Productivity of Malaria Vectors from Different Habitat Types in the Western Kenya Highlands

BACKGROUND: Mosquito Larval Source Management (LSM) could be a valuable additional tool for integrated malaria vector control especially in areas with focal transmission like the highlands of western Kenya if it were not for the need to target all potential habitats at frequent intervals. The ability to determine the productivity of malaria vectors from identified habitats might be used to target LSM only at productive ones. METHODS: Each aquatic habitat within three highland sites in western Kenya was classified as natural swamp, cultivated swamp, river fringe, puddle, open drain or burrow pit. Three habitats of each type were selected in each site in order to study the weekly productivity of adult malaria vectors from February to May 2009 using a sweep-net and their habitat characteristics recorded. RESULTS: All surveyed habitat types produced adult malaria vectors. Mean adult productivity of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato in puddles (1.8/m(2)) was 11-900 times higher than in the other habitat types. However, puddles were the most unstable habitats having water at 43% of all sampling occasions and accounted for 5% of all habitats mapped in the study areas whereas open drains accounted for 72%. Densities of anopheline late instars larvae significantly increased with the presence of a biofilm but decreased with increasing surface area or when water was flowing. Taking stability and frequency of the habitat into account, puddles were still the most productive habitat types for malaria vectors but closely followed by open drains. CONCLUSION: Even though productivity of An. gambiae s.l. was greatest in small and unstable habitats, estimation of their overall productivity in an area needs to consider the more stable habitats over time and their surface extension. Therefore, targeting only the highly productive habitats is unlikely to provide sufficient reduction in malaria vector densities

A comparison of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and risk perceptions between final year medical and pharmacy students: A cross sectional study

Background: Awareness about HIV/AIDS in future healthcare professionals is necessary to control growing epidemics of the above diseases. Objective: To evaluate and compare the knowledge, attitude and risk perceptions towards HIV/AIDS between the final year pharmacy and medical students at University Sains Malaysia. Materials and Method: In a cross sectional study, validated questionnaires were served to (130) pharmacy and (160) medical students in their final year of study. The data were analyzed to find differences at a p-value <0.05. Results: About 83% pharmacy and 65% medical students responded in this study. Though 36.1% pharmacy students showed confidence on their professional education, lesser number (9.2%) of pharmacy students' demonstrated willingness to assist HIV patients. The majority (58.1%) of medical students were doubtful regarding their competency, 55.2% were wiling to assist, while 50.5% were confident on their professional education. About 72% of medical students feared of acquiring HIV in professional life compared 29.6% (p=0.000) pharmacy students. Student groups were having lower awareness levels about PEP (post exposure prophylaxis), 18.5% by pharmacy and 48.6% by medical students (p=0.000). About 40% of both groups demonstrated lack of unawareness for the use of antivirals to treat HIV/AIDS. Pharmacy students showed lesser awareness about opportunistic infections (18.5%). Low agreement on competency to treat and counsel HIV/AIDS patients were reflected, 12.9% and 29.6% for pharmacy and medical students, respectively. The confidence on the education provided was lower in pharmacy (36.1%) and medical students (49.1%). Conclusion: Significant misconceptions, negative attitudes and risk perceptions were indicated by the pharmacy and medical students and should be addressed with educational and practical progra