Impact of short-term antiretroviral therapy (START) on some fibrinolytic markers in HIV-infected Nigerian adults: preliminary findings from the START study.

Background: Derangement in fibrinolytic markers can result in thrombosis and cardiovascular problems. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been reported to affect the levels of these markers. It is unclear how long a patient can be exposed to ART before the effect of the drugs on the fibrinolytic markers becomes noticeable; this short-term antiretroviral therapy (START) study aimed to answer this question.

Epidemiology, therapeutic agents and cost of management of paediatric malaria in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Background And Objectives: Malaria is the most widespread parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa with associated high morbidity and mortality especially among the highly predisposed population of pregnant women and children of age five years and below. Living in malaria endemic regions of the world has become associated with health and economic hazards placing financial and productive burden on affected households.

Methods: A prospective study of children treated for malaria and other associated illnesses at a Nigeria tertiary health institution between May and October 2003 was undertaken.

Life-table analysis of Anopheles malaria vectors: generational mortality as tool in mosquito vector abundance and control studies.

Background & Objectives: Vector control will for sometime remain a primary weapon in the war against vector borne diseases. Malaria is of paramount importance in this with its associated high morbidity and mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study on generational mortality associated factors in Anopheles mosquitoes life-table analysis was designed to investigate the fecundity, levels of mortality and mortality associated factors at the aquatic stages of anopheline malaria vectors.

Ecology of mosquitoes of Midwestern Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: The ecology and distribution of various mosquito species is important in the determination of mosquito vector abundance and associated diseases prevalence. The distribution of various mosquito genera in natural and artificial habitats and their relative species abundance was studied between August 2002 and July 2003 in three foci (Uromi, Ekpoma and Auchi) comprising the Esan and Etsako regions of Midwestern Nigeria.

Methods: Sampling was carried out by the method of Hopkins (1952) by dipping using a pipette or ladle depending on container types.

Epidemiological implications of preferences of breeding sites of mosquito species in Midwestern Nigeria.

The relative abundance of the aquatic stages of mosquito species distribution in two macrohabitats was studied between August 2001 and July 2002 using four different microhabitats (plastic cups, metal cans, bamboo cups and earthenware pots). The macrohabitats were subdivided into Areas of Derived/Secondary Vegetation (ADSV) and Areas of High Human Activities (AHHA). The results revealed mosquito species belonging to three genera (Anopheles, Culex and Aedes species), which are known vectors of four different human diseases (yellow fever, arboviruses in general, bancroftian filariasis, and malaria).