scholarly journals Species diversity and distribution of schistosome intermediate snail hosts in The Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. e0009823
Author(s):  
Ebrima Joof ◽  
Bakary Sanneh ◽  
Sana M. Sambou ◽  
Christopher M. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Bulinus Truncatus ◽  
New Information ◽  
Physicochemical Factors ◽  
River Region ◽  
North Bank ◽  
Water Ph

There is a need for recent information on intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia as the latest studies were conducted over three decades ago. This study assessed the incidence, species diversity, distribution and infection status of schistosome intermediate snail hosts in the country. Malacological surveys were conducted in all 5 regions of The Gambia: Central River Region (CRR), Upper River Region (URR), Western Region (WR), Lower River Region (LRR) and North Bank Region (NBR). Sampling of snails was undertaken at 114 sites that included permanent water bodies such as streams (bolongs), rice fields, irrigation canals and swamps; and temporal (seasonal) laterite pools. Ecological and physicochemical factors of sites were recorded. Snails were identified morphologically and screened for schistosome infections using molecular techniques. Freshwater snails were found at more than 50% (60/114) of sites sampled. While three species of Bulinus were collected, no Biomphalaria snails were found in any of the sites sampled. Of the total 2877 Bulinus snails collected, 75.9% were identified as Bulinus senegalensis, 20.9% as Bulinus forskalii and 3.2% as Bulinus truncatus. Seasonal pools produced the largest number of snails, and CRR was the region with the largest number of snails. Bulinus senegalensis was found more in seasonal pools as opposed to permanent sites, where B. forskalii and B. truncatus were observed to thrive. Bulinus snails were more common in seasonal sites where aquatic vegetation was present. In permanent sites, the abundance of snails increased with increase in water temperature and decrease in water pH. Bulinus senegalensis was found infected with both S. haematobium and S. bovis, while B. forskalii and B. truncatus had only S. bovis infection. While the human parasite S. haematobium was restricted to just four sites, the livestock parasite S. bovis had a much more widespread geographical distribution across both CRR and URR. This new information on the distribution of intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia will be vital for the national schistosomiasis control initiative.

scholarly journals Rainfall and Temperature Predictions: Implications for Rice Production in the Lower River Region of The Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 97-123
Author(s):  
M'koumfida Bagbohouna ◽  
D. Saberma Ragatoa ◽  
Susan O. Simon ◽  
Isidore Kodjovi Edjame
Keyword(s):  
Rice Production ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
River Region

scholarly journals Costs and barriers faced by households seeking malaria treatment in the Upper River Region, The Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Broekhuizen ◽  
Alexandra Fehr ◽  
Claudia Nieto-Sanchez ◽  
Joan Muela ◽  
Koen Peeters-Grietens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Burden ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Malaria Episode ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
River Region

Abstract Background Malaria transmission in The Gambia decreased substantially over the last 20 years thanks to the scale-up of control interventions. However, malaria prevalence is still relatively high in eastern Gambia and represents both a health and a financial burden for households. This study aims to quantify the out-of-pocket costs and productivity losses of seeking malaria treatment at household level. Methods A household survey was carried out through in-person interviews. Respondents were asked about malaria prevention methods, their treatment-seeking behaviour, and any costs incurred for transport, services, food, and/or overnight stays. A bottom-up costing approach was used to calculate the unit cost of treatment and a tobit regression approach to investigate cost drivers. Results The survey included 864 respondents, mainly subsistence farmers. Most respondents (87%) considered malaria to be a problem affecting their ability to perform their regular duties. Respondents preferred going to a health facility for treatment. The primary reason for not going was related to costs; 70% of respondents incurred costs for seeking health care, with a median of £3.62 (IQR: £1.73 to £6.10). The primary driver of cost was living in one of the villages that are off the main road and/or far from health facilities. 66% reported productivity loss of 5 working days on average during a malaria episode of them or their child. Conclusions Although malaria prevalence is decreasing and treatment is provided free of charge, households seeking treatment are confronted with out-of-pocket expenditures and lost working days; particularly in remote villages.

scholarly journals Assessment of Water Quality in Kuntaur, Central River Region, The Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-243
Author(s):  
Oladele Oyelakin ◽  
◽  
Mustapha Conteh ◽  
Osaro Iyekowa ◽  
Adjivon Anthony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
River Region ◽  
National Environment ◽  
Environment Agency ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Nitrite Nitrate

The study deals with twelve water quality parameters on twenty-four sampling locations in Kuntaur. Samples were collected from the both surface water and groundwater. Twelve parameters were: temperature, pH, conductivity, acidity, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, iron, nitrite, nitrate, sulphate and phosphorus (orthophosphate). Nearly all the measured parameters fell within the standard reference of the various parameters. The standards were: National Environment Agency, NEA, (The Gambia), World Health Organization, WHO and European Union, EU, Standards.

Subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies alleviating food insecurity in the context of climate change in the lower river region of the Gambia

Food Security ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 607-624
Author(s):  
Ebrima Sonko ◽  
Wojciech J. Florkowski ◽  
Sampson Agodzo ◽  
Philip Antwi-Agyei
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Farmer Knowledge ◽  
Subsistence Farmer ◽  
River Region

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Central River Region of The Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 508-519
Author(s):  
Mendy A. ◽  
Kargbo A. ◽  
K. E. Ibrahim Y. ◽  
E. Entonu M. ◽  
T. Gbem T.
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
River Region

scholarly journals Epidemiology of tsetse flies in the transmission of trypanosomiasis: technical review of The Gambia experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1093-1102
Author(s):  
Alpha Kargbo ◽  
Rex A. Kuye
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Control Program ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Insect Vector ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
River Region

Climate change has posed serious health threats on both man and animals. This ranges from effects of progressive temperature rises from global warming to extreme weather events and anthropogenic activities and this has affected insect-vector distributions worldwide. Tsetse fly species transmit Trypanosomes but relative significance depends largely on the strength of their interactions with susceptible hosts. Tsetse flies are the main vectors of Trypanosomiasis and their existence pose a threat to the survival of cattle, small ruminates and equines in The Gambia. It is known to be one of the most vital parasitic diseases affecting livestock productivity in The Gambia and equines are very susceptible. Central River Region is mainly infested with the tsetse fly Glossina morsitan submorsitan a major vector of Trypanosomiasis among animals in the country and it is mainly found in dry, canopied, savannah woodland. Glossina palpalis is also present, but are more limited to riverine vegetation in the area. This work seeks to show the havoc caused by trypanosomiasis and the urgency for more studies to investigate the patterns of transmission of this disease especially in the context of climate change in other for a better control program for this zoonosis in The Gambia.Keywords: Climate Change, Glossina, Trypanosome, Cattle, Equine.

A Gambian Chieftaincy Election

1977 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Kingsland
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Political System ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Electoral Politics ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
The Political ◽  
Dominant Party ◽  
The North ◽  
North Bank

The SettingThe rumble of military jeeps throughout the continent has obscured the fact that there are still a few places where lively elections are held from time to time. Before the rash of coups, and even in several countries with a dominant party, there were local opportunities for intensive competition. Where electoral politics still exist today, groups which might not carry much national weight have the chance to win a slice of the political system at the local level. Such a case was the 1975 election of the chief or seyfo for the Lower Saloum District which is part of the McCarthy Island Division on the north bank of the Gambia River. The three largest ethnic groups here are the Olof, the Mandinka, and the Fula.

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