Browsing by Author "Nwachukwu,P.C"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Burden, knowledge and perception of lymphatic filariasis in resource poor communities in north central Nigeria
    (Indian Society for Parasitology, 2024-07) Amaechi,E.C; Ariyo,A.A; Aderogba,A.A; Nwachukwu,P.C; Nwadike,C.C; Ezekiel,O.O; Oyinloye, F.O.P
    A number of vector-borne diseases are known to affect humans in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Lym phatic filariasis is one of such debilitating disease caused by a nematode, Wuchereria bancrofti. The present study assessed the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis by screening individuals with filariasis test strip and clinical examination. A sample of 765 consenting individuals were screened for filarial antigenemia using filariasis test strip and clinical examination and interviewed for knowledge and perception of filariasis using a structured questionnaire. Overall antigenemia prevalence was 8.8% and the disease prevalence varied among villages with Shonga (16.7%) having the highest and Tada (1.6%) the least infected.In relation to age group, 40-49years had the highest (49.3%) while 0–9 years did not record any infection. Among the respondents infected, a greater number (43.3%) believed that the disease was caused by stepping on charm, 45.4% of those unaffected also believed in the same cause. A greater number of the respondents (28.4%) believed that avoiding sexual intercourse with affected individuals can help prevent the disease. A majority(67.2%) of the study partici pant had a misconception about its preventive measure. Misconceptions on the preventive measures included sacrifice to appease the gods and avoiding sexual intercourse with affected individuals. This study showed filarial antigenemia was above the threshold of 2% in the study area with misconception on the disease transmission and therefore this area war rants strategies to prevent transmission.
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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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    Parasitological examination of slender Amaranth Vegetable (Amaranthus viridis) and Bush Okra (Corchorus olitorius) from farms and markets in communities around Edu LGA, Kwara State
    (University of PortHarcourt, 2024-07) Amaechi,E.C; Nwachukwu,P.C; Ezekiel,O.O; Nwadike, C.C; Adewumi, A.F; Oladiti,A.B; Oyinloye, F.O.P
    dis) and bush-okra (Corchorus olitorius) from farms and markets in the communities around Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State of Nigeria between January and July 2023 for evaluation of parasites that infect humans using the sedimentation method. Parasites isolated from vegetable samples from the farm showed that Ascaris lumbricoides (17.6%) was the most encountered followed by Entamoeba histolytica (11.2%) and the least was Enterobius vermicularis (3.2%). In the market samples, Ascaris (11.2%) was the most prevalent parasites encountered while Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and E. vermicularis (1.6%) were the least prevalent. One hundred and fourteen (45.6%) samples were contaminated with various parasites. Of the total contaminated vegetable, 74/125 (59.2%) were found in the farm vegetables while 40/125 (32.0%) were encountered in the market vegetables. Corchorus olitorius were found to be more contaminated in both the farms 39/110 (35.5%) and market 23/110 (20.9%). From the study, it was seen that the rate of contamination was highest in the month of July, while the month of January had the least rate of contamination for both farm and market vegetable samples. The difference in the contamination rate in both farm and market samples were seen to be significant (P < 0.05). This study recommends proper washing of vegetables prior to consumption and proper sewage treatment before usage as fertilizer.
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    Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among primary school children in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State, South east, Nigeria
    (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 2014-01) Amaechi,E.C; Ohaeri,C.C; Ukpai,O.M; Nwachukwu,P.C; Ukoha,U.K
    Amoebiasis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica and ranks third among parasitic infections that lead to death especially in children. Epidemiological data in most rural communities about this infection is scanty. Three hundred (300) children aged 0- 14 years were sampled for E. histolytica infection in five rural communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, South East Nigeria. The stool samples were examined for cysts of E. histolytica using saline and iodine preparations. The prevalence rate of 16.0 % was recorded. The prevalence by sex showed a higher infection rate in males (18.7 %) than females (13.3 %) which was significantly different (X 2 , p<0.05). This showed an association between sex and the prevalence of E. histolytica. There was also a slight association observed among the different age groups. The highest prevalence of 21.7 % was recorded in children from Umuelechi community, although there was no significant difference among the communities (X 2 , p>0.05). There is therefore an urgent need for improved sanitation, personal hygiene and a proper deworming scheme amongst school children in the study areas to alleviate the scourge.
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    Prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis infection and associated risk factors among school aged children in Jebba, Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria
    (University of PortHarcourt, 2024-08) Amaechi,E.C; Nwachukwu,P.C; Ezekiel,O.O; Nwadike,C.C; Bonfere, F.E; Adewole, S.S
    Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of north central Nigeria is a fishing community, and due to inadequate sanitation, its population is susceptible to several infections. Hence the objective of this paper was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis infection and associated risk factors amongst school aged children in the study area. From January to July 2023, stool specimens were collected from two hundred and seventy (276) school-going aged children (125 males and 151 females) for faecal analysis using the Kato-Katz technique. Structured questionnaires were also administered to the participants to ascertain possible transmission risk factors towards the infection. Results show that of the 276 stool specimens examined, 56 (20.1%) were infected with the egg of Schistosoma mansoni, with more males 27/125 (21.6%) infected than females 21/151 (19.2%). Pupils who used the bush for defecation had the highest infection rate (47.5%). Pupils who also responded to using rivers as their main source of water were also more infected (48.9%). The result of this study has revealed the presence of intestinal schistosomiasis in Jebba. Immediate treatment by the infected persons to halt the transmission was carried out. Regular deworming, proper health education, provision of basic social amenities is highly advocated in the study area.
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    The impact of long lasting insecticidal treated nets on malaria parasitaemia among out patients in Shonga, Edu LGA, Kwara State
    (Bayero University, Kano, 2024-08-02) Amaechi,E.C; Nwachukwu,P.C; Lawal,K.A; Mosadoluwa,H.O; Nwadike,C.C; Ezekiel,O.O
    Malaria persists as a critical public health issue in Nigeria. Use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is a widely used intervention tool for malaria control and intervention in most malaria endemic areas.The study was aimed at evaluating the impact of long lasting insecticidal treated nets (LLINs) on malaria parasitaemia among out-patients in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, conducted between January and July 2023. Blood samples of 318 out-patients comprising 143 males and 175 females were analyzed using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. Additionally, structured questionnaires were administered to the patients from whom blood samples were collected in order to obtain information on their LLIN usage. More males (60.1%) were infected than females (35.4%). More of the subjects (85.6%) had knowledge of LLINs. A greater number (94%) acquired their mosquito net from health workers while more respondents (69.4%) were found not to be using their LLIN. Patients who were not using LLINs were more prone to malaria infection (55.7%) as compared to those who used LLINs (16.7%). The study recommends public awareness to educate the community on the correct use of LLINs in Shonga a malaria endemic area.