Screening of Locally Available Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) for Repellency Action against Aedes aegypti

In Nigeria, re-emergence of diseases caused by Aedes mosquito borne pathogens, and challenges associated with existing control tools occur. This necessitates an improved insecticide-based tool for use in Integrated Vector Management. So, repellent action of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (EO) on Aedes aegypti (Linn.) was tested. The EO from C. citratus plant sourced from Awka, was extracted by hydro distillation, and the phytochemicals analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Repellent action of the EO on unfed Ae. aegypti was assessed using "WHO arm-in-cage" method. In triplicate, arms of human volunteers were treated with different concentrations (50.0, 25.0, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 % v/v) of the EO and submitted to 25-caged, unfed Ae. aegypti for 1 minute in every 30 minutes. β-cedrenes, kaempferol, and thujopsene dominated the 13 phytochemicals identified. The standard (Odomos®) and all EO concentrations recorded 100 % repellency on application. At 30 minutes, EC99.9 value was25.0 %, concentrations ≥ 62.5 % v/v gave 100 % repellency (p > 0.05). At 60 minutes, EC99.9 value was 30.68 %, concentrations ≥ 12.5 % v/v gave 100 % repellency (p > 0.05). At 90 to 120 minutes, 50 % concentration maintained 100 % repellency (p < 0.05), EC99.9 value was 48.79 % at 120 minutes. Recording 120 minutes protection time with no adverse effect, 50 % concentration showed equal potency as Odomos®. Research to isolate the active ingredients in the EO for incorporation into beneficial health and economic products is desirable.

Bio-Efficacy of Insecticide-Treated Bednets (ITNs) Distributed through the Healthcare Facilities in a Boundary Community in Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility and efficacy of three insecticidal treated bednets; Olyset®, PermaNet2.0® and MAGNet® collected from the different health facilities, against Anopheles mosquitoes under laboratory conditions. PermaNet3.0 was used as a positive control. Larval collections were carried out and reared at the insectary of National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre, Enugu State. Anopheles Kisumu mosquitoes were used as the standard control in the cone bioassay test. The bioassay showed that the wild An. gambiae s.l. and An. gambiae Kisumu strains were susceptible (100% mortality) to the PermaNet3.0® used as positive control while the wild-caught Anopheles were resistant to the mono-treated ITNs. The mortality effect of the net brands showed that the brands have a statistically significant effect on the mosquito mortality after 24 hours F (2, 18) = 14.32, p < .001), while the sides of the net did not have a statistically significant effect on the mosquito mortality (F (3, 18) = 1.67, p = .209). This study also suggests the need to develop and adopt routine monitoring of the ITNs at the health facilities, as it will inform the replacement of ineffective nets. However, a mass campaign of PBO nets is necessary for the state to achieve and maintain the universal coverage of ITNs

Low First Wave COVID-19 cases and health seeking behaviors across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

This study was carried out across the six geopolitical zones to assess knowledge and health seeking behaviors of Nigerians during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in order to understand the seemingly low cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Structured and pretested short questionnaires were employed to obtain information electronically and physically across the six geopolitical zones on socio-demographic characteristics of participants; the knowledge of participants on COVID-19 disease; availability and accessibility to testing and isolation centers in the communities, attitudes and health seeking behaviors. Atotal of 1023 respondents; 705 (68.9%) males and 318 (31.1%) females across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in this study with 477(46.6%) within the 26-45 years age category, and 6(0.6%) above 66 years. Atotal of 985(96.3%) had heard about COVID-19 at the time of survey while a total of&nbsp; 859(84.0%) of the respondents were aware of the presence of COVID-19 laboratory testing centers. Across the geopolitical zones, majority of the respondents 487(47.6%) claimed there are no routine testing for COVID-19 at their community level, while 303 (29.6%) affirmed otherwise and 216(21.1%) did not know if there were routine testing going on or not. On health seeking behaviors across the&nbsp; country, majority of the respondents 558(54.5%) affirmed they would visit the hospital as the first point of contact if the opportunitypresented itself, 244(23.9%) claimed they would call the NCDC toll line, 2(0.2%) said they would use prayers, while 1(0.1%) respectively claimed they would use home management strategies through visiting chemist stores and checking the internet for solutions. Findings from this study confirm that there is very high awareness of the COVID-19 disease across the country, and limited number of testing centers at the community level. The implications include the possibility of unreported COVID19 cases in the cities as well as in the&nbsp; communities. Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, health seeking behaviors, community level&nbsp