Optimal use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to prevent malaria in a community depends on vector behavior, mass distribution, knowledge and willingness of people to use the nets. This study was aimed at evaluating knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about ITNs at household level in rural sub-distracts of Kolla Tembien. For this purpose, interview questionnaire containing KAP variables were administered to the randomly selected household heads. A total of 368 households were surveyed, and 70.10 % of the respondents were females. The X number of occupants in the households surveyed was found to be 5.50. However, the X number of ITNs owned by the households was found to be 1.07. Most of the respondents (82.34%) indicated ITNs prevent malaria through protection from mosquito bites. Seventy six percent of the respondents claimed children < 5 years of age should be given priority to sleep under ITN in the household. Only few respondents, 1.63%, considered pregnant women as priority groups to sleep under ITNs. Furthermore, about 63% of the respondents showed their willingness to buy ITNs if they are affordable. The responses by male and female household heads to most of the KAP questions were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Out of the 260 nets inspected for usage and physical condition during the survey period, more than 50% were kept in a box or other container in the households. Nets that were graded as clean and very dirty accounted for 25% and 25.77%, respectively. Physical inspection of the randomly sampled nets also revealed holes ranging from those that didn't allow a thumb to pass through (X number = 3.47) to those that were wider than a closed fist (X number = 1.64). The over all knowledge, attitude and practice of ITN usage was found to be satisfactory in the study district. However, the occupant net ratio must be narrowed and attention needs to be given to malaria vulnerable groups in the household. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of net usage after distribution should be instituted to avoid misuses and associated net damages in the study areas.

The present study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 in and around Bishoftu town to determine causes, associated risk factors and owner's response to causes of lameness for lame donkeys presented to Donkey Health and Welfare Project Clinic. Accordingly, 325 lame donkeys were purposively selected for this study. Questionnaire survey and physical examination were employed as study design. Results of 325 donkey owners interviewed revealed that various causes of lameness. Among these interviewed 222 and 221 respondents has better knowledge about the lameness caused by hyena bites and various wounds respectively, whereas 2, 8 and 41 respondents have information about varies diseases, solar penetration and overloading as a causes of lameness respectively. The current study includes 2 young and 323 adult donkeys. Out of the 325 lame donkeys, 179 were females and the remaining 146 were males. Upon physical examination of all donkeys taken into study, seventeen types of musculoskeletal abnormalities were identified, among these, higher frequency of foreign material in hoof, crackling and hoof overgrowth with 293, 245 and 208 cases respectively. Low frequency of hygroma (3) and bone fracture (8) were also observed. Grade analysis of lame donkeys revealed 3 (0.92%) mild cases, 84 (25.85%) moderate, 234 (72.92%) severe and 1 (0.31%) non-weight bearing cases. Grade three was most frequently observed which appeared in one out of two cases of lameness. The average grade of lameness was 2.72 ± 0.47. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the two sexes, body condition scores and age of animals regarding identified abnormalities and grade of lameness. However, the high number of donkeys which had lameness (79.08%) were found with poor body condition scores. Lameness was seen on both front and hind limbs but majority (97.23%) was unilateral type, of which 60% was presented with front limb while 37.5% was with hind limb. Significant difference was observed between front and hind limbs (P<0.05) for occurrence of lameness. Poor husbandry practices and lack of knowledge or information on causes of lameness among owners remain the factor for occurrence and severe grade of lameness.

Understanding the spatial distribution and habitat utilization by animals play a significant role in wildlife conservation and habitat management for the benefits of both animals and communities living close to protected areas. This study was conducted to identify the distribution and habitat use of Crocodilus niloticus in Tekeze River Dam through qualitative and quantitative surveys based on diurnal survey, semi-structured questionnaire and geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis methods. The Tekeze River Dam representing the study area was divided into seven stratified river stratum. All spatial data were recorded and analyzed using ArcGIS 10 software. The distribution revealed that C. niloticus were registered along the main river stretch and its tributaries. Majority of C. niloticus prefer river banks, shallow water depth and rocky ground to perform their activity patterns. Along the 71.2 km² of the study area delineated for habitat preferences, 9.78 km 2 was the highly suitable habitat while 4.63 km 2 was the least suitable. The influence on communal resources, fishery activities and irrigation practice at small-scale on river banks and increment of water level due to flooding of the Tekeze River Dam were among the primary causes of disturbances induced by human to C. niloticus distribution and its habitats. The perception of most respondents to the conservation of this specie was not encouraging although their presence in the river was important in keeping the ecological balance of the ecosystem. It is therefore suggested that the success of conservation programs and habitats management should focus on educating the local community to raise awareness and change their attitudes towards promoting conservation development initiatives of C. niloticus in the area.

The experiment was conducted during 2019/2020 at Wondogenet agricultural research center, Sidama region Ethiopia. It was initiated to find a critical weed competition period for Stevia rebaudiana production as weed management plays a great role in agriculture. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and consisted of three replication and fourteen treatments. Stevia rebaudiana growth and yield, as well as weed data, were assessed during the experiment and subjected to ANOVA using SAS computer software version 9.3, and differences between means were assessed at 5% probability level. Stevia plant height, branch number, and leaf yield were affected significantly due to treatments effects. Weed-free season treatment showed significantly higher stevia fresh yield (6.1 ton/ha) and dry yield (1.20 ton/ha) which was similar to the significantly higher results of the weedy for fifteen days after transplanting. Variation in the weedy period from fifteen days after transplanting (15DAT) to thirty days after transplanting (30DAT) resulted in 33.27% fresh stevia leaf yield reduction and 44.40% dry stevia leaf yield reduction. Weedy season treatment was used as a check and showed significantly lower stevia leaf yield which was also similar to the results of the weedy period for ninety days after transplanting (90DAT). On the other hand, the weedy period for fifteen days after transplanting (15DAT), the weed-free period for ninety days after transplanting (90DAT), and weed-free season treatments showed similar significantly lower weed density. An increase in the weedy period showed higher weed density and weed biomass results. Therefore, as weeds greatly affect stevia growth and yield, early weeding at 15DAT is important and recommended based on the present finding, however, for comprehensive results the experiment should be repeated over site and year.