“Why I tried to kill myself”- an exploration of the factors contributing to suicide in the Waterberg District

Background: One of the authors (PM) did a study of parasuicide patients at Voortrekker Hospital in the Waterberg District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop a deeper understanding of the parasuicide patients' perceptions regarding their reasons for attempting suicide. Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using free attitude interviews in English with eight purposefully selected participants. Participants were recruited from patients admitted to Voortrekker Hospital during the study period after attempting suicide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were identified through the McMillan method. A combined list of themes was compiled. The results were interpreted, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made.Results: Reasons identified were multi-factorial and can effectively be summarised by the term bio-psychosocial, which gives an indication of the range of problems. Included were predisposing economic and health-related factors, substance abuse and disturbed interpersonal relationships. Other contributory factors were emotional reactions, unpleasant feelings and thoughts of self-killing with the expectation to die and rest in peace. These factors were interrelated and connected to each other in various ways. The process of parasuicide consisted of a combination of these factors, but was different for each participant. Conclusions and recommendations: A range of psychosocial risk factors contributes to parasuicide. Patients said that they had attempted suicide predominantly because there were faced by too many overwhelming physical or social problems, they felt isolated and that their lives were meaningless and purposeless. In addition to the findings obtained from the research, the process of qualitative free attitude interviewing were helpful in that the process of learning the interview techniques improved the researcher's skills and therefore the quality of care given to patients (participants in the study and others). The participants also felt that ventilating and sharing their problems were beneficial to them. SA Fam Pract 2004;46(7): 21-2

Prospects for developing odour baits to Control Glossina fuscipes spp., the major vector of human African trypanosomiasis

We are attempting to develop cost-effective control methods for the important vector of sleeping sickness, Glossina fuscipes spp. Responses of the tsetse flies Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (in Kenya) and G. f. quanzensis (in Democratic Republic of Congo) to natural host odours are reported. Arrangements of electric nets were used to assess the effect of cattle-, human- and pig-odour on (1) the numbers of tsetse attracted to the odour source and (2) the proportion of flies that landed on a black target (1 x 1 m). In addition responses to monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) were assessed in Kenya. The effects of all four odours on the proportion of tsetse that entered a biconical trap were also determined. Sources of natural host odour were produced by placing live hosts in a tent or metal hut (volumes approximate to 16 m(3)) from which the air was exhausted at similar to 2000 L/min. Odours from cattle, pigs and humans had no significant effect on attraction of G. f. fuscipes but lizard odour doubled the catch (P<0.05). Similarly, mammalian odours had no significant effect on landing or trap entry whereas lizard odour increased these responses significantly: landing responses increased significantly by 22% for males and 10% for females; the increase in trap efficiency was relatively slight (5-10%) and not always significant. For G. f. quanzensis, only pig odour had a consistent effect, doubling the catch of females attracted to the source and increasing the landing response for females by similar to 15%. Dispensing CO2 at doses equivalent to natural hosts suggested that the response of G. f. fuscipes to lizard odour was not due to CO2. For G. f. quanzensis, pig odour and CO2 attracted similar numbers of tsetse, but CO2 had no material effect on the landing response. The results suggest that identifying kairomones present in lizard odour for G. f. fuscipes and pig odour for G. f. quanzensis may improve the performance of targets for controlling these species

Improving the cost-effectiveness of visual devices for the control of Riverine tsetse flies, the major vectors of Human African Trypanosomiasis

Control of the Riverine (Palpalis) group of tsetse flies is normally achieved with stationary artificial devices such as traps or insecticide-treated targets. The efficiency of biconical traps (the standard control device), 161 m black targets and small 25625 cm targets with flanking nets was compared using electrocuting sampling methods. The work was done on Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambiensis (Burkina Faso), G. fuscipes quanzensis (Democratic Republic of Congo), G. f. martinii (Tanzania) and G. f. fuscipes (Kenya). The killing effectiveness (measured as the catch per m2 of cloth) for small targets plus flanking nets is 5.5–15X greater than for 1 m2 targets and 8.6–37.5X greater than for biconical traps. This has important implications for the costs of control of the Riverine group of tsetse vectors of sleeping sickness

