Impact Of Polyparasitism On The Haemoglobin Values Of Primary School Children In Akpet Central Biasenigeria

The relationship between parasitic infections and development of anemia was investigated among pupils of Presbyterian primary school, and Government primary School Akpet Central in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State of Nigeria. A total of 420 stool and corresponding blood samples were collected and examined for the presence of parasites and anemia respectively. The stool samples were examined using the direct smear and floatation techniques while haemoglobin was determined using the cynmethaemoglobin method. The result obtained revealed high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparun (65.0%, 273/420) and intestinal parasites (78.1%, 328/420) with the associated anemia. Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest parasite seen (71.88%, 230/420), followed closely by hook worm (68.90%, 226/420). Infection with intestinal protozoa was few while no tape worm was seen. There was significant differences (

Wealth and sexual behaviour among men in Cameroon

BACKGROUND: The 2004 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in Cameroon revealed a higher prevalence of HIV in richest and most educated people than their poorest and least educated compatriots. It is not certain whether the higher prevalence results partly or wholly from wealthier people adopting more unsafe sexual behaviours, surviving longer due to greater access to treatment and care, or being exposed to unsafe injections or other HIV risk factors. As unsafe sex is currently believed to be the main driver of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, we designed this study to examine the association between wealth and sexual behaviour in Cameroon. METHODS: We analysed data from 4409 sexually active men aged 15–59 years who participated in the Cameroon DHS using logistic regression models, and have reported odds ratios (OR) with confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: When we controlled for the potential confounding effects of marital status, place of residence, religion and age, men in the richest third of the population were less likely to have used a condom in the last sex with a non-spousal non-cohabiting partner (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.32–0.56) and more likely to have had at least two concurrent sex partners in the last 12 months (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12–1.19) and more than five lifetime sex partners (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.60–2.43). However, there was no difference between the richest and poorest men in the purchase of sexual services. Regarding education, men with secondary or higher education were less likely to have used a condom in the last sex with a non-spousal non-cohabiting partner (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.16–0.38) and more likely to have started sexual activity at age 17 years or less (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.10–3.56) and had more than five lifetime sexual partners (OR 2.59, 95% CI 2.02–3.31). There was no significant association between education and multiple concurrent sexual partnerships in the last 12 months or purchase of sexual services. CONCLUSION: Wealthy men in Cameroon are more likely to start sexual activity early and have both multiple concurrent and lifetime sex partners, and are less likely to (consistently) use a condom in sex with a non-spousal non-cohabiting partner. These unsafe sexual behaviours may explain the higher HIV prevalence among wealthier men in the country. While these findings do not suggest a redirection of HIV prevention efforts from the poor to the wealthy, they do call for efforts to ensure that HIV prevention messages get across all strata of society

Association of multiple intestinal parasitosis and some specific parasites with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus sero-positive status in Calabar.

The association between intestinal parasites with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive status in Calabar was evaluated using fresh stool samples collected from 175 HIV seropositive subjects. Samples were collected from both male and female subjects with age range of 1-70 years (mean, 35 years) and examined macroscopically for consistency, presence of blood, mucus and adult worms. Microscopic examination was carried out using direct smear method in saline and iodine. Stool concentration was by ether shake technique and modified Ziehl Neelsen method was used for the detection of Crptosporidium spp. In all, eight different parasites were detected from both groups of subjects. Hiv seropositive subjects had a higher parasite load (4.33 +_ 0.24). Odds ratios associating Crptosporidium spp. Giardia Lambia and Strongyloides Stercoralis with HIV seropositive status were 106.9 (95%Cl 4. 11-5.22), 24.0 (95%Cl 2.61-3.25) and 22.1 (95%Cl 2.25-3.68) respectively. Infections involving four or more parasites were exclusive to the HIV seropositive subjects and was significantly associated (

CD4+ lymphocyte values and trends in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus in The Gambia

