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Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common human infections worldwide with over 1 billion people affected. Many estimates of STH infection are often based on school-aged children (SAC). This study produced predictive risk-maps of STH on a more finite scale, estimated the number of people infected, and the amount of drug required for preventive chemotherapy (PC) in Ogun state, Nigeria. Georeferenced STH infection data obtained from a cross-sectional survey at 33 locations between July 2016 and November 2018, together with remotely-sensed environmental and socio-economic data were analyzed using Bayesian geostatistical modelling. Stepwise variable selection procedure was employed to select a parsimonious set of predictors to predict risk and spatial distribution of STH infections. The number of persons (pre-school ages children, SAC and adults) infected with STH were estimated, with the amount of tablets needed for preventive chemotherapy. An overall prevalence of 17.2% (95% CI 14.9, 19.5) was recorded for any STH infection. Ascaris lumbricoides infections was the most predominant, with an overall prevalence of 13.6% (95% CI 11.5, 15.7), while Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura had overall prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI 3.3, 5.9) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.9, 2.4), respectively. The model-based prevalence predictions ranged from 5.0 to 23.8% for Ascaris lumbricoides, from 2.0 to 14.5% for hookworms, and from 0.1 to 5.7% for Trichuris trichiura across the implementation units. The predictive maps revealed a spatial pattern of high risk in the central, western and on the border of Republic of Benin. The model identified soil pH, soil moisture and elevation as the main predictors of infection for A. lumbricoides, Hookworms and T. trichiura respectively. About 50% (10/20) of the implementation units require biannual rounds of mass drug administration. Approximately, a total of 1.1 million persons were infected and require 7.8 million doses. However, a sub-total of 375,374 SAC were estimated to be infected, requiring 2.7 million doses. Our predictive risk maps and estimated PC needs provide useful information for the elimination of STH, either for resource acquisition or identifying priority areas for delivery of interventions in Ogun State, Nigeria.

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The knowledge of length-weight relationship parameters has numerous practical applications in fishery research and management. Currently, there is a dearth of information on the growth pattern and state of well-being of Parachanna africana in Ijede and Agbowa Lagoons. This study period was between December 2017, and June 2018 investigated the allometry and condition factor of P. africana inhabiting the Ijede and Agbowa Lagoons, South-western Nigeria. Two hundred fish samples of P. africana was gotten from fishermen at both locations. The length and weight measurements were taken to the nearest centimetres and grams. Descriptive, correlation and regression tools, was used to 2analyse the data collected. Results obtained showed that the length-weight relationship had r values of  0.186, 0.196, 0.191 and 0.341, 0.001, 0.098 for Ijede and Agbowa respectively, at a significant level of  P<0.05 for male, female and combined sexes. The b values of 0.193 for Ijede and 0.165 for Agbowa were not significantly different (P> 0.05). The mean condition factors of 0.365 ±0.141 and 0.329±0.169 were obtained in Ijede and Agbowa, respectively. It was observed that the species in both lagoons exhibited negative allometric growth patterns with values 0.365 and 0.330 for Ijede and Agbowa lagoons respectively with no variations in the condition factors of both locations which indicate the need to assess human and domestic activities surrounding these water bodies.

