waste disposal practices among retailers. From 85 retailers only 24 (28.24%) know the risk or hazard of pesticide wastes, but 61 (71.76%) of them, which are the majority, don’t know the hazardous nature of pesticide wastes. 82.35%, 83.53%, 76.47%, and 65.9% of the respondents didn’t know environmental Policies, strategies of pesticide waste management, proclamation of environmental pollution control on hazardous waste, and government regulation on pesticide waste management respectively. more than 50% of the respondents answered that impacts of pesticide waste on land, air and water bodies is weak, medium and no effect. This implies that most of the retailers have no knowledge on the impacts of pesticide wastes on the environment and human health. Only 11.77% of the retailers were not worried about the environment, while 31.76%, 29.41% and 27.06% of the retailers gave sometimes worried, worried and very worried responses respectively. 23.53% and 41.18% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively on the harmfulness of pesticide wastes but 9.41% and 14.12% of them strongly disagree and disagree with this issue. On the responsibility of retailers for pesticide management, 43.53% and 28.23% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively but, 1.18% and 17.65% of them strongly disagree and disagree respectively. 31.77% and 25.88% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively that they upset when they see other retailers disposing pesticide wastes irresponsibly while 8.24% and 22.35% of them strongly disagree and disagree respectively. This implies that significant number of the retailers have positive attitude to protect the environment. Generally, we can conclude that although they have no sufficient knowledge, most of the retailers have positive attitude towards the hazardous risks of pesticide wastes.Item Benefits, Challenges and Factors Associated With Micro and Large-Scale Poultry Farm Waste Management: Evidence From Poultry Farms in Bishoftu(Addis Ababa University, 2024-09) Zelalem Genene; Shimeles Damene (PhD)Solid wastes generated from the agricultural sector can be converted to economically beneficial commodity and reduce their negative impact on the environment. Poultry wastes generated from small to large scale frames are among hazardous material from agriculture sector if not properly managed and despised. Poultry production has been expanding in most developing countries including Ethiopia with poor attention on the consequences of the waste to the environment and the possible options to translate the materials to economically useful commodity and protect the environment from degradation. Therefore,the purpose of this study was to analyze benefits, challenges and factors associated with micro and large-scale poultry farms waste management in Bishoftu area, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study used questionnaires survey collected from 235 sample respondents both from small scale and large scale poultry farms. In addition, qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and field observation. The collected quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. Descriptive analysis, incorporating the frequency and mean, along with a summary of results, suggested that housing, waste type, regulatory, technology, farm size and stakeholders involvement play crucial roles in enhancing waste management practices. From the correlation analysis, it was found that farm size, stakeholders, technology, and housing were shown to be strongly correlated in the study while waste type and regulatory frameworks were found to be moderately and poorly correlated, respectively. On the other hand, regression analysis indicated that the predictors jointly explained significant variance in waste management practices. Among them, increasing farm size, waste kind, regulatory framework, stakeholders involvement, technology, and housing, impacts the waste management practices significantly. In conclusion, the study recommends that training in areas like disease control to reduce death caused wastes, feed ingredient identification to reduce manure related wastes, and backyard poultry bird management can help make poultry farming financially feasible in the study areas. Regulating the size of farms and giving sufficient training to the poultry farmers are also another recommendations related to benefits. Finally biosecurity safety can be ensured by giving the necessary training regarding the impact of the wastes on the nearby by life.Item Sustainability of Climate Change to Adaptation interventions in Loka Abaya Woreda, Sidama Region Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-10) Zerihun Estifanos; Belay Simane (Proffesor)This study evaluates the sustainability of adaptation interventions in Loka Abaya Woreda, Sidama Region, Ethiopia, focusing on the influence of key contextual factors including community participation, institutional capacity and governance, adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, and financial resources. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative analysis through multiple linear regression and qualitative insights via thematic analysis to examine the relationships between these variables and the sustainability of the Climate-Smart Integrated Rural Development (CSIRD) project. Findings revealed that community involvement, CSA technology adoption, financial resources, and institutional capacity positively influence project sustainability. Additionally, the study emphasized the critical role of government policies and robust monitoring and evaluation systems in ensuring the long-term success of adaptation efforts. While the interventions demonstrated some positive outcomes, areas for improvement were identified, particularly in strengthening the integration of climate change policies and enhancing stakeholder coordination and resource allocation. Recommendations include strengthening policy integration, improving stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring sufficient resources to sustain adaptation practices in rural Ethiopia.