Predictors of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Seropositivity and Cranial Ultrasound Patterns among Children with Hydrocephalus

Background. Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy is associated with serious neonatal complications, including hydrocephalus. In many high-income countries, T. gondii screening and treatment during the antenatal period are routinely carried out to prevent associated complications, whereas in most low-income countries, there is no routine screening of T. gondii during pregnancy. Despite the parasite being common in Tanzania, there is a paucity of information on the prevalence of T. gondii and cranial ultrasound patterns among children with hydrocephalus. Methods. An analytical cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 125 infants with hydrocephalus attending the Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) was conducted between May 2017 and February 2018. Sociodemographic and other relevant information was collected using a pretested data collection tool. Venous blood samples were collected, and sera were used for the detection of specific T. gondii antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as per manufacturer’s instructions. Data were analysed using STATA version 13 software. Results. The mean age of enrolled children was 4.8±3.5 months. Out of 125 infants with hydrocephalus, 29 (23.2%, 95% CI: 21-36) were seropositive for T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies. By multiple generalized linear model analysis, being male (aRR=1.1, 95% CI: 0.9–1.5, p=0.049), higher birth order (aRR=1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5, p=0.023), consumption of fish meat (aRR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2.3, p=0.003), and using other methods of cooking meat than boiling (aRR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.5, p=0.015) were independent risk factors for T. gondii IgG seropositivity. Obstructive hydrocephalus was significantly more common among T. gondii-seronegative infants compared to IgG-seropositive infants (31.3% [30/96] vs. 13.8% [4/29]; p=0.049). Conclusions. A significant proportion of infants with nonobstructive hydrocephalus are T. gondii IgG seropositive, and this is predicted by male gender, increase of birth order, consuming fish, and using other methods of cooking meat than boiling. These facts highlight the importance of continuing health education for pregnant women regarding T. gondii transmission and the need to follow-up their infants so that appropriate counselling and management can be provided.

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Evidence for Transmission of Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis in a Rural Area of Northern Rwanda

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.645076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Lucrecia Acosta Soto ◽

Lucy Anne Parker ◽

María José Irisarri-Gutiérrez ◽

Javier Arturo Bustos ◽

Yesenia Castillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Low Income ◽

Taenia Solium ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hygiene Measures

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the metacestode larval stage (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. In humans, cysticercosis may infect the central nervous system and cause neurocysticercosis, which is responsible for over 50,000 deaths per year worldwide and is the major cause of preventable epilepsy cases, especially in low-income countries. Cysticercosis infection is endemic in many less developed countries where poor hygiene conditions and free-range pig management favor their transmission. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 680 children from a rural primary school in Gakenke district (Northern province of Rwanda). Stool samples were collected from participants and analyzed using the Kato-Katz method (KK), formol-ether concentration (FEC), and/or copro-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoAg-ELISA) to detect taeniasis. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) and antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) to detect human cysticercosis. The overall proportion of taeniasis positivity was 0.3% (2/680), and both cases were also confirmed by CoAg-ELISA. A total of 13.3% (76/572) of the children studied were positive to cysticercosis (T. solium-specific serum antibodies detected by EITB), of whom 38.0% (27/71) had viable cysticercus (T. solium antigens by Ag-ELISA). This study provides evidence of the highest cysticercosis prevalence reported in Rwanda in children to date. Systematic investigations into porcine and human cysticercosis as well as health education and hygiene measures for T. solium control are needed in Gakenke district.

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A seroepidemiological study of respiratory syncytial virus infection in the Littoral Region of Cameroon

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18010/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Henshaw Eyambe Mandi ◽

Solomon Abebe Yimer ◽

Cavin Epie Bekolo ◽

Agnes Eyoh ◽

Sindhiya Jan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Acute Respiratory Infections ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Littoral Region ◽

Rsv Infection ◽

Syncytial Virus

Abstract BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for about 300 000 deaths in young children per year, and 99% of these occur in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess the burden of RSV infection among children less than two years with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the littoral region of Cameroon. MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study in seven health facilities in the littoral region of Cameroon. Venous blood was collected using serum separation tubes from eligible children who visited these healthcare facilities with acute respiratory infections. ELISA determined the seroprevalence of anti-IgM RSV. Factors associated with RSV infection were ascertained using logistic regression. ResultsOut of 100 study participants, the overall RSV-associated ARI seroprevalence was 33% (95%CI:23.6-42.3). Factors significantly associated with RSV acquisition were age below six months (p=0.000) and mixed feeding (p=0.015). ConclusionsThe RSV burden is high among children less than two years with ARI in the littoral region of Cameroon. There is a need for an effective public health RSV surveillance system with standard laboratory techniques and equipment to better understand the RSV disease age-specific incidence, seasonality, and RSV burden among patients in the communities in Cameroon.

