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Research Article
Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-5
Received:
5 November 2025
Accepted:
18 November 2025
Published:
8 January 2026
Abstract: Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.
Abstract: Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as ...
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Research Article
Evaluation of Knowledge and Practices Related to Safe Food Handling Among Bangladeshi University Students
Aysha Siddika*
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
6-15
Received:
5 September 2025
Accepted:
19 September 2025
Published:
8 January 2026
Abstract: Ensuring safe food handling is essential for reducing the global burden of foodborne infections. In this context, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to food safety play a central role in prevention, particularly among university students who are developing independent dietary and food-handling behaviors. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess food safety KAP among university students in Bangladesh and to examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics. To achieve this aim, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 200 students from four public universities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic variables, food safety knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices. Subsequently, descriptive statistics were applied for analysis. The findings revealed that students demonstrated strong knowledge of basic hygiene; for instance, 97.9% recognized proper handwashing, 98.5% supported covering hair during cooking, and 92.3% acknowledged the importance of sanitizers for kitchen surfaces. However, deficiencies were noted in technical aspects, as only 42.6% correctly identified safe thawing methods, and fewer than 3% reported the use of food thermometers. Furthermore, attitudes toward food safety were generally positive, with 97.5% supporting the separation of raw and cooked foods and 93.0% emphasizing the prompt refrigeration of leftovers. In contrast, reported practices were less consistent: 73.4% washed hands before food preparation, 64.8% stored raw and cooked foods separately, and only 33.2% covered wounds while handling food. Moreover, pharmacy students demonstrated higher knowledge levels, while urban students were more likely to implement safe practices. Taken together, the results suggest that although university students in Bangladesh display sound knowledge and favorable attitudes toward food safety, their practices remain suboptimal. Consequently, interventions focusing on behavioral change, skills-based training, and improved resource availability are required to bridge the knowledge-practice gap.
Abstract: Ensuring safe food handling is essential for reducing the global burden of foodborne infections. In this context, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to food safety play a central role in prevention, particularly among university students who are developing independent dietary and food-handling behaviors. Therefore, the present study ...
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Research Article
Assessment of Public Awareness and Attitudes Toward the Use of Over-the-Counter Analgesics and Their Potential Risks
Ahmed Ali Ebshena*,
Zubaeda Alsayeh
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
16-23
Received:
26 October 2025
Accepted:
4 November 2025
Published:
8 January 2026
Abstract: Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are among the most commonly used medications worldwide due to their accessibility, affordability, and perceived safety. However, inappropriate and unsupervised use can lead to significant health complications such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal bleeding, and drug interactions. In developing countries such as Libya, where pharmacy regulations and public health education remain under development, the tendency toward self-medication with OTC analgesics is notably high. Despite the potential public health implications, limited empirical evidence exists regarding public awareness, attitudes, and patterns of OTC analgesic use in Libyan communities. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate public awareness, attitudes, and practices related to the use of OTC analgesics and to identify potential knowledge gaps and behavioral risk factors associated with their misuse. The investigation focused on three Libyan cities Zawiya, Surman, and Sabratha and included participants from the general population, university students, and practicing pharmacists to ensure a comprehensive understanding across different educational and professional backgrounds. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted between March and July 2025, enrolling a total of 200 participants selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered via a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire comprising five sections: demographic characteristics, types and frequency of OTC analgesic use, sources of information, awareness of potential adverse effects, and attitudes toward self-medication. Results: Out of the 200 participants, 54% were female and 46% male, with a mean age of 27.3 ± 8.6 years. Approximately 68% reported using OTC analgesics without medical consultation, most commonly paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen. Pharmacists exhibited the highest awareness of potential risks (mean score = 82.4%), followed by university students (63.1%) and the general public (49.6%). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in awareness across groups (p < 0.001). Awareness levels showed a positive correlation with educational attainment (r = 0.46, p < 0.01) and a negative correlation with frequency of unsupervised use (r = -0.38, p < 0.05). Despite this, only 37% of respondents could correctly identify the risks of excessive paracetamol use or potential gastrointestinal complications related to NSAIDs. Conclusion: The findings underscore a substantial gap in public knowledge regarding the safe use of OTC analgesics in the studied Libyan regions. Misconceptions about the safety of common painkillers, combined with insufficient pharmacist counseling, contribute to high rates of unsupervised medication use. Strengthening public health education, integrating rational drug use modules into university curricula, and enhancing community pharmacy engagement are strongly recommended.
