The relevance of transplacental acquired malaria is still not clear in many malaria endemic areas. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and antimalarial treatment outcomes of laboratory-confirmed congenital malaria cases in Douala. Methodology. This was a hospitalized-based cross-sectional study undertaken among under seven days neonates hospitalized between January 2018 and May 2018 in the neonatalogy units of three Douala-based hospitals in Cameroon. For each eligible neonate, maternal and perinatal data were collected. The newborn was immediately examined for physical and clinical symptoms by a pediatrician or a neonanatologist, peripheral blood was screened in laboratory for detection of malaria parasites using microscopy and the âOne Step Malaria HRP-II (P.f) and pLDH (Pan) Antigen Rapid Testâ malaria rapid diagnostic test. Each laboratory-confirmed malaria case was treated accordingly as severe malaria. Data were analyzed as univariate with Pearson Khi2 and Fisher Exact Tests considering a P-value< 0.05 as statistically significant. Results. A total of 139 hospitalized neonates aged less than 7 days were included in the study. The sex ratio was 1.17. The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed congenital malaria was 3.6% by both microscopy and RDT. Only Plasmodium falciparum asexual stage was detected. Plasmodium loads were low (range: 192-320 asexual stages/µl of blood). Hyperthermia and jaundice were most predictive clinical signs of Plasmodium congenital malaria. Young mother age (p=0.002) and malaria episode during pregnancy (p=0.01) were associated with congenital malaria. P. falciparum confirmed congenital malaria cases were successfully managed with antimalarial monotherapies namely artemether, artesunate or quinine. Mortality among Plasmodium carrying neonates who received antimalarial treatment was 0%. Conclusion. Plasmodium falciparum congenital malaria was an etiology of neonatal infection among neonates hospitalized in Douala. Laboratory-confirmed congenital malaria cases were treated successfully as severe malaria. Congenital malaria should therefore be included in the list of differential diagnosis of neonatal infection at least in neonate with fever or jaundice, and those born to young mothers or mothers with pregnancy malaria.
Respiratory problem is one of the main occupational health challenges faced by farmworkers, it can occur while preparing and applying pesticides and during tasks in recently sprayed fields. Symptoms associated with different respiratory problems include coughing, wheezing and airway inflammation are commonly observed among farmworkers who are occupationally exposed to pesticides. In low and middle-income countries, epidemiological evidence for the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory diseases in adults is limited. The study employed a cross-sectional survey that ran from January to February 2021 using face to face semi-structured questionnaire administered to farmworkers who were working on flower and coffee farms in Arusha and Kilimanjaro. Approximately 384 farmworkers were randomly selected to participate in this study. The study included organic and non-organic farmworkers who were directly engaged in agricultural activities and exclude supporting staff such as human resource managers who were not engaged directly in agricultural activities. The results indicate that non-organic farmers were at high risk of developing respiratory symptoms than organic farmworkers. Non-organic farmers were significantly associated with cough, rhinitis, and shortness of breath among farmworkers [adj. OR (95% CI) 31.94 (12.04, 84.70), 4.44 (2.61, 7.56) and 6.44 (1.98, 20.95)] respectively. However, there should be a systematic collection of data about poisoning cases occurring in the farm areas with a large number of employees so that effective measures can be taken to protect the farmers from chronic illnesses associated with pesticide exposure, particularly respiratory problems in this case.
Background: The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a disease of public health concern by the WHO in January 2020, one month after its emergent. Efforts have been made to raise and improve public awareness of COVID-19. Zambia has reported repeated waves of the COVID-19 pandemic with highest transmissions in Lusaka, the Copperbelt, and Ndola districts. Populationsâ knowledge, attitude, and perceptions (KAPs) towards COVID-19 have impacts on control and prevention measures. Despite the collection of research on KAPs towards COVID-19, the KAP of socio-ecological and socio-anthropological determinants regarding the disease remains speculative. Hence, this study investigates KAPs of socio-ecological and socio-anthropological determinants of COVID-19 among the inhabitants of Lusaka district of Zambia. Methodology: A total of 301 inhabitants from four Lusaka District Compounds were sampled by a simple random method using a cross-sectional study design and interview-based questionnaires data collection method to investigate the KAPs of ecological and anthropological determinants of COVID-19. The analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis for associations between participants KAPs towards COVID-19, and finally, a multivariate logistic regression to determine KAP predictors. Findings/conclusion: Majority of study participants were females (54.5%). 53.2% of the respondents were in the age group of 18â28 years, and mostly (53.5%) single. 46.5% participants had tertiary level of education and (57.8%) had a monthly income of 0-K1000. The overall KAP knowledge was moderate (67.1%), and only 51.5% of participants demonstrated a positive attitude towards preventing COVID-19 infections. Socio-demographic factors had a weak bearing on KAP and attitude scores, with levels of education and gender being the only significant variables, respectively. This study indicates a poor understanding of COVID-19 with respect to ecological and anthropological determinants. Governments need to ensure more awareness campaigns to improve the populationsâ KAPs towards future infectious diseases that may occur.
Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) that could be converted to active TB constitutes a major public health problem. LTBI diagnosis is based on TST and/or IGRA. Serum IL-2 may help LTBI diagnosis. Objectives: Current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among healthcare workers (HCWs), and to test the agreement between IGRA and IL-2 assay for detection of LTBI. Methods: The study was carried in chest hospitals in Egypt, 89 HCWs were included. Detailed medical history was obtained, and a blood sample was collected to measure IFN-γ and IL-2. Results: High prevalence of LTBI was detected among HCWs (41.57%). This was significantly associated with older age and longer duration of work. Doctors were less exposed to the risk of LTBI. Assessing IL-2 results using ROC curve: AUC was 0.984, optimal cut-off value =13.81 pg/ml, with a sensitivity of 94.59% and 100% specificity. IL-2 responses were higher among participants with LTBI compared to No TB. Conclusions: A high prevalence of LTBI was observed among HCWs. Older age and longer duration of work were associated with higher risk. IL-2/IFN-γ ratios may improve the ability of IGRA to identify individuals with LTBI and those at increased risk of conversion to active disease.
