Browsing by Author "Nyamngee Amase"

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    Emerging Buruli Ulcer Infection and Cultural Beliefs among the Tiv People in North-Central Nigeria
    (The Journal of Anatomical Sciences, 2025) Nyamngee Amase; Sulaiman Mariam Kehinde; Akanbi II Aliyu Ajibola; Anoka Njan; Williams Felicia Esemekiphoraro
    Buruli ulcer is a public health concern particularly where the knowledge about the disease is poor. An advent of an emerging wound ulcer epidemic was reported in North-central Nigeria in 2023. A study was then carried out between December 2023 to August 2024 to determine the prevalence and the knowledge about the infection among the Tiv people of North-central Nigeria who had reported the emerging strange wound ulcer disease. Descriptive epidemiological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and the causative agent of the emerging wound ulcer. Wound swabs were taken from the ulcers for laboratory confirmation that these infections were indeed those caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Of the 1,030 people assessed (392) 38.09 % presented with the wound ulcer, confirmed to be Buruli ulcer caused by M. ulcerans infection (p>0.05). This infection cuts across all ages, occupation, gender, even educational levels and occupations. Traditional (88.6%) and spiritual (59.4%) means of infection were the dominant means by which the people believed the infection can be acquired. Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer) is highly prevalent and fast emerging among the Tiv people of North-central Nigeria. The knowledge about mode of infection and its means of spread is limited and very poor. There is the need for health authorities to intervene, mount health awareness campaigns on the disease, its mode of spread, prevention and control, to ameliorate the sufferings of these people and restore confidence among them. This will help to curb further spread of the infection.
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    Emerging Buruli Ulcer Infection and Cultural Beliefs among the Tiv People in North-Central Nigeria
    (The Journal of Anatomical Sciences, 2025) Nyamngee Amase; Sulaiman Mariam Kehinde; Akanbi II Aliyu Ajibola; Anoka Njan; Williams Felicia Esemekiphoraro
    Buruli ulcer is a public health concern particularly where the knowledge about the disease is poor. An advent of an emerging wound ulcer epidemic was reported in North-central Nigeria in 2023. A study was then carried out between December 2023 to August 2024 to determine the prevalence and the knowledge about the infection among the Tiv people of North-central Nigeria who had reported the emerging strange wound ulcer disease. Descriptive epidemiological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and the causative agent of the emerging wound ulcer. Wound swabs were taken from the ulcers for laboratory confirmation that these infections were indeed those caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Of the 1,030 people assessed (392) 38.09 % presented with the wound ulcer, confirmed to be Buruli ulcer caused by M. ulcerans infection (p>0.05). This infection cuts across all ages, occupation, gender, even educational levels and occupations. Traditional (88.6%) and spiritual (59.4%) means of infection were the dominant means by which the people believed the infection can be acquired. Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer) is highly prevalent and fast emerging among the Tiv people of North-central Nigeria. The knowledge about mode of infection and its means of spread is limited and very poor. There is the need for health authorities to intervene, mount health awareness campaigns on the disease, its mode of spread, prevention and control, to ameliorate the sufferings of these people and restore confidence among them. This will help to curb further spread of the infection.
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    Onchocercal skin disease in Benue state, Nigeria: integrated assessment of burden and psychosocial impact, and associated factors
    (One Health & Implementation Research, 2022-11) Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko; Asen Bem; Abdulkareen Olarewaju Babamale; Rukayat Queen Adegbola; Nyamngee Amase; Carlos Henrique Alencar; Jorg Heukelbach
    Aim: We aimed to measure the degree to which onchocercal skin disease (OSD) impairs quality of life (QoL) in endemic resource-poor communities in the Ushongo, Kwande, and Katsina-ale local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: We evaluated the skin characteristics and QoL of 307 children and adults with OSD using a modified dermatological life quality index (mDLQI). Assessment of OSD was conducted and scored using mDLQI from 0 (no effects) to 18 (large effects). Thereafter, structured questionnaires were applied to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and predictors of moderate and severe OSD patients. Results: In total, 235/307 (76.5%) participants presented onchocercal nodules; chronic papular dermatitis was found in 68 (22.1%). A total of 288 (93.8%) had two or more OSD-associated symptoms. The median mDLQI score was 0 [interquartile range (IQR): 0-0] in children and 5 in adults (IQR: 2-8). A higher mDLQI median score was observed in farmers. There was a statistically significant difference between children and adults (P < 0.001). The most frequently reported impairments were social exclusion, embarrassment/shame, and restriction from work/leisure activities. In logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.21-1.71; P < 0.001) and visual impairment (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.02-3.10; P = 0.040) with severe mDLQI. Papular rash was an independent protective factor (AOR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.27-0.93; P = 0.030). Conclusion: Onchocerciasis-related morbidity has a profound measurable impact on the individual QoL, affecting the overall socioeconomic well-being of the affected community, if left untreated. Therefore, strict supervision and follow-up of home-based mass treatment with ivermectin are vital for successful control of the disease and to reduce the burden on affected communities.
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    Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Pupils in Public Primary Schools at Riverine Areas in North-Central Nigeria Nyamngee Amase1 *; Ahmed H. Sadiya1 , Sulaiman M. Kehinde1 , Akanbi II A. Ajibola2
    (Journal of Bio-Med and Clinical Research, 2025-03-20) Nyamngee Amase; Ahmed H. Sadiya; Sulaiman M. Kehinde; Akanbi II A. Ajibola
    Background: Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called the Schistosomes and do spread within its hosts by contacts with fresh water that is contaminated with the infective cercaria. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among public primary school pupils at Riverine areas in North-central Nigeria. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 1,393 pupils aged 4-12years and analysed using microscopy to detect the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Results: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was significantly high (39.8%), p<0.05 and the egg counts revealed that most of these infections were light infections (≤ 50 eggs/10 mL urine). A comparison of the intensity of infection between light, moderate and high infections was not statistically significant p>0.05. This infection cuts across all age groups with the highest prevalence from the 7-9 years age group. More males were infected compared to female pupils with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of Urinary schistosomiasis was significantly high among primary school pupils in the study area. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including health education about this infection and mass medication to mitigate the burden of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils.