Uwem Friday Ekpo

Publications

• 2.08

  Impact points

  Schistosomiasis in infants and pre-school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa: implication for control.

  Uwem F Ekpo, Akinola S Oluwole, Eniola M Abe, Hannah E Etta, Francisca Olamiju, Chiedu F Mafiana

  Parasitology. 02/2012;

  SUMMARYUntil recently, the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa have focused primarily on infections in school-aged children and to a lesser extent on adults. Now there is growing evidence and reports of infection in infants and pre-school-aged children (⩽6 years old) in... [more] SUMMARYUntil recently, the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa have focused primarily on infections in school-aged children and to a lesser extent on adults. Now there is growing evidence and reports of infection in infants and pre-school-aged children (⩽6 years old) in Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda, with reported prevalence from 14% to 86%. In this review, we provide available information on the epidemiology, transmission and control of schistosomiasis in this age group, generally not considered or included in national schistosomiasis control programmes that are being implemented in several sub-Saharan African countries. Contrary to previous assumptions, we show that schistosomiasis infection starts from early childhood in many endemic communities and factors associated with exposure of infants and pre-school-aged children to infection are yet to be determined. The development of morbidity early in childhood may contribute to long-term clinical impact and severity of schistosomiasis before they receive treatment. Consistently, these issues are overlooked in most schistosomiasis control programmes. It is, therefore, necessary to review current policy of schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa to consider the treatment of infant and pre-school-aged children and the health education to mothers.
• 2.05

  Impact points

  Biting behaviour of Simulium damnosum complex and Onchocerca volvulus infection along the Osun River, Southwest Nigeria.

  Monsuru A Adeleke, Chiedu F Mafiana, Sammy O Sam-Wobo, Ganiyu O Olatunde, Uwem F Ekpo, Olaoluwa P Akinwale, Laurent Toe

  Parasites & vectors. 10/2010; 3:93.

  ABSTRACT: Studies on biting behaviours and infectivity status of insect vectors are pre-requisites in understanding the epidemiology of the vector- borne diseases and planning effective control measures. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the transmission index of Simulium damnosum ... [more] ABSTRACT: Studies on biting behaviours and infectivity status of insect vectors are pre-requisites in understanding the epidemiology of the vector- borne diseases and planning effective control measures. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the transmission index of Simulium damnosum complex species along Osun River, South Western Nigeria. Adult flies were collected on human attractants from 07:00 to 18:00 hours for two consecutive days from February 2008 to June 2009 at three communities: Osun Eleja, Osun Ogbere and Osun Budepo. The infectivity rate was determined by dissection and Polymerase Chain Reaction amplification (PCR) of 0-150 genes of Onchocerca parasite using the pool screening technique. The results indicated that the majority of the flies collected at the three sampling points were nulliparous as they accounted for 53.90%, 57.86% and 59.58% of the flies dissected at Osun Budepo, Osun Ogbere and Osun Eleja, respectively. The parous rate was higher during the dry season than the wet season but the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The biting activity of the parous flies showed two peaks at Osun Budepo and three peaks at Osun Eleja and Osun Ogbere. Of the 1,472 flies dissected and 1,235 flies screened by molecular method, none was infected with Onchocerca parasite at the three sampling points however the annual biting rates at the three communities were higher than 1,000 considered as tolerable value for a person living in an onchocerciasis zone by Word Health Organization. The study has provided the baseline data for further study on onchocerciasis transmission dynamics and the need to intercept man- simuliid vector contact at the study area.

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• Biting behaviour of Simulium damnosum complex and Onchocerca volvulus infection along the Osun River, Southwest Nigeria

  Monsuru Adeleke, Chiedu Mafiana, Sammy Sam-Wobo, Ganiyu Olatunde, Uwem Ekpo, Olaoluwa Akinwale, Laurent Toe

  Parasites & Vectors. 01/2010;

  Abstract Background Studies on biting behaviours and infectivity status of insect vectors are pre-requisites in understanding the epidemiology of the vector- borne diseases and planning effective control measures. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the transmission index of Simulium... [more] Abstract Background Studies on biting behaviours and infectivity status of insect vectors are pre-requisites in understanding the epidemiology of the vector- borne diseases and planning effective control measures. A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the transmission index of Simulium damnosum complex species along Osun River, South Western Nigeria. Adult flies were collected on human attractants from 07:00 to 18:00 hours for two consecutive days from February 2008 to June 2009 at three communities: Osun Eleja, Osun Ogbere and Osun Budepo. The infectivity rate was determined by dissection and Polymerase Chain Reaction amplification (PCR) of 0-150 genes of Onchocerca parasite using the pool screening technique. Results The results indicated that the majority of the flies collected at the three sampling points were nulliparous as they accounted for 53.90%, 57.86% and 59.58% of the flies dissected at Osun Budepo, Osun Ogbere and Osun Eleja, respectively. The parous rate was higher during the dry season than the wet season but the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The biting activity of the parous flies showed two peaks at Osun Budepo and three peaks at Osun Eleja and Osun Ogbere. Of the 1,472 flies dissected and 1,235 flies screened by molecular method, none was infected with Onchocerca parasite at the three sampling points however the annual biting rates at the three communities were higher than 1,000 considered as tolerable value for a person living in an onchocerciasis zone by Word Health Organization. Conclusion The study has provided the baseline data for further study on onchocerciasis transmission dynamics and the need to intercept man- simuliid vector contact at the study area.
• 2.05

  Impact points

  Urinary schistosomiasis among preschool children in a rural community near Abeokuta, Nigeria.

  Uwem F Ekpo, Akintunde Laja-Deile, Akinola S Oluwole, Sammy O Sam-Wobo, Chiedu F Mafiana

  Parasites & vectors. 01/2010; 3:58.

  ABSTRACT: The control of schistosomiasis in Nigeria is mainly by mass treatment with praziquantel through the school system, with an absence of any provision for pre-school children. We therefore determined the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school children between the ag... [more] ABSTRACT: The control of schistosomiasis in Nigeria is mainly by mass treatment with praziquantel through the school system, with an absence of any provision for pre-school children. We therefore determined the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school children between the ages of 1-6 years in Ilewo-Orile a rural and endemic community, near Abeokuta, Nigeria as part of providing information on the neglected tropical diseases among this age group. Two urine samples were collected from each pre-school child. The samples were tested for microhaematuria using reagent strips and then processed and examined with a microscope for Schistosoma haematobium ova. Of the 167 children examined 97 (58.1%) had infection, with no significant difference (P = 0.809) in infection rates between boys (57.1%) and girls (59.2%). Both prevalence and intensity of infection did not increase significantly with age (P = 0.732). The overall geometric mean egg count was 1.17 eggs/10 ml urine. There was no significant association (P = 0.387) between intensity in boys (1.16 eggs/10 ml urine) and girls (1.19 eggs/10 ml urine). 47.4% of the children had microhaematuria which did not increase significantly with age (P = 0.526). Focus group discussions with guardians and caregivers revealed that infection of pre-school children early in life was due to exposures through bathing in the stream by their mothers, while the older children would visit the stream for washing, fetching of water, bathing and swimming. Community participatory health education is needed in this community as a first step in reducing infection and transmission of the disease, while the rehabilitation and repair of the existing water borehole system in the community should be effected. The results of this study have shown that pre-school children also harbour infection and are a source of transmission of schistosomiasis in endemic communities. Planning and provision for their treatment should be considered in control programmes.

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• 2.05

  Impact points

  Preliminary study on temporal variations in biting activity of Simulium damnosum s.l. in Abeokuta North LGA, Ogun State Nigeria.

  Akinola Oluwole, Uwem Ekpo, Chiedu Mafiana, Clement Adeofun, Olufunmilayo Idowu

  Parasites & vectors. 11/2009; 2(1):55.

