scholarly journals Silent HumanTrypanosoma brucei gambienseInfections around the Old Gboko Sleeping Sickness Focus in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karshima Solomon Ngutor ◽  
Lawal A. Idris ◽  
Okubanjo Oluseyi Oluyinka
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Human Blood Samples ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Trypanosoma Gambiense ◽  
Immunosuppressed Mice ◽  
Group 1

Trypanosoma brucei gambiensecauses Gambian trypanosomosis, a disease ravaging affected rural parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. We screened 1200 human blood samples forT. b. gambienseusing the card agglutination test for trypanosomosis, characterized trypanosome isolates withTrypanosoma gambienseserum glycoprotein-PCR (TgsGP-PCR), and analyzed our data using Chi square and odds ratio at 95% confidence interval for statistical association. Of the 1200 samples, the CATT revealed an overall infection rate of 1.8% which ranged between 0.0% and 3.5% across study sites. Age and sex based infection rates ranged between 1.2% and 2.3%. We isolated 7 (33.3%) trypanosomes from the 21 seropositive samples using immunosuppressed mice which were identified asT. b. gambiensegroup 1 by TgsGP-PCR. Based on study sites, PCR revealed an overall infection rate of 0.6% which ranged between 0.0% and 1.5%. Females and males revealed PCR based infection rates of 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Infection rates in adults (1.3%) and children (0.1%) varied significantly (p<0.05). We observed silentT. b. gambienseinfections among residents of this focus. Risks of disease development into the second fatal stage in these patients who may also serve as reservoirs of infection in the focus exist.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Mass Drug Administration on Neglected Tropical Diseases in Schoolchildren in Zanzibar, Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Ju Yeong Kim ◽  
Seobo Sim ◽  
Eun Joo Chung ◽  
Han-Jong Rim ◽  
Jong-Yil Chai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Hygiene Behavior ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Sub Saharan

Soil-transmitted helminths and <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> affect more than 3 billion people globally and mainly occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study assessed the overall infection status of a 1716-student cohort of school-children in Zanzibar and applied mass drug administration (MDA) to the cohort from 2007 to 2009. Schools in Pemba, Zanzibar, had a much higher prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections than those in Unguja, and the Chaani, Ghana, and Machui schools of Unguja exhibited high <i>S. haematobium</i> infection rates. The MDA program only partially controlled parasite infections, owing to high rates of re-infection. The infection rate of <i>S. haematobium</i> across all 10 schools, for example, was only reduced by 1.8%, and even this change not significant, even though the <i>S. haematobium</i>infection rates of the Chaani and Mzambarauni schools were significantly reduced from 64.4 and 23.4%, respectively, at the first screening, to 7.3 and 2.3% at the last screening. The overall infection rate of <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> was reduced from 36.0% at the first screening to 22.6% at the last screening. However, the infection rates for both <i>Trichuris trichiura</i>and hookworm were generally unaffected by MDA. In the future, parasite control programs should involve strategically designed MDA schedules and holistic intervention (e.g., sanitation improvement, hygiene behavior changes, and control of intermediated hosts).

Antioxidants promote establishment of trypanosome infections in tsetse

Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. T. MacLEOD ◽  
I. MAUDLIN ◽  
A. C. DARBY ◽  
S. C. WELBURN
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Cyclical Transmission

SUMMARYEfficient, cyclical transmission of trypanosomes through tsetse flies is central to maintenance of human sleeping sickness and nagana across sub-Saharan Africa. Infection rates in tsetse are normally very low as most parasites ingested with the fly bloodmeal die in the fly gut, displaying the characteristics of apoptotic cells. Here we show that a range of antioxidants (glutathione, cysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine, ascorbic acid and uric acid), when added to the insect bloodmeal, can dramatically inhibit cell death of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in tsetse. Both L- and D-cysteine invoked similar effects suggesting that inhibition of trypanosome death is not dependent on protein synthesis. The present work suggests that antioxidants reduce the midgut environment protecting trypanosomes from cell death induced by reactive oxygen species.

scholarly journals COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ADULT MOTHERS TREATED IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL, THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-146
Author(s):  
Siti Khuzaimah Ahmad Sharoni ◽  
Alieu Sekou Konneh
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Pregnancy Complications ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Retrospective Comparative Study

