scholarly journals Water Quality andAnopheles gambiaeLarval Tolerance to Pyrethroids in the Cities of Douala and Yaoundé (Cameroon)

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Tene Fossog ◽  
Edmond Kopya ◽  
Cyrille Ndo ◽  
Benjamin Menze-Djantio ◽  
Carlo Costantini ◽  
...  

The poor management of the urban environment in sub-Saharan Africa is affectingAnopheles gambiaesusceptibility to insecticides. A study was undertaken to assess the influence of breeding sites physicochemical parameters on malaria vectors population tolerance to insecticides. A total of 18, 262 larvae collected from 104 breeding sites were exposed to diagnostic concentrations of permethrin and deltamethrin. Larvae originating from cultivated sites were more tolerant than larvae from polluted or nonpolluted sites. No significant difference was observed between polluted and nonpolluted sites. Field larvae were 142 to 325 times and 6.08 to 9.57 times more tolerant to deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively, than larvae of theA. gambiaeKisumu strain used as control. A low but significant correlation was detected between physicochemical parameters and larval insecticide tolerance. Cultivated sites were negatively and significantly correlated to larval tolerance to both deltamethrin (r=−0.421;P<0.0001) and permethrin (r=−0.392;P<0.0001). Dissolved oxygen (r=+0.466;P<0.0001) and ammonia (r=−0.205;P=0.04) appeared significantly correlated to larval tolerance to deltamethrin. The data suggest a direct correlation between some characteristics from the breeding sites and larval tolerance to pyrethroids.

Author(s):  
Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo ◽  
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie ◽  
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu ◽  
John Ahenkorah ◽  
Emmanuel Afutu ◽  
...  

Background: Malaria is still endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with a high disease burden. Misconceptions about malaria contribute to poor attitudes and practices, further increasing the burden in endemic countries. Studies have examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of malaria among different populations. However, there seems to be no available literature reporting on the perspectives of day and night market traders. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on malaria KAP with a focus on day and night market traders. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving day and night market traders in 10 selected markets within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was carried out. Data were collected from consenting respondents using a structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 760 respondents (33.3% (n = 253) night and 66.7% (n = 507) day traders) interviewed, there was no significant difference between the day and night market traders in terms of malaria KAP. Although the market traders had an overall moderate knowledge (54.0% of the day traders and 56.5% of the night traders), misconceptions about malaria (especially that it could be caused by exposure to the sun) still existed among the traders. Moreover, the majority of the traders who demonstrated high knowledge (43.98%, n = 250) did not always take laboratory tests to confirm their suspicion, indicating poor attitude. Furthermore, the market traders’ choice of drug for malaria treatment (p = 0.001) and preferred malaria treatment type (orthodox or herbal) (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with their knowledge level. Conclusions: Despite the observation that no significant difference in KAP exists between day and night market traders, appropriate health education programs and interventions still need to be directed at misconceptions, poor attitudes, and poor practices revealed by this study. This will ultimately help in the prevention and control of malaria in Ghana, and globally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Nsadha ◽  
Chris Rutebarika ◽  
Chrisostom Ayebazibwe ◽  
Bukenya Aloys ◽  
M. Mwanja ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neurocysticercosis caused by Taenia solium when the parasite lodges in the central nervous system, is an important cause of human seizures and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite is prevalent in many regions of Uganda. Pigs are intermediate hosts for T. solium, and we evaluated a T. solium control program in pigs, involving vaccination of pigs with the TSOL18 vaccine and treatment with oxfendazole. Methods The study was conducted in two districts of Eastern Uganda involving the rural village communities of Bukedea (intervention area) and Kumi (control area) during 2016–2017. Seven hundred and thirty-four households were enrolled in the study. Pigs in the intervention area received intramuscular immunizations with TSOL18 (Cysvax™) and an oral medication with 30 mg/kg oxfendazole (Paranthic™) at approximately 3-monthly intervals for 18 months. Porcine cysticercosis was evaluated by post-mortem examination. At the beginning of the study, 111 pigs were examined. In an interim evaluation in the intervention area, 55 pigs were evaluated 12 months after starting the project. At the end of the study approximately 3 months after the final intervention, 55 pigs from the intervention area and 56 pigs from the control area were evaluated. Results The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis for the two sites was 16.2% at the beginning of the study (17.2% in the intervention area and 15.1% in the control area) with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.759) between the two study sites. Among the 110 animals assessed from the intervention site (55 at the interim evaluation and 55 at the final evaluation), no pig with viable T. solium cysts was found. There was a statistically significant difference between the prevalence at baseline (17.2%) and at the end of the study (0%) in the intervention area (P = 0.001) and a statistically significant difference between the intervention (0%) and control areas (5.4%) (P = 0.041) at the end of the study. Conclusions Three-monthly concurrent vaccination of pigs with the TSOL18 vaccine and medication with oxfendazole eliminated T. solium transmission by the animals involved in the study. Application of vaccination with medication in pigs has the potential to reduce transmission of T. solium in Uganda and other endemic countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Andrew Nii Adzei Bekoe ◽  
Emmanuel Alote Allotey ◽  
Elliot Elikplim Akorsu ◽  
Albert Abaka-Yawson ◽  
Samuel Adusei ◽  
...  

