Dietary Recommendations for Ethiopians on the Basis of Priority Diet-Related Diseases and Causes of Death in Ethiopia: An Umbrella Review

Review on quality attributes of milk and commonly produced dairy products in Ethiopia

Raw milk and processed dairy products are among the primary important sources of nutrients and have significant roles in the world's dietary practices. However, the safety and quality of both milk and dairy products are critical issues that should be given more attention, especially from the nutritional and health perspectives. Comprehensive evidence on milk and commonly produced dairy products general quality characteristics in Ethiopia is limited. So, this review was meant to present an overview of the most vital quality measures for milk and dairy products. Previous research revealed that the microbiological characteristics of milk and milk products in different parts of Ethiopia are below accepted standards with high counts of microbial load. The physical quality indicators also did not meet the acceptable standards. Studies supported that the production and handling of milk and various dairy products take place under unsanitary conditions, which in turn attributed to higher microbial counts. This comprehensive review also revealed that the lack of hygienic preparation approaches, uncontrolled fermentation, and the lack of knowledge and awareness of small-holder dairy producers and dairy value chain actors are the main reasons for the inconsistent quality and safety challenges. Thus, designing relevant trainings and the introduction of strategies on hygiene practices are essential to being efficient in reducing the microbiological loads or contamination of raw milk and processed products. Generally, dairy producers must maintain milk quality throughout the whole production process in order to achieve the requisite raw milk input and high-quality processed products.

Colorectal cancer in Ethiopia: Epidemiological trends, diagnostic and laboratory capacities, and challenges

Colorectal cancer (CRC) refers to cancer that develops in the colon or rectum, parts of the large intestine. It ranks as the third most prevalent form of cancer globally. Colorectal cancer is responsible for the morbidity of millions and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide although the incidence varies significantly depending on geographical location. In recent years, CRC has decreased in high-income countries due to technological advancements in diagnosis and treatment. However, there is an increased occurrence of CRC morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Colorectal cancer is becoming an emerging public health concern in Ethiopia. We noticed that the incidence rates have been lower compared to more developed countries, but recent years have seen a noticeable increase. This rise is attributed to factors such as changes in diet, lifestyle, and an aging population. Common risk factors include dietary shifts towards processed foods and red meat, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, in Ethiopia, screening programs for CRC are not widespread, and limited access to diagnostic facilities, lack of public awareness, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure contribute to late-stage diagnoses or left without diagnosis. Treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are available but not uniformly accessible across the country, posing challenges for timely and effective treatment. Addressing colorectal cancer in Ethiopia requires a comprehensive approach to enhance public awareness, improve screening and early detection, expand treatment facilities, and train healthcare professionals to provide effective care.

On the Relationship Between Frailty, Nutritional Status, Depression and Quality of Life Among Older People

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome associated with physical, psychological and social changes. There is a paucity of research on frailty in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, especially Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the initial correlations among frailty, nutritional status, depression and QOL (quality of life) in a group of older people in Ethiopia who are later enrolled in a study examining the effects of a nurse-led community intervention on frailty and related health outcomes.

METHODS

Data from 68 community-dwelling individuals 60 years of age, or over, were collected. Frailty was measured using the Amharic version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. The statistical analysis included Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for degrees of association, Mann-Whitney U-test for variables with two categories and Kruskal-Wallis for variables with three or more categories.

RESULTS

The mean frailty score for participants was 7.3 (±1.9). Participants with higher frailty scores had lower nutritional status (rs = -0.46, p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant relationship (positive) between frailty scores and depression (rs = 0.39, p < 0.01). Depressed (Md = 9, n = 23) and non-depressed frail older people (Md = 7, n = 45) showed a significant difference in their overall frailty score, U = 330.50, z = -2.49, p = 0.01, r = 0.30. There was an inverse significant association between the level of frailty across different domains in the QOL: physical (rs = -0.44, p < 0.01), psychological (rs = -0.45, p < 0.01), social relations (rs = -0.29, p < 0.05) and environmental (rs = -0.47, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study were consistent with those from across middle-income and high-income countries.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This research indicates that older people living in communities who are identified as frail often suffer from a poor nutritional status, depression and reduced QOL. It suggests that healthcare professionals in Sub-Saharan countries would benefit from recognising the frailty in this population, and developing interventions aimed at enhancing nutrition, mental health and overall well-being.

Cellular zinc metabolism and zinc signaling: from biological functions to diseases and therapeutic targets

Zinc metabolism at the cellular level is critical for many biological processes in the body. A key observation is the disruption of cellular homeostasis, often coinciding with disease progression. As an essential factor in maintaining cellular equilibrium, cellular zinc has been increasingly spotlighted in the context of disease development. Extensive research suggests zinc's involvement in promoting malignancy and invasion in cancer cells, despite its low tissue concentration. This has led to a growing body of literature investigating zinc's cellular metabolism, particularly the functions of zinc transporters and storage mechanisms during cancer progression. Zinc transportation is under the control of two major transporter families: SLC30 (ZnT) for the excretion of zinc and SLC39 (ZIP) for the zinc intake. Additionally, the storage of this essential element is predominantly mediated by metallothioneins (MTs). This review consolidates knowledge on the critical functions of cellular zinc signaling and underscores potential molecular pathways linking zinc metabolism to disease progression, with a special focus on cancer. We also compile a summary of clinical trials involving zinc ions. Given the main localization of zinc transporters at the cell membrane, the potential for targeted therapies, including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, offers promising avenues for future exploration.