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The response of wheat to the application of different rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) under balanced fertilization on different soil types and agroecologies has not been well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) determine soil-specific responses of wheat to N, P, K, and S under balanced fertilization; (2) quantify agroecology-specific N, P, K, and S response of wheat under balanced fertilization; and (3) determine nutrient use efficiency of wheat on different soil types under balanced fertilization. Trials were conducted on farmers’ fields across 24 locations covering 4 soil types and 5 agroecological zones (AEZs) from 2013 to 2017. The mean grain yields of wheat significantly varied with applied N and P fertilizer rates with soil types and AEZs. With balanced application of other nutrients, the optimum N rates for wheat were 138 kg N ha−1 on Cambisols and Luvisols, 92 kg N ha−1 on Vertisols, and 176 kg N ha−1 on Nitisols, while the optimum P rate was 20 kg P ha−1 on Cambisols and Vertisols. The nutrient dose–response curve did not reveal consistent pattern for K and S applications on all soil types. The agronomic efficiency of wheat decreased with increasing rates N and P on all soil types. The highest agronomic efficiency of N (15.8 kg grain kg−1 applied N) was recorded with application of 92 kg N ha−1 on Vertisols, while the highest agronomic efficiency of P (49 kg grain kg−1 applied P) was achieved with application of 10 kg P ha−1 on Cambisols. We conclude that applications of 92–138 kg N ha−1, 20 kg P ha−1, 18 kg K ha−1, and 10 kg S ha−1 under balanced application of zinc and boron could be recommended depending on soil type for wheat production in the study areas.

The Ethiopian government has set itself long-term goals of eradicating poverty, ensuring sustainable economic growth, and becoming a middle-income country by 2025. These goals are impossible to achieve without tackling tax challenges, improving the tax administration, and generating sufficient revenue. This paper attempts to reveal major factors that influence presumptive tax collection in Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the researcher used a cross-sectional survey design. As a result, the quantitative research approach was employed. A total of 391 self-administered, closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to category “C” taxpayers found in Bahir Dar City Administration. Given the dichotomous nature of the dependent variable (presumptive tax collection), the study employed a binary logistic regression model. As part of the process, the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20 was used. The descriptive statistics reveal that the following issues were major challenges for presumptive tax collection in Ethiopia: lack of equity and fairness in presumptive tax assessment; complexity of tax rules; taxpayers’ poor perceptions of tax evasion; the existence of unethical and corrupt tax officials; taxpayers’ negative attitudes toward the government; and poor social norms between taxpayers and the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA). The binary logistic regression results show the following to be significantly associated with presumptive income tax collection in Ethiopia: the equity and fairness of the tax system; corrupt behavior of tax officials; the organizational strength of the tax authority; the participatory tax system; taxpayers’ knowledge of tax rules and regulations; and the attitudes of taxpayers toward the government. However, social norms, mode of tax payment, and perception of tax evasion had positive but insignificant relationships with presumptive tax collection. The findings of this paper will help policymakers and other stakeholders to identify determinants of presumptive tax collection, and thereby to design and implement appropriate presumptive tax systems for small and medium-sized businesses in Ethiopia. In addition, this paper contributes to the tax literature on determinants of presumptive tax collection issues in developing countries.

Mathematics is one of the important disciplines for students to solve day-to-day problems in life. Attitude towards mathematics and mathematics learning is critical for a better learning to happen. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of instructional approaches on attitudes of students towards mathematics learning. Quasi-experiment research was conducted in middle schools at Addis Ababa City Administration, Ethiopia to investigate the use of visualization techniques (VT), problem-based learning approach (PBLA), visualization techniques-assisted problem-based learning (VT-PBLA), and conventional instructional approach (CIA) as instructional approaches and their effect on students’ attitude towards learning Mathematics. Four intact classes were selected of which the three were used as intervention groups named intervention group 1 (IG1), intervention group 2 (IG2) and intervention group 3 (IG3) each of which took specific instructional approach as an intervention and a comparison group (CG) that were assigned using simple random sampling techniques. The sample size used were 48, 49, 48, and 47 students, respectively. Both pre and post-attitude Likert scale items were prepared and administered to the respondents before and after the intervention respectively. Paired samples t-test and ANCOVA were employed for analysis, and the results of the study show that the group taught with VT shown statistically significant difference on attitude and on each of the components of attitude, except for engagement. Moreover, the group taught with VT-PBLA also shown to have a statistically significant difference on attitude and their components except for engagement and confidence. PBLA alone did not show any significant mean difference in students’ attitude towards learning mathematics and each of the components. The post-intervention comparison also showed significant mean difference between the groups for the overall attitude and the components of attitude except for engagement and confidence. These deviant findings seek further investigation to identify the possible causes or any possible amendments that could account to the instructional approaches.

