College of Natural and Computational Sciences
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The College of Natural and Computational Sciences advances education, research, and innovation
in natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, and computational disciplines.
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Item ISOLATION, MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SALMONELLA FROM COW MILK AND BEEF IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA(HAWASSA UNIVERSTY, 2023-10) TARIKU GEINORO ALLEYOSalmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne diseases and frequently reported for exacerbating increase of multi-drug resistance worldwide. Unhygienic practices throughout food chain and cultural habits of raw animal products contributed for the expansion of the infection and increment in antimicrobial resistance especially in developing world like Ethiopia. A cross- sectional type of study was conducted from December, 2022 to June, 2023. The study was aimed with isolation, molecular detection and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella from cow milk and beef in Hawassa, Yirgalem and Wondo Genet districts of Sidama Regional State. A total of 216 samples of which 152 milk and 64 beef samples were collected with purposive and simple random sampling methods for isolation and biochemical identification of Salmonella. Positive isolates obtained from bacteriological and biochemical tests were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, the isolate’s antimicrobial susceptibility profile was tested by using disk diffusion method for twelve selected antimicrobials. SPSS windows version 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. Fisher’s exact test was the measure of association of isolates with different attributes. Bacteriological and biochemical detection tests revealed that 6.5% (N=14/216) Salmonella was isolated from the total sample. However, in molecular detection, only 9 of the 14 isolates were confirmed to be Salmonella using PCR test, which was 4.17% of the total. The proportion was 5.38%, 3.23%, and 2.38% in Hawassa, Yirgalem and Wondo Genet districts, respectively. There was no significant variation in prevalence among the districts and between sample types milk (3.9%) and beef (4.7%) (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant (p > 0.05) variation was observed in the Salmonella isolation rate among retailers (4.84%), households (5.56%) and farms (1.85%) as well as between yoghurt (6.45%) and raw (3.31%) milk. The result of the antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that Salmonella isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, clindamycin and cephalothin while they were above 50% sensitive to ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol and gentamycin. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was demonstrated in all isolates. Overall, this study showed that Salmonella was prevalent in cow milk and beef produced and consumed; and developed MDR which may pose public health concern in the study area. Thus, subsequent regular investigations on serotypes, AMR genes and risk factors as well as rational use of antimicrobials is necessary.Item SEASONAL PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TRYPANOSOMOSIS AND TSETSE FLY DENSITY IN ZALA DISTRICT, GOFA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2023-10) TONE TOKA TOKOSSABovine trypanosomosis is a parasitic disease causing serious economic losses in livestock productivity and agricultural development. However, the seasonal information of bovine trypanosomosis and tsetse fly density is very limited in many parts of the country including the southern rift valley of the country, particularly in Gofa Zone. Therefore, the objectives of this cross-sectional study were to estimate seasonal prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and to assess tsetse fly apparent density in Zala district. For the parasitological study, a total of 560 animals (280 in each season) were examined for trypanosomosis by using buffy coat technique. For the entomological survey, 80 NGU traps odour-baited with acetone were deployed in watering and grazing points in which the animals and vector are believed to have frequent contact. An overall prevalence of trypanosomosis was 6.96%, of which 4.28% and 9.64% accounted for the dry and wet season, respectively. The prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was significantly higher during the wet season (OR = 2.38; p < 0.05), in black and black spotted coat colour (OR = 4.61, p < 0.05) and poor body conditioned (OR = 4.55; p < 0.05) animals. Two species of trypanosomes, Trypanosome congolense, 87.18% and Trypanosome vivax, 12.82% were circulating in the area both in dry and wet season. The mean PCV value in infected animals (20.89 ± 4.04) was significantly lower than in non-infected animals (22.9 ± 6.32 %). The entomological study revealed the presence of only one Glossina species, known as G. pallidipes and two species of other biting flies, Stomoxys and Tabanus were distributed in the study area. From all traps deployed in both wet and dry season of the study district, a total of 564 tsetse and other biting flies were caught of which, 56.9% belongs to G. pallidipes and 43.1% were other biting flies. Overall apparent densities of G. pallidipes and biting flies in the study area were 1.38 and 1 flies/trap/day, respectively. Relatively, higher Glossina/trap/day caught in the wet season, (1.78 flies/trap/day) than in the dry season (1 flies/trap/day). Therefore, bovine trypanosomosis is one of the major impediments to livestock development and a potential threat to health and productivity of cattle in Zala district. Hence, the tsetse and trypanosomosis control scheme in tsetse infested areas of the district should be strengthened in coordinated manner to minimize the burden of the disease.Item ASESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY, STATUS OF SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES: THE CASE OF BISHAAN GURRACHA TOWN, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.