Browsing by Author "Ejike,B.U"

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    Co-infection of malaria and anemia in children attending a tertiary health facility in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria
    (Federal University, Dutse, 2025-03-01) Nwachukwu,P.C; Abdulkodri,M.D; Jeremiah, A.J; Ejike,B.U; Ezekiel, O.O; Amaechi,E.C
    Malaria and anemia in children continue to pose significant public health challenges. This study aimed to assess the effect of malaria on anemia and to identify co-infection rates among children visiting the General Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Two hundred and eighty blood samples were obtained from outpatients aged 0 to 12 years and were screened for malaria using both thick and thin blood films, which were examined microscopically. The anemia status was assessed by measuring the Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Out of the 280 samples tested, 137 (48.9%) tested positive for malaria, with a higher prevalence noted in females (57.8%) compared to males (46.0%). The age group of 0-3 years showed the highest infection rate (73.1%), while the lowest was observed in the 10-12 year age group. There was a noticeable trend of decreasing infection rates as age increased. Regarding anemia, an overall infection ratio of 43.2% was recorded. The patterns of malaria infection were similar for both gender and age. A significant number of cases (91.2%) showed co-infection for both malaria and anaemia. Malaria continues to be a prevalent infection among children in the region studied and significantly contributes to anaemia in this population. There is a pressing need for public education and the promotion of preventive measures, such as the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, particularly among mothers and caregivers.
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    Evaluation of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests for diagnosing malaria among febrile subjects in Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Imo State, nigeria
    (Institute of Biology, 2019) Irole-Eze,O.P; Ukpai,O.M; Ejike,B.U; Nwadike,C.C; Egwu,O; Okorocha, N.A; Amaechi,E.C
    Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, the country accounting for the highest devastation worldwide. This study aimed at evaluating the performance of microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for diagnosis of malaria. A total of 443 suspected Plasmodium falciparum infected patients in hospitals in selected communities of Ezinihitte Local Government Area south eastern Nigeria between January and June 2014 were examined by using microscopy and RDTs. Thick and thin blood smears made on clean slides from venipuncture blood collected from febrile subjects have been examined for the presence of malarial parasites. Serological diagnosis was performed using Carestart, SD Bioline and Antec kits. The overall prevalence of the three RDTs were Carestart pf (41.8%), SD Bioline pf (52.8%), and Antec pf/pv (25.3%) as against microscopy the standard (44.9%). The varied prevalence observed from the three kits did not differ statistically (p>0.05).The females appeared to have more infected (42.4%) than the males (39.6%) with no significant difference between the diagnostic methods. The overall sensitivities of Carestart pf, SD Bioline pf and Antec pf/pv were 71.9%, 86.9% and 50.8% respectively while their corresponding specificities were 82.8%, 75.0%, and 95.5% respectively. SD Bioline HRP2 based test demonstrated a superior sensitivity compared to microscopy. Some RDTS can be useful alternatives to microscopy in the diagnosis of P. falciparum especially in resource limited communities.
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    Giardiasis and its associated risk factors among school children in selected rural communities in south eastern Nigeria
    (De La Salle University, Manilla, Philippines, 2018) Ogbuu,O; Ohaeri,C.C; Amaechi,E.C; Ejike,B.U
    The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of giardiasis among school children in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was carried out from June to October, 2015. Direct smear, iodine wet mounts, and the formol-ether concentration technique were used to analyze the stool samples. Out of 600 stool samples from pupils aged 5-16 years from six primary schools examined, 30 (5.0%) were infected. The prevalence rate was higher among males (5.7%) than among females (4.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.91, df = 1, p > 0.05). Pupils in the 8- to 10-year age group had the highest prevalence (5.8%, n = 260), while those in the age group of 11-13 years had the lowest prevalence (3.9%, n = 230). Similarly, pupils in primary 2 had the highest prevalence (7.1%, n = 170) while those in primary 6 had the lowest (2.5%, n = 80). Infection was higher among children whose parents were traders (11.7%, n = 120) and farmers (10.0%, n = 100, than among those whose parents were civil servants (1.6%, n = 380). There was a significant statistical differene in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to occupation of parents of these children (χ2 = 25.85, df = 2, p < 0.05). On the sources of drinking water, children who drank rain and stream water recorded high prevalence rates of (6.3% n = 270) and (5.7% (n = 230), respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to the sources of water (χ2 = 6.42, df = 2, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that giardiasis was prevalent among school children in Afikpo. It is recommended that adequate health education and sanitary measures be carried out in order to decrease the rate of Giardia infection in school children.