  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Simulum damnosum Theobald sensu lato (s.l.) is the vector of the parasitic filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus Leuckart which causes onchocerciasis. In order to understand the vector population dynamics, a preliminary 12 months entomological evaluation was carried out at Abeokuta... [more] ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Simulum damnosum Theobald sensu lato (s.l.) is the vector of the parasitic filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus Leuckart which causes onchocerciasis. In order to understand the vector population dynamics, a preliminary 12 months entomological evaluation was carried out at Abeokuta, the Southwest Zone of Nigeria, an onchocerciasis endemic area, where vector control has not been previously initiated. S.damnosum s.l. flies were caught on human attractants between 700 to1800 hours each day, for 4 days each month, from August 2007 to July 2008. The flies caught were classified as either forest-dwelling or savanna-dwelling groups based on the colour of certain morphological characters. Climatic data such as rainfall, humidity and temperature were also collected monthly during the period of survey. RESULTS: A total of 1,139 flies were caught, 596 (52.33%) were forest-dwelling group while 543 (47.67%) were savanna-dwelling group of S. damnosum s.l. The highest percentage of forest-dwelling group was caught in the month of August 2007 (78.06%) and the least percentage of forest-dwelling groups was caught in November 2007 (8.14%). The highest percentage of savannah-dwelling group was caught in the month of November 2007 (91.86%) and the least percentage of savannah-dwelling group was caught in August 2007 (21.94%). There was no significant difference between the population of forest and savannah-dwelling groups of the fly when the means of the fly population were compared (P=0.830).Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between monthly fly population with monthly average rainfall (r =0.550, n=12, P=0.033), but no significant relationship with monthly average temperature (r =0.291, n=12, P=0.179). There was also a significant relationship between monthly fly population and monthly average relative humidity (r =0.783, n=12 P=0.001). There was no significant correlation between the population of forest-dwelling group of S. damnosum s.l. and monthly average rainfall (r=0.466, n=12, P=0.064) and monthly average temperature (r =0.375, n=12, P=0.115) but there was significant correlation with monthly average relative humidity (r=0.69, n=12, P=0.006). There was significant correlation between savannah-dwelling group and monthly average rainfall (r=0.547, n=12, P=0.033), and monthly average relative humidity (r=0.504, n=12, P=0.047) but there was no significant correlation with monthly average temperature (r=0.142, n=12, P=0.329) CONCLUSION: The results from this study showed that both the forest and the savannah dwelling groups of S. damnosum s.l. were caught biting in the study area. This could have implications on the transmission and epidemiology of human onchocerciasis if not monitored.
• 1.54

  Impact points

  Changing lifestyle and prevalence of malnutrition among setled pastoral Fulani children in Southwest Nigeria.

  Uwem F Ekpo, Akin Omotayo, Morenike Dipeolu

  Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM. 01/2009; 15(2):187-91.

  This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional study on the growth of Fulani children, aged 6 months-15 years, living in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States, South western Nigeria. This population of Fulani are fully settled pastoralists whose economy and culture are now centred on cattle and farming. T... [more] This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional study on the growth of Fulani children, aged 6 months-15 years, living in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States, South western Nigeria. This population of Fulani are fully settled pastoralists whose economy and culture are now centred on cattle and farming. There is a dearth of information on the prevalence of malnutrition in this group. We measured the heights and weights of 164 girls and 167 boys and determined their anthropometric indices, height-for-age (HA), weight-for-height (WH), and weight-for-age (WA) Z-scores. The prevalence of stunting (HAZ < -2), wasting (WHZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < - 2) was 38.7 % , 13.6 % , and 38.7 % , respectively, when compared to the reference NC HS WHO standard used for defining stunting, wasting and underweight. Boys were more malnourished than girls, but this was not statistically significant (stunting: chi(2)=0.36; df=1; p=0.54); (underweight: chi(2)=1.10; df=1; p=0.29); and (wasting: chi(2)=0.00; df=1; p=0.98) The mean of Z- scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height in the study population were -1.502, -1.634 and - 0.931, respectively. The SD was 1.52, 1.09 and 1.20, respectively. Using WHO Malnutrition Classification systems, 38.7 % of the children were found to be malnourished. It was concluded that malnutrition among children in this population could be linked to changing food habits and lifestyle from nomadic to sedentary living.
• 2.55

  Impact points

  Geographical information system and predictive risk maps of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Uwem F Ekpo, Chiedu F Mafiana, Clement O Adeofun, Adewale Rt Solarin, Adewumi B Idowu

  BMC infectious diseases. 02/2008; 8:74.