Abstract: Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are among the most commonly used medications worldwide due to their accessibility, affordability, and perceived safety. However, inappropriate and unsupervised use can lead to significant health complications such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal bleeding, and drug interactions. In de...
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Review Article
Review on Enhancing Milk Safety and Quality in Ethiopia Through Farm Level HACCP Implementation
Tegegn Teshome*,
Seble Hailemariam
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
24-27
Received:
5 December 2025
Accepted:
18 December 2025
Published:
19 January 2026
Abstract: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a preventive, science-based food safety system increasingly recognized as essential at the farm level, where most milk contamination originates. In Ethiopia, dairy production is largely dominated by smallholders who operate under diverse management conditions and often face persistent challenges including poor milking hygiene, limited access to clean water, lack of cooling facilities, misuse of veterinary drugs, and widespread aflatoxin contamination from improperly stored or contaminated feed. These factors create multiple biological, chemical, and physical hazards that compromise raw milk quality and pose significant public health risks. Applying HACCP at the farm stage is therefore crucial because it focuses on identifying hazards early and managing them at specific critical points such as milking, udder preparation, equipment sanitation, drug withdrawal compliance, and feed safety. Evidence from Ethiopian studies indicates that even simplified, smallholder-friendly HACCP models-such as cooperative-level plans or checklist-based approaches can substantially reduce microbial loads, minimize antibiotic residues, lower levels of aflatoxin M1, and decrease rejection rates at collection centers. Improvements in these areas directly contribute to better milk quality, reduced spoilage, higher acceptance by processors, and increased income for farmers through reduced losses and, where available, quality-based payment schemes. However, successful adoption of HACCP on Ethiopian dairy farms requires overcoming several structural and operational barriers. These include low awareness of food safety principles, limited training for farmers and extension workers, inadequate infrastructure for cooling and hygienic handling and weak enforcement of existing regulations. Moreover, many smallholders lack incentives to adopt improved practices in the absence of stable markets that reward quality. To achieve wider implementation, HACCP must be adapted to local production realities through low-cost interventions, practical training in hygiene and drug management, investment in shared or cooperative chilling and handling facilities, and the introduction of quality-based incentives from processors. Strengthening alignment with national standards and improving coordination among regulatory institutions will further support effective and sustainable adoption. Overall, HACCP offers a practical pathway to improving milk safety, protecting public health, and enhancing the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s dairy value chain.
Abstract: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a preventive, science-based food safety system increasingly recognized as essential at the farm level, where most milk contamination originates. In Ethiopia, dairy production is largely dominated by smallholders who operate under diverse management conditions and often face persistent challenge...
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Research Article
Evaluating the Level of Noise Pollution in the Town of Jamalpur, Bangladesh
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder*,
Mohammad Shamimul Islam
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
28-41
Received:
30 June 2025
Accepted:
20 August 2025
Published:
23 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.15
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Views:
Abstract: The study aimed to assess the extent of noise pollution in different areas within Jamalpur District Town. REED SD-4023 was used to measure noise levels from various sampling sites from January 1, 2021, to April 30, 2021. Several samples were collected from each sampling site. Every place's noise level measurement has been taken three times a day. Based on land uses, Jamalpur District Town was divided into 7 different zones and 60 places. The mean noise level and Leq were found to be 72.19 dBA and 94.36 dBA. The mean noise level and Leq for the Silent Area, Residential Area, Mixed Areas, Commercial Area, Industrial Area, Road Intersection, and Village Area were 69.70 dBA and 84.38 dBA; 70.78 dBA and 91.96 dBA; 77.28 dBA and 86.31 dBA; 77.27 dBA and 89.28 dBA; 70.56 dBA and 82.91 dBA; 79.12 dBA and 102.42 dBA; and 60.64 dBA and 93.25 dBA. The hierarchy of various land uses according to mean noise levels was road intersections > mixed areas > commercial areas > residential areas > industrial areas > silent areas > village areas. The three major areas with the highest levels of noise pollution were Foujdari Mor (107.72 dBA), Tennis Club Mor (107.39 dBA), and South Kachari Para (102.63 dBA). Conversely, the three major locations with the lowest noise pollution levels included Pinggol Hati (63.34 dBA), East Binondi Para (63.36 dBA), and Bichitro Para (63.83 dBA), as measured by Leq. It has been observed that the noise level had exceeded the National Standard Level in all the locations from this study.
Abstract: The study aimed to assess the extent of noise pollution in different areas within Jamalpur District Town. REED SD-4023 was used to measure noise levels from various sampling sites from January 1, 2021, to April 30, 2021. Several samples were collected from each sampling site. Every place's noise level measurement has been taken three times a day. B...
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