Objectives: This study was undertaken to monitor the CD4+ lymphocyte count in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and to compare this with the counts in normal individuals in The Gambia. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 1500 individuals referred for HIV serology at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) following informed consent. Samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by the Murex ELISA, antibodies to HCV by the Ortho ELISA, and CD4 counts determined by the  Dynalimmunomagnetic cell isolation method Results: Of the 1500 patients screened for HIV and HCV antibodies, 6.7% (101/1500) were infected with HIV, 0.6 % (9/ 1500) were co-infected with HCV and 1.5 %( 22/1500) were infected with HCV alone. Almost half (44.6%; 25/56) of HIV- 1 infected patients had a CD4+ lymphocyte count at diagnosis of 200 cells/µl or less as compared to 41.7 %( 10/24) of HIV-2 and 75% (6/8) of HIV-D infected patients. The rate of CD4 decline was higher among HIV/ HCV co-infectedpersons than individuals infected with HIV or HCV. The rate of decline was higher among men than women. These differences did not reach statistical significance due in large part to the small number of participants who completed the programme. The CD4+ lymphocyte count of apparently healthy Gambian male and females was 489 cells/µl and 496 cells/µl respectively. This rate is lower than that reported for Caucasians, but in agreement with the global range. Conclusion: A significant progressive decline in CD4+ lymphocyte count was observed among the female control group who were negative for HIV and HCV. This finding is unclear and calls for a longitudinal study involving a cohort of women in this region.Short title: CD4+ counts in HIV/HCV co-infectionKeywords: HIV, HCV, co-infection, CD4+ lymphocyte, West AfricaAfrican Health Sciences 2009; 9(3): 130-13

CD4+ lymphocyte values and trends in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus in The Gambia

Objectives: This study was undertaken to monitor the CD4+ lymphocyte count in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or co-infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and to compare this with the counts in normal individuals in The Gambia. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 1500 individuals referred for HIV serology at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) following informed consent. Samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by the Murex ELISA, antibodies to HCV by the Ortho ELISA, and CD4 counts determined by the  Dynalimmunomagnetic cell isolation method Results: Of the 1500 patients screened for HIV and HCV antibodies, 6.7% (101/1500) were infected with HIV, 0.6 % (9/ 1500) were co-infected with HCV and 1.5 %( 22/1500) were infected with HCV alone. Almost half (44.6%; 25/56) of HIV- 1 infected patients had a CD4+ lymphocyte count at diagnosis of 200 cells/µl or less as compared to 41.7 %( 10/24) of HIV-2 and 75% (6/8) of HIV-D infected patients. The rate of CD4 decline was higher among HIV/ HCV co-infectedpersons than individuals infected with HIV or HCV. The rate of decline was higher among men than women. These differences did not reach statistical significance due in large part to the small number of participants who completed the programme. The CD4+ lymphocyte count of apparently healthy Gambian male and females was 489 cells/µl and 496 cells/µl respectively. This rate is lower than that reported for Caucasians, but in agreement with the global range. Conclusion: A significant progressive decline in CD4+ lymphocyte count was observed among the female control group who were negative for HIV and HCV. This finding is unclear and calls for a longitudinal study involving a cohort of women in this region.Short title: CD4+ counts in HIV/HCV co-infectionKeywords: HIV, HCV, co-infection, CD4+ lymphocyte, West AfricaAfrican Health Sciences 2009; 9(3): 130-13

Efficacy and effectiveness of infant vaccination against chronic hepatitis B in the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study (1986-90) and in the nationwide immunisation program.

BACKGROUND: Gambian infants were not routinely vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV) before 1986. During 1986-90 the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study (GHIS) allocated 125,000 infants, by area, to vaccination or not and thereafter all infants were offered the vaccine through the nationwide immunisation programme. We report HBV serology from samples of GHIS vaccinees and unvaccinated controls, and from children born later. METHODS: During 2007-08, 2670 young adults born during the GHIS (1986-90) were recruited from 80 randomly selected villages and four townships. Only 28% (753/2670) could be definitively linked to their infant HBV vaccination records (255 fully vaccinated, 23 partially vaccinated [1-2 doses], 475 not vaccinated). All were tested for current HBV infection (HBV surface antigen [HBsAg]) and, if HBsAg-negative, evidence of past infection (HBV core-protein antibody [anti-HBc]). HBsAg-positive samples (each with two age- and sex-matched HBsAg-negative samples) underwent liver function tests. In addition, 4613 children born since nationwide vaccination (in 1990-2007) were tested for HBsAg. Statistical analyses ignore clustering. RESULTS: Comparing fully vaccinated vs unvaccinated GHIS participants, current HBV infection was 0.8% (2/255) vs 12.4% (59/475), p 2 ULN) was 4.1%, compared with 0.2% in those HBsAg-negative. The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus was low (0.5%, 13/2592). In children born after the end of GHIS, HBsAg prevalence has remained low; 1.4% (15/1103) in those born between 1990-97, and 0.3% (9/35150) in those born between 1998-2007. CONCLUSIONS: Infant HBV vaccination achieves substantial protection against chronic carriage in early adulthood, even though approximately a quarter of vaccinated young adults have been infected. This protection persists past the potential onset of sexual activity, reinforcing previous GHIS findings of protection during childhood and suggesting no need for a booster dose. Nationwide infant HBV vaccination is controlling chronic infection remarkably effectively