This study aimed at assessing the current practices of middle school science and mathematics teachers in implementing scientific reasoning skills in their classrooms to enhance students reasoning and whether there is difference with respect to gender, educational level, and subjects they teach. The study group consisted of 154 teachers (43 females and 111 males) in three regions of Ethiopia. Mixed research method was used and data were collected with Likert scale questionnaire consisting of 23 questions and four major interview questions. The findings showed that the teachers moderately practice implementing reasoning skills while teaching science and mathematics to enhance students reasoning skills. They frequently used few of the reasoning skills but moderately for most of them. The qualitative data also supported this result and indicated that teachers have many challenges in implementing reasoning skills. The findings from independent samples t-test and ANOVA illustrated that there was no significant difference between teachers' practices in implementing rea- soning skills to enhance students' reasoning skills with respect to gender, education level and subjects they teach. Professional development intervention was recommended to build the capacity of teachers in implementing reasoning skills.

ObjectiveTo determine the associations of WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Service Ladder service levels and sociodemographic factors with diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study.SettingBishoftu town, Ethiopia, January–February 2022.ParticipantsA total of 1807 mothers with at least one child under 5 years were included. Sociodemographic and WASH variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. 378 drinking water samples were collected.OutcomeThe response variable was diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years.ResultsThe 2-week prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years was 14.8%. Illiteracy (adjusted OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.54 to 6.47), occupation (0.35; 0.20 to 0.62), mother’s age (1.63; 1.15 to 2.31), family size (2.38; 1.68 to 3.39), wealth index (5.91; 3.01 to 11.59), residence type (1.98; 1.35 to 2.90), sex of the child (1.62; 1.17 to 2.24), child’s age (3.52; 2.51 to 4.93), breastfeeding status (2.83; 1.74 to 4.59), food storage practice (3.49; 1.74 to 8.26), unimproved drinking water source (8.16; 1.69 to 39.46), limited drinking water service (4.68; 1.47 to 14.95), open defecation practice (5.17; 1.95 to 13.70), unimproved sanitation service (2.74; 1.60 to 4.67), limited sanitation service (1.71; 1.10 to 2.65), no hygiene service (3.43; 1.91 to 6.16) and limited hygiene service (2.13; 1.17 to 3.86) were significantly associated with diarrhoeal disease.ConclusionIn this study, diarrhoea among children is a significant health issue. Child’s age, drinking water service, residence type and hygiene service were the largest contributors with respect to the prevalence of diarrhoeal disease. This investigation provides information that could help to inform interventions to reduce childhood diarrhoea. The findings suggest that state authorities should initiate robust WASH strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 agenda.

This study examines the impact of bilateral air service agreements on air passenger transportin Africa and quantifies the consumer welfare effects associated with air transport liberalization. Using anunbalanced panel of 71 country pairs from Africa observed over 2011–19, the paper estimates the extent to whichbilateral air service agreements liberalization affects the following: (1) passenger travel, (2) average airfares, (3)flight frequency, and (4) market competition within a country pair. The empirical analysis employs thedifference-in-differences estimation method and pays close attention to the endogeneity concerns coming from thesimultaneity and reverse causality surrounding the pricing, demand, and frequency decisions. The results indicate thatboth partial and full liberalization of bilateral air service agreements lead to a reduction in airfares and anincrease in air travel demand and flight frequency, respectively. The analysis finds no evidence that marketcompetition, as measured by the number of operatingairlines, increases following liberalization. After quantifying all the channels through which the policyenvironment can affect air transport markets in Africa, the findings show that aviation liberalization generatesconsumer benefits that are equivalent to a 40–42 percent drop in airfares, that is, the price equivalent effect ofair liberalization.

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infection is a significant global threat to the healthcare systems. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the leading infectious agent in the healthcare setting is now one of the major threats due to AMR. A comprehensive understanding of the magnitude of AMR, particularly highly public health important pathogens such as P. aeruginosa, is necessary for the management of infections based on local information. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the country-wide AMR of P. aeruginosa. Systematic searches were performed to retrieve articles from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect electronic databases, Google Scholar search engine, and repository registrars from 2015 to 31st December 2023. Twenty-three studies that provided important data on AMR in P. aeruginosa were systematically reviewed and analyzed to determine the country-wide magnitude of P. aeruginosa AMR profile from healthcare-associated infections. AMR of P. aeruginosa to 10 different antibiotics were extracted separately into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA 17.0. Cohen's kappa was computed to determine the agreement between reviewers, the Inverse of variance (I2) was used to evaluate heterogeneity across studies, and Egger's test to identify publication bias. A random effect model was used to determine the pooled resistance to each antibiotic. Subgroup analysis was performed by infection type and year of publication. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of P. aeruginosa in clinical specimens associated with HAI was 4.38%(95%CI: 3.00-5.76). The pooled prevalence of AMR in P. aeruginosa for different antibiotics varies, ranging from 20.9% (95%CI: 6.2-35.8) for amikacin to 98.72% (95%CI: 96.39-101.4) for ceftriaxone. The pooled resistance was higher for ceftriaxone (98.72%), Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (75.41), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (91.2). In contrast relatively lower AMR were observed for amikacin (20.9%) and meropenem (28.64%). The pooled multi-drug resistance (MDR) in P. aeruginosa was 80.5% (95%CI: 66.25-93.84). Upon subgroup analysis by infection types and year of publication, P. aeruginosa isolated from healthcare-associated infections exhibited higher resistance to ceftazidime (94.72%) compared to isolates from mixed types of healthcare-associated infections (70.84%) and surgical site infections (57.84%). Antimicrobial resistance in gentamicin was higher during the periods of 2018-2020 (73.96%), while comparatively lower during 2021-2023 (42.69%) and 2015-2017 (29.82%). Significantly high AMR and MDR were observed from this systematic review and meta-analysis. AMR obtained from this systematic review and meta-analysis urges the need for improved infection control, antimicrobial stewardship practices, and strengthened surveillance systems to control the spread of AMR and ensure effective treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42024518145).