Background. Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is endemic. As such, it is important that a proper diagnosis is made before treatment is initiated. Malaria parasite count plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of malaria. Variations in ratings by laboratory personnel can impact negatively on the treatment regimen for malaria-infected patients. The study is thus aimed at evaluating and comparing the proficiency and parasitaemia counts by two different categories of laboratory staff at the LEKMA Hospital, Ghana. Materials and Methods. A total of 200 confirmed malaria-positive samples were used in the study. Six thick and thin films were prepared from each sample and uniquely labelled. Two of the six slides were given to two WHO-accredited malaria microscopists to examine and report their respective parasite count/μl ( parasite   count / WBC × 8000 ). These were used as the reference for the two categories of laboratory staffs: rater A being diploma holders (Technical Officers referred to as untrained rater) and rater B being degree holders (Medical Laboratory Scientist referred to as trained rater) at the LEKMA Hospital. Results. In comparison to the expected outcome, the parasite count by the rater group A (190 (151-239)]) and the rater group B (177 (140-224)) demonstrated significant positive correlation ( r = 0.995 , p < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.995 , p < 0.0001 , respectively) with the expected outcome in the cases of heavy parasitaemia. A statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) between counts by the different raters in low parasitemia was observed in this study. A persistent nosedive inter-rater agreement from k = 0.82 to k = 0.40 with increasing density cutoff was observed in this study. Conclusion. The study observed that the degree of inter-rater agreement of parasite density count by various categories of laboratory personnel is almost perfect. However, the parasite count between raters varied significantly with very low levels of parasitemia but better correlated with heavy parasitemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 2219-2229
Author(s):  
A. Kindozandji ◽  
B.D. Datinon ◽  
K. Amevoin ◽  
A.N. Nondichao ◽  
A.I. Glitho ◽  
...  

Le niébé est l’une des légumineuses alimentaires la plus importante dans toutes les régions de l’Afrique Sub-saharienne. L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier l’effet rémanent de Mavi Multinucléo polyhedrovirus (Mavi MNPV) après la récolte du niébé au champ. Le champ a été traité 5 fois au biopesticide Mavi MNPV à la fréquence de sept jours. Deux semaines après la récolte, deux plants ainsi que les graines de chaque traitement sur chaque unité parcellaire ayant reçu les traitements de Mavi MNPV de 107, 108 et 109 virions/ml ont été collectés et amenés au laboratoire avec le substrat de développement de la plante (sable). Aucune des formulations issues des substrats sable, racines, feuilles, tiges et graines n’a affecté la mortalité des larves L2 et L3 de Maruca vitrata et aucune différence significative n’a été observée entre les traitements et le témoin. Quels que soient les traitements, le taux d’émergence des adultes est élevé ; ce qui signifie que la variation de la concentration de Mavi MNPV ne conditionne pas sa présence dans le sol, les tiges, les feuilles, les racines et les graines. Le biopesticide Mavi MNPV n’est pas persistant dans la nature.Mots clés : Niébé, Mavi MNPV, Maruca vitrata, Effet rémanent   English Title: Study of the residual effect of Mavi MNPV in a cowpea field Cowpea is one of the most important food legumes in all regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this research work was to study the persistence effect of Mavi Multinucleus polyhedrovirus (Mavi MNPV) after field harvest of the cowpea. The field was treated 5 times with Mavi MNPV biopesticide at seven days. Two weeks after harvest, two plants as well as the seeds from each treatment on each plot unit that received Mavi MNPV treatments of 107, 108 and 109 virions / ml were removed and brought to the laboratory with the plant development substrate (sand). None of the formulations from sand, root, leaf, stem and seed substrates did not affect the mortality of L2 and L3 larvae of Maruca vitrata and no significant difference was observed between treatments and control. Regardless of the treatments, the rate of emergence of adults is high; this means that the variation in the concentration of Mavi MNPV does not condition its presence in soil, stems, leaves, roots and seeds. Mavi MNPV biopesticide is not persistent in nature.Keywords: Cowpea, Mavi MNPV, Maruca vitrata, Residual effect.      


