International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 115-120, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and risk factors of lower reproductive tract infections among women in an Urban Area of China

¹Shenghui Wu*, ²Zhong Liu, ³Zhaomin Liu and ⁴Lap Ah Tse*

¹University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio-Laredo Campus, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Laredo, TX, USA.

²Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN,USA.

^3,4School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.

E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 22 August, 2013

Abstract 

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and the influential risk factors among Chinese women from the poorest families. A face-to-face interview and a gynecological examination were performed for 848 Chinese women from the poorest families. The prevalence of lower RTIs among the poorest women was 53.80%, and cervix presented the most prevalent cite of lower RTIs (46.93%). Women with lower education level [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.09-2.04] and under unemployment (1.47, 1.07-2.01) were associated with significantly increased risk of lower RTIs after adjustment for other covariates. High prevalence of RTIs was associated with low education and unemployment status and perceived poverty was the main reason for not seeking medical consultation for reproductive problems. Specific reproductive health educational promotion programs and adequate services should be offered to this group of disadvantaged women from the lowest socioeconomic class.

Key Words: Reproductive tract infection, poverty, women, prevalence, risk factors.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 110-114, January, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Seroprevalence of Zika virus infection specific IgG in Western and North-Western Provinces of Zambia

Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi¹, Peter Mwaba²,Peter Songolo^1*, Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba-Liwewe¹,Idah Mweene-Ndumba¹,Freddie Masaninga¹,Emmanuel Rudatsikira³ andSeterSiziya⁴

¹World Health Organization, Lusaka, Zambia.

²Ministry of Home Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia.

³School of Health Professions, Andrews University, Michigan, United States of America.

⁴School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia/University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 28 July, 2014

Abstract 

Zika virus infection is an emerging public health problem in Africa and Asia with potential for global spread. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates for Zika virus infection in Western and North-Western provinces of Zambia.  A cross sectional study was conducted in which serum samples were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies against Zika virus.  Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the magnitude of association. Altogether, 3625 participants were recruited of which 46.7% were male and 9.4% were aged <5 years.  The prevalence of Zika infection was 6.1%.Age below 5 years and living in houses that were sprayed with insecticide residual spray were protective factors against the infection (AOR= 64% (AOR=0.36, 95% CI [0.18, 0.72]) and AOR=19% (AOR=0.81, 95% CI [0.66, 0.99], respectively).  Meanwhile, visiting Angola and living in houses with roofs made of grass were associated with increased risk of infection (AOR=1.42, 95% CI [1.06, 1.90] and AOR=2.03 (95% CI [1.24, 3.33], respectively). Zika virus infection is prevalent in Western and North-Western Provinces of Zambia and should be curtailed through strengthening of diseases surveillance, laboratory diagnostic capacities and clinical management of cases.

Key Words: Arboviruses, zika virus infection, seroprevalence, correlates, Zambia.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 107-109, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Risk of typical rabies in dog meat-eating human population, in Enugu, Nigeria

Eze UU¹, Anene BM¹, Chukwu CC¹, Ogunkoya AB², George SO³, Eze JI¹, Animoke PC¹ and Nwosuh CI^4*

¹Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

⁴Rabies Laboratory, Virology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 13, November 2014

Abstract 

This study was designed to ascertain if the rabies virus antigen found among apparently healthy dogs were viable and to which genotype they belong. One hundred and fifty two dog heads were randomly collected from markets and restaurants where dogs are slaughtered and consumed as delicacy in Enugu State, Nigeria. The brain samples from the heads were examined for the presence of rabies virus antigen by direct fluorescent antibody technique, while positive ones were isolated by the mice inoculation test. Viral genotypes of the positive samples were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Out of the one hundred and fifty two dog brain samples examined, six (4) were positive by direct fluorescent antibody technique and mice inoculation test. All the isolates belong to genotype 1 rabies virus. The result of this study showed that some of the apparently healthy dogs slaughtered for meat in Enugu state have classical rabies virus and possibly shed the virus in their saliva without showing obvious clinical signs. This has a serious public health implication and thus calls for a re-evaluation of rabies endemicity in Nigeria.

