Malaria is one of the most common diseased conditions in Nigeria and across most developing countries triggered by one of four species of Plasmodium. The objective of this study was to screen and detect for the presence of Plasmodium species via microscopic analysis on Malaria patients attending a healthcare facility Northern Nigeria and present the epidemiological data of malaria.Finger prick blood samples, Thick and Thin Giemsa-stained blood smears, were collected from 350 malaria-suspected individuals representing all age groups. The Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined microscopically. Demographic information on rural and urban dwellings, use of insecticides and mosquito nets were collected using structured questionnaires. Malaria cases were detected in in 227 (64.9%) of the participants with a higher infection rate amongst the males (147) than the females (80). The predominant specie found was Plasmodium falciparum. All age groups in this study were vulnerable in the order of 61-above>31-40>51-60>41-50>1-10>21-30> 11-20 years of age.A large number of participants dwelling in urban area (219) were tested positive for malaria in contrast to eight(8) from the rural area. Not using insecticides and mosquito treated nets were significantly associated with the prevalence of malaria as 59.4% of participants who were tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum infection utilized insecticides, while 66.9% of those who did not were also tested positive. Individuals residing close to gutters and bushes were the most susceptible (85.6%) to Plasmodium infection. Keywords: Prevalence, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Kano. PRÉVALENCE DE L'INFECTION PARMI LES PATIENTS FRÉQUENTANT L'HÔPITAL

Introduction: In Nigeria, Taenia solium cysticercosis is a problem in rural areas where most pigs are kept and in urban areas where infected pork can be consumed. Methodology: We performed enzyme linked immunosorbent assays on serum samples collected from pig rearers in Jos, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies.Results: Of 125 subjects tested, 12 (9.6%) were positive for T. solium. Seroprevalence did not differ significantly (P>0.05) according to education, age, occupation, study location, gender or whether the subjects consumed pork. However, a statistical difference (P<0.05) in seroprevalence was observed according to type and availability of toilet used, personal hygiene after using the toilet, and type of pig management practiced. Females were about two times more likely to be seroprevalent than males (OR=1.7; 95% CI= 0.43-6.67; P=0.4) and subjects who consumed pork were four times more likely to have anti T. solium antibodies than those who did not eat pork (OR=4.2; 95%CI=0.52-33.57; P=0.2). Those who defecated in the bush were 8.3 times more likely to suffer from T. solium infection than those who used water system toilets (OR=8.3; 95%CI=1.56-43.7; P=0.01). Subjects who did not wash their hands after defecating were 6 times more likely to contract T. solium compared to those who washed their hands with water ( OR=5.5; 95% CI=1.39-21.89; P=0.01). Conclusion: Our results show that using a toilet and practicing good personal hygiene can reduce cases of T. solium infection in a community.

SummaryMalaria 1 during pregnancy causes anaemia in pregnant women and low birthweight in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the OptiMAL rapid malaria test in comparison with standard microscopy for malaria diagnosis in 268 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre-Gombe in Nigeria. Positive results by either method were confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction assay for malaria. Although the OptiMAL assay did not detect malaria in the blood of pregnant women with low levels of parasitaemia, it may be useful for the detection of placental malaria which predisposes to low birthweight infants.

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