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Antihepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies among Pregnant Women in an Urban Area of Mwanza City, Tanzania

Journal of Pregnancy ◽

10.1155/2019/7917894 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elieza Chibwe ◽

Vitus Silago ◽

Edwin Kajoro ◽

Muhsin Juma ◽

Emmanuel Mkumbo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Low Income ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hbv Vaccination ◽

Mwanza City ◽

Hepatitis C Viruses

Background. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV and HCV) are life-threatening infections of public health importance due to their association with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite HBV being moderately endemic in many low-income countries, there is no routine HBV vaccination among child bearing aged women making them at risk of transmitting infections to the foetus during pregnancy. This study investigated the seroprevalence of antihepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) and HCV antibodies among pregnant women in Mwanza city to provide data that can be used in devising preventive strategies. Methods. A cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 339 pregnant women was conducted between June and July 2017. Data were collected using structured data collection tool. Detection of anti-HBs was performed using enzyme immunoassay while qualitative rapid immunochromatographic tests were employed to detect HCV antibodies. Data was analyzed by using STATA version 13. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 25.6±5.8 years. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 85/339 (25.1%, 95% CI: 20.4-29.6) while that of HCV antibodies was 1/333 (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4). By univariate logistic regression analysis, increase in age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09, P=0.03), unknown HIV status (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.11-0.79, P=0.035), and multigravidity (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.8, P=0.038) were significantly associated with anti-HBs seropositivity. Conclusion. A significant proportion of pregnant women have anti-HBs while the seroprevalence of HCV is low among pregnant women in the city of Mwanza. Routine screening of HBV among pregnant women coupled with appropriate management should be emphasized in developing countries. Further studies to determine seroprevalence of HCV are recommended across the country.

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Assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

10.25259/anmrp_1_2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 5

Author(s):

Audu Onyemocho ◽

Agwa Moses ◽

Aboh Kisani ◽

Omole Namben Victoria ◽

Anejo-Okopi Joseph

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Life Time ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Educational Status ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Practice ◽

Dog Owners ◽

The Relationship

Objective: Rabies, one of the oldest and fatal infectious diseases known to human race, is transmitted by infected dogs. The global target of zero dog-mediated rabies human deaths has been set for 2030; however, the realization of this goal poses challenges in most low-income countries where rabies is endemic due to weak surveillance. Dogs have been increasingly deployed for domestic uses over the years, especially for security purposes. This study assessed the assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was employed to study 400 dog owners in Makurdi metropolis through multistage sampling techniques. Sighting of valid dog vaccination card was used as criteria for current vaccination. Bivariate analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between the respondent knowledge of rabies and dog vaccination with significant value set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31 (Â ± 0.8) years, majority of them had tertiary and secondary education (40.0% and 39.0%, respectively), 26.0% were traders, and 50.0% were married. Overall, 73.0% of the respondents had good knowledge score, 61.0% had seen at least a rabid dog in their life time, and 74.0% have a history of dog vaccination, but evidence of up to date vaccination of dogs by owners was seen in only 18.0% of all the vaccination cards sighted. The relationship between the educational status of the respondents, their knowledge score, and their dog vaccination was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies among dog owners in Makurdi was good, but the practice of dog vaccination was poor. Educational status was a good predictor of practice. Awareness campaign on dog vaccination should be strengthened and adequate measures should be put in place at the veterinary hospitals in Makurdi for vaccination of dogs.

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A Cross-sectional Study of the Clinical Profile of Children With Cerebral Palsy in Benin, a West African Low-Income Country

Journal of Child Neurology ◽

10.1177/0883073819864516 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (13) ◽

pp. 842-850

Author(s):

Emmanuel Segnon Sogbossi ◽

Damienne Houekpetodji ◽

Toussaint G. Kpadonou ◽

Yannick Bleyenheuft

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Low Income ◽

Classification System ◽

West African ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Common Cause ◽

Low Income Country ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a common cause of pediatric motor disability. Although there are increasing amounts of data on the clinical profile of children with cerebral palsy in high-income countries, corresponding information about low-income countries and developing countries is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of cerebral palsy in children in Benin, a representative West African low-income country. Our cross-sectional observational study included 114 children with cerebral palsy recruited from community-based rehabilitation centers and teaching hospitals (median age: 7 years, range 2-17; sex: 66% male). Data were collected through review of medical records and interviews with children’s mothers. Assessment included risk factors, clinical subtypes according to the Surveillance of CP in Europe criteria, severity of motor outcome scored by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System, comorbidities, and school attendance. We recorded a high prevalence of intrapartum adverse events. Seventeen percent of children had postneonatal cerebral palsy, with cerebral malaria being the most common cause. Most children were severely affected (67.5% as bilateral spastic; 54.4% as GMFCS IV or V), but severity declined substantially with age. Only 23% of the children with cerebral palsy had attended school. Poor motor outcomes and comorbidities were associated with school nonattendance. These results suggest that intrapartum risk factors and postnatal cerebral malaria in infants are opportune targets for prevention of cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan low-income countries.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07245-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽

Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽

José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽

Angel Entrena-García ◽

Jorge Fraga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meat Products ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

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Stigmatising attitudes towards the mentally ill: A survey in a Nigerian university teaching hospital

