ISSN 2736-173X
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 030-036, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the perception and attitude of people about malaria prevention in Ndu community of Cameroon
*1Toguo Alex Enow, Yazid Abanda Kome2, Beni Wes Eriq3, Etone Serge Patrick4, Alphonse Afana Ernest5 and Petit Peter Benoit5
1Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Medicine Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon. 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
4 School of Child and adolescent Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
5Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
*Corresponding Author. E-mail: toguoa.lex123@gmail.com
Accepted 9 December, 2013
Abstract
More than 90% of deaths due to malaria occur in Sub-Saharan Africa where it kills a child below five years every 30seconds. In Cameroon, malaria accounts for 40-45% of medical consultations, 57% of hospitalization days and 40% of mortality among children below 5 years. The objective of this study was to understand how people recognize malaria, its cause, prevention and modifiable risky behaviours that are important in planning approaches for its control. Questionnaire was administered to inhabitants of Ndu in a cross-sectional study. The respondent’s consent was sought and those who could not read, write or understand English language were communicated to in the local ‘Limbum’ dialect. Data was analysed using SPSS. Majority (97.6%) [95% confidence interval (CI): 95.7-99.5%] of the 253 respondents knew at least a symptom of malaria. The commonest symptom mentioned was headache (15%). Seventy (27.7%) participants knew the cause of malaria to be mosquito bites. Incorrect causes of malaria cited included bad whether (9.5%), curse from an elder (7.1%), witchcraft (3.5%), bad food (9.0%), unclean water (5.9%) and drinking alcoholics (2.4%). 153(60.5%) [95% CI:54.5-66.5%]respondents practiced a correct malaria preventive measure. Prominent correct preventive measures stated included environmental sanitation (21.3%), aerosol insecticides (10.3%), mosquito coil (7.9%), chemoprophylaxis (5.9%), mosquito net (1.2%) and traditional medicines (13.8%).Incorrect malaria preventive methods included avoiding the early morning hot sunrays (9.5%). Malaria prevention was related to the educational status of the participants (p=0.04). Proper health education messages on malaria determinants are required to improve upon the understanding of the disease.
Keywords: Malaria, knowledge, practices, cause, signs and symptoms, prevention, Cameroon.
Yazid Abanda Kome, Alphonse Afana Ernest and Petit Peter Benoit, Etone Serge Patrick, *Toguo Alex Enow, Beni Wes Eriq
Page: 30 - 36
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 046-051, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An evaluation of the larval toxicity, fecundity and mosquito longevity in Coimbatore, India
*Naresh L. kumar, Murugan N. W, Shobana J. O and D. Abirami
Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore – 641 046, India
Accepted 16 March, 2014
Abstract
In India, the most important diseases transmitting mosquitoes belong to the genera Anopheles, Culex, Aedes and Mansonia. The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides creates multifarious problems like environmental pollution, global warming, insecticide resistance and is hazardous to humans. In the present study, bacterial pesticide, Bacillus sphaericus a soil dwelling bacteria, isolated from the sludge samples collected from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India cultured with required substrates and used to control the malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi. Bioassay was conducted to test the larval toxicity, fecundity and mosquito longevity. LC50 and LC90 values were calculated for the larval instars of the malaria vector, A. stephensi. The fecundity and adult longevity were highly reduced after the treatment with B. sphaericus. Field trials were also conducted in different breeding sites of A. stephensi with different range of temperature and altitude. Percentage reduction of larval population was maximum (100%) at 96 h of treatment. Toxicity efficacy of B. sphaericus was varied according to the temperature and altitude of the study area. The bacterial pesticide B. sphaericus proved that it is an effective mosquito control agent and can be used for further integrated pest management programmes.
Key words: Bacillus sphaericus, larval toxicity, lethal concentration, Anopheles stephensi, field studies.
