This study used qualitative research method to examine the values and experiences of parents raising adolescent children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It aimed to understand their perspectives, priorities, practices and concerns. Such contextual knowledge can inform practitioners to help parents achieve their parenting goals. Ethiopia is also undergoing numerous cultural, economic and social changes that call for examining existing approaches to raising adolescent children. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) guided the process of this study. This qualitative method is useful to study daily experiences that have significance to participants (Brocki & Wearden, 2006). Eight Ethiopian parents from Addis Ababa who raised at least one adolescent child during the period of this study were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were used to ask parents about their perspectives on an array of topics including the meaning of adolescence, parental aspirations, parental expectations, discipline, parent-child communication and parenting concerns. Nvivo, a Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQAS) was used to manage all data and theme development process. Data analysis generated obedience and marriage, dating and sexuality as superordinate themes. The following subthemes were developed under obedience: culture and family; respect and Relationships; educational and career success; approaches to raising obedient children and challenges against raising obedient children. Findings showed that parents aspire to raise obedient children. The second theme, marriage dating and sexuality showed the emphasis participants gave to delaying dating and intimacy experiences of their children until after their children were closer to getting married or became economically independent. Most parents described the period of adolescence as a time when children show more defiance toward parental expectations and thereby a call for more parental control and monitoring. Participants often used advice giving, supervision, limiting their children’s exposures and punishment to achieve their parenting goals. Few parents advocated for the use of high control on adolescent children while most parents stated that coercive measures do not help to raise obedient children. The results of this study showed that most participants expressed authoritarian perspectives and approaches that impose high expectations on children while providing low parental support that help children achieve parental goals. Recommendations and implications for future research, teaching and practice called for the importance of developing and using contextual knowledge to help parents in Ethiopia raise healthy and successful children.

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human requirement. However, in many areas of the world natural water sources have been impacted by a variety of biological and chemical contaminants. The ingestion of these contaminants may cause acute or chronic health problems. To prevent such illnesses, many technologies have been developed to treat, disinfect and supply safe drinking water quality. However, despite these advancements, water supply distribution systems can adversely affect the drinking water quality before it is delivered to consumers. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the effect that water distribution systems may have on household drinking water quality in Christchurch, New Zealand and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Water samples were collected from the source water and household taps in both cities. The samples were then tested for various physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters. The data collected was also used to determine if water samples complied with national drinking water quality standards in both countries. Independent samples t-test statistical analyses were also performed to determine if water quality measured in the samples collected from the source and household taps was significantly different. Water quality did not vary considerably between the source and tap water samples collected in Christchurch City. No bacteria were detected in any sample. However, the pH and total iron concentrations measured in source and tap water samples were found to be significantly different. The lower pH values measured in tap water samples suggests that corrosion may be taking place in the distribution system. No water samples transgressed the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand (DWSNZ) MAVs. Monitoring data collected by the Christchurch City Council (CCC) was also used for comparison. A number of pH, turbidity and total iron concentration measurements collected by the CCC in 2011 were found to exceed the guideline values. This is likely due to structural damage to the source wells and pump-stations that occurred during the 2011 earthquake events. Overall, it was concluded that the distribution system does not adversely affect the quality of Christchurch City’s household drinking water. The water quality measured in samples collected from the source (LTP) and household taps in Addis Ababa was found to vary considerably. The water collected from the source complied with the Ethiopian (WHO) drinking water quality standards. However, tap water samples were often found to have degraded water quality for the physical and chemical parameters tested. This was especially the case after supply interruption and reinstatement events. Bacteria were also often detected in household tap water samples. The results from this study indicate that water supply disruptions may result in degraded water quality. This may be due to a drop in pipeline pressure and the intrusion of contaminants through the leaky and cross-connected pipes in the distribution network. This adversely affects the drinking water quality in Addis Ababa.

Over the past two decades a body of scholarship on the Global South has begun to present new ways to conceptualize African cities and their spatio-temporal specificity. Despite this, the city of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia is moving towards the reestablishment of its faded glory through means of aspatial modernization. The city’s aspirations for distinction and visibility can be seen as responses to the variable scales of contemporary urban systems. As ‘place’ is arguably no longer a singular concept, cities are rooted in relational networks rather than in ‘place’ alone. ‘Locality’ thus extends beyond the physical site to include linkages with a network of places around the world. Using an art-based research methodology, this research contributes to the discourse of urban development in the Global South generally, and Addis Ababa specifically. Findings are juxtaposed through documentation that includes theoretical essays, reportage, survey-informed graphics, interviews, and excerpts from a short film series and an existing plan for the Megenegna area. Potentials and challenges of place-based conceptions of urbanism are discussed, linking to the legacy of the 1960s mechanical and social paradigms. The insitutional role of UN-Habitat in the global collective supports is discussed for potential to supports existing resources and demographics for improved mobility and accessibility.

