Occurrence of malaria and utilization of antimalaria preventive measures amongst pregnant women attending Ajeromi- Ifelodun General Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria

Malaria in Pregnancy poses a serious health problem both for the mother and her unborn baby and this can be prevented with the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP), Long Lasting Insecticidetreated Nets (LLIN) and other preventive measures. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among pregnant women attending Ajeromi Ifelodun General Hospital between August 2013 and February 2014. A total of 414 pregnant women (with mean age of 29±8.7) in their first (84), second (124) and third (206) trimesters were recruited for this study. Blood samples for making both thin and thick smears were collected and semi-structured questionnaires administered to the respondents. The questionnaire probed into their knowledge on cause of malaria, the preventive measures taken against mosquito bite, use of IPTp-SP, possession and use of LLIN. The overall prevalence of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is 24 (5.8%) out of which 13 were primigravid, 5 were secundi-gravid, and 6 were multigravida with no significant difference (P>0.05) amongst them. Two hundred and eighty-six (69.1%) pregnant women had good knowledge of the cause of malaria. 164 (39.6%) of the sampled population had a tertiary education while 182 (44.0%) had secondary education, 124 (30.4%) were traders and 80(19.6%) were civil servants. Preventive measures claimed to be adopted by the respondents in avoiding mosquito bites include the use of LLIN (62.6%), insecticides sprays (36.2%), and locally adopted measures (1.5%). The number of respondents who had not availed themselves of IPTp-SP was significantly higher 258 (62.3%) compared to those who had (P<0.05). It was observed that educational status had no significant effect on the knowledge of the cause of malaria in sample population (p>0.05). The findings of this study reveal that there is a good knowledge on the cause of malaria among pregnant women but low use of IPTp-SP. In order to meet the new target of reaching an elimination stage set by the World Health Organization, factors responsible for the low use of these preventive measures should be investigated and quickly addressed so as to reduce both maternal and child morbidity/mortality resulting from malaria infection.Keywords: Malaria, Pregnant women, Prevention, Intermitent preventive treatment, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, Longlasting Insecticide treated ne

Public health, tourism, and the emergence of pandemics

The paper recognises the primary need for national investment in the global and ancient tourism industry, to fill the gap in the economic transition from the depleting oil industry. This paper elucidates on the import of the principles and development of healthy cities in line with global practice and good public health to thrust nations into profitable and sustainable tourism, as a driver for national growth and development, to improve the GDP and job opportunities for the teeming population; and the impact of pandemics. It elaborates and documents the adverse, poor public health indices of Nigeria and indicates the need for urgent and drastic improvement in the deplorable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services which are predominantly donor driven, in order to battle the large-scale endemic Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and annual epidemics of microbial infections. WASH is considered critical to the fight against NTDs, for effective tourism. Human behaviour, such as open defecation and urination, need to be addressed, as conducive health- related behaviour must be adopted as an integral component of tourism development. It is suggested that while different types of tourism should be put in place, medical tourism should be in the fore to reduce the current foreign exchange expenditure of the country as well as improve the public health status of Nigeria. The paper recognises the need to combat the diverse annual microbial epidemics that have occurred over time, negating, and challenging the quest for the benefits of tourism. The need for infrastructural development of transport systems in conjunction with improved civil service administrative structures is indicated; transformational tourism is a political choice. Impact of diverse past and recent pandemics, particularly the COVID-19, on tourism, as well as the global actions to curtail its spread are discussed. The way forward for sustainable tourism in national development for Nigeria is outlined and linked with effective participation of the different arms of governance and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the transformation associated with the Sustainable Development Goals. The role of the social media is emphasised. The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), a custodian and stakeholder in diseases control and prevention has a vital role to play in the transformational agenda through intellectual contributions and involvement

Status of Eimeria infections of sheep and goat sold at small ruminant markets in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria

Coccidiosis, an intestinal disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria, continues to challenge profitable small ruminant production worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the occurrence of Eimeria and identify the species infecting sheep and goat sold at small ruminant markets in Lagos State. Fresh faeces were collected from 83 sheep and 51 goats. The faecal samples were grossly examined for their consistency and subjected to salt floatation to detect the presence of Eimeria oocysts. Morphometric measurements of oocysts were taken for species identification. The number of oocysts/ml of faeces were estimated using a haemocytometer. Results revealed that 67 (80.7%) sheep and 34 (66.7%) goats were positive for Eimeria. There was no difference in the prevalence of infection between male and female of both animals (P > 0.05). The difference in infection rates between the breeds of sheep were also insignificant (P > 0.05). Goats with diarrheic stool had higher faecal oocyst counts (20400 oocysts/ml) when compared to those with normal stool (5250 oocysts/ml). E. faurei (41%), E. ovinoidalis (36%) and E. intricata (31%) were the most common of the 11 species infecting sheep in this study. Of the 8 species recovered from goats, E. ninakhloyakimovae (51%) and E. alijevi (39%) were the most frequent. The high incidence of pathogenic Eimeria species detected in the study area poses serious economic risks to stakeholders in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. Small ruminant farmers and traders are advised to improve biosecurity and sanitary conditions where livestock are kept. Keywords: Eimeria parasites; coccidiosis; goats; sheep; small ruminant markets; Nigeria

Trichomoniasis among pregnant women in Ifako Ijaiye, Shomolu and Agege Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria

Three hundred pregnant women between ages 15-60 years and attending antenatal clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria were screened for trichomoniasis in 2015. High vaginal swab samples obtained from the participants were examined by direct wet mount microscopy to determine prevalence of infection. Questionnaires were administered to capture socio-demographic data of study participants and their level of awareness. An overall prevalence of 11.3% was obtained in the study. Peak prevalence was recorded among women in the 21-30 years age-group 15 (44%) while those aged >40 years had the least prevalence (3%) and this was statistically significant (p<0.05). Women with only basic primary education 25 (74%) had the highest infection rate compared to other educational groups (p<0.05). Other statistically significant risk factors included polygamous family type, traders and the third trimester of pregnancy (p<0.05). Only 20 (7%) of the respondents were aware of trichomoniasis as a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and this was significantly associated with the prevalence rate at p<0.05. This study indicates trichomoniasis is a public health concern, and recommends routine screening of pregnant women during antenatal visits, since the infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Keywords: Trichomoniasis; pregnant women; knowledge, attitude and practice; Lagos; Nigeri

Larvicidal activity of six Nigerian plant species against Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti

Nigeria has diverse natural vegetation and some indigenous plant species have been reported to have insecticidal activities. This study evaluated the larvicidal activity of extracts from six Nigerian plant species (Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Piper guineense, Nicotianat abacum, Erythrophleum suaveoleus, Jatropha curcas and Petiveria alliacea) against laboratory-bred Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti larvae. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extract was  the  most  toxic  against An. Gambiae larvae  with  24h  LC50 value  of  0.985  g/L.  This  was  followed  by P. guineense with 24h LC50 value of 2.185 g/L and N. tabacum, 3.786 g/L while P. alliacea was the least toxic with 24h LC50 value of 22.613 g/L. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extract was also the most toxic for Ae. aegypti larvae with 24h LC50 value of 2.084 g/L. This was followed by P. guineense, 4.378 g/L and N. tabacum, 15.059 g/L while P. alliacea was also the least toxic. Actellic, which was used as the standard synthetic larvicide in this study, was significantly (p<0.05) more potent on the test larvae than all the plant extracts at the concentration used, though its toxicity was comparable to that of Z. zanthoxyloides extracts which suggests that with further purification, this plant extract might compete better with synthetic insecticides. Locally available plant species with insecticidal activities have potential to complement existing malaria control measures and may constitute potential candidates for new sources of larvicides that could be incorporated into the National Malaria Elimination Programme.Keywords: Plant extract; larvicidal; Anopheles gambiae larvae; Aedes aegypti larva

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum among pregnant women in south-west Nigeria

Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is a major public health concern and an important contributor to maternal and foetal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding of the biological basis of malaria in pregnancy was recently advanced by the discovery that susceptibility to PAM is not solely dependent on pre-exposure or gravidity. It was hypothesize in this study that PAM is difficult to diagnose in pregnant women who are multigravidae due to antibodies acquired from previous infections coupled with the extensive genetic diversity of the parasite. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the extent of genetic diversity of P. falciparum isolates among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Lagos, Nigeria between August 2013 and February 2014. A total of 414 pregnant women in their first (84), second (124) and third (206) trimesters were recruited for this study. Blood spots were made from P. falciparum positive blood samples and the parasite deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted for merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 genotyping. The prevalence of FC27 allele type from pregnant women isolate was higher (33.3%) than that from non-pregnant women (29.2%). The multiplicity of infection with P. falciparum in both groups was low. The findings indicate a low level of P. falciparum diversity among pregnant women but there is need for year-round surveillance especially during the peak malaria transmission.Keywords: Genetic diversity; Plasmodium falciparum; merozoite surface proteins

