Parental perception and attitude on childhood immunization and other government healthcare programs after the Dengue vaccine controversy: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The dengue vaccine controversy in the Philippines caused significant public anxiety affecting childhood vaccines, as well as other healthcare programs. An assessment of parental perception and attitude on childhood immunization and other government healthcare programs after the dengue vaccine controversy is lacking</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To determine the perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization and other government health care programs after the dengue vaccine controversy at a tertiary pediatric hospital.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was done at a tertiary pediatric hospital. A total of 96 subjects participated in the study. Parents with children ages 9 to 18 years old whose child was either vaccinated or non-vaccinated with dengue vaccine seen in the dengue clinic, outpatient department and private clinics were invited to answer the structured questionnaire. Proportional stratified sampling was employed. Mann Whitney U-test compared the perception and attitude scores between parents of children who were recipients and non-recipients of dengue vaccine. A p-value of</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The overall perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation did not differ significantly between parents of non-dengue vaccinated children and dengue-vaccinated children. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital status, educational attainment, employment, and economic status did not differ significantly in their perception and attitude in terms of childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> The overall perception and attitude of parents in both groups showed no significant difference toward childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation. There is no association with the overall perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation and their sociodemographic factors. RECOMMENDATIONS: Future similar studies may be conducted in other regions to determine parental perception and attitude towards the government's immunization program and other health care programs.</p>

Ascaris suum in pigs of the Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Ascaris suum em suínos da Zona da Mata, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Among the parasites that affect pigs, Ascaris suum stands out for causing the greatest losses to livestock production systems. This parasite can be monitored during the slaughter of animals through the identification of milk spots or white patches on the liver caused by its larval migration. However, infection in the herd is usually subclinical, which is why the presence of this parasite in industrial pig production has been overlooked. The aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the occurrence of milk spots on the liver of animals slaughtered in the micro-region of Ponte Nova in the Zona da Mata - Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to associate these lesions with the time of year, herd size and source of origin of the animals. An evaluation was made of 1,069 lots, totaling 108,073 animals, based on data extracted from the Federal Inspection Service. The animals were slaughtered during the period of January 2011 to June 2013. Out of the total number of slaughtered animals, 10,535 (9.75%) tested positive for these lesions. Therefore, veterinarians and producers should be warned about the inefficiency of the deworming protocols that are used, and the need to develop and/or review control strategies for this parasite in production systems.

Dentre os parasitas que acometem os suínos, Ascaris suumdestaca-se como o mais impactante nos sistemas de criação. Seu monitoramento pode ser realizado durante o abate dos animais, por meio da identificação de milk spots ou manchas de leite presentes no fígado, decorrentes da sua migração larval. Entretanto devido ao fato da infecção ocorrer no rebanho normalmente de forma subclínica, a presença desse parasita na produção industrial de suínos vem sendo negligenciada. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de manchas de leite no fígado de animais abatidos na micro-região de Ponte Nova, na Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais - Brasil, e associar tais lesões com a época do ano, tamanho do rebanho e local de origem dos animais. Foram avaliados 1.069 lotes, totalizando 108.073 animais. Os dados foram extraídos do Serviço de Inspeção Federal, e eram referentes aos animais abatidos, durante o período de janeiro de 2011 a junho de 2013. Do total de animais abatidos, 10.535 (9,75%) foram positivos para a lesão. Portanto, veterinários e produtores devem ser alertados quanto à ineficiência dos protocolos de vermifugação utilizados e a necessidade do desenvolvimento e/ou revisão de estratégias de controle para este parasita na produção.

Evaluation of strategic and selective anthelmintic treatments on Pelibuey ewes in Cuba / Evaluación de tratamientos antihelmínticos estratégicos y selectivos en ovejas Pelibuey en Cuba / Avaliação de tratamentos anti-helmínticos estratégicos e seletivos em ovelhas Pelibuey em Cuba

Background: gastrointestinal parasitism is an important limitation for sheep production in Cuba. This situation is worsened by the lack of an effective parasite control strategy. Objective: to assess whether selective and strategic treatments could help achieve a level of control of nematodes similar to systematic drenchings. Methods: an experimental group of 73 Pelibuey ewes was divided into four groups: 1) the Epizoo group (Epizootiological drenching schedule) was dewormed at lambing in the middle of the dry season and at weaning; 2) the FAMACHA© group was treated according to the color of ocular mucosa as indicative of anemia (Categories 4 and 5 of the FAMACHA© color chart); 3) the Chemical group was drenched every three months; and 4) the control group, in which animals remained untreated unless fecal egg count (FEC) was higher than 1500 eggs per gram of feces or the packed cell volume (PCV) was lower than 15%. FECs, body scorings (BCS), hematocrits and color of ocular mucosa (COM) were evaluated monthly. Results: the control group showed the highest FEC and the lowest PCV. We also observed similar levels of FEC and body condition (BCS) in the Epizoo, FAMACHA© and Chemical groups. The PCV in FAMACHA© group was the highest, while no differences were found between the other two groups. Hematocrit had a strong negative correlation (-0.41) with FEC. The FAMACHA© method allowed a dramatic decrease in anthelmintic use. Conclusions: the obtained results suggest that FAMACHA© method could be incorporated as part of an effective parasite control strategy in sheep.