Background: Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common human infections worldwide with over 1 billion people affected. Many estimates of STH infection are often based on school-aged children (SAC). This study produced predictive risk-maps of STH on a more finite scale, estimated the number of people infected, and the amount of drug required for preventive chemotherapy (PC) in Ogun state, Nigeria. Methods: Georeferenced STH infection data obtained from a cross-sectional survey at 33 locations between July 2016 and November 2018, together with remotely-sensed environmental and socio-economic data were analyzed using Bayesian geostatistical modelling. Stepwise variable selection procedure was employed to select a parsimonious set of predictors to predict risk and spatial distribution of STH infections. The number of persons (preschoolers, SAC and adults) infected with STH were estimated, with the amount of tablets needed for preventive chemotherapy.Results: An overall prevalence of 17.2% (95 % CI: 14.9, 19.5) was recorded for any STH infection. Ascaris lumbricoides infections was the most predominant, with an overall prevalence of 13.6% (95% CI: 11.5, 15.7), while Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura had overall prevalence of 4.6 % (95% CI: 3.3, 5.9) and 1.7% (95 % CI: 0.9, 2.4), respectively. The model-based prevalence predictions ranged from 5.0 % to 23.8 % for Ascaris lumbricoides, from 2.0 % to 14.5 % for hookworms, and from 0.1 % to 5.7 % for Trichuris trichiura across the implementation units. The predictive maps revealed a spatial pattern of high risk in the central, western and on the border of Republic of Benin. The model identified soil pH, soil moisture and elevation as the main predictors of infection for A. lumbricoides, Hookworms and T. trichiura respectively. About 50% (10/20) of the implementation units require biannual rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). Approximately, a total of 1.1 million persons were infected and require 7.8 million doses. However, a sub-total of 375,374 SAC were estimated to be infected, requiring 2.7 million doses. Conclusion: Our predictive risk maps and estimated PC needs provide useful information for the elimination of STH, either for resource acquisition or identifying priority areas for delivery of interventions in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: Infections arising from the consumption of parasite-contaminated vegetables are a major concern in public health. This study assessed the parasitic contamination of vegetables sold across open markets in Ekiti, Nigeria Methods: A total of 88 samples of 6 different vegetables: African spinach (Amaranthus hybridus), pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), Jute leaf (Corchorus olitorus), Sierra Leone bologi leaf (Solanecio biafrae), Yoruba bologi leaf (Crassocephalum ruben), and Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) were purchased from 42 vendors selected using a snow-ball sampling approach. About 200g of each sample was processed using sedimentation technique and observed for parasites eggs/ova under the microscope. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 9 parasites were recovered, with an overall prevalence of 53.4% (n=45). Nematodes were the most predominant (45, 51.1%). By species, the recovered eggs/larvae of hookworms were more (27, 30.7%), compared to Ascaris spp. (22, 25.0%) and Strongyloides spp (17, 19.3%) (p=0.00). Amaranthus hybridus was the most contaminated (15, 75%), followed by Crassocephalum ruben (10, 62.5%) (p=0.05). The majority of the contaminated vegetables were from Ifaki market (15, 75%). Conclusion: This study, therefore, highlights the need to intensify efforts at improving hygienic practices among farmers and consumers in these areas.

Background There has been a growing interest in better understanding and measuring the effect of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on nutritional outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional status of children attending schools benefitting from UNICEF’s assisted WASH programming in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria Methods A total of 175 consenting school-aged children across three WASH programming schools participated in the study. The status and conditions of WASH resources were assessed and graded using standardized tools. Anthropometric measures of weight, height and age were obtained and compared with reference data to assess stunting, underweight and thinness. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were performed to estimate magnitude of association between dependent (malnutrition indices) and independent (demographic and WASH) variables. Significant difference was set at 95%. Results WASH scores ranged between 62.5-81.3% across the three schools; School A (68.8%), B (81.1%) and C (62.5%). Optimal scores were recorded for water (100%) and hygiene (60-80%) resources, however sanitation scores (33.3-66.7%) were poor. Overall proportion of stunting, underweight and thinness were 24.0%, 11.3%, and 38.9% respectively. The odds of stunting (5.98, 95% CI: 5.01-6.94) and thinness (5.44, 95% CI: 4.26-6.61) was higher among children above age 11 (p<0.05). Similarly, odds of stunting were high in school B (40.91, 95% CI: 38.7-43.0) and C (28.91, 95% CI: 26.7-31.0). However, thinness was less likely in schools B (0.003, 95% CI: -1.83-1.84) and C (0.014: 95% CI: -1.68-1.71) (p<0.001). Schools accounted for 10.7% variation in underweight, while the combination of age and school accounted for 23.3% of the variation in stunting, and 47.8% of the variation in thinness. Conclusion Regardless of WASH programming status, malnutrition indices were significantly influenced by a combination of school clustering and age of children. Our findings support the multicausality model for malnutrition. It is therefore important to complementing existing WASH programming efforts, with additional nutritional program such as provision of free, safe and nutritious food to school children.