This study aimed to assess the magnitude, trends and determinants of intrapartum stillbirths in the public health facilities in Addis Ababa. A case-control study design was used along with quantitative data collection methods. Obstetric care data on key variables were collected from medical records of 728 cases and 1551 controls in the public health facilities during July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2015. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 to determine associations and risk factors against intrapartum stillbirth. HMIS data from different sources were further analysed for the same period to determine trends of stillbirth in the public health facilities of Addis Ababa. Findings from this study showed a staggering high prevalence of stillbirth at an average rate of 28 per 1000 births during the period 2010-2015. This figure was comparable with the population level prevalence of prenatal death in Addis Ababa which was 30 per 1000 birth (Central Statistical Agency 2011:115). No statistically significant associations were revealed against the effects of maternal medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiac and renal diseases and key socio-demographic variables including age, parity and marital status, and intrapartum stillbirth. On the contrary, HIV and syphilis infections, foetal presentations, multiple pregnancy and the frequency of ANC visits during the index pregnancy had statistically significant associations with intrapartum stillbirth. Furthermore, low FHR, non-vertex foetal presentations and ruptured cervical membrane on admission to labour were among risk factors for intrapartum stillbirth. Similarly, women in the stillbirth group received substandard care regarding the timely assessment of foetal decent, cervical dilatation, labour induction, and episiotomy care compared to women in the livebirth group. Obstetrical complications including obstructed labour, eclampsia and preeclampsia were more common among women in the intrapartum stillbirth group indicating that the above variables were key determinant of intrapartum stillbirth. These findings suggest that poor quality of obstetric care during labour and childbirth were the underlying risk factors for intrapartum stillbirth. In conclusion, strategies to overhaul the obstetric care practices in the public health facilities through skills building, accurate use of labour monitoring tools, close supervisions, accurate classification of stillbirth, proper documentation, and ongoing research efforts. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) adherence is a crucial component of the patient management framework for people living with Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). Trait emotional intelligence is “the constellation of behavioural-dispositions and self-perceived abilities to recognise, process, and utilise emotion-laden information”. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was a correlation between ART adherence behaviour and behavioural-dispositions related to trait emotional intelligence among HIV/AIDS infected people receiving ART at the regional public hospitals in Addis Ababa. The study used observational, analytical, and cross-sectional research design. The participants were selected through a proportionally stratified systematic random sampling method. Data collection was through a structured self-report questionnaire format. The findings showed that 79.1% had optimal ART adherence behaviour; 84.4% had average trait emotional intelligence. The research finding showed a statistically significant positive correlation between ART adherence behaviour and behavioural-dispositions related to trait emotional intelligence at (r =0.417, n=392, P<0.001). / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the EcoHealth markers and health promotion interventions in the behaviour and practices of vegetables growers in Addis Ababa. The objectives were to assess the urban and peri-urban community members’ knowledge and practices on the existing environmental health policies/regulations/guidelines, assess the perspectives of women and youth on urban and peri-urban EcoHealth promotions and protections and evaluate the development and implementation of the health promotion activities on waste water use by applying an ecological model aimed at changing behaviour and by providing Bio-sand filter to promote hand wash practice which helps to reduce potential health risks among urban vegetable growers. Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive researches were conducted to identify the urban and peri urban community members’ knowledge and practices of the existing environmental health regulators and the perspectives of women and the youth on EcoHealth. Additional quasi experimental method; multiple baseline survey along with the EcoHealth Stress Process promotion method was employed to identify stressors, measure changes in environmental health promotion intervention and use of hand wash (biosand filter for hand wash). Six woredas from two subcities of the Addis Ababa City Administration were purposely selected, and a total of 845 (98.9% response rate) households participated in the quantitative study, while 142 community members (public sector offices, factories and establishments’ management and employee), participated in the qualitative survey. For quasi experimental method, six settings/blocks (of which 3 sites were provided with a bio-sand filter for hand washing) cultivated by 6 to 8 vegetable growers and their family members, were included in the intervention (multiple baseline survey). The findings revealed that about 77 percent of participants reported, knowledge of one or more of the selected environmental health and EcoHealth regulations. Ownership of assets and education tend to influence the public awareness of selected EcoHealth and environmental health regulations. Women and youth found to be significant contributors to better urban and peri-urban EcoHealth conditions and were the ones primarily affected by environmental hazards. The intervention study results also indicated evidence-based IEC interventions and ecological health promotion methods proved useful in promoting EcoHealth in an urban environment. Moreover, the biosand filter used to provide evidence of health promotion was found to be valuable for wastewater treatment and significantly reduced chemical, physical and biological contaminates from the wastewater. