scholarly journals Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic area of Jericho, Palestine

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-815
Author(s):  
A. Al Jawabreh ◽  
F. Barghuthy ◽  
L. F. Schnur ◽  
R. L. Jacobson ◽  
G. Schonian ◽  
...  

Thistudy of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jericho city and the adjacent Aqbat-Jaber refugee camp investigated the seroprevalance of Leishmania major and the risk factors associated with acquiring the disease. Clinical and parasitology identification of cases showed children and young men were more affected, with the head most affected in children. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was used to test sera from 190 individuals. The overall seroprevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis was 26.3%. A case-control study of 247 individual in 37 households showed that a higher level of education of the head of the household and having children sleep under bed nets were significantly related to a lower incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kudzai Patience Takarinda ◽  
Simon Nyadundu ◽  
Emmanuel Govha ◽  
Addmore Chadambuka ◽  
Notion Tafara Gombe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced populations including refugees, approximately two-thirds of whom reside in malaria endemic regions. Data from the rapid disease notification system (RDNS) reports for Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe showed that despite implementation of malaria control initiatives, there was an increase in number of malaria cases above action thresholds at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge District during weeks 12-14. We investigated the malaria outbreak describing the outbreak by person, place and time, assessing malaria emergency preparedness and response and appropriateness of case management. We also determined the factors associated with contracting malaria to enable the formulation of appropriate interventions, establish control and prevent future malaria outbreaks among this vulnerable population.Methods: We conducted a 1:1 unmatched case control study involving 80 cases and 80 controls using interviewer-administered questionnaires at household level. Data was entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using Epi InfoTM version 7.2.4 to generate medians, proportions, odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals.Results: Malaria cases were distributed throughout the 10 residential sections within Tongogara Refugee Camp, the majority being from section 7, 28/80 (35%). Despite constituting 11% of the total population, Mozambican nationals accounted for 36/80 (45%) cases. Males constituted 47/80 (59%) among cases versus controls 43/80 (54%), p=0.524. Median age for cases was also lower compared to controls; 15 years [Interquartile range (IQR), 9-26] versus 17 years (IQR, 10-30). Several natural and manmade potential vector breeding sites were observed around the camp. Risk factors associated with contracting malaria were engaging in outdoor activities at night [AOR 4.26 (95% CI, 1.43-12.68)], wearing clothes that do not cover the whole body [AOR=2.74 (95% CI 1.04-7.22) while sleeping in a refugee housing unit reduced the risk of contracting malaria [AOR=0.18 (CI, 0.06-0.55)]. Conclusions: The malaria outbreak at Tongogara Refugee Camp reemphasizes the role of behavioral factors in malaria transmission. We recommend intensified health education to address human behaviors that expose residents to malaria and habitat modification with larviciding to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kudzai Patience Takarinda ◽  
Simon Nyadundu ◽  
Emmanuel Govha ◽  
Addmore Chadambuka ◽  
Notion Tafara Gombe ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMalaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced populations including refugees, approximately two-thirds of whom reside in malaria endemic regions. Data from the rapid disease notification system (RDNS) reports for Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe showed that despite implementation of malaria control initiatives, there was an increase in number of malaria cases above action thresholds at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge District during weeks 12-14. We investigated the malaria outbreak describing the outbreak by person, place and time, assessing malaria emergency preparedness and response and appropriateness of case management. We also determined the factors associated with contracting malaria to enable the formulation of appropriate interventions, establish control and prevent future malaria outbreaks among this vulnerable population.MethodsWe conducted a 1:1 unmatched case control study involving 80 cases and 80 controls using interviewer-administered questionnaires at household level. Data was entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using Epi InfoTM version 7.2.4 to generate medians, proportions, odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals.ResultsMalaria cases were distributed throughout the 10 residential sections within Tongogara Refugee Camp, the majority being from section 7, 28/80 (35%). Despite constituting 11% of the total population, Mozambican nationals accounted for 36/80 (45%) cases. Males constituted 47/80 (59%) among cases versus controls 43/80 (54%), p=0.524. Median age for cases was also lower compared to controls; 15 years [Interquartile range (IQR), 9-26] versus 17 years (IQR, 10-30). Several natural and manmade potential vector breeding sites were observed around the camp. Risk factors associated with contracting malaria were engaging in outdoor activities at night [AOR 4.26 (95% CI, 1.43-12.68)], wearing clothes that do not cover the whole body [AOR=2.74 (95% CI 1.04-7.22) while sleeping in a refugee housing unit reduced the risk of contracting malaria [AOR=0.18 (CI, 0.06-0.55)]. ConclusionsThe malaria outbreak at Tongogara Refugee Camp reemphasizes the role of behavioral factors in malaria transmission. We recommend intensified health education to address human behaviors that expose residents to malaria and habitat modification with larviciding to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Ngere ◽  
Waqo Gofu ◽  
Abdikadir Isack ◽  
Joshua Muiruri ◽  
Mark Obonyo ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by a protozoan and transmitted by sand-fly bite. Following reports of a possible outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 2016, we conducted a review of hospital records and a follow up case control study to determine the magnitude of the disease, characterize the cases and identify factors associated with the disease in Gilgil, a peri-urban settlement in Central Kenya.MethodsWe reviewed hospital records, conducted active case search in the community and carried out a case-control study. Medical officers in the study team made clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases based on presence of a typical skin ulcer. We enrolled 58 cases matched by age and residence to 116 controls in a case control study. We administered structured questionnaires and recorded environmental observations around homes of cases and controls. Simple proportions, means and medians were calculated for categorical data and continuous data respectively. Logistic regression models were constructed for individual, indoor and outdoor factors associated with the outbreak.ResultsWe identified 255 suspected cases and one death; Females constituted 56% (142/255), median age of the cases was 7 years (IQR 14). Cases were clustered around Gitare (28.6%, 73/255) and Kambi-Turkana (14%, 36/255) with seasonal peaks between June-November. Among individual factors, staying outside the residence in the evening after sunset (OR 4.1, CI 1.2-16.2) and occupation involving visiting forests (OR 4.56, CI 2.04-10.22) had significant associations with disease. Sharing residence with a cutaneous leishmaniasis patient (OR 14.4, CI 3.8-79.3), a house with alternative roofing materials (OR 7.9, CI 1.9-45.7) and residing in a house with cracked walls (OR 2.3, CI 1.0-4.9) were significant among indoor factors while sighting rock hyraxes near residence (OR 5.3, CI 2.2-12.7), residing near a forest (OR 7.8, CI 2.8-26.4) and living close to a neighbour with cutaneous leishmaniasis (OR 6.8, CI 2.8-16.0) had increased likelihood of disease. Having a cultivated crop farm surrounding the residence (OR 0.1, CI 0.0-0.4) was protective.Conclusions/SignificanceThis study reveals the large burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Gilgil. There is strong evidence for both indoor and outdoor patterns of disease transmission. Occupations and activities that involve visiting forests or residing near forests and sharing a house or neighbourhood with a person with CL were identified as significant exposures of the disease. The role of environmental factors and wild mammals in disease transmission should be investigated furtherAuthor summaryLeishmaniasis is a group of diseases caused by a protozoa (Leishmania) and affects humans and other mammals following the bite of an infected sand-fly. Cutaneous form of the disease (cutaneous leishmaniasis) is considered a neglected tropical disease mainly affecting the poor destabilized or migrant populations in rural areas. Recently, the disease has expanded its geographical range and invaded previously non-endemic areas including areas surrounding large urban centres that are experiencing human population influx leading to multiple localised disease outbreaks. In this paper, we report findings of a study we conducted to determine the burden and factors promoting the spread of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a peri-urban settlement in Kenya. Our results indicate a high burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this area and an association of the disease with several groups of factors at individual, indoor and outdoor environments. Many cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were linked to activities that involved visiting the forested areas around homes, underpinning the significance of human activity in forests in these areas in spread of the disease.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Fayaz Khan ◽  
Mohamed Faisal Chevidikunnan

Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, and balance impairments are common disabling factors in patients with stroke, leading to falls. Thus, the study objectives were as follows: (i) To find the prevalence of balance impairment among patients with stroke. (ii) To find out the factors associated with balance impairment in patients with stroke. This cross-sectional retrospective case control study involved eighty-one post stroke patients with a mean age of 58.36 ± 14.06, recruited from six hospitals, who underwent an assessment of balance, walking speed, depression and isometric strength of the ankle and knee. These patients were later categorized into subjects with good balance (<45) in the Berg balance scale (BBS) and those with poor balance (≥45), as cases and controls, to assess the factors associated with balance impairment using binary logistic regression. The prevalence of balance impairment among patients with stroke was 48.1%. The reduction in power of knee flexors (OR = 0.858), knee extensors (OR = 0.880) and ankle dorsiflexors (OR = 0.820) was found to be significantly associated with balance impairment, along with speed (OR = 1.187 (95% CI = 1.100, 1.280)), depression (OR = 1.331 (95% CI = 1.055–1.679)) and activities of daily living (OR = 0.313 (95% CI = 0.150–0.650)). In summary, around half of the patients with stroke exhibited balance impairments, with females being more prone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bülent Çomçalı ◽  
Servet Kocaoz ◽  
Buket Altun Özdemir ◽  
Ömer Parlak ◽  
Birol Korukluoğlu

AbstractThe aim of this study is to compare patients with and without mastalgia and to analyze the factors affecting mastalgia and its severity. The patient’s age, height, weight, educational status, marital status, and occupation were recorded in all subjects. In addition, the women were asked about the presence of any risk factors for mastalgia, such as tea and coffee consumption, smoking, alcohol consumption, and weight gain. The sternal notch to nipple distance (SNND) was measured to determine whether there was breast sagging. Mastalgia was significantly more common in women with BMIs of > 30 kg/m2 (OR: 2.94, CI 1.65–5.24), those who were primary school graduates or illiterate (OR: 2.96, CI 1.6–5.46), and those with SNND values of 22–25 cm (OR: 2.94, CI 1.79–4.82). In these women, drinking more than 6 cups of tea a day (OR: 2.15, CI 1.32–3.5), smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day (OR: 2.94, CI 1.78–4.83), and drinking alcohol at least once a week (OR: 2.1, CI 1.12–3.91) were found to be important factors that increased the risk of mastalgia. As a result, it has been found that severe mastalgia complaints cause by obesity, sagging breasts, never giving birth, unemployment anxiety, regular smoking, alcohol use, and excessive tea consumption.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0236250
Author(s):  
Chador Tenzin ◽  
Natkamol Chansatitporn ◽  
Tashi Dendup ◽  
Tandin Dorji ◽  
Karma Lhazeen ◽  
...  

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