PREVALENCE OF SOME INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN RELATION TO BODY MASS INDEX OF CHILDREN RESIDENT IN ORPHANAGES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

There is paucity of information on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in orphanage homes in Anambra State, Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of some intestinal parasitic infections in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) of children resident in orphanages situated in Anambra State. A total of 272 subjects comprising 172 orphans and 100 children in family setting (control) were investigated for intestinal parasites using formol-ether concentration method. Underweight, overweight and obesity were determined from BMI using the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points. Prevalence of 23.3%, 5.8%, 4.7% and 1.2% were observed for Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar infections respectively. Prevalence of 12.8% and 9.0% were observed in children of orphanages and children living in their families respectively (P = 0.045, P < 0.05). The mean BMI of children living with their families was significantly higher than that of children in the orphanages (P = 0.000, P < 0.05). However, this was not related to parasitic infestation. It may be related to the level of care giving to the children in the orphanages. Underweight children were 8.1% and 0% in children of orphanages and families respectively while overweight children were 3.5% and 8.0% respectively. Children in family setting seem to thrive better than those in orphanages

Prevalence of trichomoniasis amongst women in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

A survey of trichomoniasis amongst women in Nnewi, Anambra State, was carried out. Mid-stream early morning urine and vaginal swabs were collected in screw-capped sterile bottles and Evepon swab sticks respectively from 1,440 women aged 14 to 50 years from 4 communities, Otolo, Umudim, Uruagu and Nnewichi. The samples were transported to the Medical Parasitology Laboratory, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, for parasitological examination. Laboratory findings showed that 310 (21.53%) respondents were infected with trichomoniasis. Age-related prevalence of infection showed that respondents aged 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of infection (23.53%) while those aged 41-50 years had the least prevalence (12.07%). Occupational-related prevalence of infection revealed that traders aged 31-40 years had the highest prevalence (39.98%) of infection while civil servants aged 14-20 years had the least prevalence (5.20%) of infection. Relating prevalence of infection to marital status, 33.47% of single women and 15.25% of married women were infected. The highest prevalence of infection (24.48%) was observed amongst single women aged 21-30 years, while the least prevalence of infection (9.86%) was observed amongst single women aged 41-50 years. Analysis of the data showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of infection between married and single respondents and between respondents of different occupational groups. This study establishes the prevalence of trichomoniasis in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Keywords: age-related prevalence, occupational groups, trichomoniasis, Nnewi, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (1) 2007: pp. 6-1

Prevalence Of Parasitic Oocysts And Ova On Currency

A study of the contamination of Nigerian currency notes by parasites was carried out in Nnewi North LGA between January and August 2004. Three hundred and fifty-five pieces of different denominations of naira notes were collected from different points of contact in Nnewi North LGA. There were 500, 200,100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 naira denominations separated into five groups on the basis of their physical appearance as follows: mint fresh, clean, dirty, very dirty and very dirty and mutilated. Each note was swabbed on both surfaces with cotton wool soaked in normal saline. The swab was pressed into a tube containing formal saline and the tube was later centrifuged at 2000rpm for 3 minutes. The supernatant was examined for parasite ova, cysts and oocysts under the microscope. The result showed that 53(14.9%) of the currency notes were contaminated. The very dirty and mutilated notes were the most contaminated while the mint fresh and clean notes which served as controls showed no parasites. In terms of denominations the twenty naira notes were the most contaminated (5. 9%) while the five hundred and two hundred naira notes were the least contaminated (0.28%). There was a positive association between the presence of dirt on the notes and contamination by parasites (p>0.05). The cysts, oocysts, or ova isolated from the notes were Entamoeba histolytica(4.7%), Giardia Iamblia(1.90A»), Entamoeba coli(1.7%), Endolimax nana(1.4%), Balantidium 00/;(0.85%), Ascaris lumbricoides(1.75%), Tricostrongylus(0.85%), Hookworm(0.S5%), Taenia spp.(0.2%) and Isospora belli(1.15%). This study shows that the currency in circulation is not only poorly handled but it is a potential source of contracting parasitic infections. An enhanced campaign against the abuse in handling the currency notes and the need to maintain good personal hygiene is recommended. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 16-2

Prevalence and intensity of malaria in blood donors at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

The risk of transmission of malaria parasites through blood transfusion has been noted. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of malaria on healthy blood donors who attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, from April to May 2002. Blood samples were collected from 200 blood donors, which comprises of 159 males and 41 females grouped according to age in years. Thick and thin films prepared from the samples were examined and malaria parasites were counted according to the World Health Organisation recommendation. The result shows an overall prevalence rate of 46% for malaria parasitaemia among the blood donors. Females showed a higher prevalence rate (48%) than males (45%). Only Plasmodium falciparum (43%) and Plasmodium malariae (3%) were seen. A higher parasite load of 24.8 x 103 parasites/microlitre of blood was observed among the males than the females with 4.9 x 103 parasites/microlitre of blood. The differences observed were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The age-group 20 years and below and the 51– 60 years had the highest prevalence rate of 50% while the 41-50 years age-group had the least (40%), a difference which is statistically significant (

Mothers perception of childhood malaria in south eastern Nigeria.

Malaria burden is ever increasing. Children in sub – Saharan African countries are the worst hit by the scourge. It is essential that mothers' perception of the disease in the developing world be ascertained to help planners embark on workable programmes to contain the disease especially in the area of mounting public enlightenment campaigns A cross section survey was carried out in two states, Abia and Anambra States in South Eastern Nigeria. A multi- stage sampling technique was used to select 1260 mothers of under- five children in 6 local government areas (LGAs) in the two states. Trained interviewers conducted the survey using semi-structured questionnaires. The mean age of the mothers was 30.51±6.76 years. Most respondents (95.8%) had at least a primary school education, and 97.3% of the mothers knew the disease called malaria. The symptoms of malaria recognized by mothers were; fever 87.7% refusal of feeds 36.8% weakness 44.4%, vomiting and diarrhea 8.5% and cough 1.9%. About 76.8% recognized that malaria was transmitted by mosquito bites while 79.8% of the respondents considered malaria as a section illness. The perceived adverse effects of malaria include febrile convulsion 48.9%, paleness of the body (anaemia ) 40.5%, failure to grow 12.3%, loss weight 18% and death 31.1% A large proportion of the mothers were aware about childhood malaria and its symptoms. A number of them however are unaware of its mode of transmission and adverse effects. It is therefore suggested that malaria control programme should address these issues during health education in malaria control programmes Keywords: Malaria, childhood malaria mothers' perception Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 3 (1) 2005: pp. 11-1

Congenitally acquired malaria in a hyperendemic area: A cohort study.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of congenitally acquired malaria in Nnewi South eastern Nigeria Setting: Hospital based. Tertiary care centre in a tropical rain forest hyperendemic malaria zone. Materials/Subjects: Cross-sectional prospective study. Blood samples of 94 mother-baby pairs were examined for malaria parasitaemia Results: Out of the 94 mothers, 83 or 87.8% had received pyrimethamine prophylaxis throughout pregnancy. Despite this 50.0% were parasitized. 24.6% of neonates had malaria parasites. The birth weights of the infected neonates were not affected. Maternal parasite densities correlated with those of the babies. Conclusions: More effective antenatal antimalarial prophylaxis is needed to reduce the prevalence of congenitally acquired malaria. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 44-4