Detection of Haemoparasites of Blood Donors in 9 Locations in and Around Plateau State, Nigeria

Haemoparasites in the tropics are also endemic in Nigeria. Asymptomatic infections may abound, due to resistance to these infections. This asymptomatic infection has been one of the factors, which has maintained transmission of these pathogens, through many ways, including blood donation and transfusion. In this report, haemoparasitic infections in blood donors have been described, from blood donors within Plateau State, Nigeria. Five hundred and twelve blood donors were selected by means of a random sampling method and their blood samples collected. Serological assay was done using rapid test kits to check for presence of antibodies (in the case of microfilariae) or antigens (in the case of malaria) to the different haemoparasites. Also, Elisa technique was used for the microfilariae. Thick and thin films were made from each blood sample on grease-free slides allowed to dry and stained by 3% Giemsa solution for 45 min which is the Giemsa technique. Results indicate that 270 (52.7%) of the sample population had no infection; 121( 23.6%) of the population were infected with Plasmodium falciparum; 11 (2.1%) were infected with Plasmodium malariae; 69 (13.5%) were infected with HBsAg; 29 (5.7%) were infected with HCV; 7 ( I.4% ) were infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense; 1% were infected with microfilariae, 4( 0.8% ) of the 1% were unsheathed and identified to be Mansonella perstans, while 1(0.2%) were sheathed and identified to be Loa loa. Most blood group types were susceptible to haemoparasitic infections. The result of the study therefore stresses the need to screen blood for haemoparasites before transfusion, owing to the dangers of doing otherwise. The occupations and dwelling places of the donors are predisposing factors to these haemoparasitic infections. Since they have the passion to save lives through blood donation, they should therefore make the necessary adjustments that will make them more suitable lifesavers. It is recommended that the basic transmission factors of these parasites are explained to donors to reduce further incidences. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-22-01 Publication date: November 30th 201

Accessibility to Primary Health Center Facilities Using Geospatial Techniques In Southern Plateau, Nigeria

The Primary Health Center (PHC) System comprises of those small health care facilities which are based within communitiesand are more accessible to people in need of healthcare. However, assessment of spatial patterns, distribution and provisionof public health services has been neglected. This research analyzes the availability and accessibility of Primary HealthCenter (PHC) across Southern Plateau, Jos Plateau State. Spatial distribution of PHC was analyzed using ArcGIS to produceaccurate measure of accessibility. The spatial pattern of the PHC distribution was examined using average nearest neighbor5km walking distance to providers (PHC) for each of the six LGAs using near analysis. In addition, the ratios of PHC topopulation were calculated to identify underserved and served areas. The findings clearly indicate that the spatial pattern ofthe distribution of PHC was significantly clustered in Quaan pan (62) [p-value 0.015305, Z-score 0.139526], Wase (38) [pvalue0.046571, Z-score -1.990183] and Langtang South (34) [p-value > 0.096827, Z-score -1.660434], random in Mikang(26) [p-value 0.889035 Z-score 0.139526] and Langtang North (52) [p-value 0.0883033, Z-score 0.147125) and dispersed inShendam (63) [p-value 0.072625, Z-score 1.795182]. PHC are dense within the central parts of each LGAs while low densityaround the marginal parts. Substantially, more than half of the population 742,523 (62.74%) have no access to PHC within 5-km distance and 441,063 (37.26%) of the population have access to PHC. More so, the population ratio to PHCs shows that 1PHC served 3477 in Langtang North (least) and 1 to 5338 in Wase (highest). The output of this analysis which is spatialdistribution map and accessibility to this PHCs will assist policy-makers and authorities in planning public health delivery. Keywords: Geospatial, Techniques, Accessibility, PHC, Southern Plateau, Nigeria

Haemoprotozoan parasites of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northwestern Nigeria

Camels are becoming increasingly important in northern Nigeria, both as work animals and source of protein for humans. Haemoparasitic infections constitute a threat to health and productivity of camels leading to economic losses. A crosssectional study was conducted on blood samples of 600 camels from northwestern Nigeria to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites. Blood samples from apparently healthy camels slaughtered for human consumption in Kano and Katsina abattoirs were screened for haemoparasites by parasitological method. Four haemoparasite genera and their prevalence which include, Babesia (0.3% vs 0.3%), Anaplasma (1.0% vs 1.3%), Theileria (3.0% vs 0.3%) and Trypanosoma (6.3% vs 4.3%) of veterinary importance were detected in Katsina and Kano states respectively. Haemoparasites overall prevalence of 6.3% and 10.6% were also recorded for Kano and Katsina states, respectively. Infection due to Trypanosoma sp. was more prevalent in the two study areas. Overall, there was no association between haemoparasites prevalence, age, sex, season and body condition of camels. This study emphasizes periodic evaluation of parasitic infections of camels taking into consideration risk factors and public health importance associated with camels

Epidemiological mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis for intervention strategies in Nigeria

Helminth infections caused by schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most prevalent afflictions of humans who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The level of morbidity and mortality caused by these helminthes requires urgent intervention. This study reports on the epidemiological mapping and intervention strategies for the control of schistosomiasis and STH in Nigeria. Epidemiological survey on the prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH was conducted in Nigeria between November 2013 and May 2015 in 19 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), covering 2,160 schools /communities in 433 LGAs. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 108,472 pupils comprising 57,670 (53.2%) males and 50,802 (46.8%) females of age range 5 to 16 years. The samples were analysed using urine filtration and KatoKatz techniques. The target population for intervention was determined using the World Health Organization Guidelines for intervention strategies. Prevalence of 9.5% and 27% were recorded for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis respectively from the pupils sampled. Highest prevalence of 26.1% was recorded in Niger State for schistosomiasis while the lowest was in Rivers State (0.1%). STH had highest prevalence in Akwa Ibom State (58.4%) and lowest in Yobe State (1.4%). Niger State also had the highest prevalence for co-infection (8.96%). Based on the prevalence of schistosomiasis observed, a total of 202 LGAs fall within the low risk category, 153 moderate and four LGAs were high risk category. The high risk LGAs were located in Niger and Kebbi States. Case-based management is required for STH in 191 LGAs while 177 LGAs fall within the low-risk and 60 LGAs were in the high risk categories. The findings of this study highlighted the treatment interventions required to facilitate scale up of appropriate mass administration of medicine, water, sanitation and hygiene intervention in the 19 States of the Federation and the FCT. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; soil-transmitted helminthiasis; prevalence; intervention strategy; risk; control; treatment