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This study aimed at assessing factors related to male participation in PMTCT in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used to assess correlation between male participation and socio-demographics, knowledge and awareness in HIV/PMTCT, socio-cultural belief, programmatic factors and reported risk. Male partners (n=216) were interviewed and reviews of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) acceptance formats were made. The major findings were 54.5% (n=156) males reported receiving HCT during their visit to partner’s antenatal care. Some 71.5 % (n=677) of women were accompanied to labour wards by male partners; 86.5% (n=208) of males accepted intra-partum HCT; 55.1% (n=216) scored above the mean score (10) on a 15-point scale for male participation. Male participation in PMTCT was found to have a statistically significant but weak correlation with educational level (r=0.193), income (r=0.167), PMTCT knowledge and awareness (r=0.172), socio-cultural belief (r=-0.164) and reported risk (r=-0.23). / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Manufacturing performance measures the extent to which the manufacturing plant has built capabilities like low cost, high quality, delivery, and flexibility. The importance of identifying drivers of these capabilities has been underscored by many scholars although limited evidence exists so far regarding this issue. The available evidence is also primarily based on data obtained from manufacturing firms operating in developed and emerging economies and not from firms in developing economies. This study, therefore, bridges this gap by exploring key internal and external drivers of manufacturing performance taking evidence from the manufacturing sector of a developing economy - Ethiopia. A quant-emphasis mixed method approach was used along with cross-sectional survey design to gather data and answer the research questions in the study. The unit of analysis is the manufacturing plant, and hence primary data was collected using multidimensional questionnaires at plant level from 197 medium and large scale firms from Addis Ababa and its periphery. Secondary data was obtained from census reports, the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), and report on the performance of the Ethiopian economy, which were analyzed qualitatively and the implications to manufacturing performance drawn in the study. A series of scale checks and analyses were made to test unidimensionality, reliability, and validity of measures and then structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze hypothesized relationships. The main finding is that environmental dynamism significantly influences competitive priorities and firm’s strategic orientation, which in turn significantly influence manufacturing decisions. Structural and infrastructural manufacturing decisions eventually significantly influence manufacturing performance when firms place increased emphasis on quality or delivery. The competitive priorities also significantly influence external learning capability of the manufacturing plant, although the influence of strategic orientation on this variable was not significant even at the 0.1 level except in the delivery priority model. Both the competitive priorities and strategic orientation, however, play little role in guiding leadership practices of manufacturing managers. The study further indicates that government support directly influences manufacturing performance, though it does not significantly influence external learning capability. Based on the findings, it is suggested that manufacturing firms should give due attention to what is going on in their external environment and accordingly align their competitive priorities, strategic orientation, and investments in structural and infrastructural resources to enhance plant performance. They should exhaustively utilize the supports provided by government as well. / Business Management / DBL

Given the lack of effective vaccine or medicine, changing an individual's risk behaviours has been crucial in preventing the spread of HIV. Consistent and correct condom use has been considered as the most effective form of HIV prevention among female sex workers. Despite coordinated national level interventions over the last decade, a consistent decline in condom use among female sex workers has been evidenced in the Ethiopian context, particularly with non-paying partners. Thus far, no study has been produced that has illustrated major determinants of consistent condom use among female sex workers which would help in developing effective intervention strategies for the prevention of HIV spread in the country. In other countries, the Information, Motivation and Behaviour (IMB) model has been used to identify individual level determents of condom use. However, the researcher postulated that behaviour emanating from the personality structure of individuals could be the fundamental individual level determents of adherence to condom use and chose to investigate this using the Enneagram theory of personality, which was acknowledged for its heuristic value in explaining and enhancing self-development of at-risk individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa. With the Without Finite Population Correction of the Sample Size Estimation Formula, the sample size of 350 was set and participants were recruited using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). Using trained female sex workers, the Essential Enneagram Test (EET) and an Information-Motivation-Behaviour (IMB) questionnaire were administered to collect data. General Linear Modeling (GLM) Multivariate analysis was carried out to assess the correlation between personality style and consistent condom use among participants in the last seven days before the interview. The finding of this study revealed that personality type, measured by the Essential Enneagram Test (EET), is able to predict adherence to condom use among female sex workers and provided a new dimension for policy makers and practitioners in behavioural intervention programmes, such as Information-Education-Communication, peer-to-peer approaches, as well as health and rehabilitation services by using the Enneagram principles and universal growth process. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Given the lack of effective vaccine or medicine, changing an individual's risk behaviours has been crucial in preventing the spread of HIV. Consistent and correct condom use has been considered as the most effective form of HIV prevention among female sex workers. Despite coordinated national level interventions over the last decade, a consistent decline in condom use among female sex workers has been evidenced in the Ethiopian context, particularly with non-paying partners. Thus far, no study has been produced that has illustrated major determinants of consistent condom use among female sex workers which would help in developing effective intervention strategies for the prevention of HIV spread in the country. In other countries, the Information, Motivation and Behaviour (IMB) model has been used to identify individual level determents of condom use. However, the researcher postulated that behaviour emanating from the personality structure of individuals could be the fundamental individual level determents of adherence to condom use and chose to investigate this using the Enneagram theory of personality, which was acknowledged for its heuristic value in explaining and enhancing self-development of at-risk individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa. With the Without Finite Population Correction of the Sample Size Estimation Formula, the sample size of 350 was set and participants were recruited using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). Using trained female sex workers, the Essential Enneagram Test (EET) and an Information-Motivation-Behaviour (IMB) questionnaire were administered to collect data. General Linear Modeling (GLM) Multivariate analysis was carried out to assess the correlation between personality style and consistent condom use among participants in the last seven days before the interview. The finding of this study revealed that personality type, measured by the Essential Enneagram Test (EET), is able to predict adherence to condom use among female sex workers and provided a new dimension for policy makers and practitioners in behavioural intervention programmes, such as Information-Education-Communication, peer-to-peer approaches, as well as health and rehabilitation services by using the Enneagram principles and universal growth process. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

