Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus specific IgG and IgM antibodies in North-Western and Western provinces of Zambia.

Background: West Nile Virus (WNV) infection has been reported worldwide, including in Africa but its existence in Zambia is unknown. Symptoms for the virus include headache, myalgia, arthralgia and rash. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of WNV and its correlates. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in North-Western and Western provinces of Zambia. Samples were subjected to IgG and IgM antibodies testing against WNV. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine magnitudes of association. Results: A total of 3,625 of persons participated in the survey out of which 10.3% had WNV infection. Farmers were 20% (AOR=0.80; 95% CI [0.64, 0.99]) less likely to have infection compared to students. Meanwhile participants who lived in grass roofed houses were 2.97 (AOR=2.97; 95% CI [1.81, 4.88]) times more likely to be infected than those who lived in asbestos roofed houses. IRS was associated with reduced risk of infection (AOR=0.81; 95% CI [0.69, 0.94]). Travelling to Angola was associated with the infection [AOR=1.40; 95% CI [1.09, 1.81]. Conclusion: Spraying houses with insecticide residual spray would minimize mosquito-man contact. Furthermore, surveillance at the border with Angola should be enhanced in order to reduce importation of the virus into the country

First COVID-19 case in Zambia — Comparative phylogenomic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 detected in African countries

Since its first discovery in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has spread rapidly worldwide. While African countries were relatively spared initially, the initial low incidence of COVID-19 cases was not sustained for long due to continuing travel links between China, Europe and Africa. In preparation, Zambia had applied a multisectoral national epidemic disease surveillance and response system resulting in the identification of the first case within 48 h of the individual entering the country by air travel from a trip to France. Contact tracing showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection was contained within the patient’s household, with no further spread to attending health care workers or community members. Phylogenomic analysis of the patient’s SARS-CoV-2 strain showed that it belonged to lineage B.1.1., sharing the last common ancestor with SARS-CoV-2 strains recovered from South Africa. At the African continental level, our analysis showed that B.1 and B.1.1 lineages appear to be predominant in Africa. Whole genome sequence analysis should be part of all surveillance and case detection activities in order to monitor the origin and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages across Africa

Influenza surveillance in 15 countries in Africa, 2006-2010

BACKGROUND: In response to the potential threat of an influenza pandemic, several international institutions and governments, in partnership with African countries, invested in the development of epidemiologic and laboratory influenza surveillance capacity in Africa. METHODS: We used a standardized form to collect information on influenza surveillance system characteristics, the number and percent of influenza-positive patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and virologic data. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ILI and SARI sites in 15 African countries increased from 21 to 127 and from 2 to 98, respectively. Influenza was detected in 22% of ILI cases and 10% of SARI cases. Children 0-4 years accounted for 48% all ILI and SARI cases of which 20% and 10 respectively were positive for influenza. Influenza peaks were generally discernible in North and South Africa. Substantial co-circulation of influenza A and B occurred most years. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza is a major cause of respiratory illness in Africa, especially in children. Further strengthening influenza surveillance, along with conducting special studies on influenza burden, cost of illness, and role of other respiratory pathogens will help detect novel influenza viruses and inform and develop targeted influenza prevention policy decisions in the region.The work presented in this manuscript was funded completely or in part by host governments, Institute Pasteur, and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the U.S. Department of Defense.http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/jid/currenthb2013ay201

Risk factors associated with acute respiratory infections among under-five children admitted to Arthur’s Children Hospital, Ndola, Zambia

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are among the leading causes of acute illnesses worldwide and remain the most important cause of infant and young children mortality especially in developing countries. In Zambia, ARI are among the top ten leading causes of morbidity leading to hospital visitations and admissions of children under five years of age. The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors associated with acute respiratory infections. Methods: A case-control study of hospitalized under-five children at Arthur Davison children’s hospital in Ndola was conducted. Results: The study comprised 220 participants of which 107 were cases and 113 were controls. A total of 126 (57.3%) were male children (56.1% of cases and 58.4% of controls). Factors associated with ARI were: mothers with history of ARI (AOR=2.31; 95%CI [1.57, 3.42]); siblings with a history of ARI (AOR=1.69; 95%CI [1.12, 2.55]); household with a separate room for cooking (AOR=2.86; 95% CI [1.54,5.32]); families that usually did not use any transport media (AOR=0.57;95% CI [0.32, 1.02]); families that used public transport (AOR=2.51; 95% CI [1.56, 4.05]); and households comprising of less or equal to 3 people (AOR=0.31;95% CI [0.16,0.63]).Conclusion: In a study of under-five children at Arthur Davison Children Hospital, ARIs were negatively associated with low socio-economic status and family history of respiratory infections. The present findings reiterate the need to intensify the administration of health education on the prevention measures for ARI

Risk factors associated with tuberculosis in adults: a case control study at Ndola Central Hospital, Zambia

