ABSTRACT
@#Malaria which is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium is a devastating parasitic disease of major public health challenge worldwide, particularly Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of falciparum malaria among residents of rural and peri-urban communities in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. Standard parasitological technique of microscopy was employed to determine and identify parasite prevalence and species. A questionnaire was used to collect subject’s information such as age, sex, location, occupation and education. Out of the 300 individuals examined, a total of 283 (93.4%) individuals were infected with malaria parasite. Sex pattern of infection indicated that male had higher malaria prevalence of 95.0% compared to female with the prevalence of 93.3% (P>0.05). The age group 51 to 60 years had the highest malaria parasite prevalence of 100% while age group <10 years has the least malaria parasite prevalence of 86.0% (P>0.05). Similarly, a total mean malaria parasite density of 1455.90 parasite/μL of blood was recorded. The mean malaria parasite density does not significantly vary (P>0.05) among age and sex group. The age group >60 years recorded the highest mean parasite density of 2092.50 parasite/μL of blood while age group <10 has the least mean malaria parasite density of 1044. 42 parasite/μL of blood. In relation to sex, the highest mean malaria parasite density was found among the female (1461.80 parasite/μL of blood) compared to male (1450 parasite/ μL of blood). In the same vein, occupation as a socioeconomic risk factor play a major role with respect to malaria infection. The highest malaria prevalence of 113 (98.26%) was recorded among farmers while the least 34 (85%) was recorded among Civil servants (P<0.05). Thus, it is apparent that falciparum malaria is heavily prevalent in this study area and as such urgent management control measures and interventions should be made available and fully utilized.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To assess the present endemicity of urinary schistosomiasis among school aged pupils in Ipogun, a notable endemic village in Ondo state, Nigeria and also the efficacy of single dose Praziquantel in chemotherapy. Study Design: The overall goal of the study was to assess the current endemicity status and efficacy of Praziquantel in treatment at the standard dose of 40mg/kg body weight. Mass screening was conducted in all primary schools in the village after informed consent had been sought from their parents, teachers and the village king. The only age bracket excluded in the study were the under 3 year old. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between January and June 2012. Methodology: Urine samples were collected from 567 pupils from five different primary schools in the village and examined for schistosome eggs using centrifugation method. Infected pupils at the first screening exercise were treated with single dose Praziquantel (40mg/kg body weight) and re-examined 3 weeks after treatment to assess cure rate. Results: Results revealed that 100 pupils were positive at the first screening giving a prevalence rate of 18% and post-treatment urinalysis showed that 80 of the previously infected pupils were negative three weeks after initial treatment giving 80% parasitological cure rate. Infection was higher among male pupils than the female and pupils from schools that were close to the village river had the highest prevalence of infection. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that prevalence of infection had reduced remarkably among the pupils in the village and that Praziquantel is still effective and remains a reliable drug of choice in chemotherapy in the study area.