Knowledge Levels and Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey for the 'Move for Flow' Programme.

Background: Pregnancy is a significant risk factor for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) which results in high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Awareness creation is one of the preventable strategies of VTE. To this effect, we designed the 'Move for Flow' program aimed at maternal health education on VTE, its symptoms and preventive strategies.

Anti-Hypertensive Effects of Anthocyanins from Hibiscus sabdarifa Calyx on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldoslestrone System in Wistar Rats.

Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) has gained attention as an anti-hypertensive agent. In the present study, we hypothesized that anthocyanins from HS may attenuate salt-induced hypertension in rats by suppressing the components of renin-angiotensin-aldoslestrone system (RAAS). Hypertension was induced in the rats by adding 8% NaCl in their diet for six weeks.

Preventive putative mechanisms involved in the psychopathologies of mice passively coping with psychosocial defeat stress by quercetin.

Derangements of neuroimmune, neurotrophic and neurochemical homeostasis have important implications in psychosocial stress-induced psychopathologies. Whether quercetin, a neuroactive compound, protects against psychosocial stress-induced psychiatric disturbances particularly via neurochemical mechanisms remain less well elucidated. Therefore, we further investigated the putative neurochemical as well as other cellular mechanisms of quercetin on social-defeat stress (SDS) model of psychosocial impairments.

Prevalence and associated factors of and soil transmitted helminth infections among pregnant women in Osun state, Nigeria.

Background: and soil transmitted helminth (STHs) infection are widespread in sub-Sahara Africa, where co-infection is also common. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections and their risk factors among pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic were recruited.

Heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

In this study, heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria, was examined. The levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The microbial cells were counted and further identified to species level using 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequencing analysis at CABI microbial identification services United Kingdom (UK).

Integrated risk mapping and landscape characterisation of lymphatic filariasis and loiasis in South West Nigeria.

Nigeria has the heaviest burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in sub-Saharan Africa, which is caused by the parasite and transmitted by mosquitoes. LF is targeted for elimination and the national programme is scaling up mass drug administration (MDA) across the country to interrupt transmission. However, in some regions the co-endemicity of the filarial parasite (loiasis) is an impediment due to the risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with the drug ivermectin.

Awareness, perceptions and intent to comply with the prospective malaria vaccine in parts of South Eastern Nigeria.

Background: There are potentials of a malaria vaccine being developed sooner than expected. While focus is more on the development of a vaccine, less attention has been paid on the extent to which such vaccines could be well accepted and the readiness among caregivers to comply with its use in order to achieve the effectiveness of the vaccine in the malaria endemic areas. Compliance rates are influenced by the level of awareness, as well as the perception of the population.

Individual and work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among computer workers in Nigeria.

We investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and the association of 1-month prevalence with individual and work-related factors among commercial typists in Enugu. Participants responded to a questionnaire about occurrences of MSP and a 75.6% (242/320) response rate was achieved.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of solvent fractions of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less leaf extract.

Background: Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less is used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases.

Objectives: The present study reports antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of solvent fractions of Vernonia cinerea.

Prospects, drawbacks and future needs of xenomonitoring for the endpoint evaluation of lymphatic filariasis elimination programs in Africa.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a debilitating disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori parasitic worms and transmitted by Culex, Anopheles, Aedes and Mansonia mosquitoes. Mass drug administration (MDA) to reduce the infection levels in the human population is the key component of LF elimination programs.

Lymphatic filariasis baseline survey in two sentinel sites of Ogun state, Nigeria.

Introduction: In preparation for Mass Drug Administration by National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme, a baseline epidemiological investigation on lymphatic filariasis (LF) was conducted in two sentinel sites of Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Ado-Odo Ota and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas (LGAs) to determine LF prevalence, microfilarial density and the abundance of Wucheraria bancrofti in the mosquito vectors.

Methods: Microscopic examination of thick blood smears of 299 and 288 participants from Ado-Odo Ota and Abeokuta South LGAs was conducted.

An investigation of the disparity in estimates of microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in lymphatic filariasis surveys.

Background: The diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is based typically on either microfilaraemia as assessed by microscopy or filarial antigenaemia using an immuno-chromatographic test. While it is known that estimates of antigenaemia are generally higher than estimates of microfilaraemia, the extent of the difference is not known.

Methods: This paper presents the results of an extensive literature search for surveys that estimated both microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in order to better understand the disparity between the two measures.

Species composition and temporal distribution of mosquito populations in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria.

Nigeria has a high burden of vector borne diseases such as malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF). This study aimed to determine the species composition of mosquitoes in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria as well as determine their role in malaria and LF transmission. Adult mosquitoes were collected by Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) and identified and graded according to their abdominal conditions.

Application of geographical information system for lymphatic filariasis and malaria control in Nigeria.

Geographical Information System (GIS) is defined as an information system used to capture, store, edit, retrieve, analyze and visualize geographically referenced data. The use of GIS is one technology that is very useful in the prevention and control of Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as lymphatic filariasis (LF) and malaria which cause high morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. This paper focuses on how the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) can be harnessed for surveillance, prevention and control of LF and malaria in Nigeria.

Insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

The emergence of insecticide resistance in Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes has great implications for malaria control in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of insecticide susceptibility levels and the frequency of knock-down resistance (kdr) mutations (L1014F) in wild Anopheles coluzzii Coetzee & Wilkerson sp. n.

Efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school-age children in rural communities of Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Background: Chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) has been the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control over the last two decades. Being the only available drug for the treatment of over 200 million people worldwide, continuous monitoring of PZQ efficacy under the pressure of widespread use is therefore advocated.

Methods: The efficacy of taking two doses of oral PZQ for the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium was examined among school children in Nigeria.

Neglected tropical diseases: a systematic evaluation of research capacity in Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria carries the highest burden and diversity of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa and is preparing to scale up its efforts to control/eliminate these diseases. To achieve this it will require a range of internal technical support and expertise for mapping, monitoring and evaluating, operational research and documenting its success. In order to begin to evaluate this potential in Nigeria, this study collated and analysed information for lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH), which are currently being targeted with preventive chemotherapy through mass drug administration (MDA).

Perceptions and recommendations by scientists for a potential release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Nigeria.

Background: The use of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMMs) for the control of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases has been proposed in malaria-endemic countries, such as Nigeria, which has the largest burden in Africa. Scientists are major stakeholders whose opinions and perceptions can adversely affect the success of the trials of GMMs if they are not involved early. Unfortunately, information on the awareness of Nigerians scientists and their overall perception of the GMMs is practically non-existent in the literature.

Lymphatic filariasis in Nigeria; micro-stratification overlap mapping (MOM) as a prerequisite for cost-effective resource utilization in control and surveillance.

Background: Nigeria has a significant burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti. A major concern to the expansion of the LF elimination programme is the risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) associated with the use of ivermectin in areas co-endemic with Loa filariasis. To better understand this, as well as other factors that may impact on LF elimination, we used Micro-stratification Overlap Mapping (MOM) to highlight the distribution and potential impact of multiple disease interventions that geographically coincide in LF endemic areas and which will impact on LF and vice versa.

Nigeria Anopheles vector database: an overview of 100 years' research.

Anopheles mosquitoes are important vectors of malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF), which are major public health diseases in Nigeria. Malaria is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium and LF by the parasitic worm Wuchereria bancrofti. Updating our knowledge of the Anopheles species is vital in planning and implementing evidence based vector control programs.