International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 031-034, June 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Post-mortem of the 2007 Plague epidemic in Zambia

Mabvuto Kango

Officer-Health, Population & Nutrition, African Union Commission, HQ, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 December, 2013

Abstract

Zambia’s Petauke district experienced a plague epidemic in 2007, where there were a total of 425 cases and two deaths. What could have contributed to such a large number of cases? Due to the changing rainfall (and other climatic conditions) patterns, outbreaks of diseases such as plague are likely to recur. Identification and sharing of some of the lessons learned can greatly contribute to reducing morbidity and preventing mortality in future. The article presents a Case study of the 2007 Plague Epidemic in Zambia that highlights what went right and what went wrong in responding to the epidemic.

Key words: Zambia, lessons learned, plague, rainfall patterns, outbreak.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 026-030, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Various manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and its relationship with HIV-AIDS

¹Irappa Madabhavi, ²Swaroop Revannasiddaiah and ³Priyanka Das

^1,3Department of Medical & Pediatric oncology, GCRI, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

²Department of Radiotherapy & Clinical Oncology, Swami Rama Cancer Hospital & Research, Institute, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India.

 *Correspondingauthor.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 march, 2014

Abstract 

Tuberculosis is known from ancient times. Recently HIV and Tuberculosis emerged as an important treatable co-epidemic especially in developing countries. Extra-Pulmonary Tubercular involvement is one of the important manifestations of Tuberculosis especially in HIV co-infected patients. But the extra-pulmonary manifestations vary between patients of Tuberculosis with HIV and without HIV co infection. In HIV subgroup lymph node tuberculosis (58.1%) was commonest extra pulmonary presentation with cervical lymph nodes (35.5%) as commonest site. Neurological tuberculosis (32.3%) was second common followed by pleural effusion (29%).  Abdominal tuberculosis (19%) was at fourth place with hepatomegaly and omental mass as commonest clinical finding. Ascites was not seen in any of the patient. None of patients with HIV co infection had skeletal and pericardial involvement. EPTB most commonly affects the younger economically productive section of the society. Co-infection with HIV is an important risk factor. The site of organ involvement in EPTB is different in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected persons. There is higher frequency of disseminated disease among HIV – TB co-infected patients.

Key words: Tuberculosis, HIV, extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) manifestations, co- infection, epidemics.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 017-025, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis 

*¹Charles E. Okafor and ¹Obinna I. Ekwunife

*¹Department of Pharmacy, National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu. PMB 01294, Nigeria.

¹Mopheth Pharmacy, Lagos Nigeria.

*Corresponding Authors. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 02 October, 2013

Abstract

As treatment of HIV infection with antiretroviral medications becomes a reality in sub-Saharan Africa, adherence to treatment regimen becomes a challenge. A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the reported adherence rate in sub-Saharan Africa. Forest plot was used to visualize the extent of heterogeneity among studies. Following the random effect model, the combined adherence percent was 84.31% (95% CI = 79.48% - 88.60%). The Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis provided an alternative statistical method to evaluate pooled proportion and the analysis was similar to the random effect analysis. Identified barriers to adherence include: depression, centralized ART clinic, interruption in drug supply/procurement, stigma, absence of social support, cost of ART, complacency, forgetfulness and medication related problems. Cost of ART (OR = 2.19; 95% CI= 1.65 – 2.90), Complacency (OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 2.89 – 10.80), and medication related problems (OR = 1.68; 95%CI = 1.28 – 2.22) were the strongest barriers to adherence. This study showed a good level of adherence in sub-Saharan Africa. However, barriers to adherence identified in this study could be employed to improve adherence to a near perfect level.

Key words: Adherence, antiretroviral, Sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS, self-reported, meta-analysis.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 007-016, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of pathogenic protozoa infection in humans and their associated risk factors in Benue State, Nigeria

Bernard Ortwer Atu¹, Ifeoma Nancy I. Obijiaku^2* and Sabo Ezemuel Yakubu³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria.

³Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.E-mail:[email protected] .Tel:+2348179502022, +2348037727690

Accepted 21 January, 2014

Abstract

Pathogenic intestinal protozoa have been associated with human gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. This study was designed to determine the prevalence & associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium parvum (CP), Entamoeba histolytica (EH) and Giardia lamblia (GL) infections in people living in the senatorial districts of Benue state (zones A, B and C). A cross-sectional study was designed in which 733 stool samples were collected from out-patients and apparently healthy individuals from homes. Ethical consent was sought and approved before sample collection. Samples were analyzed using the Rida^® Quick immunochromatographic method. A structured questionnaire was administered to subjects to obtain information on their socio-demographic characteristics. The results showed a total prevalence rate of 47.8, 31.5 and 43.9% in zones A, B and C respectively. While source of drinking water was positively associated with protozoa infections in zones A and C, age, hand washing habit and source of food were statistically significant only in zone A (p < 0.05). In zone B, literacy level, household toilet facility and care of fruits significantly increased infection rates (p < 0.05). This study has identified specific risk factors responsible for pathogenic protozoa infections in humans in Benue state.

Key words: Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, risk factors, Benue State, Nigeria.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Frequency of the sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait in Heglig Area- Sudan

Malik Hassan Ibrahim Mustafa^1,2, Elkhazin Ali Abd Elmageed Eltayeb², Tariq Elfatih Elmisbah^1,2 , Habab Merghani Yassin Babiker³ ,Nazar Abdelhafeez Osman Ali³ and Omaima Nasir¹

¹Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Turabah, Taif University , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

²Department of Hematology ,College of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sudan University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 407, Khartoum, Sudan.

³College of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Nelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].Tel. +96628224377, Fax: +96628221115

Accepted 18 July, 2013

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a genetic, hereditary and chronic disease that affects the health of its carriers and might impair their health-related quality of life. The aim of the current study was to determine the sickle cell trait frequency in Sudanese patient living in Heglig area in Western of Southern Kordofan state from November 2008 to February 2009. An analytical, descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted for one hundred participants who had confirmed patient diagnosed as (Hb S disease) homozygosis patient,2-5 mL of venous blood was collected for the measurements of complete blood count, sickling test and Hb electrophoresis. Demographic data and family history were collected in a pre designed questionnaire with written consent all participants. In this study the frequency of sickle cell trait and  sickle cell disease were (52%) and (14%) respectively and 34% were normal. The sickling test showed that 71 % of the study population were negative sickling test, the remaining  29 % were positive.  The total erythrocytes was significantly decreased in sickle cell disease (p< 0.000) compared with normal and sickle cell trait, also the hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were significantly lower than that of normal individuals and sickle cell trait patients. The frequencies of sickle cell trait was higher among the participants and patients of sickle disease showed lower values of red blood cells parameters , but higher values of white blood cells and platelets compared to haemoglobin phenotype AA control participants.

Key words: Sickle cell disease, Frequencies, Haematological values, Heglig , Sudan.  

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 108-113, December, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Disclosure of parental HIV status: Are parents telling their children and what are some factors influencing disclosure- A study from South India

Beena E Thomas, Chandra Suresh, Sujatha V, Vijayalakshmi R, Basilea Watson and Soumya Swaminathan

National Institute for Research In Tuberculosis, Chetpet, Chennai, TamilNadu, India.

*Corresponding author.E-mail:id: [email protected]

Accepted 26 August, 2013

Abstract

In the era of accessible antiretroviral treatment where HIV becomes a chronic disease, disclosure of parental HIV status to children is fraught with challenges. This study seeks to understand if parents disclose their HIV status to their children, and gain insight into some factors that influence disclosure. This is a cross sectional descriptive study on 115 of 136 HIV positive patients attending the outpatient clinic of the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) situated in Chennai, South India. Disclosure was reported by twenty eight respondents (24%) of the respondents with 11(39%) who reported that it was done by them, the rest being unplanned or done by health providers. The most significant variables which influenced disclosure were age of the parents, (Adjusted OR = 14.7 C.I (3.2, 68), p-value: 0.001), divorced /widowed (Adjusted OR = 4.8, C.I (1.1, 22.1), p-value: 0.041) and having children ≥15 years (Adjusted OR = 3.1, C.I :( 1.1, 15.6), p-value: 0.043). It was also found that disclosure was more likely when both parents were positive. (c² =7.481,p<.05). The most repeated reasons for disclosure were to protect their children from risky behavior and to take care of them when ill. Findings point to low rates of disclosure to children among parents living with HIV and complexities around disclosure. Parents require disclosure support services and health care providers need to be sensitized to include these services in HIV intervention programs.

Key words: Disclosure, Parents, HIV Status, children, Challenges.