Background: Studies in northern Nigeria have suggested a linear relationship between urinary schistosomiasis and individual water-related activities. Knowledge of the perceptions of the local populace about schistosomoasis and of gender and cultural restrictions could be beneficial to control programmes. We studied the prevalence of urinary schistosomoasis and the socio-demographic factors associated with the disease in Danjarima community of Kano, northern Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey involving 890 subjects was conducted in the community. Urine samples were collected and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium using sedimentation technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the subjects in order to determine their knowledge and perceptions about urinary schistosomiasis in relation to their cultures. Results: Eggs of S. haematobium were demonstrated in 370 (41.6%) of the urine sampled examined. The highest prevalence rate of 54.4% infection with S. haematobium was recorded in Zaura sub-village while the lowest rate of 6.4% was observed in Sabon-Fegi. More males (55.9%) were infected than females (3.7%) and the difference between the infection rate in males and females was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01). The age group 10 to 14 years recorded the highest rate of infection (P < 0.05) in both males (80.9%) and females (10.3%). Conclusion:The lack of adequate perception on the cause of urinary schistosomiasis and exposure to water bodies were responsible for the high prevalence of infection in Danjarima.

Background: A 15-months community Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted with the aim of assessing effectiveness of Transfluthrin-Coated Inflammable-Fumes Insecticide-Paper (TCIP) [RamboTM] on indoor mosquitoes and malaria.Methods & Materials: The study was conducted in two communities, Panshekara and Danbare, Kano, Nigeria randomly selected as intervention and control respectively. 150 households (HHDs) were systematically selected in each of the two and their doors and windows were 'netted' with mesh-wire. In the intervention community there were 'netted-alone' and 'netted + TCIP' administered HHDs. Participants were allowed use of Insecticide-Treated-Mosquito-Nets. Additional 20 HHDs were randomly selected within the two communities as internal controls and were neither 'netted' nor administered TCIP. Fever, blood film microscopy for malaria parasite, haematocrit and entomological indices (indoor mosquito collection and determination of species at breeding sites) were conducted quaterly. Pyrethrum Spray Collection (PSC) technique was used to collect adult mosquitos monthly from rooms in both communities. Main malaria vector species were identified using molecular techniques (PCR). ELIZA was used to identify circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium falciparum.Results: A total 2565 persons were studied in Panshekara (1208) and Danbare (1357). There was declining trend in malaria through 4 quarters in Panshekara compared to baseline (2-trend, p = 0.02) and slight reduction in proportion with anaemia. In Panshekara, a total of 1592 Culex species were collected out of which 911 (57.2%) were from the internal control, 440 (27.6%) were from the screened 'netted' and 241 (15.1%) from 'netted + TCIP' treated HHDs. 396 Anopheline malaria vectors were collected out of which 339, 27 and 30 were from the control, 'netted' and 'netted + TCIP' treated sites respectively. In comparison to the baseline pre-netting phase, wire netting alone provided 51% protection against the nuisance of Culicine mosquitoes, while netting plus TCIP provided 73% protection against Culicine mosquitoes. The main malaria vectors species were An. gambiae s.s and An. arabiensis but An. funestus could not be analysed further. CSP of P. falciparum were seen in all the 3 vector species.Conclusion: Very slight reduction in malaria and anaemia was observed. Protection conferred by TCIP was modest against Culex spp but small against the malaria vectors. TCIP complimented netting. Trial number-ATMR2010050002022487. Pan-African-Clinical-Trial-Group

No abstract