World Health Organization Polio Regional Reference Laboratory

Abstract: A previous study had shown that women farmers or those having farmer husbands attending Grimard Catholic Hospital, Anyigba were seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (0.0% prevalence for HBsAg). We therefore designed this study to test the hypothesis that HBsAg seroprevalence among farming and non-farming individuals attending the hospital is the same. Two hundred apparently healthy adults attending the hospital were consecutively selected and screened for HBsAg including 106 (53.0%) females and 94 (47.0%) males aged 20 to 51 years (mean age = 35 yrs). The sera of the participants were tested for the presence of HBsAg using Diaspot® HBsAg test kit. The patients were categorized into farming and nonfarming groups based on the demographic data obtained with questionnaire forms. This study showed an overall HBsAg seroprevalence of 11.0%; with seroprevalence of 17.4% (n = 46) and 9.1% (n = 154) respectively for the farming and non-farming groups. Variables (gender, age and occupation) examined were not statistically associated with prevalence rates of HBsAg. Broad categorization of the participants into farming and nonfarming with their respective spouses also revealed no association (p = 0.19) with HBsAg seropositivity. Moreover, some of the women farmers and those having farmer spouses were HBsAg seropositive. We therefore concluded that farmers and non-farmers enrolled in this study were not different in HBsAg seroprevalence; they appeared equally susceptible to HBV infection. Our findings represent the endemic HBV situation in many hospitals in Nigeria. This study could serve to direct any national effort aimed toward reducing the HBV burdens of our local hospitals. The study will be of immense value as a public health tool for planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of HBV interventions

Comparative Prevalence Level of Plasmodium in Freshmen (First Year Students) of Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria

This study examines and reports the prevalence of plasmodium species between gender of freshmen (first year students) of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, South-Eastern, Nigeria. Blood film examination for malaria parasites in 200 (100.0%) freshmen; 82 (41.0%) males and 118 (59.0%) females was carried out over a 6-month period. Microscopic examinations of both thick and thin blood films techniques were employed for this study. A high malaria parasite prevalence rate of 80% was noted in these subjects. Of the 200 samples examined, 160 (80.0%) were Plasmodiumpositive. There was a female preponderance (F/M 2:1). A higher Plasmodium prevalence was recorded amongst females 102 (86.4%) than in the males 58 (70.7%) and there was no significant increase in malaria infection rate in any particular sex (P=0.05). Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent of all the other species. This study also shows that a good percentage of people were infested by malaria with P. falciparum [134 (83.8%)] being the most prevalent species, followed by P. malariae [14 (8.9%)], P. vivax [8 (5.0%)] and P. ovale [4 (2.5%)]. P. ovale was only found among the female subjects and none was found among the male subjects. The findings of this study are of a practical impact, with female subjects having the highest proportion of parasitic contamination. The higher prevalence of malaria Plasmodium found in this study could be attributed to the stagnant drainage systems in the University, which created favorable environmental conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes that act as vectors of malaria parasites and so this enhances the proliferation of the Plasmodium. It could also be attributed to the effect of climatic features on vector breeding and transmission. Wet season usually promote mosquito breeding. Also, the prevalence of P. falciparum could be attributed to its ability to resist attack of most drugs that are commonly in use in the study area. However, there should be a high index for the needs to take appropriate measures aimed at preventing malaria by intensifying efforts in mosquitoes eradication program through operation roll back malaria in Africa, especially in Nigeria

Review

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus and its implications for polio surveillance and eradication in Nigeria: A review of the literatur

Detection and Seroprevalence of Hiv 1 & 2 Antibodies in Abeokuta, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract The HIV pandemic has ravaged mankind for over 3 decades. Gradually, incidence of new infections has declined globally due to increased prevention and control measures. In Southwestern Nigeria, there has been increased surveillance activ ity to complement control measures in recent years. We report here findings of the latest HIV surveillance revealing the p revalence of HIV in Abeokuta, Nigeria. About 744 subjects were tested for HIV seroconversion between January and March 2010. Screening tests were carried out using Determine™ HIV 1 & 2 (Abbott) and Chembio HIV 1& 2 Stat-Pak™ rapid test kits following manufacturer's instructions. A seroprevalence rate of 11.7% (87/744) was determined with a significantly higher seropositivity in females (16.0%; 60/ 375) than males (7.3%; 27/ 369). Age group 16-45 years old was found to have the highest seroprevalence rate of 13.6% (70/514), followed by the age group 46 years and older with 11.0% incidence (12/109), and lastly, the age group 1-15 years old had the lowest HIV seroprevalence of 4.1%(5/ 121). HIV prevalence in outpatient was the highest, (12.5%; 33/264). This was followed by OPD having 15.0 (9/60), inpatient (Ward) subjects who had 11.0% seroprevalence (22/ 199) and others having 8.3% seroprevalence (14/ 168). The lo west HIV seroprevalence was recorded in Outreach visitations with only 2 positive cases (3.8% seroprevalence; 2/53). This current report shows a fairly high HIV seroprevalence rate in Southwestern Nigeria, with relatively high rate of HIV infections among the elderly. According to these findings prevention and control measures should thereby be stepped up, particularly at the local level with mo re attention toward sexually active adults and the elderly

Africa?

vaccine preventable disease-what went wrong i