Risk of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among Agrarian Communities of Kogi State, Nigeria.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) have remained a major threat to humans, especially children in developing countries, including Nigeria. Interventions have always been geared towards school-aged children, neglecting preschool-aged children and occupational risk adults. The Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Advisory Committee (STHAC) recently suggested incorporating other at-risk groups.

Antenatal Practices Ineffective at Prevention of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria during Pregnancy in a Sub-Saharan Africa Region, Nigeria.

Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is a major public health concern constituting a serious risk to the pregnant woman, her foetus, and newborn. Management of cases and prevention rely partly on effective and efficient antenatal services. This study examined the effectiveness of antenatal service provision in a major district hospital in sub-Saharan Africa at preventing PAM.

Gastrointestinal helminth infection in pregnancy: disease incidence and hematological alterations.

Background: The incidence and hematological effects of helminth infection during pregnancy were investigated among pregnant women in Isiala, Mbano, Southeast Nigeria.

Methods: Totally 282 pregnant women were enlisted for the study between October 2011 and September 2012. Stool samples were examined for intestinal helminths using formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

Epidemiology and psycho-social aspects of onchocercal skin diseases in northeastern Nigeria.

Background: Observations were made on the prevalence of onchocerciasis and Onchocercal Skin Diseases (OSD); frequency of occurrence and anatomical distribution of OSD in the Hawal River Valley, an established onchocerciasis endemic focus in north-eastern Nigeria.

Methods: Symptoms of OSD were diagnosed in 5 844 subjects using Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) while 1 479 of the subjects chosen from alternate households had their skin biopsies examined for active microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Also, Focal Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted at the Health District levels.