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    Parasitic contamination of local drinking water sources in Aba metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria
    (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, 2021-06) Ejike,B.U; Ohaeri,C.C; Amaechi,E.C
    Water-borne parasitic infections have become a source of concern in recent times due to the contamination of various water sources. A survey on the parasitic contamination of local drinking water sources in Aba metropolis was carried out between August and October 2018. This was done to evaluate the extent of contamination of these water sources and their public health implications. A total number of eighty (80) water samples were investigated from five (5) major water sources within the study area using the standard sedimentation method and examined for parasite cysts, eggs and larvae. Physical/macroscopic examination was done to determine the pH, colour, odour, temperature and presence/absence of particles. Among the water sources analyzed, stream water samples had the highest rate of parasite contamination 27 (44.3%) followed by river water 14 (22.9%) while the least contaminated was borehole 7 (11.5%). Rainwater was found free from parasitic infestation. The differences in the level of contamination among the water sources analyzed were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Five parasites Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides of Entamoeba coli and Hookworm were observed. Each of the sample sources except rainwater harbored at least one of these. Among these parasites, Giardia lamblia had the highest rate occurrence of 15 (24.6%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica 14 (22.9%) and the least frequently occurring parasite was hookworm 8 (13.1%). Most of the identified water sources are utilized by the populace who lack access to potable water. The detection of protozoan and helminthic parasites in drinking water sources is a serious public health concern, hence the proper implementation of a supply of safe drinking water is vital
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    Prevalence of falciparum malaria amongst pregnant women in Aba south Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
    (Parasitology and Public health Society of Nigeria, 2017-03) Ejike,B.U; Ohaeri,C.C; Amaechi,E.C; Ejike,E.N; Okike-Osisiogu, F.U; Irole-Eze,O.P; Belonwu,A.C
    Malaria during pregnancy poses a substantial risk to mother and foetus especially an infection with Plasmodium falciparum. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of falciparum malaria among pregnant women in Aba South Local Government Area, Abia State, south-east Nigeria. Blood samples from 432 pregnant women who attended Primary Health Care Centre and Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) were examined using Giemsa stained thick and thin films. Structured questionnaires were also administered to the women from whom blood samples were collected. A total of 173 (40.0%) were found to be infected with P. falciparum. It was the only type of malaria parasite species encountered. Distribution of infection among age groups was highest 12 (60.0%) among age group 15-20 years and lowest 121 (36.7%) among age group 26 years and above with significant difference (p<0.05). Occupational distribution showed that traders had the highest prevalence 88 (63.3%) while students were least infected 21 (17.9%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Primigravida had the highest prevalence rate of 99 (50.3%) while multigravida had the lowest rate 38 (27.1%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Respondents who were at their first trimester also showed a high prevalence rate 69 (56.6%) while those in their third trimester were least infected 28 (30.1%) with significant difference (p<0.05). It is therefore necessary to design an effective public health education programme targeted at this high risk group and also instituting an intermittent preventive treatment in hospitals and health centres in Aba South LGA that is known to have a high malaria prevalence.
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    Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in pigs reared in research farms of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, south eastern Nigeria
    (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, 2022-06) Amaechi,E.C; Dike, M.I; Ukpai,O.M; Ejike,B.U
    Gastrointestinal parasitism in swine production is a world-wide problem especially in tropical resource poor countries. These infections in animals result in significant economic losses. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs reared in two research farms in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, South eastern Nigeria. From April, 2016 to July, 2016, 220 samples of pig faeces from two research farms (CASAP Research Farm and MOUAU Commercial Pig Farm) were analyzed using floatation and direct smear methods to identify varied parasitic stages present in the faeces. Data generated showed an overall prevalence of 64.6% (142/220) in the two farms. Five parasite species made up of four Nematode and one Cestode were observed namely Ascaris suum (26.4%), Trichuris suis (26.4%), Strongyloides spp (21.9%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (20.0%) and Pseudanoplocephala spp. (5.6%). Mixed infections were also observed. Those within the ages of 0-8months had the highest prevalence (74.12%). Further, 67.42% male pigs and 62.60% of female pigs were found to be infected with one or the other endoparasite revealing a high prevalence of parasitic problems within Umudike. It is recommended that pigs should be treated regularly to prevent or reduce infection to the barest minimal level