Complications of pregnancy remain a serious threat in Sub-Saharan Africa despite efforts to minimise maternal mortality due to pregnancy complications, and achieve the Millennium Development Goal 5. This is a retrospective study to determine the most common pregnancy complications among adolescents compared to adults treated in a public hospital from 2015 to 2018. The researcher applied a convenience sampling method in selecting the medical records. The instrument used was adapted from previous studies and data were analysed with descriptive and chi-square test for the inferential statistics. A total of 1,265 patients met the eligibility criteria and 540 (42.7%) were adolescents. Low birth weight (n=478, 88.5%) and preterm delivery (n=496, 91.9%) were common among babies born to adolescent mothers. Pregnancy-related complications among adolescent mothers showing the prevalence of anaemia, hypertension, and malaria were 494 (84.9%), 149 (56.2%) and 193 (62.1%) respectively. Gestational diabetes was found to be high among adult mothers (n=98, 74.8%). Among adolescent mothers, the prevalence of eclampsia was 62 (78.5%) and hemorrhage 61 (53.0%). The prevalence of Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was high among adolescent mothers (n=252, 80.5%). Comprehensive strategies are needed to keep girls in schools and to raise awareness and develop campaigns about using contraception properly to reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancy as well as to minimise the incidence of pregnancy-related complications.

scholarly journals Anthropometric measurements as predictors of hypertension in Busia, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia and Siaya counties of Western Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Andale ◽  
Vitalis A. Orango ◽  
Gerald Omondi Lwande ◽  
Grace W Mwaura ◽  
Richard Mugo Ngari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Power ◽  
Anthropometric Measurements ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Reduced Physical Activity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Emerging data suggest a rise in the incidence rate of hypertension in many countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been attributed to socioeconomic factors that have influenced diet and reduced physical activity further deranging anthropometric measurements. We assessed the predictive power of three anthropometric indicators namely: waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) in detecting hypertension. This cross-sectional community survey was conducted in four counties within Western Kenya between October 2018 to April 2019 among 3594 adults. The participants sociodemographic data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements taken. We used the R-software for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the association between anthropometric measurements and hypertension while logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of hypertension. Youden method was used to identify optimal anthropometric cut-offs for sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve computation. The crude prevalence of hypertension was 23.3%, however it rose with advancement in age. Furthermore, obese individuals had a three-fold (AOR=2.64; 95% CI: 2.09, 3.35) increased likelihood of hypertension compared to those with a normal BMI. The optimal WC cut-off was 82.5cm for men and 87cm for women, an optimal WHtR of 0.47 for men and 0.55 for women; while the optimal BMI cut-off was 23.7 kg/m2 and 22.6 kg/m2 for men and women respectively. The sensitivity of WC, WHtR and BMI for men was 0.60, 0.65 and 0.39 respectively and 0.71, 0.65 and 0.78 respectively for women. BMI is the best predictor for hypertension among women but a poor predictor for men; WC had a high hypertension predictive power for both gender while WHtR is the best hypertension predictor for men.

Blended Learning in Nigeria

2011 ◽  
pp. 190-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nwachukwu Prince Ololube
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
University Education ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Assessment Design ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Performance ◽  
University Setting

Blended learning requirements are increasing, in part because of the population explosion and policies pertaining to the democratization of education. Yet, thousands of students and faculty remain deficient in the use of blended learning to advance technology in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. This research employed a quantitative assessment design aimed at improving best available practices, processes, and performance in terms of the blended learning offered in a university setting. A six-point Likert-type questionnaire was used to gather data. Multiple statistical procedures were employed in the subsequent analysis—percentage, mean point values, chi-square, and ANOVA. Majority of the respondents to the questionnaire agreed that the teaching of MIS to students is effective and has a positive impact on their academic achievements. This groundbreaking research presents a realistic resource for the practical application of blended learning in university education in Nigeria, as well as a comprehensive view of the benefits and problems of the applicability of blended learning.

