Browsing by Author "Munisi, David"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item The Efficacy of Single-Dose versus Double-Dose Praziquantel Treatments on Schistosoma mansoni Infections: Its Implication on Undernutrition and Anaemia among Primary Schoolchildren in Two On-Shore Communities, Northwestern Tanzania(Hindawi, 2017-09-28) Munisi, David; Buza, Joram; Mpolya, Emmanuel; Angelo, Teckla; Kinung’hi, SafariAdministering more than one treatment may increase Praziquantel cure and egg reduction rates, thereby hastening achievement of schistosomiasis transmission control. A total of 431 S. mansoni-infected schoolchildren were randomized to receive either a single or repeated 40 mg/kg Praziquantel dose. Heights, weights, and haemoglobin levels were determined using a stadiometer, weighing scale, and HemoCue, respectively. At 8 weeks, cure rate was higher on repeated dose (93.10%) compared to single dose (68.68%) (). The egg reduction rate was higher on repeated dose (97.54%) compared to single dose (87.27%) (). Geometric mean egg intensity was lower among those on repeated dose (1.30 epg) compared to single dose (3.18 epg) () but not at 5 () and 8 () months with no difference in reinfection rate. No difference in the prevalence of stunting was observed between the two treatment regimens () at 8 months, but there was an increase in the prevalence of wasting among those on repeated dose (). There was an increase in the mean haemoglobin levels at 8 months with no difference between the two arms (). To achieve reduction of transmission intensity and disease control in highly endemic areas, repeated treatments alone may not be sufficient.Item Epidemiology of intestinal schistosomiasis and efficacy of single versus repeated dose praziquantel treatments among schoolchildren in Rorya district, Northwestern Tanzania(NM-AIST, 2018-12) Munisi, DavidIn Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas, administering repeated treatments may increase praziquantel cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR), thereby improving morbidity reduction and hastening achievement of transmission control in these areas. This was a longitudinal study which investigated the efficacy of single versus repeated praziquantel treatments of S.mansoni infections and its impact on undernutrition and anaemia. Stool samples were collected from 513 schoolchildren and examined for S.mansoni infections using the Kato-Katz method. Questionnaires were used to collect socio- demographic data, risk factors, knowledge, attitude and practices on schistosomiasis. Nutritional status was determined by anthropometry. Blood samples were collected and examined for malaria parasites and haemoglobin levels using the Giemsa stain and HaemoCue methods, respectively. The prevalence of S.mansoni, malaria, stunting, wasting and anaemia were 84.01%, 9.16%, 38.21%, 14.42% and 29.43%, respectively. The geometric mean (GM) egg per gram of stool for S.mansoni was 167.13 (95%CI: 147.19–189.79) eggs per gram of stool. Village of residence, parent’s level of education, toilet use and treatment history were predictors of S.mansoni infection. A total of 431 S.mansoni infected schoolchildren were randomized to either receive a single or repeated 40mg/kg dose of praziquantel. At 8 weeks post baseline treatment, CR was higher among those on repeated dose (93.10%) than those on a single dose (68.68%, p0.05), with significant increase in mean haemoglobin (p0.05). Majority (93%) of participants mentioned using lake water for domestic chores. Although toilet ownership was high (84.61%), regular toilet use was low (55.31%). To be of sustained benefit, repeated dose praziquantel treatments should be coupled with other control measures that aim at reducing the rate of re-infection and environmental contamination.Item Geographical and behavioral risks associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection in an area of complex transmission(Parasites & Vectors, 2018) Angelo, Teckla; Buza, Joram; Kinung’hi, Safari; Kariuki, Henry; Mwanga, Joseph; Munisi, David; Wilson, ShonaBackground: Schistosoma haematobium infection in endemic areas varies depending on the nature and complexity of the transmission networks present. Studies of micro-geographical transmission of S. haematobium infection indicate that discrepancy in prevalence between households is associated with diverse water contact behaviors and transmission that is restricted to particular sites harboring snail intermediate hosts. Detection of variations in the transmission sources with complex transmission networks of water bodies is required for optimization of malacological control. Longitudinal parasitological and malacological surveys were conducted to investigate geographical variations in transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in Ikingwamanoti village, Shinyanga District, Tanzania. Methods: Urine samples were collected at baseline and follow-up time points from 282 school-aged children and examined microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Malacological surveys involved