Background:Tuberculosis (TB) is an air born condition that affects many systems of the human body, usually the lungs first. TB is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Zambia. The objective of the study was to determine risk factors associated with TB. Method: A case-control study was performed among 81 TB patients at Ndola Central Hospital (NCH) and 79 controls.All participants completed a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and lifestyle variables.Chi-square test was used to determine significant associations anda result yielding a p value of less than 5% was considered statistically significant. Independent factors associated with the outcome were established using a multivariate logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios(AOR) and their 95% confidenceintervals (CI) are reported.Results: Independent risk factors which were significantly associated with TB were marital status (AOR=0.51; 95% CI[0.21,0.91]),HIV (AOR=2.09; 95% CI[1.34,3.27]),alcohol(AOR=1.71; 95% CI [1.11, 2.63]), smoking (AOR=2.33;95% [1.23, 4.44]), family history (AOR=1.53;95% CI [1.02, 2.29]) and working in mines (AOR=2.64;95%CI [1.29,5.39]). Conclusion: Interventions such as early HIV counselling, testing and initiation of antiretroviral therapy, as well as providing health education on life style risk factors that are associated with TB may prevent TB disease

Prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and association between knowledge of diabetes and Diabetes mellitus among police officers in Peter Singogo camp, Zambia

Background: Diabetes mellitus is becoming one of the major contributors of mortality and morbidity in Zambia and worldwide. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and the association between knowledge of diabetes and Diabetes mellitus. Method: The study was a community based cross sectional study conducted in Peter Singogo police camp Ndola, Zambia. Systematic sampling was used. The statistical tests used in the analysis of the data were Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were appropriate. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Out of a sample size of 158, 148 took part in the study giving a response rate of 93.7%. Overall, 50.7% of the respondents were married and 55.3% had attended tertiary education. Out of 148 participants, 13 (8.8%) had Diabetes mellitus. On each birthday respondents were 11% more likely to become diabetic (OR=1.11, 95%CI (1.04, 1.18). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of Diabetes mellitus in the study area is high, Therefore, the need for interventions targeting the younger age group to be put in place so as to curtail the early onset of diabetes

Correlates of Bullying Victimization among School-Going Adolescents in Algeria: Results from the 2011 Global School-Based Health Survey

Introduction: Literature establishes negative public health impact of bullying. Bullies and bully-victims are more likely to engage in a cluster of other delinquent behaviors. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine correlates of bullying victimization among school-going adolescents in Algeria. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed data from the 2011 Global School-Based Health Survey conducted among in-school adolescents in Algeria. Logistic regression analyzes were used to estimate associations between bullying victimization and selected variables. Results: A total of 4532 students participated in the survey of which 48.1% were males. Bullying victimization was estimated at 51.1% (47.2% among males and 54.9% among females). Males were 28% less likely to be bullied compared to females. Overall, adolescents aged \u3c13 years were 14% less likely to be bullied compared to those aged 16 years or older. Adolescents who reported hunger most of the time or always were 21% more likely to be bullied compared with those who were hungry less frequently. While students who smoked cigarettes were 24% more likely to report having been bullied, those who smoked marijuana were 21% less likely to report having been bullied compared to students who did not smoke. Adolescents who were involved in physical fighting were 67% more likely to be bullied compared to those who were not involved in fighting. While males who were involved in physical activity were 4% more likely to be bullied, females were 10% less likely to bullied compared with adolescents who were not involved in physical activity. Sedentary students were 10% more likely to experience bullying victimization compared to those who did not have a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: Bullying victimization is frequent among Algerian in-school adolescents. This calls for a concerted effort to prevent and control bullying behavior using interventions that are gender sensitive

Distribution of Zika Virus Infection Specific IgG in Western Province of Zambia

© Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that causes disease with similar but milder symptoms to dengue fever. There is no information on Zika virus infection in Zambia. Hence, the objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and correlates for Zika virus infection in Western province of Zambia. A cross-sectional study using a standardised questionnaire was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with Zika virus infection. Out of 1824 respondents, 44.8% were males and 36.0% were aged below 15 years. Altogether, 10.2% of the participants had Zika virus infection. Factors associated with the infection were age and education. Participants aged less than 15 years were 53% (AOR=0.47, 95% CI [0.34, 0.65]) less likely to be infected compared to those aged 45 years or older. Compared to participants who had attained secondary or higher levels of education, those who had attained primary level of education were 1.28 (95% CI [1.04, 1.58]) times more likely to have the infection. Zika virus infection is prevalent among the residents of Western Province in Zambia. There is need to strengthen strategies to address the emerging challenge of Zika virus infection such as laboratory diagnostic capacities

Correlates of Zika Virus Infection Specific IgG in North-Western Province of Zambia: Results From a Population-based Cross-sectional Study

© Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have become significant public health problems, with the emergency and re-emergency of arboviral diseases nearly worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and the risk factors for Zika virus infection in North-Western Province of Zambia. A cross-sectional study using a standardised questionnaire was used. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to obtain odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. In total, 1,755 survey participants were recruited. Overall, 48.8% of the survey participants were males. Males tended to have higher education levels than females, with 37.4% of males and 26.0% of females having attained secondary or higher levels of education (p \u3c 0.001). Altogether, 1.8% of participants had Zika virus infection, with no sex difference (2.1% of males and 1.4% of females, p = 0.957). Visiting Angola was the only factor that was significantly associated with Zika virus infection. Participants who visited Angola were 2.82 (95% CI [1.82, 4.38]) times more likely to have Zika virus infection compared to participants who had not visited Angola. Zika virus infection is prevalent among residents of North-Western Province in Zambia. Strengthening of disease surveillance, clinical management of cases and laboratory diagnostic capacities are necessary to curb the infection