Despite the decline in tuberculosis (TB) incidence across many regions worldwide, including Ethiopia, the disease remains highly concentrated among vulnerable or socially marginalized populations and in high-risk settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among key and vulnerable populations (KVPs) residing in hotspot settings in Ethiopia. Potential papers were searched systematically in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect databases, Google Scholar search engine, and institutional electronic repositories/registrars. A total of 34 potential articles that provide necessary information on the prevalence of PTB were reviewed and data were analyzed to determine the pooled prevalence of PTB among KVPs. The relevant data were recorded and analyzed using STATA 17.0. Cohen's kappa was computed to determine the agreement between reviewers, the Inverse of variance (I2) to evaluate heterogeneity across studies, and Egger's test to identify publication bias. A random effect model was used to determine the pooled prevalence of PTB, subgroup analysis was computed by types of hotspot settings and year of publication. This meta-analysis demonstrates that the pooled prevalence of PTB among populations residing in hotspot settings in Ethiopia was 11.7% (95% confidence interval (95CI): 7.97-15.43) with an I2 of 99.91% and a p< 0.001. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis unveiled the pooled prevalence of PTB among KVPs residing in different hotspot settings as follows: Prison inmates 8.8% (95CI: 5.00-12.55%), University students 23.1% (95CI: 15.81-30.37%), Refugees 28.4% (95CI: -1.27-58.15%), Homeless peoples 5.8% (95CI: -0.67-12.35%), Healthcare settings 11.1% (95CI: 0.58-21.63%), Spiritual holy water sites attendees 12.3% (95CI: -6.26-30.80%), and other high-risk settings 4.3% (95CI: 0.47-8.09%). Besides, the subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of PTB post-2015 was 10.79% (95CI: 5.94-15.64%), whereas it stood at 14.04% (95CI: 10.27-17.82%) before 2015. The prevalence of PTB among KVPs residing in the hotspot settings in Ethiopia remains significant, with a weighted pooled prevalence of 11.7%. Thus, the national TB control programs should give due attention and appropriate control measures should be instituted that include regular systematic TB screening, compulsory TB testing for presumptive TB cases among KVPs, and tightened infection control at hotspot settings.

In light of the growing prevalence of pre-eclampsia within clinical settings and public life in Ethiopia, studies assessing the knowledge extent of pregnant women towards pre-eclampsia are lacking. Hence, this study sought to examine the level of knowledge and its associated factors among pregnant women regarding pre-eclampsia in the South Gondar zone of North Central Ethiopia in 2023. A community-based quantitative study design was conducted. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was employed in South Gondar zone from May to June 2023, employing a structured questionnaire administered to 855 pregnant women. Simple random sampling is used to select the final study participants. Cross tabular analysis with Chi square and P values were done. Univariate and subsequent multi-variable logistic regression analysis was done for the association between the dependent and independent variable. P values < 0.05 were used to determine the presence of associations. The response rate of the respondents was 98.2%. Approximately half of (51%) the pregnant women had adequate knowledge towards pre-eclampsia (AOR = 51% 95% CI 48, 54). Pregnant women who thought hypertension is extremely dangerous were 57% less likely to have adequate Knowledge of pre-eclampsia (AOR = 0.43 95% CI 0.2, 0.92) than who thought the dangerousness of hypertension as very low. Those pregnant women who thought that diastolic blood pressure was important had 86% less likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR = 0.14 95% CI 0.32,0.63) that who thought the systolic blood pressure measurement was important. In addition, mothers who didn’t try to lower blood pressure had 2.4 more odds of adequate knowledge than pregnant women who tried to control their blood pressure (AOR = 2.4 95% CI 1.4, 4.2). In the study area, nearly half of the pregnant women had adequate knowledge. Pregnant women who thought that hypertension was dangerous, who thought that diastolic blood pressure is an important indicator for hypertension and those who didn’t try anything to lower their blood pressure were variables that are strongly associated with the adequate knowledge of pregnant women towards pre-eclampsia. To enhance the information and knowledge of pregnant women concerning pre-eclampsia in the study area, it is imperative to convey health information through locally accepted and contextually relevant approaches.