(Hawssa University, 2024-06) MATIYAS AZAGE BETANEAccess to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is essential for safeguarding public health. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water supply and evaluate sanitation and hygiene practices in Bishaan Gurracha town, located in the West Arsi zone of the Oromia region, Ethiopia. The methodology involved selecting water sources and households for sample collection, employing data collection instruments including household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations. Laboratory analyses were conducted to measure various physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, TDS, EC, alkalinity, nitrates, chlorides, free chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteriological indicators including total coliforms and fecal coliform. Sanitation coverage and hygiene practices were assessed using appropriate questionnaires to ensure data suitability for statistical analyses. The results indicated that most physicochemical water quality parameters met the standard values recommended by WHO/ESA, except for temperature and turbidity. Temperature ranged from 24.33°C to 26.17°C, and turbidity ranged from 5.62 NTU to 6.73 NTU. Total coliforms were present in all water samples from source water and household storage containers, with a significant number of samples also testing positive for fecal coliforms. The mean total coliform counts varied between 18 CFU/100ml to 101 CFU/100ml for source water and 16 CFU/100ml to 81 CFU/100ml for household storage water. These findings suggest potential deterioration in the untreated drinking water distribution system within Bishaan Guracha town, as the total coliform and fecal coliform counts exceeded the recommended standards set by national and WHO guidelines. Inadequate sanitation facilities in many homes pose significant health risks to the community in Bishaan Guracha town. The absence of proper toilets and improved sanitation systems increases the likelihood of fecal contamination, leading to the transmission of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. Immediate interventions are therefore necessary, including decontamination of water sources, repair of distribution lines, expansion of sanitation infrastructure, and increased awareness of hygiene practices. It is recommended to regularly monitor water quality and encourage community participation in sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services.Item DETERMINATION OF SELECTED ESSENTIAL AND NON- ESSENTIAL METALS IN TEFF GRAIN SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM YILMANA DENSA WOREDA, WEST GOJAM ZONE, ETHIOPIA(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2024-11) ZELALEM TALACHEWTeff [Eragrostis teff (Zuccagni) Trotter] is one of the major and indigenous cereal crops in Ethiopia. Teff is a staple food in Ethiopia, consisting of two-thirds of their cereal diet and is mainly used to make human food. Although Teff is farmed for its grain, the straw is also used to build homes in both rural and urban areas, to reinforce mud or plaster, and as feed for cattl. The levels of selected essential and non-essential metals in the white, red, and mixed teff grains collected from Yilmana Densa Woreda, West Gojam Zone (Ethiopia) were determined by AAS equipped with deuterium background corrector and air-acetylene flame atomizer. After a suitable sample pretreatment, the powdered teff was wet digested with the acid mixture (8 mL HNO3:2 mL H2O2) at 180 oC for 3:00 h over wet digestion block. The accuracy of the optimized procedure was evaluated by analyzing the digest of the spiked samples with a standard solution of metals, and the percentage recoveries varied from 99 % to 113%. The mean concentrations of metals determined (mg/kg, dry weight) were in the ranges of Fe (632-761) > Mn (191-516) > Zn (87-168) > Cu (75-112) > Ni (4.15-10.81) > Co (5.36-7.15) > Cr (3.93-5.15) > Pb (1.14-2.26). A statistical analysis of variance indicated that there is significant difference between the mean concentrations of all metals (Co, Cr, Pb Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) with (P < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval) between the different types of teff samples. . The concentrations of the metals showed that the red teff samples collected from fetlo kuskaum have higher amounts of Fe and Cu, compared to that of the white and mixed teff samples. The mixed teff samples collected from Kililt has higher amounts of Fe, Mn and Zn, compared to that of the red and white teff samples.The amount of essential metals is high in red teff samples at Fetillo Kuskuam and in mixed teff at Kililt. The