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v16i2.238 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dominic Ignatius Ukpong ◽

Festus Abasiubong

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Low Income ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Educational Programme ◽

University Teaching ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Nigerian University

Background. The burden of mental illness is particularly severe for people living in low-income countries. Negative attitudes towards the mentally ill, stigma experiences and discrimination constitute part of this disease burden.Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of possible causes of mental illness and attitudes towards the mentally ill in a Nigerian university teaching hospital population.Method. A cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 208 participants from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, using the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale. Information was also obtained on beliefs about possible causes of mental illness. Results. The respondents held strongly negative views about the mentally ill, mostly being authoritarian and restrictive in their attitudes and placing emphasis on custodial care. Even though the respondents appeared to be knowledgeable about the possible role of psychosocial and genetic factors in the causation of mental illness, 52.0% of them believed that witches could be responsible, 44.2% thought mental illness could be due to possession by demons, and close to one-third (30%) felt that it could be a consequence of divine punishment.Conclusions. Stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill are widespread even in a population that is expected to be enlightened. The widespread belief in supernatural causation is likely to add to the difficulties of designing an effective anti-stigma psycho-educational programme. There is a need in Nigeria to develop strategies to change stigma attached to mental illness at both institutional and community levels.

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Personal and domiciliary hygiene practices and its association with incidence of infectious diseases among children aged 6-59 months

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213519 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 4204

Author(s):

Md Hasanuzzaman ◽

Md Hafizur Rahman ◽

Md Shafiqul Islam Khan ◽

Musammet Rasheda Begum ◽

Farjana Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Low Income ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Prepared Food

Background: Over 200 million under-five-children born in low-income countries are at risk of not reaching their development potential and infectious diseases are the leading cause of development deficits in these regions.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate personal and household hygiene practices among 154 mothers and their association with the incidence of infectious diseases among 167 children aged 6 months to 59 months in Patuakhali district, Bangladesh.Results: Only 13.6% of the mothers had proper hand washing knowledge. Besides, 14% and 53.9% of the mothers washed their hands with soap and only with water respectively before feeding their child. About 68.2% of mothers prepared food on the ground and half (49.5%) of the toilet did not have a hand washing location beside it. The risk of childhood infectious disease was significantly associated with hand washing of mothers before feeding a child (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-4.1, p<0.05) and hand washing of child before eating (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8-5.7, p<0.05).Conclusions: Hand washing agents were inadequate and compliance to hand washing was poor. Therefore, the continuous focus is needed on the mother's awareness construction to increase the compliance to hand washing practice among mothers as well as their child with soap, especially during child feeding.

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Impact of Social Isolation on Physical Activity and Factors Associated With Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0456 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Giovana Z. Mazo ◽

Felipe Fank ◽

Pedro S. Franco ◽

Bruna da Silva Vieira Capanema ◽

Franciele da Silva Pereira

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Low Income ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Impact

The objective was to analyze the impact of social isolation on moderate physical activity and factors associated with sedentary behavior of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study involving 111 older adults (aged 71.0 ± 6.87 years). The data were collected at two time points: in November 2019 and in June 2020. There was a decline in moderate physical activity when the minutes/week were compared before and during social isolation (p < .001). Sedentary behavior was associated with the condition of living alone. Older adults who lived alone were 3.29 times more likely to spend 4 hr or more in sedentary behavior than those who lived with a partner (95% confidence interval [1.01, 10.74]). Government agencies must establish PA-related health promotion strategies, especially in developing and low-income countries. Therefore, home exercises need to be encouraged to prevent the consequences of this pandemic period.

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Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Utilization and Associated Factors among College Students at West Arsi Zone in Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2020/3408789 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Demelash Wachamo ◽

Yadessa Tegene ◽

Abdisa Tibeso ◽

Assefa Washo

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Low Income ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Reproductive Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Arsi Zone

Background. Young people are challenged with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems due to limited access to services and information. It contributes a high burden of sexually transmitted disease, unsafe abortion, and premature mortality, especially in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the SRH service utilization and associated factors among college students at West Arsi Zone in Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 519 randomly selected college students from January 01, 2019, up to April 30, 2019. Data were collected through self-administered pretested questionnaires. Data entry and analysis for descriptive and logistic regression models were performed by using SPSS (version 23). The result was declared as statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results. The utilization of at least one SRH service in the last twelve months was seen in 304 (58.6%) students. Mainly information and counseling (81.3%), voluntary testing and counseling for HIV (80.6%), condom service (37.2%), pregnancy test (35.5%), family planning services (33.2%), and abortion care services (26.0%) were most frequently utilized. The students’ aged between 20 and 24 years [AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.38–3.06], female students [AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.30–2.82], those not living with family [AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05–2.26], those who discussed about SRH with family/friends [AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.31–2.82], and those who participated in school clubs [AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.58] more frequently used SRH service compared with their counterparts. Conclusions. The utilization of SRH services was low when compared with other studies and needs improvements to tackle RH-related problems. It requires pertinent health education and the SRH club at higher educational institutions is crucial.

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