Text in English with questionnaire in Amharic / Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the tuberculosis directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy with respect to patient centeredness and satisfaction, and propose a model in support of the DOTS strategy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: The study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using a mixed-method approach. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 601 randomly selected TB patients who were on TB treatment followup in 30 health facilities.Three focus group discussions were conducted with 23 TB experts purposefully selected from 10 sub-city health offices and health bureau. Moreover, telephonic interviews were conducted with 25 defaulted TB patients who had been attending TB treatment in the health facilities. The quantitative data were described using mean, median, percentage and frequencies. Logistic regression and exploratory factor analysis were used to extract associated factors using SPSS version 21 software. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. Deductive and inductive reasoning was used to propose a descriptive model with substantiating literatures. Findings: Of the 601 TB patients included, 40% of them perceived they had not received a patient-centred TB care (PC-TB care) with DOTS strategy. Gender (AOR=0.45, 95%CI 0.3, 0.7), good communication (AOR=3.2, 95%CI 1.6, 6.1), treatment supporter (AOR=3.4, 95%CI 2.1, 5.5) were associated with the perceived PC-TB care. Thirty-seven percent of TB patients were following their TB treatment with feeling of dissatisfaction with DOTS strategy. Gender (AOR=2.2; 95%CI 1.3, 3.57), place of residence (AOR=3.4; 95%CI 1.6, 7.6), presence of symptoms (AOR=0.6, 95%CI 0.40, 0.94) and treatment-supporter (AOR=4.3, 95%CI 2.7, 6.8) were associated with satisfaction of TB patients. TB experts and defaulted TB patients pointed out that DOTS strategy is not providing comprehensive PC-TB care except the provision of facility choice where to follow during initiation of the treatment. DOTS delivery system inflexibility, loose integration, HCPs’ characteristic, communication skill and motivation and the community awareness were explored factor with patient centeredness of DOTS. DOTS delivery system, incompatible of diagnosis and patient beliefs were the identified categories to default. The proposed PC-TB care model core constructs are patient, community, health care providers, health care organisation and TB care delivery system. The core constructs are directed by policy and monitoring and evaluation components. Conclusion: DOTS strategy is limited to provide fully integrated PC-TB care and did not provide full satisfaction to TB patients. Therefore, a support that makes the TB care patient-centred are important and the proposed PC-TB care model needs to be tested, practiced and evaluated for its performance toward increments of patient centeredness of TB care. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Introduction: Suicide is a global public health and social problem affecting the most productive age group, and the elderly. In Addis Ababa, despite high suicide rates there is no proper registration and certification that is meant for public health purpose. This study is conducted to look into the incidence and explore societal views towards suicide in Addis Ababa. Methods: Secondary data was collected from registers of Forensic Pathology Department at Menilik II Hospital and Homicide Crimes Investigation Unit at Addis Ababa Police Commission. Qualitative data was also collected from experts having experience in helping suicide victims.   Results: Between January 01 and December 31st 2015, 267 residents of Addis Ababa, majority of who are males, died due to suicide. Hanging being the most frequently used means, social isolation, mental illness, family conflict, economic problems and lack of religious commitment are perceived causes of suicide. Unavailability helping institutions and individual preference as to the method of suicide and individual nature of suicide are conditions that get the attention. While respect for social and religious values is considered as protective factors, the act of suicide is religiously criminal act. The victims of suicide include family and community members.   Conclusion: There is a need to consider policy and programmatic actions directed towards suicide prevention and control. In addition to conducting community wide research in suicide, it is important to preserve social and cultural values; institutionalize traditional family conflict resolution practices and strengthen mental health institutions. / <p>Enbart abstract.</p>

This study assessed healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards IPT provision for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used for the study and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 104 clinicians working in ART clinics. The findings show that healthcare providers who participated in this study had a mean value of high knowledge, positive attitude and good practice towards IPT provision for PLHIV. Significant association was found between knowledge and attitude (P=0.000) but no significant associations were found between knowledge and practice, attitude and practice as well as between the type of facility (public/private) and level of practice. This implied that, the low level of IPT implementation in Addis Ababa doesn’t seem due to health care providers’ lack of knowledge and resistance to provide IPT for people living with HIV. As a result, the researcher recommends for further researches of other possible factors like; the reliability of IPT information/data management, drug supply and the leadership and governance of the health system that IPT program is a direct concern. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health (with specialisation in Medical Informatics))