Feasibility of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) screening for cervical cancer in Tanzania with emphasis on special populations.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5527-5527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Chinn ◽  
Ava Runge ◽  
Andreea Dinicu ◽  
Jenny Chang ◽  
Argyrios Ziogas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Hiv Rapid Testing ◽  
Sub Saharan

5527 Background: Following the report that VIA screening reduced cervical cancer mortality by 31% in India (ASCO LBA2 2013; Shastri SS, et al JNCI 2014), the W.H.O. endorsed VIA guidelines for Africa, where the global disease burden is highest. In Tanzania, cervical cancer is a major source of morbidity and mortality, with nearly 10,000 new cases and 7,000 deaths annually. Due to lack of resources, therapies are limited and patient outcomes are further confounded by the relatively high prevalence of concurrent HIV infection. We report on the feasibility of VIA screening in Tanzania with emphasis on unique populations. Methods: Our two 5-day VIA screen-and-treat workshops in Buzuruga and Sangabuye Health Centres in Mwanza, Tanzania were approved by the University of California, Irvine IRB and local health authorities. Participants were recruited from surrounding communities and offered free cervical VIA screening, cryotherapy when indicated, and HIV rapid testing. Acetowhite lesions and/or abnormal vascular markings were VIA+. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were performed with statistical significance assigned at 0.05. Results: During July 2018, 825 of 917 registered participants underwent VIA screening and 25.1% (n=207) were VIA+. 147 VIA+ non-pregnant women received same day cryotherapy and 15 (1.8%) with lesions suspicious for cancer were referred to Bugando Medical Center. In the subanalysis of 64 HIV+ patients (23 diagnosed at the workshops, 41 with prior diagnosis on ART), HIV infection was not associated with VIA positivity (p=0.497). Additionally, a non-significant trend of higher VIA+ screens among newly diagnosed untreated HIV patients (27.7%) vs patients with known HIV on ART (17.5%) was observed (p=0.556). Conclusions: VIA screening for cervical cancer, while feasible in Tanzania, will require follow-up and repetitive screening. Although cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining illness, lack of correlation between HIV infection and VIA-positivity may reflect the availability of W.H.O.-subsidized ART in sub-Saharan Africa to attenuate HPV-mediated neoplastic transformation, as previously reported by others. Further study of this phenomenon is warranted.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension among Assosa town, WesternEthiopia, 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Center ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Hypertension, the global first and third risk for mortality and disease burden respectively, is recording an increment in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. This study aimed to identify prevalence and its associated risk factor of Hypertension in the Assosa town. Objective: To identify prevalence and factors associated with hypertension in the study area to increase it’s prevention and control methods. Methods & materials: Institutional based cross sectional study design with quota non-probability sampling technique was conducted among patients visited OPD units ofAssosa General Hospital (AGH) andAssosa Health Center(AHC) fromMarch to June 2018. All outpatients were included. To collect data, pre-tested structured questionnaire and face to face interviews were used. Components ofstatisticalresearch software SPSS version-21 like frequency table, chi-square test of independence & logistic regression was used to enter, analyze, summarize and characterize disease and associated factors data. Result: The study was conducted among 194 participants(152 from AGH and 42 from AHC) with 102 males and 92 females. Prevalence of hypertension among patients visited outpatient units of Assosa General Hospital and Assosa Health Center was 17.5%, and was slightly highest in male than female. Associated factors for hypertension among patients visited OPD units of AGH & AHC were history of hypertension in the family (CI=95% and COR=4.497(1.133-17.844) and being private employee (CI=95% and COR=0.0017(0.001-0.407). Conclusion & recommendation: Prevalence of HTN in the Assosa town, was low and influenced by some risk factors like work status and previousfamily history of hypertension. Even if usual usage ofsalt and using vegetable oil was not associated factor, being private employee were independent factor of HTN. In-depth study is recommended for further investigation. To increase preventative methods of HTN, health education supported by mass media, illustrative posters and anotherstrategies at every government & non government work sector are recommended.