Adverse reactions from community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI ) for onchocerciasis and loiasis in Ondo State, Nigeria

Onchocerciasis is an endemic disease in Ondo state, Nigeria. Community directed distribution of ivermectin is currently on-going in some local government areas of the state. Randomly selected persons (2 331 males and 2 469 females) were interviewed using a modified rapid assessment procedure for Loa loa (RAPLOA) to assess community directed treatment with ivermectin. The retrospective study evaluated the coverage, impacts and adverse reactions to the drug treatment. A questionnaire was administered by house-to-house visit in six local government areas, implementing community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in this bioclimatic zone. A total of 2,398 respondents were reported to have participated in the treatment. The overall ivermectin coverage of 49.96% was recorded (range 0 - 52% in different communities). Adverse reactions from ivermectin administration were experienced in 38% of individuals. Diverse adverse reactions experienced included predominantly itching (18.50%); oedema, especially of the face and the limbs (8.2%); rashes (3.4%) and body weakness (2.4%). Expulsion of intestinal worms occurred in 0.96% of the respondents. The occurrence of adverse reactions in relation to age categories was statistically significant. Neither fatal nor severe adverse reactions were reported by respondents. Significantly, despite experienced adverse reactions, continued participation, acceptability and compliance to ivermectin treatment was expressed by the various communities. This attitude is in consonance with the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) objectives. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 1635-1643. Epub 2008 December 12.<br>La oncocercosis es endémica en el estado Ondo, Nigeria. Se seleccionaron 4 800 personas al azar para evaluar con encuesta retrospectiva la cobertura, efectos y reacciones al tratamiento farmacológico con ivermectina administrado por la misma comunidad. La cobertura global de ivermectina fue 50 % con reacciones adversas en 38 % de los individuos. Estas fueron comezón picazón (18%), edema, especialmente de la cara y las extremidades (8%), erupciones cutáneas (3%) y debilidad (2%); dependieron de la edad y no hubo reacciones más graves. La expulsión de las lombrices intestinales se produjo en 96% de los encuestados. A pesar de las reacciones adversas, hubo continuidad, aceptación y cumplimiento del tratamiento con ivermectina, en consonancia con los objetivos del Programa Africano para el Control de Oncocercosis (APOC)

Ethno - Botanical Survey Of Plant Species Used For Mosquito Control In Nigeria

In Nigeria, there is paucity of information on plants used to repel or kill mosquitoes despite the abundant plant species in the country’s tropical rain forests. Majority of available data are on the traditional use of plants for curative purposes. This study documents some plant species used for insecticidal or repellent purposes against mosquitoes in Nigeria. An ethno-botanical survey was carried out in four geo-political zones in the country using structured questionnaires and focus group discussion. A total of six plant species belonging to five families were reported in Delta state with Conyza Canadensis (Compositae) being the most utilized (50%) and Aspilia africana (Compositae), the least mentioned (5.60%). In Enugu state, a total of nine plant species belonging to eight families were mentioned by respondents with Aframomum melegueta the most utilised (26.09%) while Agava sisalana and Dracaena manii belonging to the families Agavaceae and Dracaenaceae were the least mentioned (1.09% each). A total of six plant species belonging to five families were reported in Kaduna State with Lantana camara belonging to the family Verbenaceae accounting for 58.82% of the utilised plant species for mosquito control while Ipomea asarifolia, Terminalia catappa and Citrullus vulgaris belonging to the families Convolvulaceae, Combretaceae and Cucurbitaceae respectively were the least utilized (5.88% each). Lagos State recorded the highest number of plant species (twenty five) belonging to eighteen families. Spondia mombin belonging to the family Lilaceae was the most mentioned (7.33%) while the least mentioned (0.37% each) were Magnifera indica, Baphia nitida and Pennisetum purpeum belongingto the families Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae respectively. There is a need for further investigation on these plant species as they may constitute potential sources of cidal and repellent compounds against a wide range of insect pests. Keywords: Ethno-botanical survey, insecticidal, repellence, mosquitoes, plant specie