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charu Rastogi

M-Kopa Solar is a pay-as-you-go provider of solar home systems, catering to low-income, off-grid customers in East Africa. The company goes by the tagline, ‘Power for Everyone’. Using mobile payments system and an innovative approach to energy delivery, M-Kopa succeeded in building a business which solved a grave problem for the poorest of the poor and has the potential to become a billion dollar enterprise. The case begins with a description of the background in which M-Kopa is operating. It goes on to explain how M-Kopa used the infrastructure gap in sub-Saharan Africa as an opportunity and propagated solar power as an alternative to traditional energy. Finally, it lays out the challenges M-Kopa may face on its expansion spree.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regis Musavengane ◽  
Pius Siakwah ◽  
Llewellyn Leonard

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to question the extent to which Sub-Saharan African cities are progressing towards promoting pro-poor economies through pro-poor tourism (PPT). It specifically examines how African cities are resilient towards attaining sustainable urban tourism destinations in light of high urbanization. Design/methodology/approach The methodological framework is interpretive in nature and qualitative in an operational form. It uses meta-synthesis to evaluate the causal relationships observed within Sub-Saharan African pro-poor economies to enhance PPT approaches, using Accra, Ghana, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe, as case studies. Findings Tourism development in Sub-Saharan Africa has been dominantly underpinned by neoliberal development strategies which threaten the sustainability of tourism in African cities. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to three Sub-Saharan African countries. Further studies may need to be done in other developing countries. Practical implications It argues for good governance through sustainability institutionalization which strengthens the regulative mechanisms, processes and organizational culture. Inclusive tourism approaches that are resilient-centered have the potential to promote urban tourism in Sub-Saharan African cities. These findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive Institutions for Sustainable Development in the Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty. Social implications These findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive institutions for sustainable development in the Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty. Originality/value The “poor” are always within the communities, and it takes a community to minimise the impact of poverty among the populace. The study is conducted at a pertinent time when most African government’s development policies are pro-poor driven. Though African cities provide opportunities of growth, they are regarded as centres of high inequality.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ufuoma John Ejughemre

Context: The knotty and monumental problem of health inequality and the high burden of diseases in sub-Saharan Africa bothers on the poor state of health of many of its citizens particularly in rural communities. These issues are further exacerbated by the harrowing conditions of health care delivery and the poor financing of health services in many of these communities. Against these backdrops, health policy makers in the region are not just concerned with improving peoples’ health but with protecting them against the financial costs of illness. What is important is the need to support more robust strategies for healthcare financing in these communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: This review assesses the evidence of the extent to which community-based health insurance (CBHI) is a more viable option for health care financing amongst other health insurance schemes in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Patterns of health insurance in sub-Saharan Africa: Theoretically, the basis for health insurance is that it allows for risk pooling and therefore ensures that resources follow sick individuals to seek health care when needed. As it were, there are different models such as social, private and CBHI schemes which could come to bear in different settings in the region. However, not all insurance schemes will come to bear in rural settings in the region. Community based health insurance: CBHI is now recognized as a community-initiative that is community friendly and has a wide reach in the informal sector especially if well designed. Experience from Rwanda, parts of Nigeria and other settings in the region indicate high acceptability but the challenge is that these schemes are still very new in the region. Recommendations and conclusion: Governments and international development partners in the region should collect- ively develop CBHI as it will help in strengthening health systems and efforts geared towards achieving the millennium development goals. This is because it is inextricably linked to the health care needs of the poor. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S338-S358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Adam ◽  
Mark Henstridge ◽  
Stevan Lee

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is ripping around most of the world, but not in Africa; at least, not yet. At the same time, the policy response is remarkably uniform: most of sub-Saharan Africa went into lockdown from the second week in March. What happens next for the pandemic across Africa is uncertain, but the March lockdowns are unlikely to have contained the epidemic by themselves. What is clear is that the combination of domestic lockdowns and the spill-over from the global recession means immediate and severe hardship. This paper looks beyond the public health aspects of the pandemic to examine the medium-term macroeconomic adjustment challenge confronting domestic policy-makers and international donors. We combine epidemiological and macroeconomic models to calibrate the scale of the combined shock to a representative low-income African economy and to show how alternative policy options for slowing transmission of COVID-19 impact on public revenue, and on GDP in the short run, and hence shape the path to recovery. Noting that the first lockdown, however costly, does not by itself eliminate the likelihood of a re-emergence of the epidemic, we then frame the agenda for key macroeconomic and public finance policies to sustain recovery, growth, and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. The initial hit to consumption will be up to one-third. All the public policy options are grim. International donor finance of US$40–50 billion, together with domestic reform to accelerate recovery, would make a significant difference to the outlook for poverty.


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