Background Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations in Ethiopia have been experiencing local selective pressures from drugs and immunity, leading to evolutionary adaptation. However, there was a paucity of data on genomic characterization and evolutionary adaptations of P. falciparum isolates from the central area of Ethiopia. Methods Whole-genome analysis of 25 P. falciparum isolates from central Ethiopia, specifically from West Arsi, were studied to determine their genetic diversity, population structures, and signatures of selection in known drug resistance alleles against global isolates from Cambodia, Thailand, DR Congo, and Malawi. Results A total of 18,517 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in Ethiopian P. falciparum isolates. About 84% of the Ethiopian P. falciparum isolates had a FWS value > 0.95 showing a dominant single genotype infection in most isolates at the time of collection with little potential for out-crossing as expected in areas with low transmission intensity. Within-host diversity of Ethiopian infections was significantly different from East African (p < 0.001), but not Southeast Asian infections (P > 0.05). A significant population structure has been observed by PCA and population differentiation between Ethiopian parasites and East African (Fst ~ 10%) and Southeast Asian populations (Fst ~ 18%), suggesting limited gene flow and the independent evolution of the Ethiopian parasite population. Moreover, a total of 125 genes under balancing selection was found that include ama1, trap, eba175, and lsa3, previously identified as targets of human host immunity. Recent directional selection analysis using integrated standardized haplotype score (IHS) did not detect any selection signatures in the Pfcrt, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfmdr1, and PfK13 genes. However, known drug resistance-conferring mutations analysis showed that at least one SNP marker was fixed in these genes, but not in Pfdhps and PfK13. Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum populations in the central region of Ethiopia was structurally diverged from both Southeast Asian and other East African populations. Malaria infections in Ethiopia had low within-host diversity, and parasites carry fixed chloroquine resistance markers despite the withdrawal of this drug for the treatment of P. falciparum.

Introduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding is any bleeding that deviates from normal menstruations. It differs in terms of frequency of bleeding, duration, and the pattern of bleeding during menstrual cycle or menopause. It is a major gynecological problem for medical visits among women in the reproductive aged group. However, data on abnormal uterine bleeding in Ethiopia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the abnormal uterine bleeding and associated factors among reproductive age women in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was employed from 1 January to 30 April 2020. Six hundred sixty women were selected by using systematic random sampling. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 25 software. All predictor’s variables with p value <0.25 in bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p value of less than 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were taken as statistically significant predictors of abnormal uterine bleeding. Results: Out of 660 participants, 225 (34.1%) had abnormal uterine bleeding. From women with abnormal uterine bleeding, the prevalence of metrorrhagia, heavy periods, oligomenorrhea, inter-menstrual bleeding, polymenorrhea, and amenorrhea was 59 (26.2%), 54 (24%), 53 (23.5%), 46 (20.4%), 35 (15.5%), and 25 (11.1%), respectively. History of abortion (adjusted odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.41), history of uterine fibroids (adjusted odds ratio = 3.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.85–7.94), history of sexually transmitted infection (adjusted odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–3.66), and the history of intrauterine device (adjusted odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.39–2.97) were significantly associated with abnormal uterine bleeding. Conclusion: The prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding was higher in Jimma town.

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Background Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations have been experiencing local selective pressures from drugs and immunity, leading to evolutionary adaptation. However, there was paucity of data on the genomic characterization and the evolutionary adaptations of P. falciparum isolates from central area of Ethiopia. Method : Whole genome analysis of 25 P. falciparum isolates from central Ethiopia were made to determine their genetic diversity, population structures and signatures of selection in known drug resistance loci against isolates from Cambodia, Thailand, DR Congo and Malawi. Result A total of 18,517 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified with average nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00022) across the genome. About 84% of the Ethiopian P. falciparum isolates had FWS value > 0.95 showing a dominant single genotype infection in most isolates at the time of collection with little potential for out-crossing as expected in areas with low transmission intensity. Within host diversity of Ethiopian infections was significantly different from East African (p < 0.001) but not Southeast Asian infections (P > 0.05). A significant population structure differentiation between Ethiopian parasites and East Africa (Fst < 10%) and Southeast Asia populations (Fst ~ 18%) has been observed, suggesting limited gene flow and the independent evolution of the Ethiopian parasite population. Moreover, a total of 125 genes under balancing selection is identified that included ama1, trap, eba175, and lsa3 previously identified as targets of human host immunity. Recent directional selection analysis using integrated standardized haplotype score (IHS) did not detect any selection signatures in the pfcrt, pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, and pfK13 genes. However, mutations analysis showed that at least one SNP marker was fixed in these genes, but not in pfdhps and pfK13. Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum population in central region of Ethiopia were structurally diverged from both southeast Asian and other East African populations. A low within host diversity is noted among the Ethiopian parasites. Indeed, the parasites carry fixed chloroquine resistance markers despite the withdrawal of this drug for the treatment of P. falciparum.