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Research Article
Mapping Soil Erosion Hotspot Areas in the Bwabwata Watershed North Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
114-129
Received:
6 May 2025
Accepted:
27 May 2025
Published:
4 July 2025
Abstract: Soil erosion produces major environmental problems in Ethiopian highlands while continuing to affect the Bwabwata watershed as an ecological issue. Effective control of soil erosion in watersheds necessitates the identification of erosion hotspots. The identification of such hotspots has been missing from past research investigations within this area. A GIS-based RUSLE model implementation helps estimate soil loss and determine the order of priority for sub-watersheds in terms of soil and water conservation planning. Mean annual precipitation, together with digital soil data and digital elevation models combined with slope steepness measurements, allowed the computation of RUSLE output values. The RUSLE model incorporated into a GIS platform evaluated soil erosion effects resulting from land use and land cover changes in three specific periods. The quantitative evaluation shows both cropland and settlement areas extended from 2004 to 2024, but forest and shrubland decreased because of their conversion to different land uses. The watershed experienced a significant elevation of mean annual soil erosion rate from 28.63 t/ha/yr in 2004 to 32.99 t/ha/yr in 2014, with a subsequent minor erosion reduction to 30.93 t/ha/yr in 2024. Currently, the total soil loss in the study area amounts to 117,545.25 tons from 3,800 hectares. The soil loss tolerance threshold exceeds in 42% of the study area, which spreads across 1,595.76 hectares, resulting in high erosion risk areas. A successful approach to safeguarding watershed resources requires specific allocation of SWC efforts toward high-risk sub-watersheds, along with planned LULC management.
Abstract: Soil erosion produces major environmental problems in Ethiopian highlands while continuing to affect the Bwabwata watershed as an ecological issue. Effective control of soil erosion in watersheds necessitates the identification of erosion hotspots. The identification of such hotspots has been missing from past research investigations within this ar...
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Research Article
Spatiotemporal Variability and Characterization of Seasonal and Annual Rainfall in Gojjam, Ethiopia
Tilahun Sewagegn*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
130-143
Received:
3 May 2025
Accepted:
21 May 2025
Published:
7 July 2025
Abstract: Identifying the spatiotemporal variability and characterization of rainfall in a given area is essential for effective water resource management, agricultural planning, and disaster preparedness. This study used ENACTS data to assess the variability of rainfall and characterize seasonal rainfall in Gojjam from 1991-2020. The results indicated that Gojjam had received mostly on Bega, Belg, Kiremt, and annually 120-200 mm, 200-450mm, 1000-1300 mm, and 1300-1700 mm rainfall respectively. The mean annual rainfall is 1395.1 mm. The results show that the main rainy seasonal rainfall starts on average from 24 May to 3 June and ceases averagely around 13-27 September. The mean length of the growing season was 120 days. It also indicated that high rainfall variability was observed over the study area. The result stated that most parts of the study area are under strong precipitation concentration during all seasons. Characterization and identified variability of seasonal rainfall were important especially for rain-fed agriculture and hydrological advisory at the zone level to support the community. These findings highlight the need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of changing rainfall patterns on agriculture and water resources in Gojjam.
Abstract: Identifying the spatiotemporal variability and characterization of rainfall in a given area is essential for effective water resource management, agricultural planning, and disaster preparedness. This study used ENACTS data to assess the variability of rainfall and characterize seasonal rainfall in Gojjam from 1991-2020. The results indicated that ...