scholarly journals The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa Program: Study Design and Methodology to Assess Disease Severity, Host Immunity, and Carriage Associated With Invasive Salmonellosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. S422-S434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se Eun Park ◽  
Trevor Toy ◽  
Ligia Maria Cruz Espinoza ◽  
Ursula Panzner ◽  
Ondari D Mogeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Typhoid Fever ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Salmonella Infections ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract Background Invasive salmonellosis is a common community-acquired bacteremia in persons residing in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of data on severe typhoid fever and its associated acute and chronic host immune response and carriage. The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) program, a multicountry surveillance study, aimed to address these research gaps and contribute to the control and prevention of invasive salmonellosis. Methods A prospective healthcare facility–based surveillance with active screening of enteric fever and clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with complications was performed using a standardized protocol across the study sites in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria. Defined inclusion criteria were used for screening of eligible patients for enrollment into the study. Enrolled patients with confirmed invasive salmonellosis by blood culture or patients with clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with perforation were eligible for clinical follow-up. Asymptomatic neighborhood controls and immediate household contacts of each case were enrolled as a comparison group to assess the level of Salmonella-specific antibodies and shedding patterns. Healthcare utilization surveys were performed to permit adjustment of incidence estimations. Postmortem questionnaires were conducted in medically underserved areas to assess death attributed to invasive Salmonella infections in selected sites. Results Research data generated through SETA aimed to address scientific knowledge gaps concerning the severe typhoid fever and mortality, long-term host immune responses, and bacterial shedding and carriage associated with natural infection by invasive salmonellae. Conclusions SETA supports public health policy on typhoid immunization strategy in Africa.

Social Indicators and Physical Abuse of Women by Intimate Partners: A Study of Women in Zambia

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Okenwa ◽  
Stephen Lawoko
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan

Intimate partner physical abuse (IPPA) of women is a societal problem with sinister implications on health. IPPA has been integrally linked to social status though the direction of association remains elusive, not the least in sub-Saharan Africa. This article investigated the association between IPPA and social status of women in Zambia. Data comprising 3,969 currently partnered women were retrieved from the 2001 Zambian Demographic and Health Survey and analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression. IPPA augmented with low education, income-generating activity, access to information, autonomy over household health issues, and having tolerant attitudes toward IPPA. Tolerant attitude toward IPPA and illiteracy were independent risk factors for IPPA. Educational interventions are recommended to prevent IPPA in Zambia.

scholarly journals STATUS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE COLD CHAIN SYSTEM IN KENYA: THE CASE OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR IN LAMU AND MOMBASA COUNTIES

2022 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-46
Author(s):  
Sofia Tumaini Kabibi ◽  
Benards Okeyo ◽  
M. H. Khalil Timamy
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Fishing Sector ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Status ◽  
Fish Catch ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Study Sites

Purpose: This study examined the status, challenges and opportunities of the fishing sub-sector in Mombasa and Lamu counties in Kenya. The study examined the various opportunities cold chain have in development of the fisheries sector. The study zeroed on factors like the economic, administrative, financial, technological and cultural attributes that influence the efficiency of the cold chain. Methodology: Literature reviewed showed that shortage of reliable and adequate cold chain facilities in sub-Saharan Africa is one of the main causes of losses of perishable products however there’s little documentation of the study on the status, challenges and opportunities of cold chain technologies in the fishing sector in Kenya.  The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study focusses on 2 counties in Coastal Kenya i.e. Mombasa and Lamu Counties. The justification for selecting the 2 sites was that Lamu fisheries industry is extensive and highly developed, Lamu receives the highest number of fish harvest. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires and personal interviews. The personal interviews took 5 days in Mombasa and 5 days in Lamu. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; SPSS version 20. Results: The main result of the study was showed that cold chain is widely used and required in the advancement of fishing in all the study sites. The study also revealed that Lamu County is more dependent on cold chain for fishing to earn profit for the sector as it final market is Mombasa a distance of over 200km away. The needs of the type, capacity and partnership is different from one Beach Management Unit to the other. This is primarily due to factor such fish catch, governance dynamics, access and affordability of cold chain technology and distance to the market. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study indicated that there has been deliberate effort by the two tier government – National and County to invest in Cold chain however this has been faced with myriad challenges where this installed equipment are either not operating efficiently or have stalled. The study indicated and showed that there needs to be systematic approach when selecting and managing cold chain equipment in the fishing sector.

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