Assessment of contamination risk across different environmental media in rural Ethiopia.

pathotypes, particularly enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic strains, are among the leading causes of moderate-to-severe diarrhea in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These pathogens are commonly transmitted through environmental media such as contaminated water, soil, and hands, often due to poor sanitation and hygiene. In this first phase of an ongoing longitudinal study, we conducted a cross-sectional assessment of contamination across multiple environmental compartments in 41 rural households in Daro Lebu Woreda, West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia.

Mitigation of Fungal Contamination in Vegetables: Key Factors From a Study in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Fungal contamination in vegetables is a significant public health concern due to its potential to cause foodborne illnesses and affect food safety. This study assessed fungal contamination levels in commonly consumed vegetables in Debre Tabor City, Ethiopia, focusing on measuring mold and yeast loads and identifying factors influencing these contamination levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the collection of vegetable samples from various markets in Debre Tabor City.

Factors affecting microbial safety behavior of beef handlers working in major beef retailers in Mizan-Aman, Southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Beef is a key component of human diet but also a favorable medium for microbial growth. However, research has largely overlooked major beef retailers and the specific roles of handlers, missing critical points for intervention. This study aims to address these gaps to support targeted microbial safety measures based on handlers' specific roles in beef processing.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Beekeepers on Pesticide Risk Mitigation and Bee Mortality in Southwest Ethiopia.

Background: Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are vital for pollination, plant survival, and crop production. Poor disclosure of farmers' perceptions of bee health and mortality limits interventions for risk reduction. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of beekeepers on pesticide risk mitigation and bee mortality in Southwest Ethiopia.

Pesticide exposure and acute health problems among pesticide processing industry workers in Ethiopia.

Occupational exposure to pesticides` manufacturing, formulating and applications can have a potential to harm humans` health in acutely or chronically. This study aims to assess pesticide exposure and acute pesticide intoxication among pesticide processing industry workers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 male pesticide processing industry workers` through face-to-face interviews.

Effective Innovative Technologies and One Health Strategies in Mitigating Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanut Oil: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aflatoxin contamination in peanut oil poses significant health, agricultural, and environmental risks. This study assesses the effectiveness of advanced technologies and One Health strategies in mitigating these risks. Through systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluate the effectiveness of integrated approaches.

Investigating Microbial Contamination of Indoor Air, Environmental Surfaces, and Medical Equipment in a Southwestern Ethiopia Hospital.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections, primarily caused by microorganisms, are widespread in healthcare facilities. These infections pose a significant challenge, especially in low and middle-income countries, and have a detrimental impact on patient outcomes. It is crucial to assess the level of microbial load and associated factors to prevent the spread of these infections.

Implications of COVID-19 prevention on the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in the Semen Bench district, Bench Sheko zone, southwestern Ethiopia.

Background: Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread to several countries. Although interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for COVID-19 are likely a pre-existing response to childhood diarrhea, evidence of the effects of COVID-19 preventative strategies on childhood diarrhea has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the implications of COVID-19 prevention for the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in rural communities of Ethiopia.

Assessing Acute and Chronic Risks of Human Exposure to Arsenic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia Employing Body Biomarkers.

Background: Arsenic, a widely recognized and highly toxic carcinogen, is regarded as one of the most hazardous metalloids globally. However, the precise assessment of acute and chronic human exposure to arsenic and its contributing factors remains unclear in Ethiopia.

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to assess the levels of acute and chronic arsenic exposure, as well as the contributing factors, using urine and nail biomarkers.

Analyzing Factors Affecting Farmers' Safe Pesticide Handling Practices in Southwest of Ethiopia: Implications for Policy.

Background: Pesticides play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity by controlling pests. However, inadequate pesticide handling practices have a considerable adverse impact on human health. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the extent of safe pesticide handling practices, particularly in low-income settings like Ethiopia.

Examining carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks related to arsenic exposure in Ethiopia: A longitudinal study.

