Impact Survey Results after SAFE Strategy Implementation in 15 Local Government Areas of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: To determine prevalence of trachoma after interventions in 15 local government areas (LGAs) of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria. METHODS: A population-based impact survey was conducted in each LGA using Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols. In each LGA, 25 villages were selected, except in Arewa LGA, where we selected 25 villages from each of four subunits to obtain finer-resolution prevalence information. Villages were selected with probability proportional to size. In each village, 25 households were enrolled and all consenting residents aged ≥1 year were examined by GTMP-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Information on sources of household water and types of sanitation facilities used was collected through questioning and direct observation. RESULTS: The number of households enrolled per LGA ranged from 623 (Kware and Tangaza) to 2488 (Arewa). There have been marked reductions in the prevalence of TF and TT since baseline surveys were conducted in all 15 LGAs. Eight of the 15 LGAs have attained TF prevalences <5% in children, while 10 LGAs have attained TT prevalences <0.2% in persons aged ≥15 years. Between 49% and 96% of households had access to water for hygiene purposes within 1 km of the household, while only 10-59% had access to improved sanitation facilities. CONCLUSION: Progress towards elimination of trachoma has been made in these 15 LGAs. Collaboration with water and sanitation agencies and community-based trichiasis surgery are still needed in order to eliminate trachoma by the year 2020

Polyphenolic and biological activities of leaves extracts of Argemone subfusiformis (Papaveraceae) and Urtica urens (Urticaceae)

Nowadays there is a resurgence of interest in wild plants for their possible medicinal value in diets, since some epidemiological studies have demonstrated their effectiveness against important diseases. Generally, foods of plant origin contain many bioactive compounds, proteins, energy, vitamins and specific minerals; in addition, the popular wild plant species provide fibre, essential fatty acids and enhance the taste and colour in diets. We studied the nutritional and medicinal potential of leaves of A. subfusiformis and U. urens, collected in Alice, South Africa in November 2006. To asses this we analyzed the phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaves in acetone, methanol and water extracts, using standard analytical methods. The proximate analysis showed that the leaves of both plant species contained appreciable percentages of moisture; ashes; carbohydrates; crude proteins, lipids and fibres. Elemental analysis of macro and microelements showed higher values for U. urens that contained in decreasing order: iron > manganese > zinc > copper > calcium > potassi um > nitrogen > magnesium > phosphorus > sodium, for A. subfusiformis resulted in iron > zinc > manganese > coppe r > calcium > potassium > nitrogen > magnesium > phosphorus > sodium. Besides, the chemical composition showed higher concentration of alkaloids, saponins and phytates in A. subfusiformis. The extracts also caused 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-azinobis-3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities which were comparable to those of ascorbic acid. The extracts of both plants contained appreciable levels of polyphenols and also caused varied inhibition of some bacterial strains used in this study. When the nutrient and chemical constituents of these plants were compared with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results revealed that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants. Since the plants also exhibited some level of antibacterial activities, their use for medicinal purposes is to some extent being justified

Antibiotics Resistance Pattern of Coliform Bacteria Isolated From Slaughterhouse Wastewater in Jega Town, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Wastewater is an essential reservoir of pathogenic bacteria, which include resistant strains. This study determined the antibiotics resistance pattern of Coliform bacteria isolated from slaughterhouse wastewater in Jega local government. Five different samples of wastewater from different locations of a slaughterhouse were collected using standard sample collection techniques. Coliform bacteria were isolated using the standard microbiological method. The total bacterial count was determined using plate count agar. Suspected coliforms were identified based on morphological and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the standard disc diffusion method. The highest bacterial count (8.4x102 CFU/ml) was observed from the wastewater collection point, and the lowest bacterial (1.2x102 CFU/ml) count from the slaughtering point. Three Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,&nbsp;and Enterobacter aerogenes, were identified. Escherichia coli&nbsp;was the most frequently isolated in slaughterhouse wastewater 39 (45.8%). Among the antibiotics tested against isolated bacteria, Septrin was the most resistant antibiotics recorded against E. coli and E. aerogenes with 84.61% and 88.89% resistant, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa&nbsp;was found to show higher resistance to Chloramphenicol and Septrin with 84.21% resistance each. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from slaughterhouse wastewater showed the risks associated with antimicrobial drug resistance transferred from food-producing animals to humans. Management concerns, such as local government health officers and community development officers, should increase the sensitization of slaughterhouse workers by organizing conferences or conducting radio talk to educates these slaughterhouse workers on the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater and health risk associated with antimicrobial-drug resistance transferred from animals to humans

Impact Survey Results after SAFE Strategy Implementation in 15 Local Government Areas of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

PurposeTo determine prevalence of trachoma after interventions in 15 local government areas (LGAs) of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.MethodsA population-based impact survey was conducted in each LGA using Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols. In each LGA, 25 villages were selected, except in Arewa LGA, where we selected 25 villages from each of four subunits to obtain finer-resolution prevalence information. Villages were selected with probability proportional to size. In each village, 25 households were enrolled and all consenting residents aged ≥1 year were examined by GTMP-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Information on sources of household water and types of sanitation facilities used was collected through questioning and direct observation.ResultsThe number of households enrolled per LGA ranged from 623 (Kware and Tangaza) to 2488 (Arewa). There have been marked reductions in the prevalence of TF and TT since baseline surveys were conducted in all 15 LGAs. Eight of the 15 LGAs have attained TF prevalences &lt;5% in children, while 10 LGAs have attained TT prevalences &lt;0.2% in persons aged ≥15 years. Between 49% and 96% of households had access to water for hygiene purposes within 1 km of the household, while only 10-59% had access to improved sanitation facilities.ConclusionProgress towards elimination of trachoma has been made in these 15 LGAs. Collaboration with water and sanitation agencies and community-based trichiasis surgery are still needed in order to eliminate trachoma by the year 2020