Anthropometric Indices and Serum Micronutrient Status of Helminth - Infected School Children from Semi-Urban Communities in Southwestern Nigeria.

Adequate nutrition is essential for normal growth of children but helminth infection is proposed to cause nutritional deficiencies. This study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of helminth infected school aged children in semi-urban communities of South-West Nigeria. Two hundred children from primary schools in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements were analyzed using the WHO AnthroPlus software. Kato Katz method was used to detect ova of helminths in the stool while serum levels of iron, zinc, selenium, ferritin, transferrin, vitamin A, vitamin C and haptoglobin were measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectophotometry as appropriate. 60 (30%) of the children had intestinal helminth infection with Ascaris lumbricoides (23.0%) as most prevalent, followed by hookworm (2.5%) and Trichuris trichuria (0.5%).  Stunting was more prevalent than thinness or underweight among the study population especially the female children. There were significantly reduced serum levels of zinc and vitamin A and significantly increased serum levels of transferrin and selenium in helminth-infected children compared with helminth-uninfected children. This study established the need for regular deworming of school age children and supplementing diets of school children in rural communities with vitamin A and zinc.

Gastrointestinal parasites of birds in zoological gardens in south-west Nigeria.

Infections with gastrointestinal parasites are a major health issue in captive birds. However, prevalence data of gastrointestinal parasites of birds in zoological gardens in Nigeria are scarce. This study was carried out to establish the gastrointestinal parasite profile of birds kept in zoological gardens in the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, all in south-west Nigeria. A total of 178 fecal samples from 83 birds (14 species in eight orders) were examined using three techniques; Feacal sedimentation using ethyl acetate, McMaster Egg Counting Technique and Petri Dish-Filter Paper Slant culture technique (modified Harada-Mori Technique). A total of 39(21.9%) of the 178 samples were infected. The highest prevalence (100%) of infection was recorded in Unilag zoo and a total of five species of parasites including two protozoans (coccidian and Balantidium spp.); and three nematodes Capillaria spp., Ascaris spp. and Strongyloides spp.) were recorded with Capillaria spp. (14.1%) as the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasite. Mixed infections were found in 18(10.1%) samples. Strongyloides larvae were observed in 6(3.4%) samples. All Anseriformes were infected but the Struthioniformes had the highest infection rate. The geometric mean intensity of eggs ranged from 101.98 ± 10.36 to 63.00 ± 16.67 epg and oocyst counts ranged from 332.47 ± 16.67 to 297.89 ± 20.41 opg. Balantidium cyst count was 324.04 ± 25.00. Count of oocyst of coccidian species was significantly higher in all the zoos. The feacal culture yielded Strongyloides species. Regular deworming and hygienic measures are necessary to prevent gastrointestinal infections in captive birds. So also, improved funding and management are necessary to ensure sustainability of Nigerian zoological gardens.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about malaria in an urban community in south-western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Oyo is an urban community in Oyo state of south-western Nigeria and it is holoendemic for malaria. Information was collected on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of inhabitants of Oyo town in relation to malaria. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 192 households with the aid of self- or researcher-administered questionnaires was carried out to identify factors associated with the disease in the area. RESULTS: About 93.2% (n=192) of respondents recognized mosquito bites as the cause of malaria. A small proportion of children (13.7%) and adults (5.3%) received prompt treatment; however, more adults (65.8%) got correct dosage of antimalarials than children (38.7%). About 90% of suspected malaria cases in children and adults were first treated at home with local herbs or drugs, purchased from medicine stores. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was scarce as only 16.7% of households used them for their children. Other reported malaria prevention methods include the use of insecticides (79.7%) and herbs (44.3%). In all, 17 (8.9%) of households did not have screening nets on their windows and 6.3% of 175 households with screening nets on their windows had rusty and torn nets. The level of education of heads of households was a strong predictor of positive malaria-related KAP. Window types and environmental hygiene were associated with prevalence of malaria in households. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The control of malaria cannot be achieved without full involvement of the affected communities; the available tools for control can only be effective and sustainable if the local communities are mobilized and empowered with knowledge. It is suggested that health education campaigns be intensified; chemist shop-keepers and mothers being important target groups.