  BACKGROUND: The control of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria remains inert due to lack of reliable data on the geographical distribution of the disease and the population at risk. To help in developing a control programme, delineating areas of risk, geographical information system and r... [more] BACKGROUND: The control of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria remains inert due to lack of reliable data on the geographical distribution of the disease and the population at risk. To help in developing a control programme, delineating areas of risk, geographical information system and remotely sensed environmental images were used to developed predictive risk maps of the probability of occurrence of the disease and quantify the risk for infection in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: Infection data used were derived from carefully validated morbidity questionnaires among primary school children in 2001-2002, in which school children were asked among other questions if they have experienced "blood in urine" or urinary schistosomiasis. The infection data from 1,092 schools together with remotely sensed environmental data such as rainfall, vegetation, temperature, soil-types, altitude and land cover were analysis using binary logistic regression models to identify environmental features that influence the spatial distribution of the disease. The final regression equations were then used in Arc View 3.2a GIS software to generate predictive risk maps of the distribution of the disease and population at risk in the state. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis shows that the only significant environmental variable in predicting the presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in any area of the State was Land Surface Temperature (LST) (B = 0.308, p = 0.013). While LST (B = -0.478, p = 0.035), rainfall (B = -0.006, p = 0.0005), ferric luvisols (B = 0.539, p = 0.274), dystric nitosols (B = 0.133, p = 0.769) and pellic vertisols (B = 1.386, p = 0.008) soils types were the final variables in the model for predicting the probability of an area having an infection prevalence equivalent to or more than 50%. The two predictive risk maps suggest that urinary schistosomiasis is widely distributed and occurring in all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in State. The high-risk areas (>/= 50% prevalence) however, are confined to scatter foci in the north western part of the State. The model also estimated that 98.99% of schools aged children (5-14 years) are living in areas suitable for urinary schistosomiasis transmission and are at risk of infection. CONCLUSION: The risk maps developed will hopefully be useful to the state health officials, by providing them with detailed distribution of urinary schistosomiasis, help to delineate areas for intervention, assesses population at risk thereby helping in optimizing scarce resources.

• Prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children in Southwest Nigeria.

  Uwem F Ekpo, Akin M Omotayo, Morenike A Dipeolu

  BMC research notes. 01/2008; 1:7.

  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the health of pastoral Fulani children living in southwestern Nigeria. These are fully settled pastoralists whose economy are centred on cattle and farming. In other to monitor and plan appropriate nutritional intervention for their children,... [more] ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the health of pastoral Fulani children living in southwestern Nigeria. These are fully settled pastoralists whose economy are centred on cattle and farming. In other to monitor and plan appropriate nutritional intervention for their children, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malnutrition of pastoral Fulani children. FINDINGS: Fulani's children aged 6 months to 15 years, living in 61 settlements in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States in Southwestern Nigeria participated in the study. Heights and weights of 164 girls and 167 boys were measured. Their anthropometric indices, height-for-age (HA), weight-for-height (WH), and weight-for-age (WA) Z-scores determined. The prevalence of stunting (HAZ < -2), wasting (WHZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < -2) was 38.7%, 13.6%, and 38.7%, respectively when compared to the reference NCHS/WHO standard used for defining stunting, wasting and underweight. Boys were more malnourished than the girls were, but this was not significant (stunting: chi2 = 0.36; df = 1; P = 0.54); (underweight: chi2 = 1.10; df = 1; P = 0.29); and (wasting: chi2 = 0.00; df = 1; P = 0.98) The mean of Z-scores of Height-for-age, Weight-for-age and Weight-for-height in children were -1.502, -1.634 and -0.931 respectively. The SD was 1.52, 1.09 and 1.20 respectively. Using WHO Malnutrition Classification systems, 38.7% of the children were found to be malnourished. CONCLUSION: These results indicate high prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children, possibly due to changes in food habits and lifestyle occasion by the transition from nomadic to sedentary living. We suggest the inclusion of Fulani's settlements in nutritional intervention for these areas.

• Prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children in Southwest Nigeria

  Uwem Ekpo, Akin Omotayo, Morenike Dipeolu

  BMC Research Notes. 01/2008;

  Abstract Background There is a dearth of information on the health of pastoral Fulani children living in southwestern Nigeria. These are fully settled pastoralists whose economy are centred on cattle and farming. In other to monitor and plan appropriate nutritional intervention for their children,... [more] Abstract Background There is a dearth of information on the health of pastoral Fulani children living in southwestern Nigeria. These are fully settled pastoralists whose economy are centred on cattle and farming. In other to monitor and plan appropriate nutritional intervention for their children, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malnutrition of pastoral Fulani children. Findings Fulani's children aged 6 months to 15 years, living in 61 settlements in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States in Southwestern Nigeria participated in the study. Heights and weights of 164 girls and 167 boys were measured. Their anthropometric indices, height-for-age (HA), weight-for-height (WH), and weight-for-age (WA) Z-scores determined. The prevalence of stunting (HAZ < -2), wasting (WHZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < -2) was 38.7%, 13.6%, and 38.7%, respectively when compared to the reference NCHS/WHO standard used for defining stunting, wasting and underweight. Boys were more malnourished than the girls were, but this was not significant (stunting: χ²= 0.36; df = 1; P = 0.54); (underweight: χ²= 1.10; df = 1; P = 0.29); and (wasting: χ²= 0.00; df = 1; P = 0.98) The mean of Z-scores of Height-for-age, Weight-for-age and Weight-for-height in children were -1.502, -1.634 and -0.931 respectively. The SD was 1.52, 1.09 and 1.20 respectively. Using WHO Malnutrition Classification systems, 38.7% of the children were found to be malnourished. Conclusion These results indicate high prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children, possibly due to changes in food habits and lifestyle occasion by the transition from nomadic to sedentary living. We suggest the inclusion of Fulani's settlements in nutritional intervention for these areas.
• 4.69

  Impact points

  Helminthiasis and hygiene conditions of schools in ikenne, ogun state, Nigeria.

  Uwem Friday Ekpo, Simon Nnayere Odoemene, Chiedu Felix Mafiana, Sammy Olufemi Sam-Wobo

  PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 01/2008; 2(1):e146.

  BACKGROUND: A study of the helminth infection status of primary-school children and the hygiene condition of schools in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was undertaken between November 2004 and February 2005 to help guide the development of a school-based health programme. METHODS... [more] BACKGROUND: A study of the helminth infection status of primary-school children and the hygiene condition of schools in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was undertaken between November 2004 and February 2005 to help guide the development of a school-based health programme. METHODS AND FINDINGS: THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED: two government-owned schools (one urban and the other rural) and one urban private school. No rural private schools existed to survey. A total of 257 schoolchildren aged 4-15 y, of whom 146 (56.8%) were boys and 111 (43.2%) were girls, took part in the survey. A child survey form, which included columns for name, age, sex, and class level, was used in concert with examination of stool samples for eggs of intestinal helminths. A school survey form was used to assess the conditions of water supply, condition of latrines, presence of soap for handwashing, and presence of garbage around the school compound. The demographic data showed that the number of schoolchildren gradually decreased as their ages increased in all three schools. The sex ratio was proportional in the urban school until primary level 3, after which the number of female pupils gradually decreased, whereas in the private school, sexes were proportionally distributed even in higher classes. The prevalence of helminth infection was 54.9% of schoolchildren in the urban government school, 63.5% in the rural government school, and 28.4% in the urban private school. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent species, followed by Trichuris trichiura, Taenia species, and hookworm in the three schools. Prevalence of infection in the government-owned schools was significantly higher than in the private school (chi(2) = 18.85, df = 2, p<0.0005). A survey of hygiene conditions in the three schools indicated that in the two government schools tapwater was unavailable, sanitation of latrines was poor, handwashing soap was unavailable, and garbage was present around school compounds. In the private school, in contrast, all hygiene indices were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that burden of parasite infections and poor sanitary conditions are of greater public health importance in government-owned schools than in privately owned schools. School health programmes in government-owned schools, including deworming, health education, and improvement of hygiene conditions are recommended.

• Geographical information system and predictive risk maps of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria

  Uwem Ekpo, Chiedu Mafiana, Clement Adeofun, Adewale Solarin, Adewumi Idowu

  BMC Infectious Diseases. 01/2008;

