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Methodology Article
Calculating Childhood Mortality Rates from Algerian MICS Surveys Using the DHS.rates Package
Mesli Redhouane*
,
Madani Salima
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-9
Received:
16 August 2025
Accepted:
29 August 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
Abstract: The R DHS.rates package is a new statistical tool specifically designed to calculate key indicators for infant and child mortality, as well as fertility, at both national and subnational levels, using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data and, with minor adjustments, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data. In addition to point estimates, the package also provides precision measures such as standard errors (SE), design effects (DEFT), relative standard errors (RSE), and confidence intervals. The package has been developed in accordance with the DHS Guide to Statistics and the DHS Sampling and Household Listing Manual, ensuring compliance with internationally recognized standards. By applying the DHS.rates R package to the Algerian MICS4 survey data (2012), we recalculated childhood mortality rates and compared them with the figures published in the official MICS report. The analysis revealed significant discrepancies, suggesting that the estimates originally obtained using the SPSS syntax package provided by the MICS program were incorrect. These inconsistencies were corrected using the DHS.rates package and validated by the SYNCMRATES module in Stata, both of which rely on standardized, transparent, and reliable methodologies. This study highlights the importance of using well-tested analytical tools for the accurate computation of key demographic indicators, which are essential for research, policy formulation and monitoring progress toward national and international development goals.
Abstract: The R DHS.rates package is a new statistical tool specifically designed to calculate key indicators for infant and child mortality, as well as fertility, at both national and subnational levels, using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data and, with minor adjustments, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data. In addition to point estimates, ...
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Research Article
Delayed Presentation to the Hospital and Its Contributing Factors Among Patients with Breast Cancer in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia: A Facility-based Cross-sectional Study
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
10-22
Received:
14 December 2025
Accepted:
25 December 2025
Published:
19 January 2026
Abstract: Background: Breast cancer has remained as a major cause of death and a growing public health challenge in developing countries. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research evidence on breast cancer patients’ presentation and contributing factors for the delay in Eastern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess delay in presentation and contributing factors among patients with breast cancer who visited Oncology Unit at tertiary Hospital in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at the Oncology Units of Hiwot-Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023. Data were collected from July 5 to October 30, 2023, using a structured tool, and entered into SPSS version 26 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive statistics were applied to compute the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Logistic regression was carried out to examine factors associated with patient delay in presentation. AOR at a 95% confidence interval and P-value <0.05 was used to declare a significant association. Results: From the total of 206 patients included in the study, 98.5% of them were females and 1.5% were males with the median age of 43 years. Three-fourth (76.7%) of the study participants were presented after 3 months of experiencing sign and symptoms which ranged from 3-15 months and a median time of presentation was 6 months. Of these, 84% of the patients diagnosed advanced-stage breast cancer. among Being residents of rural setting of Ethiopia (AOR=7.63; 95% CI=1.97-29.44), being illiterate (AOR=5.23; 95% CI=1.05-26.18), having a painless lump (AOR=6.83; 95% CI=1.85-25.14), travel distance ≥5 km from the Hospital (AOR=4.08; 95% CI=1.06-15.78), and having history of traditional medicine use (AOR=4.53; 95% CI=1.02-20.22) were the factors contributing to delayed presentation to the Oncology Unit or Hospital. Patients who have ever heard of breast cancer were less likely to delay in presentation (AOR=0.13; 95% CI=0.04-0.44). Conclusion: Breast cancer patients delayed presentation was found to be common in Eastern Ethiopia. Patients lived in rural area, illiterate, having a painless lump, far distance form health facility, have not ever heard about breast cancer, and relay on traditional medicine were associated with delays in presentation. Therefore, concerned stakeholders should strengthen awareness creation to minimize the dalliance of the patients in seeking health care.
Abstract: Background: Breast cancer has remained as a major cause of death and a growing public health challenge in developing countries. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research evidence on breast cancer patients’ presentation and contributing factors for the delay in Eastern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess delay in presentation and contribu...
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Research Article
Knowledge of Floral Biology, the Variation of Climatic Factors and the Role of Pollinators Significantly Improve the Yield of Cucurbita maxima Cultivation in Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
23-36
Received:
16 December 2025
Accepted:
4 January 2026
Published:
9 February 2026
Abstract: Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) is an edible, medicinal and vitamin-rich species. In Cameroon, although this plant is among the edible crops, knowledge about the relationship between this crop and pollinators is scarce. This study aims to describe the floral biology of C. maxima and the relationship between this crop and A. mellifera for their optimal exploitation. Observations were carried out at two sites (Torok and Vogzom) during the 2022 agricultural season. The growth stages of flowers buds and their daily appearance rate were recorded. Four treatments were defined at each site to assess the effectiveness of bee visits on pollination and fruit yield. The number of male flowers exceeded that of female flowers, with a sex ratio of 5:1 (♂/♀). The impact of climate factors on bee visits, fruit mass and diameter, and the number of mature fruits from the different treatments was evaluated. High temperatures decreased bee visits, as did rainy days. Flower visits for nectar collection were more frequent than those for pollen. Bees effectively promoted the pollination of female flowers during their foraging trips. There is a correlation between the number of bee visits received by female flowers and the fruit set rate per treatment. The production of good-quality fruit and seeds from this plant depends on optimal bee pollination activity. It is to Maintain climatic factors at a level favorable to pollinator activity by combating climate change.
Abstract: Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) is an edible, medicinal and vitamin-rich species. In Cameroon, although this plant is among the edible crops, knowledge about the relationship between this crop and pollinators is scarce. This study aims to describe the floral biology of C. maxima and the relationship between this crop and A. mellifera for their opt...
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