Antecedentes: el parasitismo gastrointestinal constituye una de las principales limitantes para producción de ovejas en Cuba. Esta situación es mucho más grave porque no existe un programa adecuado de control parasitario. Objetivo: evaluar si el uso de un tratamiento antihelmíntico estratégico o selectivo logra reducir los niveles de infestación parasitaria comparado con un sistema de tratamientos químicos sistemáticos. Métodos: se utilizó un rebaño experimental de 73 reproductoras Pelibuey que se dividió aleatoriamente en cuatro grupos: 1) El grupo epizootiológico (Epizoo) se trató al parto, a mediados del periodo seco y al destete, 2) el grupo FAMACHA© se desparasitó en función de la coloración de la mucosa ocular indicativa de anemia (categorías 4 y 5 de la carta de colores FAMACHA©), 3) el grupo Químico: se desparasitó cada tres meses, y 4) grupo control: no recibió tratamiento mientras su hematocrito (PCV) fuera inferior a 15% o la carga parasitaria (FEC) no superara los 1500 huevos por gramo de heces. Con frecuencia mensual se determinó a cada animal el conteo fecal de huevos (FEC), la condición corporal (BCS), el hematocrito (PCV) y la coloración de la mucosa ocular (COM). Resultados: se observaron valores similares para la BCS y el FEC en los grupos Epizoo, FAMACHA© y Químico. El PCV presentó los valores más altos en el grupo FAMACHA© y el grupo Control presentó los más bajos; no se apreciaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos Químico y Epizoo. El grupo control presentó los mayores FEC y los más bajos PCV. El hematocrito tuvo una relación fuerte y negativa (-0,41) con el FEC. El método FAMACHA© propició una disminución en el uso de fármacos antihelmínticos. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el método FAMACHA© podría ser incorporado como parte de una estrategia efectiva de control parasitario en ovinos.

Antecedentes: o parasitismo gastrointestinal é uma limitação para a produção de ovinos em Cuba. Esta situação é agravada pela falta de uma estratégia eficaz de controle parasitário. Objetivo: avaliar se os tratamentos seletivos podem ajudar a alcançar um nível de controle de nematóides semelhante a dois tratamentos sistemáticos. Métodos: um rebanho experimental de 73 ovelhas foi dividido em quatro grupos: 1) o grupo Epizoo (Esquema de tratamento epizootiológico) foi tratado no parto, no meio da estação seca e ao desmame, 2) o grupo FAMACHA© foi tratado de acordo com a cor da mucosa ocular (categorias 4 e 5 na cartela de cores FAMACHA©), 3) o grupo químico são vermifugados a cada três meses, e 4) o grupo controle não recebeu tratamento, enquanto seu hematócrito (PCV) fosse inferior a 15% ou a carga parasitária (FEC) não ultrapassasse 1.500 ovos por grama de fezes. A contagem de ovos por grama (FEC) de fezes, o escore da condição corporal (BCS), hematócrito (PCV) e a coloração da mucosa ocular (COM) foram avaliados mensalmente. Resultados: um nível similar de FEC e BCS foram observados nos grupos Epizoo, FAMACHA© y Químico. O PCV apresentou-se maior no grupo FAMACHA© e o grupo Controle teve os valores mais baixos; enquanto nenhuma diferença foi estimada entre os outros dois grupos. O grupo controle apresentou o maior FEC e o menor PVC. O hematócrito teve uma forte correlação negativa (-0,41) com o FEC. O método FAMACHA© permitiu uma diminuição drástica do uso de anti-helmíntico. Conclusões: os resultados sugerem que o método FAMACHA© pode ser incorporado como parte de uma estratégia para o controle de parasitas gastrintestinais em ovelhas.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Geohelminthiasis in Umuebu Community, Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State, Southern Nigeria.

Aims: The objective of this current study was to determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of Geohelminthes infections or Soil transmitted helminthes (STHs) among pupils in Umuebu Community, Ukwuani Local Government area of Delta State. Study Design: A cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the status of soil transmitted helminthes infection with respect to prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors among school children in Ebu Primary School Umuebu and the entire community in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State. Place and Duration of Study: The field study was carried out in Ebu primary School, in Umuebu community, Delta State while the laboratory work was carried out at the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Lagos State University, Ojo Nigeria and Queen of the Apostle Catholic Hospital Laboratory, Obiaruku, Delta State all in Southern Nigeria between April and December, 2011. Methodology: Eight hundred and seventy eight (878) children were randomly selected. They comprised of 466 (52.76%) males and 412 (47.24%) females between the ages of 5-13 years in the master list of Ebu Primary School, Umuebu. The stool samples were examined for the presence of STHs using direct smear and Kato-Katz techniques. Results: Eight hundred and seven (92.74%) of the subjects were infected with Geohelminthiasis. The overall prevalence by species was Ascaris lumbricoides (76.89%), Hookworm (54.60%) and Trichuris. trichiura (29.24%). Two hundred and eighty two (39.40%) were infected with two or more STHs. The prevalence and intensity of all species of STHs significantly varied with age (p>0.05), with the highest prevalence in age group 5-7 years. The sex related prevalence show that males were more infected for all species of STHs than females, but this was only statistically significant for hookworm (p>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis for the epidemiological variable showed that licking of fingers, drinking from wells or surface tanks and geophagy were risk factors for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections while walking barefooted was only risk factor for hookworm infection. Conclusion: Targeted health education on hygienic practices coupled with the establishment of sustainable and regular deworming programmes in the community are advocated considering the high prevalence of STHs reported in this study.