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Research Article
Community Adaptation to Impacts of Big Dams and Water Harvesting at the Red Sea State (Arba’at and Sinkat Areas)
Nawara Mohamed Mohamed,
Muna Mahjoub Mohamed*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
144-162
Received:
9 May 2025
Accepted:
29 May 2025
Published:
14 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20251304.13
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Abstract: Two locations within Port Sudan state, eastern Sudan, were selected, these were: Arbaat and Sinkat as to represent two different geographical sites and communities, a semi-structured questionnaire was designed for the purpose of the study. Sampling of respondents was done according to a certain formula utilizing numbers of villages and households at each village. SPSS (version 16) and Chi-square were used for data analysis. The results showed that the area is characterized by high temperature (~42°C) and fluctuating rain-fall (150 - 0mm), satellite images showed that for both areas vegetation cover reduced during 10 years and was more evident in Sinkat than Araba’at. Perception of natural resources was acknowledged. Rate of vegetation regeneration within the normal year was rated as fast at both areas. Wild life availability was perceived as increasing. Soil deterioration was related to wind by most participants but less due to water with significant associations (P=0.00) between the respondents’ opinion at both areas. Most farmers at both areas were small scale with 5 feddans ownership but higher in Sinkat (88%) than Ara’at (68%). Significant (P = 0.00) association were obtained farmers’ tenure and the two areas. Most felt the importance of the water harvesting programs, the association in perceptions between the two sites was significant (P = 0.000). Most of the problems came from water pollution from different sources at both areas (90%) Other problems were due to hafir and dam siltation as expressed by most of the respondents at both areas (95%), the associations of the respondents’ opinion between the two areas were significant (P= 0.00). There were also bore holes management problems at both sites as expressed by respondents at Arba’at (79%) and Sinkat (80%). Most (~90%) of the respondents thought that over exploitation of water resources was one of the main problem that existed at both areas. Significant associations in the respondents’ opinion could be detected for dam and hafir siltation (P=.861), bore holes and water over exploitation (P=0.516). Adaptation to natural resources deterioration was through diversification of income as water and charcoal selling. Coping with food insecurity during the dry season was done through reduction in number of meals, sources of proteins and carbohydrates. Malnutrition rate was the highest in children followed by women and elderly, the same results were obtained for the rate of death and diseases with strong (P = 0.000) association in participants’ perception between the two sites.
Abstract: Two locations within Port Sudan state, eastern Sudan, were selected, these were: Arbaat and Sinkat as to represent two different geographical sites and communities, a semi-structured questionnaire was designed for the purpose of the study. Sampling of respondents was done according to a certain formula utilizing numbers of villages and households a...
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Research Article
Evaluation of the Healthcare Waste Management at 34 Military Hospital, Sierra Leone
Sahr Emmanuel Lebbie*,
Martina Yeama Williams,
David Seasy,
James Koroma
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
163-176
Received:
2 June 2025
Accepted:
16 June 2025
Published:
16 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20251304.14
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: The rapid growth of the world population and corresponding rapid global development in medicine have caused an increase in the amount of healthcare waste generated in health facilities, hence causing many problems for the public health and environment of many communities. Healthcare waste management is an integral part of the hygiene and infection control within a healthcare facility because its mismanagement leads to nosocomial infections. The specific objectives of this research were to identify types of healthcare waste segregation, to evaluate the degree of safety of healthcare handlers, to know the quantity of healthcare waste, and to know methods of treatment and disposal. Results from the study showed that the calculated volumes of the non-infectious (general), infectious (including pathological waste), and highly infectious (sharps) are 20,000 m3, 35,000m3 and 13,125m3 respectively, and a total volume of 68,125 m3 of healthcare waste is generated per week. These wastes were not segregated properly and were treated together in an enclosed incinerator with no proper measures. Statistical tests done showed that the quantity of wastes and the safety practices of service providers are associated with a high risk of infection. This showed that the public health and the environment can be negatively impacted. Furthermore, the government and its partners are making some effort to see an improvement in healthcare waste management at 34 Military Hospital; however, healthcare waste is still a major problem for healthcare providers, patients, public health, and the environment. Notwithstanding, various measures are needed to be considered in order to minimize these problems, including proper education and training for healthcare providers, provision of standard waste management equipment, consulting foreign expertise, adhering to color-coding according to INWMP, and public education.
Abstract: The rapid growth of the world population and corresponding rapid global development in medicine have caused an increase in the amount of healthcare waste generated in health facilities, hence causing many problems for the public health and environment of many communities. Healthcare waste management is an integral part of the hygiene and infection ...
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