Effect of a short-term physical activity program on selected anthropometric indices of primary school pupils in Alexandra, Johannesburg

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for Master of Science in Physiotherapy. Johannesburg, 2016Introduction: Obesity and overweight in childhood is a global concern. The increased surge in prevalence of overweight and obesity in low-and middle-income countries, particularly in childhood, has been the reason for many studies including this. In Africa, childhood overweight and obesity is seen to be at par with what was obtainable in developed countries just over a decade ago, and figures from South Africa are reported to be among the highest in Sub Saharan Africa. The growing concern for childhood overweight and obesity has necessitated the introduction of various forms of intervention programs. School-based intervention programs therefore may be used to engage learners in more physical activities than they would normally partake of. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity and evaluate the effect of such school-based physical activity program on selected anthropometric indices and fitness among primary school children, albeit short-term. Methodology: This study was divided into 2 parts. Part A - Prevalence study: cross sectional descriptive study was used among learners in grades1 and 2 in 4 schools in Johannesburg East District. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio, and skin-fold thicknesses) were taken once-off. The Global School-based Health Survey was administered. Part B - Intervention study: a longitudinal study that compared the effect of physical activities on overweight/obesity and fitness for a 6 weeks period at 2 schools. Forty six learners chosen by convenience participated in the study. Pre- and post- intervention anthropometric measures and the 20m shuttle run test were taken at 6 weeks and 3 months. Independent and Paired samples t-tests were used to analyse data. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Part A – Prevalence study: The participants were 580, 25.6% were overweight (obesity included) boys = 30.6% and girls = 21%.Underweight was recorded at 7.5%. A combination of fast-foods and food security were the major nutritional contribution to overweight/obesity in this population. Majority of participants spent more than 2hours in sedentary activities (56.2%), less than one day of Physical Education (71.7%) and active for less than one day of 60mins/week (55.7%) Part B – Intervention study: Total numbers of participants were 46 for the intervention study. There was a significant difference in BMI between groups (p=0.001) at 6 weeks with no significant improvement in fitness levels between groups at 6 weeks (p=0.947). At 3 months, results indicate that the intervention group maintained the improvements gained in BMI just immediately after the intervention period. Conclusion: Among participants, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity was 25.6% and underweight was 7.5%. Also, the study indicates the benefits of school based intervention programmes in improving the health of school going children and the need for intervention programs that are tailored to address the growing concern of childhood overweight and obesity. Keywords: Childhood obesity, Overweight, Prevalence, School-based intervention, physical fitness, South AfricaMT201

An evaluation of intestinal parasites in edible frogs (Hoplobatracus spp) sold for consumption in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

To determine the presence of eggs, oocysts and larvae of intestinal parasites in edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus species) sold for human consumption in Hanwa Zaria, Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) samples of edible frogs (n = 225) were collected from the frog market (FM) at Hanwa, Zaria. The samples were analysed for parasites eggs, oocysts and larvae using zinc sulphate-sucrose floatation method of specific gravity 1.21, sedimentation tests followed by microscopy. Parasitic eggs, larvae, and oocyst were found in 54.7% of the total gastrointestinal tract samples using floatation technique while, eggs were found in 40 (17.8%) of the samples using sedimentation technique. The overall prevalence of the parasitic oocyst, eggs or larva using the simple floatation and sedimentation techniques techniques in the examination of the frog was 63.1% (142/225). The presence of parasites in both the male and female frogs were 92 (75.4%) and 50 (48.5%), respectively, there was statistically significant association between gender and parasite prevalence, P = 0.0001. There was no significant association between original location of frogs and prevalence of parasites, but there was statistically significant association between gender and parasite prevalence, p = 0.525. Coccidia oocysts mean counts were highest (8.11 ± 0.423). People should be educated on how to prevent possible zoonotic transmission to humans during capture, slaughter, processing and/or consumption of raw or improperly cooked frogs.Keywords: Frog, Hoplobatrachus spp, eggs, oocysts, larvae, Zari

Occurrence of Salmonella and Shigella in edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus spp) from Hanwa Frog market Zaria, Nigeria

Frogs have been associated with bacterial infection among those who handle them resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting. Frogs are a rich source of proteins and they are considered a delicacy by some in Nigeria. Considering the high demand for edible frogs, it is important to determine the occurrence of Salmonella and Shigella organisms from edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus spp). Edible frogs (n=202) were collected from February to July, 2016, from the Hanwa frog market, Zaria, Kaduna State. The intestinal contents of each sampled frog were scraped into the selenite broth bottles and cultured on Deoxycholate Citrate Agar for enrichment and isolation respectively. Biochemical test and sugar fermentation tests were carried out on the suspected isolates. Overall, twenty seven 27(13.37%) of the processed samples were suggestive of Shigella, while 22(10.9%) were suspect Salmonella organisms. There was no significant association between sex of the frogs and the isolation of Shigella and Salmonella organisms, despite the high occurrence of Shigella organism (14.17%) in the males. Source wise the occurrence of Salmonella in frogs was high in Tudun Wada (20%), while Katsina (8.5%) had the least. There was also no association between source and Shigella organisms. Frogs within the weight range of 175-224g had the highest occurrence rate for Shigella isolation, while frogs of 73-125g weight range had the highest occurrence rate for Salmonella isolation. This study shows the presence of Shigella and Salmonella organisms in the intestinal contents of frogs. Therefore the unhygienic and unsanitary environment, handling and processing of frogs is of great public health concern and as such measures are to be put together to ensure safety and wholesomeness of the frog meat been sold for human consumption.Keywords: Edible, Frog, Safety, Salmonella , Shigella, Zari

