Effect of school based treatment on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in endemic area in Yemen

Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted infection is a major health problem of children from rural areas of developing countries including Yemen. In an attempt to reduce this burden, the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen established in 2002 a programme for Schistosomal, soil transmitted infection control that aimed to reduce morbidity and prevalence rates of Schistosomiasis, and Soil transmitted helminthes to less than 5% by 2015. The study was conducted to assess the current prevalence and intensity of schistosomal infection among schoolchildren in rural areas of the Taiz governorate after 6 years of running National Control Programme. Grade 3 schoolchildren from Shara'b Al-Raona district of Taiz Governorate were examined for infections with Schistosoma mansoni using Modified Kato-Katz method and S. haematobium applying filtration method in 1998/1999, comparing the prevalence and intensity of infection with base line study, which was done 6 years ago. The S. mansoni prevalence in the study population was 31%, while the prevalence of S. haematobium was 18.6%. This result considerably is similar to the prevalence of base line study. The intensity of mild, moderate and severe infection for S. mansoni reached to 15.9%, 60.6% and 23.5% respectively. The severity of S. haematobium infection was 68.4%. It was exceptionally found that the prevalence of S. haematobium is increased. The high prevalence of schistosomiasis and low effectiveness of control programme against schistosomal infection in the study area demands consideration of alternative treatment approaches

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Yemeni patients: a single centre experience over an 8-year period

We carried out a retrospective study of all patients admitted to Al-Thawra Teaching Hospital in Sana'a with hepatocellular carcinoma to study the disease profile in Yemeni patients and identify possible risk factors. During the 8-year study period, January 2001-December 2008, 251 patients were admitted with confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma. From hospital records we collected data on demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, histological characters, viral markers, treatment and outcome. Around 75% of the patients were males. Age range was 26-75 years, mean 53.5 [SD 13.9] years. Most patients were farmers [73.7%] and had a history of chemical contact. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection [48.2%] and hepatitis C virus infection [38.2%] were the most frequently identified risk factors. Qat chewing and smoking were not statistically significant risk factors. Right lobe involvement was seen in 109 [43.4%] patients and 154 [61.4%] presented with multiple lesions. We found 187 [74.0%] patients had cirrhotic liver associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. Overall mortality rate within 6 months of admission to hospital was 24.3%

Pattern of gastrointestinal tract malignancy At Al-Thawra Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen 1998-2001

This study is based on data collected from 388 patients registered with primary cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and its accessory glands. The diagnosis was confirmed histophathologically in all patients. These patients were seen at Al-Thawra Teaching Hospital in the period 1998-2001. The relative frequency and rank of order were determined for each type of GIT cancer. The male/female ratio was 1.3:1. The age of the patients ranged between 25-65 years with a mean of 45 years. The peak occurrence was in the age group of 46-55 years. Abdominal pain was reported in all patients. 'The other most common presenting symptoms were weight loss, weakness, vomiting and abdominal distension reported in 79.9%, 77.3%, 74.5% and 72.2%, respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common GIT cancer, ranked the first and diagnosed in 150[38.7%] patients. Colorectal carcinoma ranked the second, followed by esophagus and small intestine cancers found in 25.8%, 18% and 7.7%, respectively. Stomach and pancreatic cancers were less frequent, recorded in 7.2% and 2.6% in that order. No gallbladder cancer or premalignant conditions were registered. The results of this study were compared with findings mentioned in the literature. Some differences in the pattern of GIT cancers were encountered. GIT cancers were often discovered in late stage, when the treatment offers little chance of cure. The study stresses the importance of prevention, screening and early detection for GIT malignancy. Furthermore, eradication of H. pylori and vaccination against HBV preferably integrated into expanded program of immunization are strongly recommended