International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and constraints of typhoid fever and its control in an endemic area of Singida region in Tanzania: Lessons for effective control of the diseas

Allen Malisa* and Honest Nyaki

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Accepted 09 April, 2018

Abstract

Typhoid fever (TF) is an important communicable disease that is endemic to Tanzania, quite often complicated with malaria co- infection leading to diagnostic complications and significant mortality. Despite considerable control efforts, the disease continues to persist in Singida urban leading to significant morbidity and mortality. This paper retrospectively examines morbidity and mortality trend of typhoid infection for the past five years in Singida urban. By using questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and direct observational methods, the authors report interview results of 120 respondents from the study community, regarding their awareness of TF and its control methods. Results showed that, the TF prevalence records revealed a fluctuating trend with annual incidence rate of 580 – 1,400/100,000 persons, and an overall increase from 771 – 942 cases/100,000 persons (p 0.0001) between 2003 and 2007. While 88% of the respondents were aware of TF disease, 53% were unaware of its control methods. The study also revealed an acute shortage of diagnostic laboratory services which indicated that, 75% of health facilities had no such services. In adequate knowledge about personal hygiene, scarcity or lack of access to safe water, improper drainage systems and problems of unsanitary toilets in Singida urban were some of the obstacles to effective TF control. Effective TF control measures in the study district, as in other areas in the tropics, requires integration of intensive health education as a public health tool, provision and access to safe water supply and adequate strengthening of health systems.

Key words: Typhoid fever, prevalence, Singida urban, control measures.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis and genital colonization by CANDIDA  species in Nigeria

G. T. A. Jombo^1*, S. O. Opajobi², D. Z. Egah², E. B. Banwat² and P. Denen Akaa³

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University P. M. B. 102119 Makurdi, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 2076 Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

³Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 May, 2018

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common clinical finding among women especially the sexually active group, even though there has been a sustained increase in both the variety and potency of antifungal drugs over the past three decades. The disease apparently appears not to have sufficiently yielded to these breakthroughs nevertheless. The study was therefore set up to ascertain the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among women in Jos. The study was retrospective in nature: Data generated from analysis of endocervical and high vaginal swab (ECS/HVS) specimens by the Microbiology laboratory of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for a period of five years (July 1999 - June 2004) was compiled. Samples were collected, transported, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. Additional information was obtained from patients’ case notes in the records department. Results were analyzed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. The prevalence of CANDIDA infection was found to be 29.1% (n = 2458); no isolate was recovered from those less than 10 years of age, while the peak age-group of infection was 30 - 39 years 11.8% (n = 997); the age-group 20 - 49 years accounted for over 25% of the entire infections. Common clinical manifestations were: Nil symptoms, 24.7% (n = 607); itching and rashes, 29.4% (n = 723). Due to the importance of the results, sex education workshops should be conducted for adolescents and young adults in order to educate them on the clinical importance of candidal infections.

Key words: Candida species, colonization, female, vaginal.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Priority families for health care according to family socio-demographic risks

Doa’a Ahmed Saleh*, Sahar Yassin, Hend Aly Sabry and Madiha Said Abdelrazik

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

Accepted 16 May, 2018

Abstract

Socio-economic inequalities have been shown to be associated with disease burden in developing as well as developed countries. The aim of the study was (1) to test the association between family socio-demographic risks and health problems, and (2) to identify a “family sociodemographic risk line” above which families are at significant risk of developing health problems. A cross sectional community-based study was conducted in two districts in Cairo, Egypt. Socio-demographic status was assessed for 5400 families by a family socio-demographic risk score (FSRS) calculated according to the crowding index, family size, age and sex structure, education, economic dependency, smoking and addiction. The continuous FSRS (range: 0 - 12) was transformed into 5 quintiles. Association between FSRS and 21 health problems was done for the studied families using unconditional logistic regression analysis. It was found that increased FSRS was associated with a progressive increase in the prevalence of family health problems. The risk of health problems was significantly higher for the 5^th compared to the 1^st FSRS quintile families (odds ratio: 1.8 and 95% confidence interval: 1.41 – 2.35) which represented about 15% (784/5400) of the studied families. These would be considered the priority families for health services. Thus, the FSRS “7” was considered the “family socio-demographic risk line”.

