SummaryThe current status of urinary schistosomiasis was assessed in Ibadan, an urban community in south-western Nigeria. Of 1331 children examined for eggs of S. haematobium in their urine, 17.4% were infected. Prevalence in postprimary schoolchildren was significantly (P Ͻ 0.01) higher (22.4%) than in primary schoolchildren (12.0%). Intensity of infection based on geometric mean egg count per 10 ml of urine was also higher in postprimary (36.7 eggs/10 ml urine) than primary pupils (29.9 eggs/10 ml urine). Boys had a significantly (P Ͻ 0.01) higher infection rate (24.1%) than girls (8.5%), and the intensity of infection was also higher (P Ͻ 0.01) in males (39.0 eggs/10 ml urine) than in females (22.1 eggs/10 ml urine). The overall geometric mean intensity of infection was highest (38.8 eggs/10 ml urine) in the 11-15 years age group. 42% of infected children excreted Ͼ 50 eggs/10 ml urine. 2.2% excreted S. mansoni eggs in urine. Water contact activities were more frequent (P Ͻ 0.01) in males (31.8%) than females (38.2%). Nine species of snails were encountered, with B. (p) globosus being the the most abundant and widespread. These results show that urinary schistosomiasis is still being actively being transmitted in Ibadan.

Exit traps, placed over the air vents of septic tanks, were used to examine species diversity and relative abundance of mosquitoes breeding in ammonia-rich waters of septic tanks. Of the six species found, Culex decens Theobald and Culex cinereus Theobald appeared to be competing successfully with Culex quinquefasciatus Say during the wet season but not during the long dry season. The seasonal timing of their displacement by Cx quinquefasciatus was variable and did not correlate well with climatic factors. The three other species present, generally during the wet season and early dry season, were Culex tigripes G. & C., Culex horridus Edwards and Aedes aegypt (L.). Experimental bucket ovitraps were used to assess preference towards covered (dark) septic tank water in comparison with sunlit septic tank water, covered and sunlit compost water. These were colonized by Cx quinquefasciatus, Cx decens, Ae. aegypti and Ae. vittatus Bigot. The covered septic tank water was more abundantly colonized by Cx quinquefasciatus and marginally so by the two Aedes species. Cx decens appeared to colonize the exposed compost water more readily in the dry season, but changed to the covered septic tank water in the wet season. The discussion centres around competition between these mosquitos species and concludes that it would be useful to know what environmental factors, or what aspects of competition, lead to severe natural reductions in the abundance of the major pest species Cx quinquefasciatus.

Background: Raised body mass index (obesity and overweight), is abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that may impair health.The prevalence of obesity in Nigerian adolescents ranges between 1 and 10%.In children, raised body mass index is complicated with the development of cardiovascular diseases,which are consequences of arterial stiffness. The hallmark of arterial stiffness is wide pulse pressure which precedes isolated elevation of systolic blood pressure. Other manifestations of arterial stiffness are elevated diastolic blood pressure and increased mean arterial pressure. This study educated the students on healthy lifestyle and checked their cardiovascular indices.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of students. Their weight, height and blood pressure were measured and cardiovascular indices were calculated.Results: There were 248 students, age between 8 and 16 years, 135 (54.4%) were males with adolescents comprising 96.8%. The prevalence rate of wide pulse pressure, raised body mass index, elevated blood pressure and increased mean arterial pressure was 26.6%, 16.1%, 8.5% and 4.0% respectively. More females and early adolescents comparably had raised body mass index.Conclusions: The mean values for cardiovascular indices were comparably higher in those with raised body mass index.