International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

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…

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 evalua…

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 so…

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…

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…

Abstract: Young persons are disproportionately affected by the impact of HIV in Nigeria. This paper presents findings from an evaluation of a national youth HIV prevention program designed to determine the effects of HIV prevention intervention (HPI) on Youths on Compulsory National Service (YoCNS) and Adolescents in Secondary Schools (AiSS). Data were collected from 229 YoCNS who received training on HIV prevention and 231 of their counterparts who did not. Among AiSS, data were collected from 909 respondents who were train…

Abstract: Alcohol has a strong effect on people and can cause major health problems, including liver cirrhosis and injuries in consumer’s bodies. In Cameroon, data on alcohol consumption levels as well as its influences on youth psychology and education are currently non-existing. The aim of this survey was to determine beer consumption patterns amongst students in higher institutions of learning in Buea, Cameroon, in relations to students’ lifestyles, health history and academic performances. Structured questionnaires were…

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the occurrence of vancomycin resistant S. aureus (VRSA) in milk in Nigeria. Fourty seven S. aureus were isolated from the 372 milk samples examined, out of which 20 (5.4%) were vancomycin-resistant. Fifteen (4%) of the VRSA were isolated from raw milk, 4 (1.1%) from bulk milk and 1 (0.3%) from pasteurized milk. No significant difference (P > 0.05) between the occurrence among the study variables was observed, . No VRSA occurred in the yogurt and ‘kindirmo’ samples examined. The de…

Abstract: There is need to continually monitor and document the trends of overweight and underweight in the public health context of developing nations so as to suitably adjust public health strategies and disease management approaches. This study reported the BMI trends of 2 different youth populations in southeast Nigeria. 2732 secondary school students were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and their body mass indices obtained. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight were determined using Bod…

Abstract: Live bird markets (LBMs) are essential for marketing of poultry, but can be a hub for the rapid spread of diseases including avian influenza (AI). We assessed the status of biosecurity in 108 LBMs in 37 districts of Uganda. In all LBMs, carcasses were disposed of in the open and birds were introduced in the markets without initial quarantine. A high proportion of markets lacked a dedicated site for unloading of birds (86.1%) and a programme for disinfection (99.1%), had dirty feed/water troughs (93.5%), were access…

Abstract: Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance was adopted by World Health Organization (WHO) following the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolutions in May 1988, to monitor progress towards poliomyelitis eradication in all member countries. It was introduced in Zambia in 1993, but active AFP surveillance started in 1998. Since then, health workers collect AFP surveillance data, but there is no documented evidence of the review of the performance of the system and epidemiological analysis of the data. A retrospective des…

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 PC…

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 wi…