Key words: Socioeconomic status, family socio-demographic risk, health problems, health status, risk line.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Logistic support available for timely collection of data and its association with poor reporting of epidemics in two Southwestern states in Nigeria

M. D. Dairo, J. O. Bamidele and W. O. Adebimpe

Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 April, 2018

Abstract

Disease surveillance has been recognized as an effective strategy in the control and prevention of diseases most especially communicable diseases. An effective surveillance system allows early intervention for the prevention and reduction of the mortality and morbidity that may result from epidemics of communicable diseases. This study assesses the adequacy of training of disease surveillance and notification officers (DSN) officers and identifies the logistic factors that may hinder their effective functioning in the local government areas in the Ekiti and Osun States in Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study of the disease surveillance and notification officers in Osun and Ekiti states of Nigeria was carried out. Total sampling was done. Questionnaires sought information on demographic data, regularity of reporting and the availability of logistic facilities in the respective local government areas (LGAs). Out of 42 DSN officers surveyed, 38 (90.5%) were medical records officers. 32 (76.2%) had appropriate training in disease surveillance and notification. Most had received training from the WHO. Over 90% knew the process of reporting. 45.8% reported that there were penalties for defaulting officers. Logistic support was inadequate in more than half of the local governments surveyed. Inadequate funds and lack of surveillance forms were significantly associated with reporting of outbreaks by the officers. Only 13 of the officers had ever recorded episodes of epidemics in their LGAs. Majority of DSN officers had appropriate training on disease surveillance, reporting and notification. However, logistics for effective functioning was poor. Local and state governments need to put more effort into provision of logistic support for their DSN Officers to sustain the apparent improvement in surveillance activities.

Key words: Surveillance, logistic support, training, epidemics.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Zoonotic tuberculosis: A review of epidemiology, clinical presentation, prevention and control

Nwanta John Anaelom¹, Onunkwo Joseph Ikechukwu¹, Ezema Wilfred Sunday² and Umeononigwe Chukwunonso Nnaemeka¹

¹Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 2 April, 2018

Abstract

The current increasing incidence of tuberculosis in humans, particularly in immunocompromised persons, has given a renewed interest in the zoonotic importance of Mycobacterium bovis, especially in developing countries. The roles of meat and milk, the commonest source of protein to man, in the transmission of the disease remain significant. Due to the grave consequences of M. bovis infection on animal and human health, it is necessary to introduce rigorous control measures to reduce the risk of the disease in human and animal populations. The institution of proper food hygiene practices and stronger intersectoral collaboration between the medical and veterinary professions is vital to the control of the disease.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, cattle, human, developing countries, control.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 7 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and epidemiology of pandemic H1N1 strains in hospitals of Eastern India

Anupam Mukherjee¹, Tapasi Roy¹, Anurodh S Agrawal¹, Mehuli Sarkar¹, Renu Lal², Sekhar Chakrabarti¹ and Mamta Chawla-Sarkar¹*

¹National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata, Kolkata, India.

²CDC Influenza Coordinator, Global Disease Detection Program, New Delhi, India.

Accepted 21 March, 2018

Abstract

A novel Influenza A (pH1N1) virus which emerged in April, 2009, spread rapidly across the continents to become pandemic by June, 2009. In Eastern India, testing for influenza was initiated in June, 2009 and continued through July, 2010 to determine prevalence and epidemiological character of circulating pandemic H1N1 strain. Real time PCR was done on nasal and throat swab samples of patients with influenza like symptoms of those who sought medical care in local government hospitals. Of 2971 patients tested, 382 (12.86%) were positive for influenza A and 103 (3.47%) for influenza B. Of 382 influenza A positives, 284 (74.35%) and 98 (25.65%) were subtyped as pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) and seasonal H1N1 and H3N2, respectively. The novel pH1N1 virus followed typical influenza seasonality in Eastern India and revealed a unimodal peak in July and August, correlating with the rainy season. Most of the positive cases presented with mild ILI symptoms with minimal serious complications. Though four deaths were attributed to pH1N1 infection in 2010, all four had underlying serious medical complications. Infection rate was highest in age group of >55 years followed by 5 - <18 years of age group.

Key words: Pandemic, H1N1, influenza.