International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol.3 (10), pp. 075-081, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Performance of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system in Zambia: 2000 to 2009- Analysis of secondary data

^*1RUFARO MUREBWA CHIRAMBO, ²KUMAR SRIDUTT BABOO AND ³SETER SIZIYA

 *University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Lusaka, Zambia. National Professional Officer – EPI Surveillance @ World Health Organization, Zambia.

University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, University Teaching Hospital, Po box 50110, Lusaka.

Copperbelt University, School of Medicine, Ndola Central Hospital, P/A, Ndola. Adjunct Professor with the Lusaka University.

E-mail: [email protected]  

Accepted 13 August, 2014

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 descriptive analysis was conducted on secondary AFP surveillance data for the period 2000-2009, consisting of all children aged <15years and performance evaluated using WHO-specified core AFP global surveillance indicators. During this period, a total of 1,452 cases were investigated. Completeness of data from case-based forms was very inadequate. No wild polio viruses were detected in stool samples and the non-polio AFP rate ranged from 1.8 -3.3/100,000 and stool adequacy from 65% - 96%.  There was low Non-Polio Entero virus (NPEV) rate. Although high level surveillance performance was achieved during this period, there were a lot of gaps in the national AFP surveillance data base. Addressing identified gaps could achieve optimal standards recommended by WHO and provide a good model for poliomyelitis eradication.

Key words: Acute flaccid paralysis, Poliomyelitis eradication, core indicators, completeness of data, wild polio virus, Non-polio AFP rate, non-polio entero virus rate. 

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 067-074, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Poor biosecurity in live bird markets in Uganda: A potential risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza disease outbreak in poultry and spread to humans

Halid Kirunda^1*, Hannah Kibuuka^2†, Achilles Byaruhanga^3†, Edison Mworozi^4†, Josephine Bwogi^5†, Lukwago Luswa^6†, Millard Millard^2†, Fred Wabwire-Mangen⁷ and Denis K Byarugaba^8*

¹National Livestock Resources Research Institute,  P.O Box 96, Tororo, Uganda.

²Makerere University Walter Reed Project, P.O. Box 16524,  Kampala, Uganda.

³NatureUganda, The East Africa Natural History Society, P.O. Box 27034, Kampala, Uganda.

⁴Mulago National Referral Hospital, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072,Kampala, Uganda.

⁵Uganda Virus Research Institute, Ministry of Health,P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda.

⁶Epidemiology and Surveillance Division,Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda.

⁷School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

Accepted 2, June 2014

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 accessed by stray animals (97.2%), and had sick and healthy birds (96.3%) or different bird species (86.1%) sold together. Differences in practices occurred among geographical regions and market location. Birds were more likely to be slaughtered in the open in urban compared to rural LBMs (OR=14.6, 95% CI: 1.50 - 142), while selling of un-caged birds was less likely in central compared to western region (OR=0.2, 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.17). Different poultry species confined in the same cage were more likely to be sold in urban (OR=22, 95% CI: 1.14 - 435) compared to rural markets. We conclude that LBMs in Uganda are a potential risk for spread of AI to poultry and humans.

Key words: Biosecurity, live bird markets, avian influenza, environmental hygiene, management practices, segregation measures, traffic control measures.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 059-066, September, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Age and sex trends in the prevalence of obesity among different youth populations in South-East Nigeria

Nwobodo Ed¹, Anikeh LC^1#, Obikili E², Ajeigbe K³, Onwubuya EI⁴, Ejidike H⁵ and Chukwujekwu I⁶

¹Department of Physiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.

²Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine,University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.

³igbenedion University,Okada, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.

⁵Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus,Nigeria.

Accepted 26, May 2014

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 Body Mass Index (BMI). The findings were compared with the data of a cohort of medical school undergraduates (n=131). Approximately 75% and 66% respectively of secondary and tertiary students were underweight. The prevalence of overweight was 3% in secondary and 19% in tertiary student populations. Obesity was less than 1% in both groups. Only 21.99% and 14.52% respectively of the younger and older youth populations had normal BMI. The current mean prevalence of obesity among Nigeria youth populations was <1% while that of overweight was 11%. Underweight had a staggering rate of 70.5%, probably among the highest in the region. Both underweight and overweight have shown a rising trend. Underweight was commoner in females. Data indicates urgent need for containment measures.