Poor people benefit from microfinance and positively improve their poverty and socio-economic conditions. Microfinance support serves as development tool to redress the exclusion of the poor from the development process and outcomes in the mainstream intervention frameworks. As developing countries and poverty context are diverse and contextual, comprehensive knowledge about and empirical evidence on the impact of microfinance is scant. Specifically, the impact of microfinance services on the development of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) owned by women is scant. The findings of available studies and policy practice reports on microfinance in Ethiopia are not holistic in terms of a theoretical lens and methodological pluralism. Available studies do not consider the impact of microfinance and non-financial services on women-owned MSEs at household, individual and enterprise levels thereby reducing the poverty context and holistic empowerment at these levels. This study used multiple theoretical and conceptual frameworks: Hulme’s (2000, p. 79 - 81) microfinance impact assessment tool, debates on survivalist and growth-orientation perspectives of MSEs (Harvie, 2003, p. 27; Snodgrass & Biggs, 1996, p. 43; Hallberg, 2001, p. 19; Nichter & Goldmark, 2005, p. 67), women empowerment continuum model of interpretation (Filmon, 2009, p. 87) and policy practice at the epicenter of governance and policy decision-making (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital). The assessment considered three elements of microfinance impact assessment, generating primary evidence from 120 micro and small business owners (women entrepreneurs) whose firms stayed two years and above in the market and as clients of selected microfinance institutions. The clients considered were those who accessed at least two loan cycles and above. The respondents were randomly selected from three randomly selected microfinance institutions and a survey questionnaire was administered. The data sets were analysed using multiple tests (non-parametric statistical tests such as Pearson Correlation, Paired-Sample, Chi-Square, Wilcoxon Rank and McNemar tests) as well as parametric tests were conducted using logit econometric model. These tests were conducted to determine statistical difference of microfinance services after program intervention and the contribution of total loans taken on expenditure and businesses investment. The results indicated both developmental or survivalist firms. The result also indicated the empowerment of the women (MSEs owners). A significant number of women entrepreneurs owning MSEs improved their living house, cash savings, household income, child education, household health, household food and diet, business investment, and decision making status in their households. In terms of policy support, the study identified that there were specific affirmative interventions (as stipulated in the policy documents) to support women entrepreneurs owning MSEs in terms of targeted financial service, provision of working and selling premises, designing and implementing training and skill development programs, market networking and tax support on their products and sales. The study recommends that different institutions that work on women empowerment and women associations have to design women focused affirmative policy and strategy interventions to scale-up the positive results (growth-orientation of the MSEs) and address the bottlenecks that limit women entrepreneurs who own MSEs from accessing services that can transform the survivalist MSEs to profitable and empowering businesses for women. The recommendations are proposed to link women empowerment with working policy support. / Development Studies / D. Ph. (Development Studies)

The adoption of eHealth is very slow despite evidences showing its benefits. This research examines the individual, clinical, technical and organizational challenges for eHealth adoption from healthcare provider‟s perspectives. A cross-sectional study design with a quantitative paradigm was used. The study was conducted on 312 doctors and nurses randomly selected from ten hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most respondents viewed eHealth positively with no significant differences in terms of profession or gender. Computer skill, workload, patient interaction, management support, cost and infrastructure were the main concerns. Privacy and security were not the main concerns. Knowledge of eHealth applications and utilization was low, even for evidence-based medicine and online databases. Specialists and males were better aware of eHealth applications. The study showed that eHealth acceptance was good. Increasing eHealth literacy was recommended as a cost effective means for improving access to updated information to improve the quality of healthcare. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health (Medical Informatics))

Magister Artium - MA / As the title indicates, this research is concerned about the displacement and resettlement situation in Arada sub-city, Addis Ababa. The City Administration is implementing an urban redevelopment program to improve the poor infrastructural facilities, service provision,sewerage, sanitation, housing quality and supply. The implementation of these projects displaces households from their residential area exposing them to various impoverishment risks. The Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction Model (Cernea, 2000), which is a tool used for managing risk identification, prevention and mitigation, stipulates displaced people could encounter one or more of the eight potential risks of landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, social disarticulation, marginalization, increased morbidity and mortality, food insecurity and loss of access to common property resources. Thus many development practitioners advocate the importance of democratization of the displacement and resettlement processes to reduce potential risks.The purpose of the research is to investigate how the displacement and resettlement process has been undertaken and to describe the impoverishment risks displaced households faced.This will contribute to the improvement of the program and other similar programs in the future as it is implemented with short, medium and long term plans. Thus it will indicate more constructive ways of implementing the displacement process that reduces risks by informing concerned agencies of more sustainable ways to configure and implement their work.Academically, the research will test the feasibility of the risk variables described by the IRR model to an inner area of urban context.Therefore, the research will answer the following questions: What impoverishment risks do the households face due to displacement and resettlement to the temporary and condominium houses? What coping mechanisms do households employ to adapt to the new circumstances? Was there access to information? Was the displacement and resettlement process participatory? The research noted that the displaced residents are exposed to impoverishment risks of homelessness, marginalization, lack of services, health hazard and economic impacts.The construction of the Condo house is of a much better standard than the temporary shelters.As a result the transfer of households to the Condo house has relieved them from the risks they had faced at the temporary shelter. However, the design of the Condo building, omission of basic facilities like a customary kitchen and the adopted communal neighborhood regulations imposes new type of risks such as the discontinuation of informal business and unsuitability to daily and cultural practices. The discontinuation of informal business both at the temporary shelter and later at the Condo house severely affected household income generation potential of poor households. These households are afraid that they may end up homeless as they are unable to pay the much more expensive house rental fee.The research concludes the impoverishment risks that displaced households faced could be mitigated by making the displacement and resettlement process participatory, transparent and by coordinating the activities of the implementing agencies. Moreover, this can be achieved by curbing the “demolish and relocate” approach used in the displacement and resettlement process to “relocate and demolish”. This will help to avoid housing the displaced in temporary shelters and associated governance shortcomings from the process which occurred due to the “demolish and relocate” approach.

No description available.