Variation in malariometric and red cell indices in children in the Mount Cameroon area following enhanced malaria control measures: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose Neck extensor endurance (NEE) and position sense are vital for maintaining cervical spine function and defects in these processes may be associated with impaired postural control in chronic neck pain (CNP) subjects. The study’s objectives are 1) to compare the cervical extensor endurance capability and postural control of CNP subjects with those of asymptomatic controls; 2) to investigate the association between NEE and postural control. Materials and Methods Sixty-four participants (38 asymptomatic, 38 with CNP) participated in this cross-sectional study. NEE was assessed using a clinical extensor endurance test. Under open and closed eyes conditions, postural control measures were tested with the Good Balance system. The postural control parameters were AP-velocity (mm/s), ML-velocity (mm/s) and Velocity moment (mm2). NEE capacity and postural control parameters were compared and correlated between asymptomatic and CNP subjects. Results and Discussion CNP subjects showed lower NEE capacity (p<0.001) and significantly larger AP-velocity (p<0.001), ML-velocity (p<0.001) and Velocity moment (p<0.001) than asymptomatic participants. NEE negatively correlated with AP-velocity (r=−0.51, p=0.001), ML-velocity (r=0.46, p=0.003) and velocity moment (r=0.38, p=0.020) in asymptomatic subjects in eyes open condition and no correlations in subjects with CNP. CNP subjects showed increased postural sway velocities and lowered extensor endurance capacity compared to asymptomatic participants. No correlations existed between NEE and postural control parameters in CNP subjects.

Download Full-text

Knowledge about biosafety measures in clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian dental students

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2022.9 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Matheus dos Santos Fernandez ◽

Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽

Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz ◽

Nathalia Ribeiro Jorge da Silva ◽

Camilla Hubner Bielavski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Setting ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Control Measures ◽

Practical Training ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Medium Level

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dental students about biosafety measures that should be adopted in the clinical setting during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 1,050 dental students was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared with students. Mean knowledge score on biosafety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic was the outcome, with a maximum of 8 scores. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, aspects related to biosafety education, actions adopted by the dental schools during the pandemic, and sources of biosafety information. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Mean knowledge score was 5.19 (1.28). Female students (β=0.346; 95%CI:0.154–0.539), those enrolled in the intermediate (β=0.525; 95%CI:0.167–0.883) or final (β=0.569; 95%CI:0.200–0.937) stage of course, and those who had already received theoretical-practical training in biosafety (β=0.464; 95%CI:0.063–0.866) presented higher mean knowledge scores. Students who did not receive guidance on aerosol control measures before the pandemic (β=-0.324; 95%CI:-0.519–-0.130) had the lowest score. Conclusion: Students presented a medium level of knowledge about dental biosafety measures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the institutional profile of the participants, and access to orientation and training in biosafety may influence their knowledge.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of AsymptomaticLeishmania donovaniamong Laborers and Associated Risk Factors in Agricultural Camps of West Armachiho District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2018/5751743 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Animen Ayehu ◽

Yibeltal Aschale ◽

Wossenseged Lemma ◽

Animut Alebel ◽

Ligabaw Worku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Study Participants

Background. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also called kala-azar) is a public health problem in Ethiopia, especially in sesame and sorghum growing areas. Compared to other populations, labor migrants are the most exposed. Knowing the seroprevalence ofLeishmania donovaniand associated risk factors is essential to design appropriate control measures. The main aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers and associated risk factors in agricultural camps of West Armachiho district, Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the seroprevalence and associated risk factors ofL. donovaniinfection.Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 laborers from October to December 2017. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from selected agricultural camps. After obtaining written informed consent, data were collected using a structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire using the interview technique. A single finger prick blood sample was collected from the study participants and the blood samples were subjected to the serological diagnostic method using the rk39 kit. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated withL. donovaniinfection.Result. Among 185 participants examined using rk39, 14 (7.6%) were seroreactive forL. donovani.Leishmania donovaniinfection had a statistically significant association with sleeping underBalanitestrees (AOR: 4.36, 95%CI: 1.186-16.06), presence of domestic animals near sleeping place (AOR: 4.68, 95% CI: 1.25-17.56), and lack of knowledge about VL transmission (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.07-13.47).Conclusion. Seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers in agricultural camps of West Armachiho was low. Prevention measures and health education about risk factors that expose toL. donovaniinfection for the laborers are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.

Download Full-text

Hematological alteration among visceral leishmaniasis patients attending in Western Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2018/2019: A cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.21194/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gebremedhin Gebremichail ◽

Brhane Tesfanchal ◽

Getachew Belay ◽

Gebreslassie Gebremariam ◽

Gebreyohans Teklehaymanot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Control Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Red Cell Indices ◽

Hematological Abnormalities

Abstract Background: Hematological abnormalities are common in visceral leishmaniasis patients, which is one of the main public health problems worldwide. The most common hematological abnormalities are anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the hematological alteration among visceral leishmaniasis patients attending Western Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2019. Method: Hospital based comparative cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to March 2019 in Western Tigrai, Ethiopia. A total of 100 Visceral Leishmaniasis patients and 100 control groups were included in this study. Blood was collected and analyzed by mindray BC-5800 hematology analyzer. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical package for social science version 23. Student independent t-test was used for data analysis. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant at 95% confidence level. Result: From the total 100 visceral leishmaniasis patients the following abnormalities were reported: 96(96%) anemia, 95(95%) leucopenia, 92(92%) neutropenia, 73(73%) Lymphopenia, 45(45%) eosinopenia and 97(97%) had thrombocytopenia. Red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices and platelet were significantly lower (p<0.05) in visceral leishmaniasis patients compared with the control groups. Similarly the total White blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil count were significantly lower (p<0.05) in visceral leishmaniasis patients compared with the control groups. Conclusion: The major changes in peripheral blood of patient with visceral leishmaniasis are reduced number of red blood cells, reduction in leukocytes and decreased platelet count. Visceral leishmaniasis patients presented with anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. So this finding indicates that visceral leishmaniasis causes alterations of hematological parameters. Key words: Amastigote, Anemia, Hematological Parameters, Promastigote, Visceral leishmaniasis, Ethiopia .

Download Full-text