Nutritional Assessment of Some Nigerian Land and Water Snail Species.

Proximate and mineral analyses were carried out on Nigeria's three land (Archachatina marginata ovum, Archachatina marginata saturalis and Limicolaria spp) and two fresh water (Lanistes varicus and Nucella lapillus) snail species for nutritional assessment using their muscular foot tissues. The mean of crude protein ranged from 70.00 ± 0.03 in Lanistes varicus to 84.43 ± 0.01% in Archachatina marginata ovum and moisture content of 73.69 ± 0.01 in Nucella lapillus to 80.78 ± 0.06% in Archachatina marginata ovum were obtained. The water snails had significantly (P < 0.05) higher crude fibre than the land snails. Values as low as 0.50 ± 0.02 crude fibre were obtained in Archachatina marginata ovum while Nucella lapillus had the highest value of 1.50 ± 0.01. Mineral analysis of the snail species revealed relatively high amount of minerals in the water snails compared to the land snails. Calcium values of 172.79 ± 0.01 in Limicolaria spp to 182.70 ± 0.02mg /100g in Nucella lapillus were obtained. Phosphorus ranged from 51.49 ± 0.01 in Archachatina marginata saturalis to 62.52± 0.01 mg/100g in Lanistes varicus and Iron content ranged from 6.79 ± 0.06 in Archachatina marginata ovum to 11.09 ± 0.01mg/ 100g in Nucella lapillus with low zinc content of 1.14 ± 0.01 in Limicolaria spp. to 1.32 ± 0.01mg/100g in Nucella lapillus. This research therefore, encourages increase in production and consumption of snail species especially Archachatina marginata ovum based on its high crude protein content and size. Keywords: Land and water snails, minerals, chemical composition, and nutritive qualities.Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies of Management Vol. 1 (2) 2008: pp. 56-6

Household responses to malaria: cost implications in Anantigha area of Calabar South lga of Cross river state, Nigeria

A study of household responses in terms of types and costs of treatment of malaria was carried out in Anantigha area of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. A total of 180 households wereinvolved in the survey. Households had an average of 25 episodes of malaria per year with treatment costing an average of 10% of the total household income. The people had a good knowledge of the disease with resultant prompt response to malaria. Preventive measures include, use of insecticides and mosquito nets. Out of the 108 persons interviewed in the survey, 51% engaged in self medication, 28% used hospitals and health centres and 11% used traditional methods (use of herbs and roots) and 10% did noting since they could not afford the cost. Lthe results showthat the malaria parasite in the area is Plasmodium falciparum. Although malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, the costs of treatment has not been well documented. Knowledge of the cost of treatment and health-care seeking behaviour of people will form baseline data for more research in the control of malaria in the community

Maternal and child health interventions in Nigeria: a systematic review of published studies from 1990 to 2014

BACKGROUND: Poor maternal and child health indicators have been reported in Nigeria since the 1990s. Many interventions have been instituted to reverse the trend and ensure that Nigeria is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This systematic review aims at describing and indirectly measuring the effect of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) interventions implemented in Nigeria from 1990 to 2014. METHODS: PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched from 1990 to April 2014 whereas POPLINE® was searched until 16 February 2015 to identify reports of interventions targeting Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Nigeria. Narrative and graphical synthesis was done by integrating the results of extracted studies with trends of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and under five mortality (U5MR) derived from a joint point regression analysis using Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data (1990-2013). This was supplemented by document analysis of policies, guidelines and strategies of the Federal Ministry of Health developed for Nigeria during the same period. RESULTS: We identified 66 eligible studies from 2,662 studies. Three interventions were deployed nationwide and the remainder at the regional level. Multiple study designs were employed in the enrolled studies: pre- and post-intervention or quasi-experimental (n = 40; 61%); clinical trials (n = 6;9%); cohort study or longitudinal evaluation (n = 3;5%); process/output/outcome evaluation (n = 17;26%). The national MMR shows a consistent reduction (Annual Percentage Change (APC) = -3.10%, 95% CI: -5.20 to -1.00 %) with marked decrease in the slope observed in the period with a cluster of published studies (2004-2014). Fifteen intervention studies specifically targeting under-five children were published during the 24 years of observation. A statistically insignificant downward trend in the U5MR was observed (APC = -1.25%, 95% CI: -4.70 to 2.40%) coinciding with publication of most of the studies and development of MNCH policies. CONCLUSIONS: The development of MNCH policies, implementation and publication of interventions corresponds with the downward trend of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. This systematic review has also shown that more MNCH intervention research and publications of findings is required to generate local and relevant evidence

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in two contrasting communities in Cross river state, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 115-12

