Burden of intestinal helminths among patients attending General Hospital Wudil in Kano State north western Nigeria

Background: Infection with parasitic helminths is often recognized as one of the most important public health problems in tropical Africa. Aim: This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal helminths among rural and semi urban communities (with no treated pipe borne water) attending Wudil General Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Methods: Stool samples were collected from patients and processed using formol ether concentration technique. Results: Out of the 200 stool samples examined, the overall intestinal helminthes prevalence was 138(69.0%). Of these Ancylostoma duodenale had the prevalence rate of 38(19.0%), Strongyloides stercoralis 22(11.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides 28(14.0%), Schistosoma mansoni 26(13.0%), and Trichuris trichiura 24(12.0%). On the basis of gender, males had the highest infestation of 84(60.9%) compared to females 54(39.1%). Infection across age groups revealed that age group of 10-19 had the highest prevalence of helminths 45(32.6%) followed by 20-29 with 33(23.9%) while the least was in the age group of 50-59 with 11(8.0%). Patients that had no toilet facilities (that use open space) were the most infected 123(89.1%), while patients that use closed water system in the semi urban communities had the minimum infection rate of 3(2.2%). Conclusion: The study indicated very high occurrence of intestinal helminthiasis among the study population which stress the need for government efforts to promote and/ or sustain proper sanitation and good water supply

Risk Factors that contributes to Hookworm Infection among Primary School Pupils in Some Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and possible risk factors associated with transmission of hookworm infection among primary school children in parts of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Nine hundred (900) faecal samples were collected and analyzed for hookworm infection using the direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. The data were subjected to chi-square analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and the significant level (0.05) determined at 95%confidence interval. The overall prevalence of the infection was 5.8%. The prevalence was higher among males 7.0% (32/457) and rainy season 7.1%. Also, the prevalence was highest among children aged 12-13 years 7.2%, whose parents were artisans 7.3%, children who used to defaecate in the bush and those who used well as source of water 5.6%. Statistical analysis showed significant association in the prevalence of hookworm infection with respect to gender (P = 0.03) and age group (P = 0.0013). However, there was no significant association between the prevalence of the infection and parent’s occupation (p=0.21), type of toilet used (p=0.20), children’s source of drinking water (P=0.16) and season (P=0.16). The present study has established that the transmission  hookworm is on-going among the school children in the study area. There is need for sustained mass de-worming programme, health education, provision of portable drinking water and toilet facilities in public schools within the study area

Gastrointestinal parasites of fish as bio-indicators of the ecology of Chanchaga River, Minna, Niger State

Fish parasites are of particular interest in relation not only to fish health but also in the understanding of ecological problems. A study of the gastrointestinal parasites of fish as bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution in Chanchaga River was carried out from May-August, 2014. A total of 100 specimens were sampled which comprises of 4 species; Tilapia zilli, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Clarias gariepinus and Mormyrus rume (25 samples each). The intestinal contents of the samples were analyzed, parasites found were the Nematodes, 52.00% and mean intensity of 57.03, Cestodes, 28.00%with 4.14 mean intensity and some unidentified species of insects and Copepods were 12.00% and a mean intensity of 7.85. The concentration of the metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr&Mn) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Result showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the heavy metal accumulation in the muscle of both the infected fishes and the uninfected ones, but there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the metal concentration in the intestines amongst the fish species for Cu in T. zilli (0.83±0.01mg/g) and in A. occidentalis(0.02±0.01 mg/g). Among the species sampled for heavy metal in fish muscle M. rume had the lowest mean concentration (0.27±0.01 mg/g) while C. gariepinus had the highest (0.45±0.03 mg/g). This study has established the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in fish from Chanchaga River and also presence of heavy metal though in low quantity in the fish from the River thereby indicating that the river is slightly polluted.Keywords: Fish parasites, Heavy metals, Gastrointestinal and Chanchaga Rive

Global Asthma Network survey suggests more national asthma strategies could reduce burden of asthma

Background Several countries or regions within countries have an effective national asthma strategy resulting in a reduction of the large burden of asthma to individuals and society. There has been no systematic appraisal of the extent of national asthma strategies in the world. Methods The Global Asthma Network (GAN) undertook an email survey of 276 Principal Investigators of GAN centres in 120 countries, in 2013–2014. One of the questions was: “Has a national asthma strategy been developed in your country for the next five years? For children? For adults?”. Results Investigators in 112 (93.3%) countries answered this question. Of these, 26 (23.2%) reported having a national asthma strategy for children and 24 (21.4%) for adults; 22 (19.6%) countries had a strategy for both children and adults; 28 (25%) had a strategy for at least one age group. In countries with a high prevalence of current wheeze, strategies were significantly more common than in low prevalence countries (11/13 (85%) and 7/31 (22.6%) respectively, p < 0.001). Interpretation In 25% countries a national asthma strategy was reported. A large reduction in the global burden of asthma could be potentially achieved if more countries had an effective asthma strategy. © 2017 SEICA

Global Asthma Network survey suggests more national asthma strategies could reduce burden of asthma

Background Several countries or regions within countries have an effective national asthma strategy resulting in a reduction of the large burden of asthma to individuals and society. There has been no systematic appraisal of the extent of national asthma strategies in the world. Methods The Global Asthma Network (GAN) undertook an email survey of 276 Principal Investigators of GAN centres in 120 countries, in 2013–2014. One of the questions was: “Has a national asthma strategy been developed in your country for the next five years? For children? For adults?”. Results Investigators in 112 (93.3%) countries answered this question. Of these, 26 (23.2%) reported having a national asthma strategy for children and 24 (21.4%) for adults; 22 (19.6%) countries had a strategy for both children and adults; 28 (25%) had a strategy for at least one age group. In countries with a high prevalence of current wheeze, strategies were significantly more common than in low prevalence countries (11/13 (85%) and 7/31 (22.6%) respectively, p < 0.001). Interpretation In 25% countries a national asthma strategy was reported. A large reduction in the global burden of asthma could be potentially achieved if more countries had an effective asthma strategy. © 2017 SEICA