Status of Intestinal Helminth Infection in Schools Implementing the Home-Grown School Feeding Program and the Impact of the Program on Pupils in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Purpose: Intestinal helminthiasis among pupils is a major impediment to their well-being and development. This 2-year study determined how home-grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) impacted on pupils' school attendance and created opportunity for more children to assess interventions geared towards the prevention and possible elimination of intestinal helminthiasis.

Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 1677 consented pupils and examined for helminths using Kato-Katz technique.

Impacts of ivermectin mass drug administration for onchocerciasis on mosquito populations of Ogun state, Nigeria.

Background: The impact of single-dose mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin for onchocerciasis on mosquito populations was investigated in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Indoor and outdoor collection of mosquitoes was carried out in two intervention (IC) and two control communities (CC) at three different periods: pre-MDA (baseline), 2-3 days after MDA and 13-14 days after MDA. The density and parity rate of female Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes were determined and compared.

Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel against schistosomes in seven countries with ongoing large-scale deworming programs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends periodic assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) to detect reduced efficacy that may arise from drug resistance in schistosomes. In this multi-country study (2014), we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of a single oral dose of PZQ (40 mg/kg) against Schistosoma mansoni (Brazil, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, Madagascar and Tanzania), S. haematobium (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, Tanzania and Zanzibar) and S.

Polyparasitism with Malaria and Intestinal Parasite Infections among Infants and Preschool-Aged Children in Egbedore, Osun State, Nigeria.

Polyparasitism is widespread in many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is paucity of data on polyparasitism in infants and preschool-aged children (IPSAC), to inform policy developments. Therefore, a survey of 1110 consented IPSAC was undertaken in Egbedore Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of polyparasitism in IPSAC in ten randomly selected rural communities.

Analysis of Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths mixed infections among pupils in Enugu State, Nigeria: Implications for control.

Background: Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted helminthiasis cause considerable morbidity and mortality in developing countries, especially among children. To this end it, a cross-sectional survey to determine the pattern of Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted helminthiasis co-infection was undertaken among primary school pupils in Oduma Community in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Methods: Fresh urine and stool samples were collected from pupils.

Assessment of community knowledge and participation in onchocerciasis programme, challenges in ivermectin drug delivery, distribution and non-compliance in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

Background: This study reports knowledge of onchocerciasis and surrounding factors from the perspective of community members, Community drug distributors and health workers in eight endemic LGAs of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Using structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion, a total of 417 community members, 37 health workers and 42 CDDs across 16 communities participated in the study.

Results: Majority (70.

Malaria infection at parturition in Abeokuta, Nigeria: Current status and pregnancy outcome.

Background: There is dearth of information on perinatally acquired malaria, as well as its burden in Nigeria. We determined the prevalence of pregnancy-associated malaria and its burden among parturients in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Materials And Methods: Blood films from 211 parturients were prepared, stained with 10% Giemsa and examined using microscopy.

PCR-Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) genes sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of clinical and environmental Aspergillus species associated with HIV-TB co infected patients in a hospital in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria.

Background: Aspergillosis has been identified as one of the hospital acquired infections but the contribution of water and inhouse air as possible sources of Aspergillus infection in immunocompromised individuals like HIV-TB patients have not been studied in any hospital setting in Nigeria.

Objective: To identify and investigate genetic relationship between clinical and environmental Aspergillus sp. associated with HIV-TB co infected patients.

Risk factors associated with occurrence of placental malaria in a population of parturients in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: Placental malaria has long been acknowledged as a complication of malaria in pregnancy, and has been associated with poor pregnancy outcome in malaria-endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with occurrence of placental malaria in a population of parturients in Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: Maternal and placenta blood samples were collected from 211 parturients.

Biting on human body parts of Simulium vectors and its implication for the manifestation of Onchocerca nodules along Osun River, southwestern Nigeria.

Background: The biting preference of Simulium vectors has been known to influence the distribution of Onchocerca nodules and microfilariae in human body. There is, however, variation in biting pattern of Simulium flies in different geographical locations. This study investigates the biting pattern on human parts by Simulium vectors along Osun river system where Simulium soubrense Beffa form has been implicated as the dominant vector and its possible implication on the distribution of Onchocerca nodules on human body along the river.

Epidemiological evaluation of onchocerciasis along Ogun River System, southwest Nigeria.

Background & Objective: Epidemiological studies were carried out to assess the prevalence and community microfilarial load (CMFL) of onchocerciasis after repeated annual treatment with ivermectin along Ogun river System, southwest Nigeria.

Method: Skin snips were taken from consented participants in 11 selected communities along the River system. The microfilarial load of the community was estimated.

Schistosoma haematobium infections in preschool children from two rural communities in Ijebu East, south-western Nigeria.

