Malaria Infection among Blood Donors in Onitsha Urban; Southeast Nigeria

Blood safety is a major issue of global concern in transfusion medicine especially in developing countries; where national blood transfusion policies and services as well as financial resources are lacking or inadequate. Transfusion-transmitted malaria is a potential health hazard but is often neglected in many malarious areas. Malaria infection among blood donors in Onitsha urban; Southeast Nigeria was studied between August and October 2008. Venous blood of donors was screened for malaria parasites using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. The ABO and Rhesus phenotypes were classified using a haemaglutination standard test and demographic data of donors documented. Of the 410 blood donors analysed; 304 (74.1) were infected. Plasmodium falciparium was identified in all positive cases and mixed infection with P. malariae was seen in 5(1.6) cases. Infection significantly varied with age and not with sex and occupation (p0.05). People with blood group O+ showed significantly higher rate of infection (p0.05). Since there is scarcity of voluntary donors in Nigeria; donor deferral done in non-malarial endemic regions cannot be practiced in Nigeria. The high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in this area; suggests the need for careful screening of blood samples for malaria parasites. Positive samples should be indicated on the blood packs and transfusion of malaria positive blood requires the administration of curative dose of antimalarials to the patient. Commercial donors should be freely given mosquito treated bed nets and be encouraged to sleep under them

Parasites associated with sachet drinking water (Pure Water) in Awka; South-Eastern; Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called "Pure Water" in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2, p<0.05) in the transmission of parasitic infection from the outside of the sachets through improper handling. It is advocated among others that cleaning and washing of sachets of packaged drinking water before use will aid in breaking the transmission circle

Some Behavioural Risk Factors for Intestinal Helminthiasis in Nursery and Primary School Children in Enugu; South Eastern Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine some common behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Design: A cross-sectional survey on 460 children attending nursery and primary schools in Enugu was carried out in 2003 with a view to determine some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis. Setting: This study was carried out in the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health; National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre; Enugu. Method: Intestinal helminthiasis was diagnosed using the kato-katz method in analysing fresh stool samples collected from nursery and primary school children in Enugu. These fresh stool samples were collected into appropriately labeled clean containers. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and their parents or guardians as regards some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis . Results: The results from this study showed that the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was significantly affected by various behavioural risk factors. The rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with hand washing habits after defeacation (X2 = 75.77; df = 2; p = 0.001) and with different habits of washing fruits before eating ( X2 = 52.79; df = 2; p = 0.001) among the pupils. Also; the rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with the source of drinking water (X2 = 55.12; df = 3; p = 0.01); water boiling habits (X2 = 40.89; df = 2; p = 0.001); use of footwear after school hours (X2 = 30.72; df = 2; p = 0.001). Sites utilized for defeacation by the pupils (X2 = 80.25; df = 3; p = 0.001) also significantly influenced the rate of helminthic infection. Conclusion: Various behavioural factors which significantly affect the rate of helminthic infection abound in children living in Enugu. The government should give attention to the control of these behavioural risk factors. A lot of health education will be needed to curb the poor personal hygienic habits which are obvious risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis

Effect of Social Class and Area of Domicile on the Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthiasis in Nursery and Primary School Children in Enugu

Objective:The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of social class and area of domicile on the prevalence of helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu.Subjects and method: This was a cross-sectional study in which stool samples were obtained from 460 nursery and primary school children from different social classes and different areas of domicile and analysed for intestinal helminthiasis using the Kato Katz method.Results: One hundred and sixty-six (36.1) of the 460 children studied lived in the urban area; 215 (46.7) lived in the semi-urban area and 79 (17.2) lived in the urban slum area. The prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection was lowest in children living in urban areas (10.2) and highest in those in urban slums (48.4). There was a significant relationship between residential abode or area of domicile and prevalence of helminthic infection (?2 = 59.54; df = 2; p = 0.001).The prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection was highest in the lower class (50.9); lowest in the upper class (9.7) and intermediate in the middle class (21.7). This trend was statistically significant (?2 = 65.06; df = 2; p = 0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis is affected by both areas of domicile and social class of children. Hence; intervention by the government to create better areas of domicile and to improve the social class of its populace will reduce the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis

Post-caesarean section incisional hernia

A retrospective analysis of cases of incisional hernia following caesarean section has been carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital; Enugu; over a 10-year period. The lower midline vertical incision was the predominant approach. A low incidence of incisional hernia was noted. Its major factors were primary caesarean section; high parity; sepsis and anaemia. Heavy nylon suture was mainly used for its repair; the two main techniques being the side to side closure in anatomical layers and the Mayo-overlap method. A low recurrence rate was observed and was attributed to underreporting. Prophylactic antibiotics and the use of the Pfannenstiel incision are the methods suggested for further reduction of the incidence of incisional hernia