Phytochemistry and in vitro Anti-sickling activity of Senna Occidentalis L. (Fabaceae)

Introduction Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, leading to the deformation of red blood cells and serious complications. It is a major public health problem in many countries of inter-tropical Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over a million people (2%) are affected by this hemoglobinopathy. Purpose This study aimed to scientifically validate the anti-sickle cell activity of aqueous extracts of S. occindentalis seeds and to identify the chemical constituents responsible for this activity. Methods In this study, we used S. occidentalis seeds harvested at Ilebo in Central Kasai Province, while the blood samples used were taken from sickle-cell patients. The phytochemical composition was determined according to the standard method described previously by Iteku et al. and Nkasa et al. The Emmel test was carried out according to the standard protocol described previously by Bongo et al. Results The results obtained in this study showed that the seeds of this plant are rich in secondary metabolites such as total polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins, leuco-athocyanins, tannins, and saponins), di-terpenes, alkaloids, and bound quinones. However, these seeds do not contain triterpenoids and steroids. Total seed extracts from this plant showed significant anti-sickle cell activity. Conclusion This study identified a medicinal plant used by the sickle cell disease community

Valorization of the essential oil from Drypetes gossweileri S. Moore (Putranjivaceae): in vitro, in vivo, and in silico nematicidal activity

The chemical composition, insect antifeedant, in vtro/in vivo nematicidal activity, phytotoxicity, and in silico nematicidal activity of the essential oil (EO) of the African medicinal plant Drypetes gossweileri were studied. Chemical analysis using GC/MS indicated that benzyl isothiocyanate (96.23%) was the major compound, followed by benzyl cyanide (1.38%). The biocidal effects of this oil were tested against insect pests and root-knot nematodes. All the insect species tested were significantly affected by the oil according to their feeding adaptations (Spodoptera littoralis and Myzus persicae were less affected than Rhopalosiphum padi) with efficient doses (EC50) of 29.4 8.3 μg/cm2, 14.744 8.3 μg/cm2, and 8.3 μg/cm2, respectively. The oil was highly effective against juveniles J2 of the nematode Meloidogyne javanica, with LC50–LC90 values of 0.007 mg/mL–0.0113 mg/mL. D. gossweileri EO at minimum lethal concentrations (MLC) and below strongly inhibited egg hatching in vitro, whereas soil treatment caused a strong suppression of nematode population, infection frequency, and multiplication rate. The EO inhibited ryegrass (Lolium perenne) germination at 0.4 mg/mL, while at 0.1 mg/mL, its effects on germination, root and leaf growth were moderate (32.4%, 8.4%, and 18.3%, respectively). The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) germination was not affected by the EO, but the root growth was reduced (56% at 0.1 mg/mL) at a dose 10 times higher than the LD50 calculated for M. javanica J2 mortality. Molecular docking of the nematicidal effects of the oil using PyRx revealed a strong interaction between potassium chloride transporting KCC3 (PDB ID: 7D90) and benzyl cyanide at a distance of 2.20 A° with GLN C:350, followed by benzyl isothiocyanate at a distance of 2.78 A° with ARG B:294. The in vivo nematicidal effects of D. gossweileri EO on M. javanica penetration and reproduction in tomato roots further support the potential of this EO as a nematicidal agent with insect antifeedant effects, which could be used by local farmers for crop protection

The impact of vector migration on the effectiveness of strategies to control gambiense human African trypanosomiasis