Key words: Obesity, overweight, underweight, prevalence, Nigerian, youths, Age/Sex trend.  

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 054-058, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Occurrence of vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) in fresh and fermented milk in Nigeria: A preliminary report

Gali Abaka Umaru^1*, Junaidu Kabir², Veronica J. Umoh³, Mohammed Bello², and Jacob K. P. Kwaga²

^1*Department of Animal Health, College of Agriculture, P.M.B.1025, Jalingo-660001, Taraba State, Nigeria.

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

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

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

Accepted 7, April 2014

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 decrease in the occurrence of the pathogen from  raw milk to pasteurized milk and its absence in yogurt and ‘kidirmo’ suggest that pasteurization and fermentation may have eliminated most of the organisms. The resistance profiles of the VRSA isolates to other antibiotics showed high resistance to penicillin (100%), tetracycline (85%), amoxicillin (65%), methicillin (40%) and oxacillin (40%), but low to amikacin (5%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (10%). None of the isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. The multiple antibiotic resistance index result revealed that 80% of the VRSA were resistant to 3 or more antibiotics. The presence of VRSA coupled with the multple resistance patterns of these isolates are of great concern and also of public health significance. Therefore more studies on the epidemiology of this pathogen in foods are required.

Key words: Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), Fresh Milk, Fermented Milk, Multiple Antibioic Resistance Index (MARI), Preliminary report, Nigeria. 

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 048-053, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Survey on alcohol exposure in relations to behavioral practices, health situations, and academic performances of students in higher institutions of learning in Buea, Cameroon

Ernest E. Fon^1,2, Abiya E. Acha^1,2 and Wilfred A. Abia^2,3

¹Africa Education Initiative (NEF) Club, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O Box 63, SWR, Cameroon.

²Integrated Risk Assessment Initiative of the Integrated Health for All Foundation, Cameroon. PO Box 31717, Yaounde, CR, Cameroon.

³Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein Campus, 2028 Gauteng, South Africa.

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

Accepted 18, June 2014

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 randomly administered to some 280 students. A total of 200 responses (males: 56.5%; females: 43.5%) were obtained from students who consume beer. Beer consumption practices were directly associated with students monthly pocket allowances. Averagely, students who drank beer consumed 1.7 L/day. This may partly justify the observed alcohol intoxication related symptoms including nausea, memory loss, accidents as revealed by survey findings. Generally, beer intake correlated negatively with student’s attitude toward their studies and positively with violence as well as nasty practices such as unconscious sexual behaviours; pointing at risk of HIV infections.  This preliminary survey has for the first time in Cameroon provided data on beer intake and its effects on student’s health, behaviours and attitude towards their education.

Key words: Alcohol, students’, academic performances, behavioural practices, health situations.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 035-047, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of peer education on AIDS knowledge and sexual behavior among youths on national service and secondary school students in Nigeria

Hassan AO¹, Oladeji AO¹, Osinowo K¹,  Ajuwon AJ²,  Atibioke OP¹, Ojomo OA¹, Ehimatie B¹ and Ladipo OA¹

¹ Association for Reproductive and Family Health, 1^st Floor, Millennium Builder’s Plaza, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria.

² Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

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

Accepted December 27, 2013

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 trained as peer educators and among 1005 students who were not. Data were collected in six states namely Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Plateau and Osun using a questionnaire that explored knowledge on HIV and sexual behavior and supplemented by focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Results show that both youths and students who received HPI reported superior knowledge on HIV/AIDS than their counterparts who did not. Students in the intervention sites also reported fewer numbers of multiple sexual partners (9.7%) compared to those in the comparison sites (15.4%). The qualitative data shows that the project had positive effects on both youths and students who received the intervention. Given these positive outcomes, it is recommended that the project should not only be sustained but expanded to reach adolescents who are out of school.

Key words: HIV prevention intervention, Youths on National Service, Adolescents in Secondary Schools, Peer education, Knowledge on HIV.