African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studying physical and sociological environment of malaria to implement an indoor insecticide spraying campaign in Oueme region, Benin

G. G. Padonou^1,2*,G. L. Gbédjissi², H. S. Bankolé ³, H. Noukpo¹, A. Yadouléton¹, M. C. Akogbéto^1,2

¹Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Bénin.

²Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Bénin.

³Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey Calavi (EPAC), Université d’Abomey Calavi, Bénin.

Accepted 10 November, 2018

Abstract

Malaria is among the main problems of public health in Africa. In Benin, indoor residual spraying (IRS) of bendiocarb has been proposed by the National Malaria Control Programme in the districts of Adjohoun, Dangbo, Misserete and Seme to help eradicate the malaria-causing mosquito. Prior to implementing an IRS program, a study of the local physical and sociological environment was assessed to identify the existing limits of this strategy. Cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2008. A total of 3,228 persons (adult male and female heads of household) were included in the study through systematic random sampling procedure for household survey. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied for data collection. The findings showed that the mosquito bite was the most feared (54.4%) for all districts. The most popular practices used for malaria treatment were traditional (56.3%) and modern (43.7%) medicine. IRS was accepted by 98.7% of respondents. Most of the walls (71.5%) were smooth and lend themselves well to the insecticide treatment. Habitats made of bamboo and straw were not appropriate for IRS due to pollution and poisoning risks. Free distribution of insecticide treated nets was the strategy recommended for households of these types of habitat.

Key words: Malaria-causing mosquito, questionnaire-based interview, indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated net, Benin.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Combined intervention of intermittent preventive therapy and long-lasting insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Nigeria

Bamgboye M. Afolabi¹*, Festus Okoh², Bayo S Fatunmbi³, William Komakech³, Oladele Saliu³, Felicia Ewoigbokhan², Aro Modiu², James Ujor² and Marmoud Omo-eboh²

¹Health, Environment and Development Foundation, 34 Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

²National Malaria and Vector Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria.

³World Health Organization (WHO), UN House, Abuja, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 November, 2018

Abstract

Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) prophylaxis and use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated nets (LLINs) are the main interventions recommended by WHO to reduce malaria risks during pregnancy. To assess the degree of coverage against malaria is afforded by treated mosquito net alone or combined with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine among currently pregnant women (cpw) in Nigeria. A population-based cross-sectional household survey conducted in Nigeria in 2007 evaluated single and combined intervention among cpw. Total number of cpw in all the surveyed households was 295 among of which 33% slept under any net and 27% under LLIN. Only 6% took IPT1 and 3% took IPT2. Of those who took IPT1, 47% slept under any net and of those who took IPT1 and IPT2, 33% slept under mosquito net. Cpw in South of Nigeria were twice more likely to sleep under treated nets than their northern counterpart and cpw who slept under treated nets were 4 times more likely to take IPT1 or IPT1 and 2. Combination intervention (CI) of IPT and LLIN use in pregnancy, though desirable, is still low in Nigeria. Aggressive approach to CI and health literacy among women is needed to diminish malaria-attributed maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Malaria control programs should explore the possibility of pregnant women taking SP at home under supervision of Role Model Caregivers.

Key words: Malaria, pregnant women, mosquito nets, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, prevention, community.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (9), pp. 427-439, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Evaluation of microarray technology as a potent tool for malaria eradication in Africa

Victor Chukwudi Osamor

Department of Computer and Information Science (Bioinformatics Unit) College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: vcosamor@gmail.com.

Accepted 12 September, 2017

Abstract

Various mutation assisted drug resistance evolved in Plasmodium falciparum strains and insecticide resistance to female Anopheles mosquito account for major biomedical catastrophes standing against all efforts to eradicate malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is endemic in more than 100 countries and by far the most costly disease in terms of human health causing major losses among many African nations including Nigeria. The fight against malaria is failing and DNA microarray analysis need to keep up the pace in order to unravel the evolving parasite’s gene expression profile which is a pointer to monitoring the genes involved in malaria’s infective metabolic pathway. Huge data is generated and biologists have the challenge of extracting useful information from volumes of microarray data. Expression levels for tens of thousands of genes can be simultaneously measured in a single hybridization experiment and are collectively called a “gene expression profile”. Gene expression profiles can also be used in studying various state of malaria development in which expression profiles of different disease states at different time points are collected and compared to each other to establish a classifying scheme for purposes such as diagnosis and treatments with adequate drugs. This paper examines microarray technology and its application as supported by appropriate software tools from experimental set-up to the level of data analysis. An assessment of the level of microarray technology in Africa, its availability and techniques required for malaria eradication and effective healthcare in Nigeria and Africa in general were also underscored.

Key words: Malaria, microarray, Gene expression profile, Plasmodium falciparum, RNA.

African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 410-416, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the socio-economic factors contributing to malaria risk in Koton Karfe watershed catchment, Nigeria

Ifatimehin, O. O.¹, Laah, J. G.² and Toluhi, O. O.³

¹Department of Geography and Planning, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.

²Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

³Department of Biological Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: lanreifa@yahoo.com. Tel.: 08070802835.

Accepted 07 September, 2017

Abstract

This study adopts ground survey and questionnaire administration to determine environmental and socio-economic factors contributing to malaria risk in Koton Karfe watershed catchment. A health facilty-based survey is carried out to assess tbe ratio of population to health facility. The study reveals that poverty is the overriding risk factor determining the high malaria incidence rate which ranges from 40/1000 per annum to 288/1000 per annum across watershed catchment and prevelant among infants and school age children. The nearest neighbour index of 1.48 suggests the randomness in the spatial distribution of health facilities. The increase in the burden of malaria on the populace may deter the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) if urgent measures to control it by the govern-ment and private/donor agencies are not initiated.

Key word: Malaria, incidence rates, burden, watershed ecology, catchment.