BACKGROUND: Several modeling studies have been undertaken to assess the feasibility of the WHO goal of eliminating gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) by 2030. However, these studies have generally overlooked the effect of vector migration on disease transmission and control. Here, we evaluated the impact of vector migration on the feasibility of interrupting transmission in different g-HAT foci. METHODS: We developed a g-HAT transmission model of a single tsetse population cluster that accounts for migration of tsetse fly into this population. We used a model calibration approach to constrain g-HAT incidence to ranges expected for high, moderate and low transmission settings, respectively. We used the model to evaluate the effectiveness of current intervention measures, including medical intervention through enhanced screening and treatment, and vector control, for interrupting g-HAT transmission in disease foci under each transmission setting. RESULTS: We showed that, in low transmission settings, under enhanced medical intervention alone, at least 70% treatment coverage is needed to interrupt g-HAT transmission within 10 years. In moderate transmission settings, a combination of medical intervention and a vector control measure with a daily tsetse mortality greater than 0.03 is required to achieve interruption of disease transmission within 10 years. In high transmission settings, interruption of disease transmission within 10 years requires a combination of at least 70% medical intervention coverage and at least 0.05 tsetse daily mortality rate from vector control. However, the probability of achieving elimination in high transmission settings decreases with an increased tsetse migration rate. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the WHO 2030 goal of G-HAT elimination is, at least in theory, achievable. But the presence of tsetse migration may reduce the probability of interrupting g-HAT transmission in moderate and high transmission foci. Therefore, optimal vector control programs should incorporate monitoring and controlling of vector density in buffer areas around foci of g-HAT control efforts

Variation spatiale du risque pour les porcs de contracter la trypanosomiase dans la zone périurbaine de Kinshasa

Afin de mieux comprendre le risque de transmission de la trypanosome animale africaine (TAA) et humaine (THA) en zone périurbaine de Kinshasa, une étude sérologique a été réalisée dans des élevages porcins entre 2003 et 2005. Un test ELISA indirect a été utilisé pour détecter la présence d’anticorps dirigés contre les trypanosomes sur un échantillon de 1240 porcs provenant de 404 fermes. 155 fermes (soit 38 %) se sont révélées séropositives avec une grande variation suivant la commune. Dans 6 % des fermes, des cas de TAA ont pu être démontrés par l’examen parasitologique. Des piégeages (n = 367) aux alentours des fermes ont permis de capturer 1935 mouches tsé-tsé (Glossina fuscipes quanzensis). Sur 562 mouches disséquées, 23 contenaient des trypanosomes soit un taux d’infestation de 4,1 %. Le risque de transmission de la trypanosomose animale, escompté à partir des captures du vecteur, est confirmé dans la plupart des communes par les résultats sérologiques. Des zones à forte probabilité de transmission de TAA ont été identifiées dans plusieurs quartiers situés dans trois communes périurbaines de Kinshasa : Mont-Ngafula, Ngaliema et N’Sele. Une intensification de la lutte anti-vectorielle s’impose dans les endroits à risque

Variation spatiale du risque pour les porcs de contracter la trypanosomose dans la zone périurbaine de Kinshasa

Afin de mieux comprendre le risque de transmission de la trypanosome animale africaine (TAA) et humaine (THA) en zone périurbaine de Kinshasa, une étude sérologique a été réalisée dans des élevages porcins entre 2003 et 2005. Un test ELISA indirect a été utilisé pour détecter la présence d’anticorps dirigés contre les trypanosomes sur un échantillon de 1240 porcs provenant de 404 fermes. 155 fermes (soit 38 %) se sont révélées séropositives avec une grande variation suivant la commune. Dans 6 % des fermes, des cas de TAA ont pu être démontrés par l’examen parasitologique. Des piégeages (n = 367) aux alentours des fermes ont permis de capturer 1935 mouches tsé-tsé (Glossina fuscipes quanzensis). Sur 562 mouches disséquées, 23 contenaient des trypanosomes soit un taux d’infestation de 4,1 %. Le risque de transmission de la trypanosomose animale, escompté à partir des captures du vecteur, est confirmé dans la plupart des communes par les résultats sérologiques. Des zones à forte probabilité de transmission de TAA ont été identifiées dans plusieurs quartiers situés dans trois communes périurbaines de Kinshasa : Mont-Ngafula, Ngaliema et N’Sele. Une intensification de la lutte anti-vectorielle s’impose dans les endroits à risque