Rainwater harvesting could be an optional water source to fulfil the emergency water demand in different setups. The aim was to assess if the rainwater harvesting potential for households and selected institutions were sufficient to satisfy the emergency water demand for the prevention of COVID-19 in Dilla town, Southern, Ethiopia. Rain water harvesting potential for households and selected institutions were quantified using 17 years’ worth of rainfall data from Ethiopian Metrology Agency. With an average annual rainfall of 1464 mm, households with 40 and 100 m2 roof sizes have a potential to harvest between 15.71-31.15 m3 and 41.73-82.73 m3 of water using Maximum Error Estimate. Meanwhile 7.2-39.7 m3 and 19.11-105.35 m3 of water can be harvested from the same roof sizes using Coefficient of Variation for calculation. Considering mean monthly rainfall, the health centres and Dilla University can attain 45.7% and 77% of their emergency water demand, while the rest of the selected institutions in Dilla Town can attain more than 100 % of their demand using only rainwater. Rain water can be an alternative water source for the town in the fight against COVID-19.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Gedio Zone, southern Ethiopia.Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence Interval were calculated to determine association between HBsAg Sero-positivity and various factors. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 statistical software. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedio Zone. Previous birth at health institution [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 11.2], blood transfusions [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.5], previous history of Hospital admission [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5], ear piercing practice [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 29.0], current Gestational age [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.2], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 30.0] had statistical significant association with HBsAg Sero-positivity.Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedio Zone. History of blood transfusion, hospital admissions, ear piercing, being HIV positive, gestational age and institutional delivery were significant predictors for HBsAg sero-positivity. Early initiation of antenatal care service that integrate awareness creation about the risks of hepatitis B infection and mother to child transmission of the disease must be implemented by the health facilities in Gedio Zone.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Gedio Zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence Interval were calculated to determine association between HBsAg Sero-positivity and various factors. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 statistical software. Results: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in Gedio Zone. Previous birth at health institution [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 11.2], blood transfusions [AOR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.5], previous history of Hospital admission [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5], ear piercing practice [AOR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 29.0], current Gestational age [AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 11.2], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=6.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 30.0] had statistical significant association with HBsAg Sero-positivity. Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedio Zone. History of blood transfusion, hospital admissions, ear piercing, being HIV positive, gestational age and institutional delivery were significant predictors for HBsAg sero-positivity. Early initiation of antenatal care service that integrate awareness creation about the risks of hepatitis B infection and mother to child transmission of the disease must be implemented by the health facilities in Gedio Zone.

Rainwater harvesting could be an optional water source to fulfil the emergency water demand in different setups. The aim was to assess if the rainwater harvesting potential for households and selected institutions were sufficient to satisfy the emergency water demand for the prevention of COVID-19 in Dilla town, Southern, Ethiopia. Rain water harvesting potential for households and selected institutions were quantified using 17 years’ worth of rainfall data from Ethiopian Metrology Agency. With an average annual rainfall of 1464 mm, households with 40 and 100 m2 roof sizes have a potential to harvest between 15.71-31.15 m3 and 41.73-82.73 m3 of water using Maximum Error Estimate. Meanwhile 7.2-39.7 m3 and 19.11-105.35 m3 of water can be harvested from the same roof sizes using Coefficient of Variation for calculation. Considering mean monthly rainfall, the health centres and Dilla University can attain 45.7% and 77% of their emergency water demand, while the rest of the selected institutions in Dilla Town can attain more than 100 % of their demand using only rainwater. Rain water can be an alternative water source for the town in the fight against COVID-19.