presence of significant differences may be due to the presence of different geographical distribution, rainfall, soil composition, harvesting, and storing methods.Item MACHINE LEARNING-BASED MODELING AND PREDICTION OF FOOD PRICE INFLATION IN ETHIOPIA(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2025-06) WORKU SUYOUMEFood inflation is an essential element of total economic inflation, indicating the pace at which food prices rise over a defined timeframe. This issue has garnered significant attention in its wider economic consequences and international comparison, specifically in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s food price inflation, marked by volatility from interconnected climate, geopolitical and global market risks, has historically been forecasted using traditional models. While accurate predictions are critical for stabilizing the economy; these methods struggle to capture non-linear dynamics and external shocks. This study advances the field by leveraging a Random Forest model to enhance forecasting accuracy, thereby supporting policies to mitigate food price risks and promote economic stability. Thus, this study aims to model and forecast food price inflation in Ethiopia using a Machine learning method. The data were transformed, standardized and split into training and testing sets to enhance the forecast accuracy of both the machine learning and time series models. The selected models were evaluated based on performance evaluation criteria, including root mean square error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute present error tests. Auto-Regressive Random Forest model outperforming benchmark models with a 55% reduction in root mean square error (7.78 vs. 17.30) and 83.7% explanatory power (R²). Results reveal self-reinforcing inflationary cycles, with forecasts (2025–2029) indicating sustained volatility (20–30% range) due to primarily linked to monetary factor, international commodity markets and lagged value of food price inflation. The period from 2000 to 2007Q2 exhibited mild and gradual increases, followed by a sudden structural break in 2008Q4, marked by heightened volatility. A sustained upward trajectory emerged from 2015Q1 onward, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures. By combining autoregressive lags with Random Forest’s non-linear modeling, this study offers a scalable framework for food inflation forecasting in developing economies, providing actionable insights for policymakers to mitigate food insecurity and macroeconomic instability. The study highlights the dominance of inflation expectations and advocates for policy measures to stabilize agricultural inputs, and strengthen monetary frameworks.Item ASESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY, STATUS OF SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES: THE CASE OF BISHAAN GURRACHA TOWN, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.(Hawassa University, 2024-05) MATIYAS AZAGE BETANEAccess to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is essential for safeguarding public health. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water supply and evaluate sanitation and hygiene practices in Bishaan Gurracha town, located in the West Arsi zone of the Oromia region, Ethiopia. The methodology involved selecting water sources and households for sample collection, employing data collection instruments including household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations. Laboratory analyses were conducted to measure various physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, TDS, EC, alkalinity, nitrates, chlorides, free chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteriological indicators including total coliforms and fecal coliform. Sanitation coverage and hygiene practices were assessed using appropriate questionnaires to ensure data suitability for statistical analyses. The results indicated that most physicochemical water quality parameters met the standard values recommended by WHO/ESA, except for temperature and turbidity. Temperature ranged from 24.33°C to 26.17°C, and turbidity ranged from 5.62 NTU to 6.73 NTU. Total coliforms were present in all water samples from source water and household storage containers, with a significant number of samples also testing positive for fecal coliforms. The mean total coliform counts varied between 18 CFU/100ml to 101 CFU/100ml for source water and 16 CFU/100ml to 81 CFU/100ml for household storage water. These findings suggest potential deterioration in the untreated drinking water distribution system within Bishaan Guracha town, as the total coliform and fecal coliform counts exceeded the recommended standards set by national and WHO guidelines. Inadequate sanitation facilities in many homes pose significant health risks to the community in Bishaan Guracha town. The absence of proper toilets and improved sanitation systems increases the likelihood of fecal contamination, leading to the transmission of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. Immediate interventions are therefore necessary, including decontamination of water sources, repair of distribution lines, expansion of sanitation infrastructure, and increased awareness of hygiene practices. It is recommended to regularly monitor water quality and encourage community participation in sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services.