Category Archives: Arba Minch University

Good progress on the Senuph project

The South Ethiopia Network of Universities in Public Health (SENUPH) is a collaborative initiative to enhance public health education and research capacity in southern Ethiopia.

A recent mid-term evaluation concluded, “In SENUPH II, all planned research groups were formed, including senior researchers, PhD candidates, and master’s students. Their research outputs, with a high percentage of published work by master’s graduates, highlighted the program’s effectiveness. Furthermore, collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia ensured that the research had direct implications for national health policies. “

Publications from the project can be seen here.

The picture shows PhD students from Arba Minch and Hawassa universities participating in epidemiological training courses while visiting Bergen.

NORHED-SENUPH II Project Workshop and Field Visit: Advancing Malaria Research and Capacity Building

This text is written by the Communication Affairs Directorate at Arba Minch University. See

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NORHED-SENUPH II held a progress report workshop at Arba Minch University/AMU and a field visit to the Arba Minch area and Mirab Abaya districts on September 19, 2024. The project, which runs from 2022 to 2027, is a continuation of the NORHED-SENUPH I project, which began in 2014.

Dr. Alemayehu Chufamo, Vice President for Academic Affairs at AMU, praised the project’s unique approach to capacity building in sponsoring students and staff for MSc and PhD programs. He also expressed his gratitude to Professor Bernt Lindtjørn for devising a mechanism that makes the research process effective.

Professor Bernt Lindtjørn from the University of Bergen discussed the project’s successes, challenges, and focus areas to sustain the partnership. He mentioned that NORHED-SENUPH II strategically strengthens AMU’s research platforms on vector-borne diseases, advances lab infrastructure and equipment, and supports students and staff focusing on entomology, molecular biology, and immunology research. AMU should work hard to organize all potential to sustain future NORHED funds by promoting scientific and novel ideas, developing new scientific networks and executing the project tasks as planned, he advised.

The local project coordinator and senior researcher, Dr. Fekadu Massebo, presented the project’s progress report and the current status of the malaria trial. He explained that they are implementing door and window mesh screening and animal treatment intervention to check their impact on malaria epidemiology and fill some of the gaps in the current malaria control strategies, such as drug-resistant malaria parasites, changes in mosquito populations and behaviour, and limitations in current diagnostic and treatment options. These challenges require innovative strategies, Dr. Fekadu noted.

The field visit to the trial sites allowed the participants to observe the firsthand project’s activities. It was observed that house mesh-screening has been in place and the communities’ acceptance is exceptionally high which makes the future interventions seem promising. The trial’s unique aspect is bridging the public and veterinary health sectors to combat malaria; the trial evaluation will span 18 months and the findings will be shared with all stakeholders.

The NORHED-SENUPH II project focuses on building research capacity, supporting existing MSc programs, and expanding support for the PhD program on Infectious Diseases. The project is conducting a large malaria trial in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The trial aims to combat malaria by using mesh screens on houses to prevent mosquitoes from entering and treating animals with ivermectin to kill the mosquitoes they feed on. Over 8,000 people in 12 Kebeles in the Arba Minch and Mirab Abaya districts are included in the trial. Several stakeholder meetings have also been held to enhance community participation and ownership.

Treatment of malaria in Arba Minch

Treatment of malaria:

Daka D, Woldeyes D, Golassa L, Alemayehu GS, Zewde Z, Tamiru G, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Malar J. 2024;23(1):282. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05087-7

Abstract

Background: Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) has been the primary anti-malarial drug used to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Ethiopia since 2004. However, there have been recent reports of AL resistance mutations in different African countries, including Ethiopia. This is concerning and requires periodic monitoring of anti-malarial drug resistance. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of AL in treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in the Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A single-arm prospective study with a 28-day follow-up period was conducted from July to October 2022. Capillary blood samples were collected for RDT and microscopic examination. The study enrolled monoinfected P. falciparum patients aged ≥ 18 years at Ganta Sira Health Post. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded, and a dried blood spot (DBS) was prepared for each participant. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) genotyping of the msp-1 and msp-2 genes was only performed for recurrent cases to distinguish between recurrence and reinfection. Data entry and analysis were performed using the WHO Excel spreadsheet and SPSS version 26.

Results: A total of 89 patients were enrolled, and 67 adequately completed the 28-day follow-up period. AL showed a 100% clearance rate for fever on day 2 and asexual parasites on day 3. Gametocytes were detected in 13.5% (12/89) of the participants. The gametocyte clearance rate was 58.3% (7/12) until day 7 and 100% (12/12) until day 14. Five participants developed recurrent malaria, three of whom experienced relapse and two of whom experienced reinfection. Based on the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the PCR-uncorrected and PCR-corrected cumulative incidence of success were 93.7% (95% CI 85.5-97.3) and 96.2% (95% CI 85.5-98.7), respectively.

Conclusion: AL was efficacious in treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in the study area. However, the detection of recurrent patients highlights the need for continuous efficacy studies in this area.

Keywords: Cure rate; Malaria; Parasite clearance; Recurrence.

Anopheles stephensi is in Arba Minch: A new malaria vector

Malaria is currently spreading fast in Ethiopian towns. The cause is probably a new mosquito.

Massebo F, Ashine T, Negash N, Eligo N, Hailemeskel E, Minda TT, et al. The expansion of an invasive malaria vector: Anopheles stephensi emergence in Arba Minch town in the southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Parasitology research. 2024;123(9):333.