Key words: Rabies virus, Slaughtered dogs, DFAT, MIT, RT-PCR, Genotyping.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 098-106, January, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and overweight among Taif University Students, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Lotfi Fahmi Issa

Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Al-Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 04 November 2014

Abstract

Obesity and overweight are considered the most rapidly growing form of malnutrition in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and some risk factors of obesity and overweight among Taif university students. A cross-sectional approach was conducted and 1473 male students were selected. A self administered questionnaire included socio-demographic data, different forms of activities, sedentary behaviors, smoking, dietary habits and family history was used for data collection. Body mass index was calculated and categorized according to WHO classification. Prevalence of obesity and overweight were 16.1% and 28.5%, respectively. However, higher prevalence was observed in older students (p=0.00). Higher prevalence was found among students with high family incomemonth (p=0.02), less daily active (p=0.00) and physically inactive students (p=0.03). Moreover, prevalence was more among students consuming non-healthy diet (p=0.00), sleeping less than 8 hoursday (p=0.00) and with family history of obesity (p=0.00). Prevalence was significant among students with highly educated fathers (p=0.01) and low educated mothers (p=0.01). In conclusion, high prevalence of obesity and overweight were recorded among University students. Further studies of large samples representing both sexes as well as health education program on obesity and overweight are highly recommended to the students and their families.

Key words: Prevalence, obesity, overweight, students, University, Saudi Arabia.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (10), pp.089-097, December, 2014.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Refractive error among a sample of Female Primary School Children in Taif City, KSA

Dalia E. Desouky^1,2, Nighat M. and  Tariq-Khan³

¹Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.

²Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufyia University, Egypt.

³Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 19 September, 2014.

Abstract

Refractive error is the most common cause of vision impairment among children, and schools with long period of engagement in vision screening were effective in detecting undiagnosed cases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of refractive error among female primary school children. A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March 2013 using structured questionnaire and visual examination. Visual acuity of 324 students was assessed using the Snellen’s chart. Those with VA 6/12 or less with or without correction in one or both eyes were examined by pinhole test, and an improvement of the VA with pinhole was considered refractive error. The prevalence of RE was 16.4%, and a significant relationship was found between having RE in one side and having a family history of wearing glasses, higher class grades, poor school performance, watching television at a distance less than 3 meters, using internet/ TV daily for more than 3 hours, and indulgence in computer or video games in the other side. The study showed that even in economically advantaged societies, refractive errors can go undetected in children. That is why integration of vision screening for refractive errors into KSA school health programmes is necessary.

Key words: Female, KSA, prevalence, refractive-errors, school-children.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3(10), pp. 082-088, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and Characterization of Salmonella Gallinarum from Outbreaks of Fowl Typhoid in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Paul Habila Mamman¹_, Haruna Makanjuola Kazeem¹, Mashood Abiola Raji¹, Andrew Jonathan Nok³, Jacob Kwada Paghi Kwaga²

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 20 August, 2014.

Abstract

This study was carried out to isolate and characterize the causative agent of fowl typhoid in some outbreaks in chickens. Seventy isolates of Salmonella Gallinarum were recovered from culturing visceral organs and cloacal swabs obtained from 30 different outbreaks affecting 29 poultry farms in 8 parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria within two years, February, 2011 – January, 2013. Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was carried out using primers targeting invA gene which confirmed all isolates as Salmonella. Multiplex PCR was carried out to target glgC and speC genes in order to differentiate between biovars Gallinarum and Pullorum. Results showed that all the isolates possessed both genes, confirming that they were biovar Gallinarum. Ten isolates were selected and characterized by XbaI - Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The selected isolates represented farms in various parts of the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) where outbreaks occurred. Out of these ten isolates, six isolates were chosen from 55 isolates recovered from 22 affected farms in Sabon Gari LGA. Three isolates were chosen from 9 isolates recovered from 5 affected farms in Kaduna North LGA; while 1 isolate was chosen from 5 isolates recovered from the 2 farms affected in Kaduna South LGA. The PFGE profiles showed >78% degree of relatedness among Salmonella isolates. This study provides information that the poultry industry in Kaduna State, Nigeria is still plagued with outbreaks of fowl typhoid caused by closely related Salmonella Gallinarum which were isolated.

Key words: Fowl typhoid, Salmonella Gallinarum, PCR, PFGE, poultry farms, Kaduna State, Nigeria.