  Abstract Background The control of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria remains inert due to lack of reliable data on the geographical distribution of the disease and the population at risk. To help in developing a control programme, delineating areas of risk, geographical information sy... [more] Abstract Background The control of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria remains inert due to lack of reliable data on the geographical distribution of the disease and the population at risk. To help in developing a control programme, delineating areas of risk, geographical information system and remotely sensed environmental images were used to developed predictive risk maps of the probability of occurrence of the disease and quantify the risk for infection in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods Infection data used were derived from carefully validated morbidity questionnaires among primary school children in 2001–2002, in which school children were asked among other questions if they have experienced "blood in urine" or urinary schistosomiasis. The infection data from 1,092 schools together with remotely sensed environmental data such as rainfall, vegetation, temperature, soil-types, altitude and land cover were analysis using binary logistic regression models to identify environmental features that influence the spatial distribution of the disease. The final regression equations were then used in Arc View 3.2a GIS software to generate predictive risk maps of the distribution of the disease and population at risk in the state. Results Logistic regression analysis shows that the only significant environmental variable in predicting the presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in any area of the State was Land Surface Temperature (LST) (B = 0.308, p = 0.013). While LST (B = -0.478, p = 0.035), rainfall (B = -0.006, p = 0.0005), ferric luvisols (B = 0.539, p = 0.274), dystric nitosols (B = 0.133, p = 0.769) and pellic vertisols (B = 1.386, p = 0.008) soils types were the final variables in the model for predicting the probability of an area having an infection prevalence equivalent to or more than 50%. The two predictive risk maps suggest that urinary schistosomiasis is widely distributed and occurring in all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in State. The high-risk areas (≥ 50% prevalence) however, are confined to scatter foci in the north western part of the State. The model also estimated that 98.99% of schools aged children (5–14 years) are living in areas suitable for urinary schistosomiasis transmission and are at risk of infection. Conclusion The risk maps developed will hopefully be useful to the state health officials, by providing them with detailed distribution of urinary schistosomiasis, help to delineate areas for intervention, assesses population at risk thereby helping in optimizing scarce resources.
• 2.33

  Impact points

  Urinary schistosomiasis in preschool children in settlements around Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria: implications for control.

  C F Mafiana, U F Ekpo, D A Ojo

  Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH. 01/2003; 8(1):78-82.

  We determined the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in preschool children below the age of 5 years in three settlements around Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria. Of 209 children screened, 150 (71.8%) had an infection, with no significant difference between males and females; 42.9% of infants... [more] We determined the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in preschool children below the age of 5 years in three settlements around Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria. Of 209 children screened, 150 (71.8%) had an infection, with no significant difference between males and females; 42.9% of infants were infected. Both prevalence and intensity of infection increased significantly with age (P < 0.005). Most (62.7%) infections were light (<50 eggs/10 ml urine). A 17.7 percentage of the children had visible haematuria, which increased with age (P < 0.005). Focus group discussions (FGDs) with adult men and women revealed that infection in preschool children was primarily because of exposure occasioned by the mothers' domestic (washing and bathing) and occupational (fishing) activities, while older children could go swimming on their own. Although the participants claimed that using a different water supply may not be effective in combating the disease, as their entire existence was tied to the reservoir, we propose that health education geared towards changing behaviour and attitudes is necessary. As preschool children are a source of both contamination and transmission, control programmes must take them into account.
• 1.37

  Impact points

  Gender issues in the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC).

  L Clemmons, U V Amazigo, A C Bissek, M Noma, U Oyene, U Ekpo, J Msuya-Mpanju, S Katenga, A Sékétéli

  Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology. 04/2002; 96 Suppl 1:S59-74.

  This paper reviews the issues relating to compliance and participation among the men and women of three countries within the remit of the African Programme for the Control of Onchocerciasis (APOC): Cameroon, Nigeria and Tanzania. Project-monitoring data from 109 focus-group discussions, 6069 househo... [more] This paper reviews the issues relating to compliance and participation among the men and women of three countries within the remit of the African Programme for the Control of Onchocerciasis (APOC): Cameroon, Nigeria and Tanzania. Project-monitoring data from 109 focus-group discussions, 6069 household-survey respondents and 89 interviews with ivermectin distributors were analysed to gain an insight into the attitudes and behaviours of men and women in relation to ivermectin treatment and their participation in the programme. Although there are no statistically significant gender differences in coverages for ivermectin treatment, culturally prescribed gender relationships influence the ways in which men and women express and experience treatment-related behaviours. Gender roles also affect participation in the programme. Decision-making in communities on the selection of distributors tends to follow socio-cultural hierarchies based upon patriarchy and gerontocracy. Relatively few ivermectin distributors (21%) are women. Although they receive less support than their male counterparts, the female distributors are just as willing to continue ivermectin distribution in the community, and they perform as well or better than men in this regard. The terms 'community-directed', 'community participation' and even 'compliance' obfuscate important gender differences that are inherent in the implementation of onchocerciasis control. Development of strategies that recognize these gender differences will have important implications for long-term adherence to treatment and for the overall quality and sustainability of the programme.

• Preliminary study on temporal variations in biting activity of Simulium damnosum s.l. in Abeokuta North LGA, Ogun State Nigeria

  Akinola S Oluwole, Uwem F Ekpo, Chiedu F Mafiana, Clement O Adeofun, Olufunmilayo A Idowu