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08356-1

Abstract

Urban areas in malaria-endemic countries in East Africa are experiencing a significant increase in malaria cases, with the establishment of an “exotic” urban malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, increasing the risk of urban malaria. To this end, the present study aimed to investigate the emergence of this species in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Following the detection of An. stephensi in other parts of Ethiopia, 76 artificial containers (55 discarded tyres, 18 concrete water storage, and three plastic containers) were sampled in 21 locations in Arba Minch town, for immature Anopheles mosquito stages, using the standard dipping technique. Larvae were reared into adults which were morphologically identified at the species level 2-3 days after emergence. Morphological identification results were confirmed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction. Of the examined containers, 67 (88%) had at least one Anopheles larva. Thirty-two of the adults emerged were morphologically identified as An. stephensi, with 26 (81%) confirmed by molecular analysis. This is the first study to report An. stephensi from Arba Minch, one of South Ethiopia’s largest towns, highlighting the need for increased vigilance. The planned and ongoing study in and around Arba Minch will contribute to understanding the bionomics and role of An. stephensi in malaria parasite transmission, helping develop a strategy to address the impending risk of urban malaria in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Anopheles stephensi; Arba Minch; Entomological surveillance.

 

Progress of Senuph project

During the last two weeks of May, the Senuph PhD and master’s students, supervisors, and coordinators from Ethiopia and Norway met in Arba Minch and Hawassa.

The pictures show the research gatherings; the upper picture is from Arba Minch, and the lower is from Hawassa University.  (Photo: Prof Ingunn Marie S. Engebretsen).

We delved into the progress of the research components in research seminars, group discussions, and individual meetings. I’m pleased to report that our research is making significant strides forward, filling us with optimism for the future.

In addition, we started to work to strengthen the possibility of doing various kinds of mathematical modelling, especially by investigating the possible causal links between climate variability and infectious diseases or malnutrition. We hope such work will broaden our scope by including interdisciplinary teams in meteorology, environmental sciences, biology, and epidemiology.

Senuph students and staff visit Bergen

During the past six weeks, students and staff from the Senuph program at Hawassa and Arba Minch Universities attended courses at the Centre for International Health at the University of Bergen.

Ten people attended the classes and returned to Ethiopia this evening.

The upper picture shows four participants from Hawassa in the health economics course, and the lower photo shows students attending a course on experimental epidemiology visiting Magnhild and Bernt Lindtjørn.

 

Anopheles stephensi in Arba Minch

Anopheles stephensi is spreading rapidly to urban settings in Ethiopia. It is a common malaria-transmitting mosquito in South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula and is believed to have spread to eastern Ethiopia in 2016. However, since 2023, there have also been reports of its presence in Hawassa, and recently we detected it in Arba Minch. We have submitted this data for publication.

Much effort has been made to understand its spread and relation to its environment. Understanding how An. stephensi behaves and contributes to malaria transmission compared with the existing local vectors is critical for designing strategies for containment. Our findings in Arba Minch suggest that the rapid geographic expansion of this invasive species may be linked to major transportation corridors.

The team in Arba Minch, in collaboration with partners from Norway and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in Addis Ababa, has commenced work to enhance our comprehension of the behaviour of this mosquito and its role in malaria transmission. We aim to develop innovative control strategies to manage this rapidly spreading vector.

Preprint of publication:

Fekadu Massebo, Temesgen Ashine, Nigatu Negash, Thomas Minda, Bernt Lindtjørn, and Endalamaw Gadisa. The expansion of an invasive malaria vector: Anopheles stephensi detection in Arba Minch town in the southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia, 14 February 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3946371/v1]

See the webpage for more developments on this research.

Arba Minch University: Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health

One of our project aims is to strengthen Ethiopia’s health system. Here is an example of how this is done in malaria control.

Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health began by establishing the Master’s Programme in Medical Entomology and Vector Control in 2014. The first cohort included three health professionals from different districts. One joined the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, while the other two returned to their respective districts to strengthen the health system, particularly in controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

The second cohort was diverse, with 11 members, seven of whom belonged to the public health sector. Three worked at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, two at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, one at the regional malaria elimination programme, and the other at the district-level vector control programme.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth cohorts consisted of 4-5 individuals each, with members from different institutes and organisations working to control and prevent malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

In the third cohort, two of the four members joined the Armauer Hansen Research Institute. The fourth cohort was the largest, with 13 candidates, nine working in the health system at various levels. These candidates are associated with organisations such as the MOH National Malaria Elimination Program, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Zone, district malaria, and other vector-borne disease control units.

The fifth cohort had five individuals, with one person from the health sector. After completing their studies, they returned to the district office to work.

The sixth cohort also had five members, including one from the Regional Public Health Laboratory Institute. This institute’s primary objective is to monitor the quality of diagnoses made by other regional institutes. The project work of this cohort was in line with the institute’s aim to evaluate the quality of malaria diagnostics.

The seventh cohort also had five individuals, one from the Regional Public Health Laboratory Institute. Like the sixth cohort member, they also did a project on the challenges of malaria diagnosis.

The eighth cohort had four individuals, two of whom were from the National Institute of Tsetse Control Programme. This institute plays a crucial role in improving animal health in the country. One member of the first cohort and another from the fourth cohort also work at this institute.

Finally, the ninth cohort had four individuals, one from the health sector.

The Norhed-Senuph project provided uninterrupted support to these nine cohorts, producing a skilled workforce that now holds crucial positions in national, regional, zone, and district disease control and prevention programs. These graduates are making remarkable contributions to the nation’s health sector, particularly in controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases.