Prevalence of Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma Ticks in Cattle and Associated Risk Factors in Three Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Background & aim Hepatitis B and C infections are global issues that are associated with a massive financial burden in developing countries where vertical transmission is the major mode and remains high. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among 375 pregnant women attending antenatal care health facilities at Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Shahmansoor and District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methodology From a total of 375 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling from both hospitals, 10 ml of blood samples were collected and alienated serum was examined for indicators identification through the Immuno-Chromatographic Test (ICT) and 3rd Generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic data and possible risk factors. The data was analyzed via SPSS 23.0 statistical software. A chi-square analysis was performed to determine the association between variables. P-value < 0.05 was set statistically significant. Results The overall frequency of HBV and HCV among 375 pregnant women involved in the study was 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. None of the pregnant women were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Dental extraction (P = 0.001) and blood transfusion (P = 0.0005) were significantly allied with HBV infection while surgical procedure (P = 0.0001) was significantly associated with HCV infection. Moreover the sociodemographic characteristics: residential status (P = 0.017) and educational level (P = 0.048) were found significant risk factors of HBsAg and maternal age (P = 0.033) of anti-HCV, respectively. Conclusion & recommendation HBV and HCV infections are intermediary endemic in the study area. A higher prevalence of HBV was detected among pregnant mothers with a history of dental extraction, history of blood transfusion, resident to the urban area and low educational level. The age and surgical procedures were the potential risk factors found significantly associated with HCV positivity among pregnant mothers in our setup. Future negotiations to control vertical transmission should include routine antenatal screening for these infections early in pregnancy and the requirement of efficient preventive tools including the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in combination with hepatitis B immune globulins to the neonate.

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Risk factors associated with tick infestations on equids in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with notes on Rickettsia massiliae detection

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04836-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abid Ali ◽

Hafsa Zahid ◽

Ismail Zeb ◽

Muhammad Tufail ◽

Sulaiman Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Tick Species ◽

Tick Infestation ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Rickettsia Massiliae ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background Studies on ticks infesting equids are lacking in various parts of the world, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of ticks infesting equids, associated risk factors and rickettsial detection in ticks from equids in KP. Methods Inspection of 404 equid hosts from November 2018 to October 2019 resulted in the collection of 550 ticks. Data on tick-associated risk factors were collected from equid owners by means of a questionnaire. After morphological identification, partial DNA sequences of the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene were used for taxonomic confirmation of species. Partial sequences of the gltA and ompA genes were used for Rickettsia detection in ticks. Results A total of 550 tick specimens were collected on 324 (80.2%) of the equids inspected, of which 161 were horses (50%), 145 (45%) were donkeys and 18 were mules (5%). The ticks were identified as belonging to the following five species: Rhipicephalus microplus (341 specimens, 62% of the total ticks), Rh. haemaphysaloides (126, 23%), Rh. turanicus (39, 7%), Rh. sanguineus (s.l.) (33, 6%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (11, 2%). The most prevalent tick life stage was adult females (279, 51%) followed by adult males (186, 34%) and nymphs (85, 15%). Higher tick infestations were observed on male equids (relative risk [RR] 0.7432, P < 0.0005) and adult equids (RR 1.268, P < 0.0020). Ticks were frequently attached to the axial region of horses (55, 21%), sternum of donkeys (44, 21%) and belly of mules (19, 23%) (P < 0.04). Temporal patterns of tick infestation in association with temperature and humidity were highly significant (P < 0.05). Risk factors, such as animal housing (P < 0.0003), living management (P < 0.006), grazing type (P < 0.01) and location in hilly areas (P < 0.02), significantly enhanced the chances for tick infestation. Tick species analyzed in this study were phylogenetically related to species from Afghanistan, China, South Africa and Taiwan. Partial sequences of the gltA and ompA genes obtained from Rh. microplus and Rh. haemaphysaloides were 100% identical to the spotted fever group pathogen Rickettsia massiliae. Conclusions Equids exposed to significant risk factors were infected by one or more of at least five tick species in KP, Pakistan, and some of the ticks harbored the human pathogen R. massiliae. Graphical abstract

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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Equine Glanders in Selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

Pakistan Veterinary Journal ◽

10.29261/pakvetj/2020.022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (04) ◽

pp. 504-508

Author(s):

Awais-Ur-Rehman Sial

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Large Scale ◽

Effective Control ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Bacterial Disease ◽

Control Plan ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

The North ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Glanders is highly contagious and zoonotic bacterial disease of equines caused by Burkholderia mallei. Since many decades, glanders is endemic in eastern parts (Punjab) of Pakistan and has no information of disease in the north-western region (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – KPK). Therefore, present study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors in two draft equine populated districts (Charsada and Peshawar) of KPK. A total of 393 equine samples originating from different localities of study area were investigated for anti-B. mallei antibodies (glanders) using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ID Vet, Grabels France). The overall seroprevalence was found to be 3.1% (95% CI: 1.6-5.3) which remained insignificantly (χ2 0.421, P=0.516) between the two districts. In Charsada, prevalence estimates varied significantly (χ2 11.986, P=0.017) among 5 localities and found insignificant (χ2 1.287, P=0.732) in different sampling areas of Peshawar district. Donkeys were more seropositive (4.1%; 4/195) than horses (2.1%; 8/194) which did not differ statistically (χ2 1.397, P=0.237) and all mules were tested negative. Prevalence slight increased with age of animals (>10 years) and with poor body conditions. Donkeys were more test positive (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 0.61-6.94) than horses and similarly animals managed on communal feeding (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 0.23-14.5) and water troughs (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.21-13.04) had more chances of contracting glanders. Multivariable model indicated donkeys (OR: 4.58, 95% CI: 1.0, 20.9) and equines above 10 years of age (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 0.7-13.3) were more likely to test positive for glanders. In conclusion, present study provides prevalence estimates of equine glanders in KPK regions, which appears to be an area of endemicity. Future large-scale investigations are seriously warranted in other equine populated districts before implementing an effective control plan for glanders

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Distribution of Ixodid Tick Species and Associated Risk Factors in Temporal Zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology ◽

10.17582/journal.pjz/2017.49.6.2011.2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Shahid Hussain Farooqi ◽

Muhammad Ijaz ◽

Muhammad Hassan Saleem ◽

Muhammad Imran Rashid ◽

Muhammad Oneeb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Tick Species ◽

Ixodid Tick ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Pattern and Associated Risk Factors Among the People of Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering ◽

10.1007/s13369-018-3457-y ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 65-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Muhammad Imran ◽

Nasrullah Khan ◽

Aftab Ali Shah ◽

Irshad Ahmad

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

The People ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Heart attack pervasiveness along with associated risk factors in District Headquarter Hospital in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Journal of Coastal Life Medicine ◽

10.12980/jclm.4.2016j6-166 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (11) ◽

pp. 896-897

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Heart Attack ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB): Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Large Ruminants in the Central Zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology ◽

10.17582/journal.pjz/2019.51.1.127.133 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Asad Ullah ◽

Umar Sadique Khattak ◽

Sultan Ayaz ◽

Muhammad Subhan Qureshi ◽

Imad Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Central Zone ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Prevalence of stroke in Pakistan: Findings from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa integrated population health survey (KP-IPHS) 2016-17

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.7.2824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Akhtar Sherin ◽

Zia Ul-Haq ◽

Sheraz Fazid ◽

Basharat Hussain Shah ◽

Maria Ishaq Khattak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Urban Area ◽

Population Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

The Common ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Objective: To study the prevalence of stroke and associated risk factors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Methods: This study was a part of cross-sectional KP Integrated Population Health Survey 2016-17 conducted on population aging ≥18 years at 24 districts of KP. Primary (n=1061) and secondary sampling units (n=15724) were developed, based on urban/rural and socio-economic status. Each primary-unit comprised of 250-300 households. Sample was selected through a multi-staged stratified systematic cluster sampling technique by taking every 16th household per rural and every 12th household per urban-unit. A validated “Cincinnati Stroke Scale” for identification of stroke patients in community was used along with demographics and potential risk factors. Results: Among the 15724 randomly selected households, 22500 participants (51.4% females; 74.6% rural areas, mean age 42±12.6 years) were interviewed. Stroke was identified in 271 cases (137 males, 134 females; Mean age=43.39±0.85 years) and prevalence of stroke was 1.2% (1200 per 100,000 population). Obesity/overweight (38.8%), hypertension (21.8%), smoking (6.6%) and known diabetes mellitus (5.9%) were the common associated risk factors of stroke. Age groups >60 years (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.05-2.68); urban area (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.29-2.19); unemployment (adjusted OR=3.78; 95% CI: 2.49-5.73) and lower formal (primary) education (adjusted OR 2.18; 95% CI: 1.30-3.64) were significantly associated with stroke (p <0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of stroke is 1.2% in the province of KP. Obesity, hypertension, smoking and Diabetes Mellitus are the common associated risk factors of stroke. Higher age, urban area, unemployment and lower formal education are significantly associated with stroke. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2824 How to cite this:Sherin A, Ul-Haq Z, Fazid S, Shah BH, Khattak MI, Nabi F. Prevalence of stroke in Pakistan: Findings from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa integrated population health survey (KP-IPHS) 2016-17. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2824 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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