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Biomedical subjects

M F Useh

Publications and source records attributed to M F Useh.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Enterobiasis and its relationship with anal itching and enuresis among school-age children in Calabar, Nigeria.

The prevalence of enterobiasis and its relationship with anal itching and enuresis were investigated among 799, randomly selected children aged 5-14 years, who lived, either in an area of high population density or one with a much lower population density, in Calabar, Nigeria. The eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were found in anal swabs (collected with transparent adhesive tape) from 60 (7.5%) of the subjects tested, with the prevalence of infection appearing markedly higher in the 403 children from the area with a high population density than in the 396 from the less densely populated area (11.7% v. 3.3%; P < 0.05). Questionnaire-based interviews were used to determine which of the children suffered from anal itching, enuresis or both. Compared with the egg-negative subjects, the 60 children who were egg-positive for Enterobius were found to be much more likely to be suffering from anal itching (78.3% v. 28.3%; P < 0.05) or enuresis (53.3% v. 36.4%; P < 0.05). Enterobiasis is therefore not a problem that is restricted to the temperate regions of the world, and may be a cause of enuresis or at least a contributory factor in the development of this complaint.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Efficacy of artesunate in the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis, in an endemic community in Nigeria.

The efficacy and tolerability of oral artesunate for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis was assessed among schoolchildren aged 5-18 years in Adim community, Nigeria. Overall, 500 children, randomly selected from those attending the Presbyterian primary school, were each invited to provide two consecutive urine samples. Using standard parasitological procedures, Schistosoma haematobium ova were found in the samples from 145 (29.0%) of the subjects. Most (87) of the infected subjects were then treated orally with artesunate, using two doses, each of 6 mg/kg, given 2 weeks apart. When the treated children were re-examined 4 weeks after the second dose of artesunate, 61 (70.1%) appeared egg-negative and were therefore considered cured. Post-treatment, the geometric mean egg count (GMEC) for the treated subjects who were not cured was significantly lower than the pre-treatment GMEC for all the treated subjects, with log10[(eggs/10 ml urine) + 1] values of 0.9 v. 1.75 (t = 4.45; P < 0.05). The cure 'rate' for the subjects aged > or = 10 years was slightly higher than that among the younger subjects. It was lowest for the heavier subjects (70% for those weighing 41-50 kg) and highest (79%) for the subjects who weighed 31-40 kg. The artesunate was well tolerated. This observation of a therapeutic effect of artesunate against S. haematobium in Nigeria confirms recent observations from Senegal. In the Adim community at least, it would be more cost-effective to treat urinary schistosomiasis with artesunate than with praziquantel. The wide-spread use of artesunate against schistosomiasis has to be considered carefully, however, if it is not to compromise the efficacy of the drug as an antimalarial, by increasing the risk of resistance developing in local Plasmodium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Modification of behaviour and attitude in the control of schistosomiasis. 1. Observations on water-contact patterns and perception of infection.

Observations on the water-contact patterns of 2136 residents of Admin community in Nigeria were conducted at four streams between February 1993 and January 1994. Urine samples collected from those observed were used to estimate the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection. A questionnaire was also completed for each of the subjects, to test their perception of urinary schistosomiasis and its transmission. Infection was detected in 1076 (50.4%) of the subjects, with peak prevalence among those aged 10-14 years. Intensity of infection was more closely correlated with the number of water contacts (r = 0.97) than with the total duration of the exposure (r = 0.77), emphasising the importance of specific/multiple activities, and of the surface area of the body submerged, in transmission. One stream (Culvet) was identified as the main transmission point, with bathing/swimming and fishing as the main activities predisposing people to infection. The awareness of urinary schistosomiasis and its symptom (blood in urine) were high but specific knowledge about the parasite, its vector and the interaction between the parasite and vector in the parasite's life-cycle were extremely low. Activities that require behaviour and attitude modification have been identified and encouraged as components in the control of schistosome-attributable morbidity (in the absence of pipe-borne water).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Risk of contamination from air vents during intravenous fluid administration.