Murugan N. W, Shobana J. O and D. Abirami, *Naresh L. kumar
Page: 46 - 51
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 2 (12), pp. 092-095, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An evaluation of Guiera senegalensis as a common herbal antipyretic and antimalarial among some tribal groups in northern Nigeria
*1Andrew A. Jiga, Kanya O. Helen1, Abubakar N. Dale2 and Emmanuel O. Ogidebo1
1Department of Biochemistry, Malaria and Trypanosomiasis Research, Federal University of Technology,
2Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dr_andrewjiga@yahoo.com
Accepted 12 November, 2014
Abstract
Guiera senegalensis is acclaimed as a common herbal antipyretic and antimalarial among some tribal groups in northern Nigeria. Leaf extracts of the plant were thus tested for antiplasmodial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Results indicated the safe dose of extracts as 600 mg/kg body weight of mice with LD50 of 1100 mg/kg bw. Only the methanolic fraction had antiplasmodial effect while ethylacetate and hexane fractions were ineffective. Furthermore the methanolic extract produced a significant (p<0.05) suppression of up to 67.52% levels. The extracts had no prophylactic effect and high parasitaemia including mortality of sub-inoculated mice were obtained on day 14 post treatment. It gave 44.83% analgesic effect but was devoid of anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and flavonoids.
Key words: Antipyretic, analgesic, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, phytochemical.
*Andrew A. Jiga, Abubakar N. Dale and Emmanuel O. Ogidebo, Kanya O. Helen
Page: 92 - 95
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 1 (4), pp. 020-029, December, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An assessment of the difference between prevalence and frequency of antimalarial drug resistance using direct counting of haplotypes
*1Henry jobs, Kikwete Bomani2, Anna Bi1, Paul Salma3 and Yogi Monroe3
1Mzumbe University (MU), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Morogoro, Tanzania.
2Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.
3London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Pathogen Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Infectious Tropical
Diseases, School of Health Sciences - University of Surrey – Guildford, UK.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: henryjobs_1914@yahoo.com
Accepted 16 November, 2013
Abstract
Molecular monitoring of markers of anti-malarial drug resistance offers an affordable alternative to the in vivo method for the detection of resistance, and has the potential to guide public health policy in a timely manner. However, the optimal way of analyzing and reporting these data, particularly those emanating from areas of moderate to high malaria transmission, has never been fully explored or agreed upon, given the potential of being confounded by coinfections. By using large number of real field samples, we quantified the difference between prevalence and frequency when reporting field data on antimalarial drug resistance obtained by direct counting of haplotypes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence specific oligonucleotide probing was used to generate point mutations which were used to construct haplotypes. Results indicate that frequency underestimates haplotypes present at low levels while also amplifying haplotypes present at high levels; prevalence on the other hand behaved in a vice versa manner. Both prevalence and frequency are therefore essential, as each may have relevance in different contexts in high malaria transmission settings. Frequency is essential to gauge the impact of intervention on antimalarial drug resistance while prevalence may be more relevant when the aim is to determine parasite clearance.
Key words: Molecular markers, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - sequence specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP), prevalence, frequency.
Paul Salma and Yogi Monroe, Anna Bi, Kikwete Bomani, *Henry jobs
Page: 20 - 29
Short Communication
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 1 (2), pp. 010-011, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
A study of AIDGEN database on the need to create awareness among people about AIDS
*Rajadurai Shah, Khan Arthy, M. Mahatma and Tendulkar Modi
Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dr.rajadurai@gmail.com
Accepted 24 September, 2013
Abstract
AIDS is a highly vulnerable life threatening disease that attacks and destroys the body’s immune system, leaving the patient abnormally vulnerable to infections and many other diseases caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans. The overall aim of this AIDGEN database is to create awareness among people about AIDS, to dispel myths about AIDS and AIDS causing genes. This database will provide information that will support and strengthen those people affected by HIV/AIDS and those who work to provide for their needs.
Key words: Disease, AIDS, HIV, genes, infection, side effect.
M. Mahatma and Tendulkar Modi, *Rajadurai Shah, Khan Arthy
Page: 10 - 11
Research Article
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-009, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the effect of drug resistance in malaria transmission and the most effective control measure
*Anyaoku K. Majid, Fayemi M. O. and Emeagwali H. R.
Department of Public health, Faculty of Medicine, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: anyaoku_majid22@hotmail.com
Accepted 20 August, 2013
Abstract
We derive and analyze a deterministic model for the transmission of malaria disease with drug resistance in the infectives. Firstly, we calculate the basic reproduction number, R, and investigate the existence and stability of equilibria. The system is found to exhibit backward bifurcation, with this occurrence, the classical epidemiological requirement for effective eradication of malaria, R < 1, is no longer sufficient, even though necessary. Secondly, by using optimal control theory, we derive the conditions for optimal control of the disease using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the analytical results.
Key words: Malaria, bifurcation, stability, optimal control.
Fayemi M. O. and Emeagwali H. R., *Anyaoku K. Majid
Page: 1 - 9