collection of Bulinus nasutus every month from 30 sites. Snails were examined for patent infections. Global positioning system was used to map household distances from S. haematobium transmission sites, while water contact behavior was assessed using a questionnaire. Results: Schistosoma haematobium infection was observed to be prevalent among older children (12–14 years) compared to younger groups prior to treatment, but no significant difference in infection prevalence was observed at one-year. Boys were highly infected than girls at both time points. No spatial influence was observed between children’s infection and the distance from child’s residence to the nearby snail habitats nor was any significant association observed between children’s reported water contact behavior with S. haematobium infection. However, malacological surveys with cercarial shedding combined with GPS data detected significant variation among different water sources in the transmission of S. haematobium with children living in households near to ponds with high B. nasutus populations having the highest prevalence of infection. Conclusions: Interaction between malacological surveys with cercarial shedding combined with GPSmapping in endemic settings can help detection of transmission sources even in areas with complex transmission networks. Subsequent studies are needed to determine whether the combination of GPS mapping and parasitology screens can aid the detection of transmission hotspots across varied transmission settings to enhance schistosomiasis control programmes.Item Intestinal Schistosomiasis among Primary Schoolchildren in Two On-Shore Communities in Rorya District, Northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, Intensity of Infection and Associated Risk Factors(Hindawi, 2016-10-16) Munisi, David; Buza, Joram; Mpolya, Emmanuel; Kinung’hi, SafariIn Tanzania, Schistosoma mansoni is of great public health importance. Understanding the prevalence and infection intensity is important for targeted, evidence-based control strategies. This study aimed at studying the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of S. mansoni among schoolchildren in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages. Sampled 513 schoolchildren provided stool specimens which were examined using kato-katz method. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and associated risk factors. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 84.01%, with geometric mean egg intensity of 167.13 (95% CI: 147.19–189.79) eggs per gram of stool (epg). Other parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%) and hookworms (1.4%). The geometric mean infection intensity in Busanga and Kibuyi were 203.70 (95% CI: 169.67–244.56) and 135.98 (95% CI: 114.33–161.73) epg, respectively. Light, moderate, and heavy infection intensities were 34.11%, 39.91%, and 25.99%, respectively. Village of residence, parent’s level of education, toilet use, and treatment history were predictors of infection. The high prevalence and infection intensity in this study were associated with village, parent’s level of education, inconsistent toilet use, and treatment history. To control the disease among at-risk groups, these factors need to be considered in designing integrated schistosomiasis control interventions.Item Intestinal Schistosomiasis among Primary Schoolchildren in Two On-Shore Communities in Rorya District, Northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, Intensity of Infection and Associated Risk Factors(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2016-09-15) Munisi, David; Buza, Joram; Mpolya, Emmanuel; Kinung’hi, SafariIn Tanzania, Schistosoma mansoni is of great public health importance. Understanding the prevalence and infection intensity is important for targeted, evidence-based control strategies.This study aimed at studying the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of S.mansoni among schoolchildren in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages. Sampled 513 schoolchildren provided stool specimens which were examined using kato-katz method. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and associated risk factors.The prevalence of S.mansoni infection was 84.01%, with geometric mean egg intensity of 167.13 (95% CI: 147.19–189.79) eggs per gramof stool (epg).Other parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%) and hookworms (1.4%).The geometric mean infection intensity in Busanga and Kibuyi were 203.70 (95% CI: 169.67–244.56) and 135.98 (95% CI: 114.33–161.73) epg, respectively. Light, moderate, and heavy infection intensities were 34.11%, 39.91%, and 25.99%, respectively. Village of residence, parent’s level of education, toilet use, and treatment history were predictors of infection. The high prevalence and infection intensity in this study were associated with village, parent’s level of education, inconsistent toilet use, and treatment history. To control the disease among at-risk groups, these factors need to be considered in designing integrated schistosomiasis control interventions.Item Knowledge, attitude, and practices on intestinal schistosomiasis among primary schoolchildren in the Lake Victoria basin, Rorya District, north-western Tanzania(BMC Public Health, 2017-09-21) Munisi, David; Buza, Joram; Mpolya, Emmanuel; Angelo, TecklaBackground: Globally school-age children, adolescents and young adults bear the highest burden of schistosomiasis. When developing a specific intervention to improve community’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs), existing KAPs must be taken into account. Therefore, this study was designed to determine schoolchildren’s KAPs on schistosomiasis in the study area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages involving 513 schoolchildren. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and to assess KAP on schistosomiasis among primary schoolchildren in the study area. Results: Of the 488 interviewed children, 391 (80.12%) reported to have heard of schistosomiasis, with the majority 289 (73.91%) citing school as the source of this knowledge. Swimming in the lake, worms, witchcraft, and mosquitoes were mentioned to be the cause for intestinal schistosomiasis. Fishing in the lake, drinking unboiled lake water, walking bare footed, and shaking hands were reported to be practices that may lead to contracting schistosomiasis. Only 156 (39.90%) of the study respondents reported to know the signs of intestinal schistosomiasis. Avoiding swimming in the lake, drinking unboiled water and eating unwashed fruits were mentioned as preventive measures. Nearly 85% (412) reported understanding that there was a disease known as schistosomiasis; additionally, 419 (85.86%) considered schistosomiasis as a dangerous disease and 418 (85.66%) believed that schistosomiasis was treatable. Fishermen and schoolchildren were reported to be groups most at risk of schistosomiasis infection. Visiting the lake (for swimming and other gatherings) was a common practice among study participants 471 (96.52%).Nearly 93% (451) of participants mentioned using lake water for domestic chores, and, although 407 (84.61%) reported to own a toilet at home, only 229 (55.31%) reported to always use a toilet for sanitation purposes. Conclusion and recommendation: Despite a high rate of awareness among schoolchildren regarding schistosomiasis, there was a persistent gap amongst the children regarding the causes, modes of transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures for the disease. Therefore, an appropriate health education intervention is needed in order to inculcate better knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst schoolchildren regarding its transmission, control, and prevention as part of a successful schistosomiasis campaign.Item Schistosoma mansoni Infections, Undernutrition and Anaemia among Primary Schoolchildren in Two Onshore Villages in Rorya District, North-Western Tanzania(Plos One, 2016-12-09) Munisi, David; Buza, Joram; Mpolya, Emmanuel; Kinung'hi, SafariBackground Undernutrition and anaemia remains to be a major public health problem in many developing countries, where they mostly affect children. Intestinal parasitic infections are known to affect both growth and haemoglobin levels. Much has been reported on the impact of geohelminths on anaemia and undernutrition, leaving that of Schistosoma mansoni not well studied. Therefore this study intended to determine the association between S.mansoni infections, anaemia and undernutrition among schoolchildren in Rorya district, Northwestern Tanzania. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried among schoolchildren in two onshore villages namely Busanga and Kibuyi in Rorya district. Single stool specimens were collected from 513 randomly selected schoolchildren and processed for microscopic examination using the Kato- Katz method. Nutritional status was determined by anthropometry. Blood samples were also collected and examined for malaria parasites and haemoglobin levels using the Giemsa stain and HaemoCue methods, respectively. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and associated factors. Results The prevalence of S. mansoni infection and malaria was 84.02% and 9.16%, respectively. Other parasites found were Ascaris lumbricoides (1.36%) and Hookworm (1.36%). The prevalence of stunting and wasting was 38.21% and 14.42%, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia was 29.43%, whereby 0.58% had severe anaemia. S. mansoni infection was not found to be associated with undernutrition or anaemia (p>0.05). The risk of stunting and wasting increased with increasing age (p<0.001). Anaemia was associated with age, sex and village of residence (p<0.05). Conclusions S.mansoni, undernutrition and anaemia are highly prevalent in the study area. The observed rates of undernutrition and anaemia were seen not to be associated with S.mansoni infection suggesting possibly being a result of poor dietary nutrients. This study suggests that policy makers should consider Rorya district for inclusion into national schistosomiasis control and school feeding programmes.