Serological evidence of influenza A/H9 in indigenous birds and level of awareness at live bird markets, Plateau State

Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease that can adversely affect humans and animals. Nigeria first reported an outbreak of avian influenza which was caused by subtype H5N1 in 2006, thereafter virological and serological surveys revealed the importance of local birds in live bird markets and the community at large in the epidemiology of avian influenza in the country. In the present study, 276 serum samples were collected for serological testing over five months from apparently healthy local birds in live bird markets within two Local Government Areas of Plateau State, to determine antibody prevalence to avian influenza A virus. The detection of influenza A antibody was carried out using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further tested by haemagglutination inhibition to determine the specific serotype of the influenza A virus. The result showed a prevalence of 30.4% (n=84) of antibody to influenza A, 26% (n=72) of serotype H9, 1.4% (n=4) of serotype H7, and none was confirmed to be H5 serotype. Comparatively, Jos-North had a lower relative risk with a prevalence of 18.9% (n=18) to the disease as compared to Jos-South with a prevalence of 36.5% (n=66). This study showed the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza A virus in live bird markets within the study area with the dominance of antibodies to H9. To our knowledge, this is the first serological indication of serotype H9 in Plateau State and Nigeria. Evidence of influenza A/H9 in an ecological niche known for the circulation of subtypes H5Nx may complicate the epidemiology and control of avian influenza in the region and Nigeria at large. The level of awareness by the live bird market operators about avian influenza (AI) was relatively low as indicated by the questionnaire survey conducted. Live bird market operators and poultry farmers need to maintain a high level of biosecurity and limit mixing local birds with commercial poultry to prevent the transmission of the virus which may have adverse effects on poultry production, national and international trade, the economy and public health

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes eggs of public health importance in house-hold dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. However, dogs are also potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens. To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs in faeces of house-hold dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, ninety-eight (98) faecal samples were collected and processed by formol-ether concentration technique and examined for helminths eggs. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs in dogs presented was 22.4% (22/98). The Gastrointestinal helminths eggs observed from the study comprises of Ancylostoma caninum (4.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%), Toxocara canis (8.2%) and Dipylidium caninum (8.2%). Higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs was observed in male dogs (31.0%) than in female dogs (10.0%). Also, higher prevalence was observed in dogs less than six (6) months of age (23.1%) than in dogs of at least six (6) months (22.2%). The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths eggs was 26.7% and 23.1% for local and exotic breeds of dogs respectively. Higher prevalence was observed in dogs with diarrhoeic faeces (25.0%) and in dogs non-confined (33.3%). This study has shown the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths eggs in dogs presented to the VTH ABU, Zaria which is of public health significance. Therefore, clinicians, pet owners, animal handlers and laboratory technicians need to be aware of the risk of contracting an infection in the course of handling dogs or their faecal samples.Keywords: Dogs, eggs, faeces, formol-ether, Gastrointestinal helminths, zoonotic helminth

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) variants circulating in Nigerian dogs

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious viral disease with three variants (CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c) currently circulating in dogs worldwide. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalent CPV-2 variant in faecal samples from 53 dogs presenting with acute gastroenteritis suspected to be and consistent with CPV-2 to Nigerian Veterinary Clinics in 2013-2014. Seventy-five per cent of these dogs tested positive for CPV-2 in a commercial antigen test and/or by PCR. Partial sequencing of the VP2 gene of six of these demonstrated them to be CPV-2a. Most of the dogs (60 per cent) were vaccinated, with 74 per cent of them puppies less than six months old

Pattern of haematologic abnormalities in incident dialysis patients and the effect of using locally derived haematologic reference ranges

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of haematologic abnormalities seen in incident haemodialysis patients using standard laboratory reference ranges with reference ranges derived locally.Study Design and Method: This was a retrospective study of 97 patients with renal failure who received haemodialysis at a single dialysis unit in Lagos, Nigeria. All patients were 18 years of age or older, had renal failure requiring dialysis, and had not previously dialyzed. Patients with a history of haemoglobinoapthy or other red cell disorders, recent history of overt blood loss or blood transfusion and pregnancy were excluded.Results: Fifty six (57.7%) of the patients were males; and 55 (56.7%) had chronic kidney disease. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between males and females, however, patients with CKD had significantly higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean serum creatinines and lower mean haemoglobin concentrations.Overall, anaemia was the most common haematologic abnormality (97.9%), followed by leukocytosis (34.0%). Leukopenia, thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia were less common (3.1%, 7.2% and 10.3% respectively). The use of locally derived reference ranges was associated with significantly higher frequencies of occurrence of majority of the haematologic abnormalities studied.Conclusion: Haematological abnormalities occurred frequently in the study population. Use locally derived haematologic reference ranges was associated with significant differences in the frequency and pattern of some of the haematologic abnormalities. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of these findings.Keywords: Haematologic abnormalities; chronic kidney disease; acute kidney injury; dialysi