There is an urgent need for information on schistosomiasis in preschool children, who are often excluded in mass treatment programmes. The prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection were determined in preschool children aged ≤ 6 years in two rural communities in Ijebu East, south-western Nigeria. Two urine samples each were collected from 83 preschool children from the two communities, tested for microhaematuria using reagent strips and then processed and examined with a microscope for S.

Rectal artesunates, their utilization, and parental perception in the management of malaria in children from Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria.

Utilization, efficacy, perception, and acceptability of rectal artesunates for treatment of malaria were assessed in 264 children below 5 years attending two tertiary health facilities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The children systematically selected were 136 from State Hospital Ijaye and 128 from Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba. Body weights and vital statistics of the children were measured; and blood samples were collected before and 24 h after administration of the rectal artesunates (Plasmotrim-50/200 mg Artesunate) to evaluate the efficacy of the suppository.

Comparative repellent activities of some plant extracts against Simulium damnosum complex.

The root and leaf extracts of four plants, Occimum gratissimum, Azadirachta indica, Pterocarpus santalinoides, and Pistia hyptis, were studied for repellent activities against the adults of Simulium damnosum sensu lato. The leaves and roots were extracted with 95% ethanol and the stocks were diluted with paraffin. The repellent activities of the extracts were investigated using human baits along the banks of River Oyan and River Ogun in southwestern Nigeria.

Awareness, possession and use of insecticide-treated nets for prevention of malaria in children under five in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Aim: A survey was carried out to assess awareness, possession and use of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) by mothers in preventing malaria among children under 5 years old.

Methods: Pretested questionnaires were administered by trained research assistants to women that have had a child in the last 59 months, irrespective of place of child delivery.

Results: Malaria was considered dangerous by almost all respondents (98.

Biting behaviour of Simulium damnosum complex and Onchocerca volvulus infection along the Osun River, Southwest Nigeria.

Background: Studies on biting behaviours and infectivity status of insect vectors are pre-requisites in understanding the epidemiology of the vector- borne diseases and planning effective control measures. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the transmission index of Simulium damnosum complex species along Osun River, South Western Nigeria. Adult flies were collected on human attractants from 07:00 to 18:00 hours for two consecutive days from February 2008 to June 2009 at three communities: Osun Eleja, Osun Ogbere and Osun Budepo.

Urinary schistosomiasis among preschool children in a rural community near Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Background: The control of schistosomiasis in Nigeria is mainly by mass treatment with praziquantel through the school system, with an absence of any provision for pre-school children. We therefore determined the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school children between the ages of 1-6 years in Ilewo-Orile a rural and endemic community, near Abeokuta, Nigeria as part of providing information on the neglected tropical diseases among this age group. Two urine samples were collected from each pre-school child.

Population dynamics of indoor sampled mosquitoes and their implication in disease transmission in Abeokuta, south-western Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the species composition, seasonal abundance, parity and feeding preference of indoor sampled mosquitoes in Abeokuta, south-western Nigeria.

Methods: The mosquitoes were sampled weekly from five stratified locations using Center for Disease Control (CDC) light-traps between August 2005 and July 2006. The mosquitoes were examined for abdominal condition and dissected for age composition.

Knowledge and practices on malaria treatment measures among pregnant women in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

The knowledge and practices on malaria treatment measures were assessed among 1400 pregnant women in semi-urban and rural communities (Akomoje, Iberekodo, Osiele and Sabopapamaru) of Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2006. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The largest proportion (41%) of the respondents was in the age group 21-25years.

Mosquito larval habitats and public health implications in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The larval habitats of mosquitoes were investigated in Abeokuta, Nigeria in order to determine the breeding sites of the existing mosquito fauna and its possible public health implications on the residents of the City. The habitats were sampled between August 2005 and July 2006 using plastic dippers and a pipette. The habitats were grouped as ground pools/ponds, gutters/open drains, tyres, domestic containers and treeholes/ leaf axils.

Helminthiasis and hygiene conditions of schools in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: A study of the helminth infection status of primary-school children and the hygiene condition of schools in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was undertaken between November 2004 and February 2005 to help guide the development of a school-based health programme.

Methods And Findings: THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED: two government-owned schools (one urban and the other rural) and one urban private school. No rural private schools existed to survey.

MONRATE: A descriptive tool for calculation and prediction of re-infection of Ascaris lumbricoides (Ascaridida: Ascarididae).

The study presents an interactive descriptive tool (MONRATE) for calculating and predicting reinfection rates and time of Ascaris lumbricoides following mass chemotherapy. The implementation was based on the theoretical equation published by Hayashi in 1977, for time-prevalence: Y=G [1-(1-X)(N-R)] as modified by Jong-Yil in 1983. Using the Psuedo-Code of the MONRATE tool, the calculated monthly reinfection rates (X) for the LGAs are (names are locations in Nigeria in a region predominately populated by the Yoruba speaking tribes of Nigeria whose traditional occupations are agriculture and commerce): Ewekoro (1.