Head louse infestations in Yemen: prevalence and risk factors determination among primary school-children, Al Mahweet governorate, Yemen

This study assessed the prevalence and human risk factors associated with head lice infestation. A total of 860 children, 474 [55.1%] boys and 386 [44.9%] girls, with ages ranged from 6-14 years with mean of 9.2 +/- 1.7 year were studied They were selected from four Governmental primary schools of different socioeconomic in urban and rural districts representing Al Mahweet Govemorate. The children were subjected to questionnaire and physical examination by visual inspections of scalp and hair for the presence of adult lice, nymphs, and/or eggs [nits]. A total of 114 children [13.3%] were infested with head lice, 73 [18.9%] girls and 41 [8.6%] boys. The highest infestation rate was recorded in rural area [20.5%]. Pediculosis had a negative association with father's education level and frequency of hair washing [p > 0.01]. The results indicated that rural residence, sex, long hair, age-group 6-8 years old, positive history of previous infestation, sharing of beds and combs, uneducated mother and family overcrowding were the risk factors for the head lice infestation

Malaria status in Al - Hodeidah Governorate, Yemen: malariometric parasitic survrey and chloroquine resistance P. falciparum local strain

A cross sectional malariometric parasitic survey including 4000 Yemenis of various age/sex groups from 43 villages or harah in five selected districts representing Al-Hodeidah Governorate was done. Duplicate thin and thick blood smears were stained with Giemsa stain and examined. Out of 4000 examined slides, 646 were found to be malaria positive, 508 of them were detected through ACD, while 138 cases were detected by PCD. The overall parasite rate was 16.2%, a situation of prevalently mesoendemic condition. P. falciparum was the predominant species [96.7%], followed by P. vivax [1.7%] and the least prevalent was P. malariae [0.3%]. Yemen has been considered free of ovale malaria. The recorded indigenous case of P. ovale for the first time in Yemen should be taken into consideration for the existence of this particular Plasmodium species when surveying for malaria in future studies. The present study was the first document in Yemen to compare simultaneously the in vivo and in vitro response to chloroquine among 209 of P. falciparum field isolate patients that were satisfied all criteria of WHO for the implementation of the in vivo and in vitro tests and were obtained by PCD and ACD methods. Chloroquine resistance of local strain of P. falciparum was recorded in all studied districts [Zabid, Bajil, Azohrah, Azaidiah and Al- Hodeidah City]. RIII [high level of resistance] was recorded for the first time in Yemen and should be taken into consideration in the treatment of infected malaria patients

Malaria status in Al-Hodeidah governorate, republic of Yemen part II: Human factors causing the persistence of chloroquine resistant P. falciprum local strain

Two hundred and nine Yemeni patients with P. falciparum local strain, satisfying all criteria of WHO for monitoring chloroquine sensitivity by in vivo and in vitro tests in urban and rural populations of Al- Hodeidah Governorate, were interviewed to study the human factors causing the persistence of chloroquine resistance. A pre-designed questionnaire sheet was used for every case, which included data concerning the assessment of chloroquine resistant problem. The results revealed that 54.7% of the studied group used chloroquine for malaria treatment. About 75% used antimalarial drugs by over the counter [OTC], i.e. Self medication, which was more common in the rural [76.9%] than the urban areas [63.6%]. Chloroquine resistance was increased with the decrease of the education level and income/capita/month among the younger age group [<15 years] and sleeping in open air