Effect of Deworming vs Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation Plus Deworming on Growth, Hemoglobin level, and Physical Work Capacity of Schoolchildren.

The effect of deworming vs deworming and weekly Iron-Folic acid (IFA) on growth, hemoglobin level, and physical work capacity of children was studied. Children from three rural schools studying from 4th to 7th standard were selected. One set of school children were given deworming tablet (400 mg albendezole) once in six months while the second school children received deworming tablet along with weekly dose of Iron Folic acid Tablet (60 mg of elemental iron and 0.5 mg folic acid). Anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin, and physical work capacity was estimated. No significant change was noticed in the prevalence of malnutrition or physical work capacity of the children. As compared to only deworming, IFA + Deworming showed 17.3 % increase in the hemoglobin levels (P<0.001). Thus weekly IFA along with deworming has shown beneficial effect on the hemoglobin levels of the children.

Low-dose β-carotene Supplementation and Deworming Improve Serum Vitamin A and β-carotene Concentrations in Preschool Children of Bangladesh.

Despite the national vitamin A and antihelminthic prophylaxis programmes, both intestinal geohelminths and subclinical vitamin A deficiency continue to be prevalent among children in developing countries. Studies on potential synergistic effects of vitamin A supplementation and deworming on retinol status have inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impacts of low-dose β-carotene supplementation and antihelminthic therapy on serum retinol and β-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh. Two hundred and forty-four children, known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, were randomized into four treatment groups: I-IV. Group I and II received two oral doses of 400 mg of albendazole each, the first dose at baseline and the second dose after four months; Group III and IV received placebo in place of albendazole. In addition, Group I and III received 1.2 mg of β-carotene powder in capsule daily for six months, and Group II and IV received placebo in place of β-carotene. Serum retinol and β-carotene levels were measured before and after six months of the interventions. Serum retinol and β-carotene increased significantly in Group I where both antihelminthic therapy and daily β-carotene supplementation were given (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). Antihelminthic therapy alone only improved serum β-carotene concentration (p<0.0001). Low-dose β-carotene supplementation, along with an antihelminthic therapy, synergistically improved vitamin A status. This finding has public-health implications for improving vitamin A status of children in developing countries.

Assessment of mass deworming by Mebendazole after 3, 6 and 18 months in Quynh Luu, Nghe An province

The study was conducted from September 2003 to April 2005 to assess results of the mass deworming campaign in 5 primary schools in Quynh Luu district, central province of Nghe An. A pre-intervention survey showed a cumulative worm prevalence of 98%, of which the highest rate was Trichuris infection: 85.1% followed by Ascaris: 83.6% and hookworm 30.3%. No difference of infection between females and males was found. Mixed infection was high with 54.3% had co-infection with Ascaris and Trichuris (88%), and 24.8% had triple infection, while a low single infection rate (20.8%) of which Trichuris was predominant, was found. A low prevalence of high intensity of infections was found with Ascaris (6.5%), hookworm (1 %), Trichuris (0.5%) while a high prevalence of low intensity was found with all examined samples. The worm prevalence was found reduced after periodical mass deworming (every six months) with mebendazole 500mg, single dose. The cumulative infection reduced from 98% to 84.5% after six months and 72.2% after 18 months. Similarly, the Ascaris infection came down from 83.6% to 52.7% and 32.7%, the Trichuris from 85.1% to 70.6% and 56.1%. However, hookwonn infection remained nearly unchanged (30.3% to 31.3% and 31.1 %). The high and moderate intensity of infection was also reduced after intervention. The egg counts were reduced by 60% after 6 months, 73% after 18 months (after the third treatment) with Ascaris. Accordingly, it was reduced by 40% and 70%, respectively with Trichuris. No changes were found with hookwonn. The intestinal wonn infection control project supported by WHO has been a successful project in tenn of both technical and social aspects. The project was performed with good compliance of school children, their parents and teachers. Expertise and qualification of the provincial staffs were also enhanced with regard to public health in general, and intestinal worm infection control, in particular.

Reinfection rates of successfully treated cases of ascariasis in Victoria, Laguna

A total of 284 successfully treated cases of ascariasis among school children in Victoria, Laguna, were examined monthly after treatment for a period of seven months to determine the rate at which they were reinfected. During the first five months of observation 47.8% were reinfected. At the end of the seven months follow-up 80.9% were reinfected. Based on these observations, it appears that a once-a-year mass deworming program for school children is barely effective in lowering Ascaris transmission level in the community like the town of Victoria. (Summary and Conclusions)