Baseline results of the first malaria indicator survey in Iran at household level

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is one of the leading causes of sickness and death in the developing world, causing more than a million deaths and around 250 million new cases annually worldwide. The aim of this comprehensive survey was to provide information on malaria indicators at household level in high-risk malaria areas in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cluster randomized cross-sectional survey data were collected from 5,456 households in both rural and urban areas of 20 malaria-affected districts of Iran. All the fieldwork was done by trained interviewers and a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised baseline characteristics of the study population, the knowledge of people about different aspects of malaria (such as clinical symptoms, transmission and prevention) and their practice to prevent illness (such as using mosquito nets, spraying houses). The data were analysed and descriptive statistics (i.e. frequencies, percentages) were used to summarize the results.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results of this survey showed that 20% (95% CI: 17.36 - 22.24) of households owned at least one mosquito net, whether treated or untreated. Consequently, the use of mosquito nets was considerably low among both children under age five [5.90% (95% CI: 5.14 - 6.66)] and pregnant women [5.70% (95% CI: 3.07 - 8.33)]. Moreover, less than 10% of households reported that the interior walls of their dwelling had been sprayed in the previous year [8.70% (95% CI: 6.09 - 11.31)]. Data also suggest that 63.8% of the participants recognized fever as a sign of malaria, 56.4% reported that mosquito bites cause malaria and about 35% of participants mentioned that the use of mosquito nets could prevent malaria.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings from this study indicate that low access to treated nets along with low understanding of the role of nets in malaria prevention are the main barriers to utilization of bed nets. Therefore, the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets should be encouraged through health education on the importance of the use along with increasing access to it.</p

Baseline results of the first malaria indicator survey in Iran at the health facility level

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria continues to be a global public health challenge, particularly in developing countries. Delivery of prompt and effective diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases, detection of malaria epidemics within one week of onset and control them in less than a month, regular disease monitoring and operational classification of malaria are among the major responsibilities of the national malaria programme. The study was conducted to determine these indicators at the different level of primary health care facilities in malaria-affected provinces of Iran</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this survey, data was collected from 223 health facilities including health centres, malaria posts, health houses and hospitals as well as the profile of all 5, 836 recorded malaria cases in these facilities during the year preceding the survey. Descriptive statistics (i.e. frequencies, percentages) were used to summarize the results and Chi square test was used to analyse data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All but one percent of uncomplicated cases took appropriate and correctly-dosed of anti-malarial drugs in accordance to the national treatment guideline. A larger proportion of patients [85.8%; 95% CI: 84.8 - 86.8] were also given complete treatment including anti-relapse course, in line with national guidelines. About one third [35.0%; 95% CI: 33.6 - 36.4] of uncomplicated malaria cases were treated more than 48 hours after first symptoms onset. Correspondingly, half of severe malaria cases took recommended anti-malarial drugs for severe or complicated disease more than 48 hours of onset of first symptoms. The latter cases had given regular anti-malarial drugs promptly.</p> <p>The majority of malaria epidemics [97%; 95% CI: 90.6 - 100] in study areas were detected within one week of onset, but only half of epidemics were controlled within four weeks of detection. Just half of target districts had at least one health facility/emergency site with adequate supply and equipment stocks. Nevertheless, only one-third of them [33% (95% CI: 0.00 - 67.8)] had updated inventory of malaria foci on quarterly basis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To sum up, malaria case management still constitutes a public health problem in Iran. Additionally, data suggest scarcity in management and evaluation of malaria foci, detection and control of malaria epidemics as well as assignment of emergency sites across different regions of the country. Consequently, massive and substantial investments need to be made at the Ministry of Health to coordinate national malaria control programmes towards achieving determined goals and targets.</p

The Influence of Treated and Untreated Wastewaters on Enzymatic Activity of a Silty Clay Soil Under Laboratory Conditions

The use of industrial wastewater for irrigating farmlands is currently increasing, especially in arid and semi-arid areas because of water shortage for agriculture. The use of industrial wastewater in farmlands could help the sustainable soil fertility through improving the physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics. On the other hand, wastewater may contain toxic elements that are detrimental to soil microorganism and biochemical reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of industrial wastewater either treated or untreated on soil enzyme activities. The wastewater samples were taken from Zobahan, Foolad Mobarakeh Steel Plants and Polyacril plant. Soil samples were moistened at 70% field capacity using wastewaters and then placed at 25 oC for 3months in an incubator. Soil samples were analyzed to examine enzyme activities at monthly intervals. Results showed that during the first two months of incubation enzyme activities increased in wastewater-treated period and sampling time, adding wastewater to the soil increased enzyme activities. The presence of carbon and nutrients in wastewater could lead to an increase in microbial activities and populations, resulted in increasing synthesis and production of enzymes involved

Earthworm Effects on Nitrification Rate and Arginine Amonification in a Calcareous Soil Amended with Urban Sewage Sludge

Introduction: Earthworms are among the most important organisms in soil and their activities can be an indicator of soil quality. These organisms may be influenced by organic wastes application such as sewage sludge and subsequently affect soil quality. One of the quick and easy methods for soil quality monitoring is the use of biological indicators such as microbial activity. It is due to their quick response to changes in the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of earthworms on nitrification rate and arginine ammonification as microbial activity in a calcareous soil amended with urban sewage sludge. Materials and Methods: The studied soil was sampled from Shahrekord University land and sewage sludge belonged to the refinery sludge ponds of shahrekord. Based on dry weight, this organic waste had carbon and nitrogen, approximately 67 and 110 times more than tested soil, respectively. The organic waste in terms of quality and heavy metal concentrations was in class A. Experimental treatments were sewage sludge (without and with 1.5% sewage sludge) and earthworm (no earthworm, Eiseniafoetida from epigeic group, Allolobophracaliginosa from endogeic group and a mixture of the two species) as 2×4 full factorial experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. After applying sewage sludge, the pots were irrigated three months to achieve a balance in the soil. An adult earthworm per kg of soil was added and in the mixed treatments comparison species were 1:1. To prevent the exit of earthworms, the pots was closed with a thin lace. At the end of the experiment, soil was completely mixed. Part of it was stored in the refrigerator to measure the microbiological parameters. Chemical properties were measured by the air-dried soil. The effectiveness of a factor in the observed changes is shown by partial effect size (Tabachnick and Fidell 2012). So, partial effect size (Eta2p) for each source of variation (SS, earthworm and SS×earthworm) was calculated. Results Discussion: According to Eta2p, the role of sewage sludge application to increase total nitrogen was almost twice the earthworm and had a greater effect on the property. Because of low concentrations of heavy metals and high nutrient in sewage sludge, it increased nitrification rate and arginine ammonification by 16.7 and 62.5 percent, respectively. Considering that the indices represent microbial biomass activity, so we can say sewage sludge application increased theri activities. Sewage sludge application increased total nitrogen, because provided the substrate for heterotrophic bacteria. Consequently, ammonium production improved and stimulated activity of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. There was a positive and significant correlation between total nitrogen, arginine ammonification and nitrification rate, that confirmed the occurrence of this process. Earthworm inoculation affected these two indicators (