Background: The carcinogenic properties of arsenic make it one of the most hazardous chemicals globally. Nevertheless, the exact level of human exposure to arsenic and the associated risks of cancer and non-cancer effects through different pathways in Ethiopia are still uncertain.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of both cancer and non-cancer outcomes among children and adults who have been exposed to arsenic through drinking water in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district of Ethiopia.

Effect of conventional and household water treatment technologies on the removal of pesticide residues in drinking water, Jimma town, Southwestern, Ethiopia.

Water resources have been contaminated by pesticides due to the different activities of human beings. Different studies documented that advanced water treatment systems can eliminate pesticides while conventional and household treatment technologies are not well studied. The main aim of the present study is to determine the effect of conventional and household water treatment technologies on the removal of pesticide residue in drinking water.

Serum concentration of zinc, copper, iron, and its associated factors among pregnant women of small-scale farming in western Ethiopia.

Micro-nutrients are required in small amounts to maintain growth and cell functioning to complete the life cycle through reproductions. However, pregnant women in developing countries like Ethiopia are vulnerable to multiple micro-nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the serum level of metals and associated factors like dietary diversity, and health-related problems in pregnant women among small-scale farming in Kellem Wellega, western Ethiopia.

Pesticide Residues and Effect of Household Processing in Commonly Consumed Vegetables in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

The long-term and indiscriminate use of pesticides has resulted in serious health effects. Aside from that, developing countries do not have any monitoring systems in place to prevent the consumption of high levels of pesticides in foods. Therefore, this study aimed to determine pesticide residues and the effect of processing in commonly consumed vegetables in the southwestern part of Ethiopia.

Prevalence of Pesticide Use and Occupational Exposure Among Small-Scale Farmers in Western Ethiopia.

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of pesticide use and its occupational exposure among small-scale farmers in the Kellem Wellega Zone of western Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design using a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 249 small-scale farmers' households through face-to-face interviews. Statistical analysis such as descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis was applied, and a -value <.

Correction: Exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a predictor to breast cancer: A case-control study among Ethiopian women.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a predictor to breast cancer: A case-control study among Ethiopian women.

Breast cancer (BC) is becoming one of the most prevalent non-infectious disease in low and middle income countries. The steady rise of BC incidence may be related to the different risk factors. Among many, rampant presence of environmental pollutants might be one of the risk factors.

Evaluating the Level of Pesticides in the Blood of Small-Scale Farmers and Its Associated Risk Factors in Western Ethiopia.

Background: The presence of agricultural pesticide residue can cause adverse health effects.The main objective of this study was to evaluate the level of pesticides in the blood of small-scale farmers (SSFs) and associated risk factors in western Ethiopia.

Methods: Across sectional study was conducted in June 2020 using 240 blood samples, 140 from the exposed small-scale farmers (ESSFs) and 100 from non-exposed small-scale farmers (NESSFs).

Corrigendum to "Organochlorine pesticide residues in tea and their potential risks to consumers in Ethiopia" [Heliyon 7 (7) (July 2021) e07667].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

A review of environmental occurrence, analysis, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of organophosphate esters.

The ban and restriction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and major brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), due to their confirmed detrimental effects on wildlife and humans have paved the way for the wide application of organophosphate esters (OPEs). OPEs have been extensively used as alternative flame retardants, plasticizer, and antifoaming agents in various industrial and consumer products, which leads to an increase in production, usage, and discharge in the environment. We compile recent information on the production/usage and physicochemical properties of OPEs and discussed and compared the available sample treatment and analysis techniques of OPEs, including extraction, clean-up, and instrumental analysis.

Risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey in Ethiopia.

Background: Effective risk communication is one of the critical strategies in the response to COVID-19. This study examined risk perceptions and attitudinal responses to COVID-19 among the educated section of the society in Ethiopia.

Methods: An internet-based survey was conducted from April 22 to May 04, 2020, in Ethiopia.