The microbial effect of creating air-inlet during intravenous fluid administration in different wards of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital was studied between May and July, 1997. A total of 123 in-use (test) and 80 unused (control) infusion fluids were studied. Subjects that developed septicaemia following infusion were screened for microbial aetiology. Settle plate cultures were made in all the wards used in the study. Thirty two of in-use infusion fluids (26%) were contaminated, while contamination was not detected among the unused ones. There is a statistically significant relationship in the contamination rate of in-use bags and controls (p < 0.001). Bags with air-vents were more contaminated 27(49.1%) than those with none, five (7.4%). The difference in prevalence of contamination rate by air-vent status was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Gram positive organisms constituted the majority of agents 26(74.3%). Out of seven subjects that received contaminated fluid, four (57.1%) developed septicaemia. It is concluded that creating air-vent for introduction of additives during intravenous fluid administration provides routes of entry for micro-organisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Frequency of foetal haemoglobin and haemoglobin values in various haemoglobin genotypes in Calabar, Nigeria.

The frequency of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) and haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined among 108 subjects with different haemoglobin genotypes in Calabar, between March and October, 1996. Hb-genotype was determined using the cellulose acetate method, while HbF and Hb were estimated using the modified Betke alkaline denaturation method and cyanmethaemoglobin techniques respectively. Haemoglobin genotype SS individuals had the highest mean HbF concentration of (3.05 +/- 1.61) as compared to AA and AS subjects with means of 0.195 +/- 0.25 and 1.072 +/- 0.98 respectively. This relationship was statistically significant (P < 0.02). On the other hand, AA subjects had the highest mean haemoglobin concentration (12.79 +/- 1.19) while SS subjects had the lowest (10.65 +/- 2.06). This study has indicated the persistence of HbF into adult life in this locality. Since HbF is associated with natural anti-sickling properties, its role as a monitoring factor in the management of sickle cell anaemia is examined in detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The status and consequences of Mansonella perstans infection in Calabar, Nigeria.

Two aetiological studies on filariasis were conducted from January to June, 1993. In the first study, 690 blood samples clinically diagnosed of filariasis were examined. In the other, 150 blood samples and 150 skin snips collected from the same group of eye clinic Patients clinically diagnosed of filariasis were investigated. Of the 690 subjects, 108 (15.64%) had filariasis with M. perstans and Loa loa accounting for 98.15 and 1.85% of positive cases respectively. Among the eye clinic patients, 16% had M. perstans while O. volvulus was seen in 4% of patients. There was no concurrent infection with these two agents. A statistically significant association existed in the frequency of M. perstans in the different ages treated (p > 0.01) while non existed by sex (p > 0.01). The possible involvement of M. perstans in ocular filariasis and its treatment are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

School-based schistosomiasis control programmes: a comparative study on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among Nigerian school-age children in and out of school.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 1998 on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among school-age children in and out of school at Adim village in Nigeria to test the objective of delivering a control programme through the school system. School enrollment figures and non-attendance rate were collated from questionnaires that were self-administered by heads of families. Prevalence and intensity of infection were determined following filtration of urine and counting of carbol fuchsin-stained eggs of Schistosoma haematobium. The rates of regular school attendance, irregular attendance and non-attendance were 69.1%, 5.1%, and 25.8%, respectively. These indices were not significantly associated with the age of the schoolchildren (P > 0.05). Boys (76.6%) were more associated with regular attendance than girls (61.4%) (P < 0.0001) while girls had a higher rate of non-attendance (32.7%) than males (19.1%) (P < 0.0001). Although more out-of-school children were infected (90.7%) than those in school (86.8%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The same association was established in the variation of mean egg count between the 2 study populations though intensity was higher among out-of-school children. The principal reasons proffered for the high rate of non-attendance listed in their order of importance were: economic, sickness, poor performance, refusal, farming and fishing. A dual method of control that would in incorporate the integration of recognized local authorities is suggested in areas with moderate school attendance rate like Adim, as lack of treatment of infected out-of-school children ensures continuous contamination and re-infection.

Adolescent↗