The bacteriocidal and bacteriostatic activities of normal bovine serum with and without extraneous complement on Exchericha coli

No Abstract. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12 (4) 2006: 461-46

The effect of monetary aggregates on domestic absorption of cocoa in Nigeria

No Abstract. UNISWA Research Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol. 8(2) 2005: 156-16

Urinary Schistosomiasis in a Rice- Farming Community in Biase Area of Cross River State

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a rice-farming community in Adim Village in Biase area of Cross River State. Urine samples were collected from 412 participants and examined using sedimentation method. Standardized questionnaires on the knowledge, attitude, perception, practices and beliefs associated with urinary schistosomiasis, in terms of blood in urine, were administered to the respondents. The prevalence of 42.2% was observed, with males having a higher prevalence of 54.0% than females, with 30.0%. Ricefarmers had prevalence of 60.2%, which was highest for all the occupational groups in the area, while the lowest prevalence of 16.6% was recorded for Artisans. Age group 11 – 20 years had highest prevalence of 52.0% while the lowest was 32.6% in the 41-50 years age group. In general, there was a poor understanding of the means of exposure, transmission, treatment and control of the disease. According to respondents, causes of blood in urine included exposure to sun (42%), drinking dirty water (40%) entering dirty water (18%). Out of the 412 respondents, 66.0% stated that haematuria was a sign of disease while 24.0% said it was venereal disease and 18.0% said that it was caused by witchcraft while 12.0% considered it as coming of age for the men. Most respondents (72.0%) thought that it was shameful to have blood in urine while 56.0% thought the disease could be cured using drugs and 32.0% said that it could be cured by traditional healers. The data indicates that there is a high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the community and a poor knowledge of the disease and means of transmission. Health education is recommended along with provision of safe water and proper sanitation facilities for the community as a first step in eradication of the disease.Keywords: Urinary Schistosomiasis, Health Education, Cross River StateNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [2] September 2012, pp. 197-20

Lymphatic Filariasis in Nigeria; Micro-stratification Overlap Mapping (MOM) as a Prerequisite for Cost-Effective Resource Utilization in Control and Surveillance

Background Nigeria has a significant burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti. A major concern to the expansion of the LF elimination programme is the risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) associated with the use of ivermectin in areas co-endemic with Loa filariasis. To better understand this, as well as other factors that may impact on LF elimination, we used Micro-stratification Overlap Mapping (MOM) to highlight the distribution and potential impact of multiple disease interventions that geographically coincide in LF endemic areas and which will impact on LF and vice versa. Methodology/Principal findings LF data from the literature and Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) were collated into a database. LF prevalence distributions; predicted prevalence of loiasis; ongoing onchocerciasis community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi); and long-lasting insecticidal mosquito net (LLIN) distributions for malaria were incorporated into overlay maps using geographical information system (GIS) software. LF was prevalent across most regions of the country. The mean prevalence determined by circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was 14.0% (n = 134 locations), and by microfilaria (Mf) was 8.2% (n = 162 locations). Overall, LF endemic areas geographically coincided with CDTi priority areas, however, LLIN coverage was generally low (<50%) in areas where LF prevalence was high or co-endemic with L. loa. Conclusions/Significance The extensive database and series of maps produced in this study provide an important overview for the LF Programme and will assist to maximize existing interventions, ensuring cost effective use of resources as the programme scales up. Such information is a prerequisite for the LF programme, and will allow for other factors to be included into planning, as well as monitoring and evaluation activities given the broad spectrum impact of the drugs used

Transovarial passage and transmission of LSDV by Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus decoloratus

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), an acute, sub-acute or inapparent disease of cattle, is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus in the family Poxviridae. LSD is characterised by high fever, formation of circumscribed skin lesions and ulcerative lesions on the mucous membranes of the mouth, respiratory and digestive tracts. It is an economically important disease due to the permanent damage to hides, the reduction in productivity and trade restrictions imposed on affected areas. Transmission has been associated with blood-feeding insects such as stable flies (Stomoxysis calcitrans) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). Mechanical (intrastadial) and transstadial transmission by Amblyomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus as well as transovarial transmission by R. decoloratus have been reported. In this study transovarial passage of LSDV to larvae and subsequent transmission to recipient animals were demonstrated. The finding of transovarial passage of LSDV in female ticks shows the potential for A. hebraeum, R. appendiculatus and R. decoloratus to be reservoir hosts for LSDV.The Combating Infectious Diseases of Livestock for International Development (CIDLID) research programme, the Department of International Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the UK government, the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Scottish Government (CIDLID project number BB/H009361/1)http://link.springer.com/journal/10493hb2014ab201