Browsing by Author "Nwadike,C.C"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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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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    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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    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.