E-waste is a world-wide, interregional, and domestic problem. E-waste management is a challenging task not only due to its speedily increasing volume but more outstandingly because of its hazardous nature. This study examined the e-waste management and disposal methods in the city of Addis Ababa to propose appropriate e-waste management model. Further, it attempted to comprehend the existing policy gap by identifying the different obstructions to the adoption of e-waste management policy. To this end, the study employs both descriptive and explanatory research designs. It selected 100 household heads from Bole and NSL sub-cities, 72 GSD personnel from the educational institutions and governmental sector offices, and 6 higher government officials. The quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS 21. Thus, the frequencies, the chi-square tests, t-tests, a one-way ANOVA, the partial and product-moment correlations, the ordinal, multiple and Poisson regression models were computed. The qualitative data were analysed using ATLAS ti 7. The findings of the study revealed that most of the respondents were not aware of e-waste and its management. The households generated about 4,010 number of non-functional, 2,077 obsolete, and 1,856 broken e-waste. Besides, the educational institutions and governmental sector offices generated about 11,153 non-functional, 15,911 obsolete, and 11,360 broken e-waste. The monthly income was statistically significant in the e-waste management whereas family sizes, gender, and educational qualifications were insignificant. The major e-waste causes encompass rapid obsolescence rate, breakage, and the demands for extra and innovative models or designs of electronic gadgets. The most common e-waste disposal method was storing. The recycling, reusing, donation, and refurbishing of e-waste had hardly been practiced. The study found the absence of good disposal methods and recyclers as the root causes for the prolonged storage and improper disposal of e-waste. E-waste laws, legislation, projects, activities, and recycling centres were non-existent. What is more, the administrative, economic, and socio-cultural challenges triggered the poor e-waste management of the city. Based on the findings, the study proposed a workable e-waste management model, which would most likely result in efficient and sustainable e-waste management in the city. Further, it calls for the stakeholders to work jointly to ensure proper e-waste management. / Geography / D. Lit. et Phil. (Geography)

This study aimed at assessing factors related to male participation in PMTCT in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used to assess correlation between male participation and socio-demographics, knowledge and awareness in HIV/PMTCT, socio-cultural belief, programmatic factors and reported risk. Male partners (n=216) were interviewed and reviews of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) acceptance formats were made. The major findings were 54.5% (n=156) males reported receiving HCT during their visit to partner’s antenatal care. Some 71.5 % (n=677) of women were accompanied to labour wards by male partners; 86.5% (n=208) of males accepted intra-partum HCT; 55.1% (n=216) scored above the mean score (10) on a 15-point scale for male participation. Male participation in PMTCT was found to have a statistically significant but weak correlation with educational level (r=0.193), income (r=0.167), PMTCT knowledge and awareness (r=0.172), socio-cultural belief (r=-0.164) and reported risk (r=-0.23). / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Manufacturing performance measures the extent to which the manufacturing plant has built capabilities like low cost, high quality, delivery, and flexibility. The importance of identifying drivers of these capabilities has been underscored by many scholars although limited evidence exists so far regarding this issue. The available evidence is also primarily based on data obtained from manufacturing firms operating in developed and emerging economies and not from firms in developing economies. This study, therefore, bridges this gap by exploring key internal and external drivers of manufacturing performance taking evidence from the manufacturing sector of a developing economy - Ethiopia. A quant-emphasis mixed method approach was used along with cross-sectional survey design to gather data and answer the research questions in the study. The unit of analysis is the manufacturing plant, and hence primary data was collected using multidimensional questionnaires at plant level from 197 medium and large scale firms from Addis Ababa and its periphery. Secondary data was obtained from census reports, the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), and report on the performance of the Ethiopian economy, which were analyzed qualitatively and the implications to manufacturing performance drawn in the study. A series of scale checks and analyses were made to test unidimensionality, reliability, and validity of measures and then structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze hypothesized relationships. The main finding is that environmental dynamism significantly influences competitive priorities and firm’s strategic orientation, which in turn significantly influence manufacturing decisions. Structural and infrastructural manufacturing decisions eventually significantly influence manufacturing performance when firms place increased emphasis on quality or delivery. The competitive priorities also significantly influence external learning capability of the manufacturing plant, although the influence of strategic orientation on this variable was not significant even at the 0.1 level except in the delivery priority model. Both the competitive priorities and strategic orientation, however, play little role in guiding leadership practices of manufacturing managers. The study further indicates that government support directly influences manufacturing performance, though it does not significantly influence external learning capability. Based on the findings, it is suggested that manufacturing firms should give due attention to what is going on in their external environment and accordingly align their competitive priorities, strategic orientation, and investments in structural and infrastructural resources to enhance plant performance. They should exhaustively utilize the supports provided by government as well. / Business Management / D.B.L.