ABSTRACT
Urinary schistosomiasis is caused by the deposition of eggs by adult flukes in the blood vessels surrounding the bladder of the infected host. Schistosomiasis is ranked the second most important parasitic disease of man and undoubtedly the most important of helminth origin. This paper reports the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among pregnant women in some endemic tropical semi – urban communities of Anambra State, Nigeria, screened using Medi-Test Combi 9 and urine centrifugation methods. Laboratory analysis of urine samples collected from 172 pregnant women indicated that 41 (23.8%) had urinary schistosomiasis with Anam community having the highest prevalence of 35.1% among other communities. The overall prevalence and intensity of infection among age groups showed that the youngest age group in the study, 16-20 years had the highest prevalence. Out of 24 women within this age group, 12 (50.0%) were infected among which 8 (33.3%) had light infection while 4 (16.6%) had moderate infection. The peak mean intensity of 7.6 eggs/10ml urine was observed in age group 16-20 years while the oldest age group, 41-45 years had the lowest mean intensity of 1.0 egg/10ml urine. Haematuria and proteinuria which are diagnostic for schistosomiasis were higher within age group 16-20 years in all the communities with Anam community having the highest prevalence of 50% for both biochemicals within age group 16-20 years. The findings from this study will be useful in developing specific programme for this special group of women.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Plasmodium infections among school children in Igbo-Eze South Local Government of Enugu State, Nigeria, were studied between July and December 2005. The relationship between the use of malaria control measures and the prevalence of Plasmodium infections was investigated. METHODS: Blood smears were obtained from 1296 school children (ages 4-15 years) from six schools randomly sampled from the study area. Drugs were given to infected children. Epidemiological questionnaires were administered to the children. RESULTS: Out of 1296 school children examined, 270 (20.8%) had Plasmodium falciparum infections. The prevalence of these parasitic infections varied significantly (p < 0.05) among schools, with Central School, Ovoko (30.1% P falciparum) and Community primary school, Itchi (13.9%), having the highest and lowest prevalence rates respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of P falciparum infections also varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the age groups, with age groups 4 - 6 (35.1%) and 10-12 (14.2%) having the highest and lowest prevalence rates respectively. Males (23.1%) had a significantly higher prevalence rate than females (18.5%). The prevalence of malaria was significantly lower among pupils using preventive measures; 5.9% among pupils using mosquito bed net as against 21.2% among those not using bed nets and 4.6% for pupils living in screened houses as against 24.1% for those not living in screened houses. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that malaria is a major public health problem among pupils in a Nigerian local community. Prevalence rates among pupils varied among location of schools, age and gender. Preventive measures favoured the use of bed nets and living in screened houses.
ANTECEDENTES: Las infecciones por Plasmodium entre escolares de Igbo-Eze del Gobierno Local Sur del Estado de Enugu, Nigeria, fueron objeto de estudio entre julio y diciembre del 2005. Se investigó la relación entre la aplicación de medidas de control de la malaria y la prevalencia de infecciones por Plasmodium. MÉTODOS: Se obtuvieron frotis sanguíneos de 1296 escolares (4-15 años de edad) de seis escuelas, escogidas de manera aleatoria en el área de estudio. Se le dio medicamentos a los niños infectados. Se administraron encuestas epidemiológicas a los niños. RESULTADOS: De 1296 escolares examinados, 270 (20.8%) estaban infectados por Plasmodium falciparum. La prevalencia de estas infecciones parasitarias varió significativamente (p < 0.05) entre las escuelas, teniendo la Escuela Central, Ovoko (30.1% P falciparum) y la escuela primaria de la comunidad, Itchi (13.9%), las tasas de prevalencia más altas y más bajas respectivamente. Además, la prevalencia de infecciones por P falciparum también varió significativamente (p < 0.05) entre los grupos etarios, teniendo los grupos de edades 4-6 (35.1%) y 10-12 (14.2%) las tasas de prevalencia más alta y más baja respectivamente. Los varones (23.1%) tuvieron una tasa de prevalencia significativamente más alta que las hembras (18.5%). La prevalencia de malaria fue significativamente más baja entre alumnos que aplicaron medidas preventivas: 5.9% entre alumnos que usaban mosquitero, frente al 21.2% entre aquéllos que no usaban mosquiteros y 4.6% para alumnos que vivían en casas protegidas con malla metálica en las ventanas, frente al 24.1% para aquéllos que no vivían en casas protegidas con malla metálica. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio reveló que la malaria es uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública entre los alumnos en una comunidad local Nigeriana. Las tasas de prevalencia entre los alumnos varió con el lugar, la edad y el género. Las medidas preventivas favorecieron el uso de mosquiteros en los dormitorios y mallas metálicas en las casas.