Rapid diagnosis of schistosomiasis in Yemen using a simple questionnaire and urine reagent strips

Schistosomiasis ranks second to malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public health importance in Yemen. This study assessed the validity of a morbidity questionnaire and urine reagent strips as a rapid tool for screening schoolchildren for urinary schistosomiasis as compared with the presence of eggs in urine as the gold-standard parasitological diagnosis. The study examined urine samples and interviewed 696 children [mean age 12.5 years] attending a primary-preparatory school in south Yemen. Urinary schistosomiasis was confirmed in 126 [18.1%] children. Diagnostic performance was poor for 2 items in the morbidity questionnaire [self-reported history of previous infection and self-reported history of antischistosomal treatment]. However, self-reported dysuria, self-reported haematuria in the questionnaire and microhaematuria by reagent strips [alone or with macrohaematuria] revealed good diagnostic performance. The results indicated that reagent strips are a valid method for detection of microhaematuria for identifying individuals and communities infected with Schistosoma haematobium

Malaria in late pregnancy in Al Hodeidah governorate, Yemen

To investigate the consequences of maternal malaria during late pregnancy, we conducted a preliminary study in the 2 hospitals in Al Hodeidah on 276 women who had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. Only 17 women had malaria Plasmodium falciparum], 6 with peripheral parasitaemia and 11 with both peripheral parasitaemia and placental malaria. Coincident infection carried a 9.44 times higher risk of preterm delivery and a 12.2 times greater risk of low birth weight [< 2500 g]. Anaemia was diagnosed in 46.4%, associated with malaria in 11.7% of cases. All risk factors, rural residence [OR 5.18], maternal age < 20 years [OR 4.93] and primigravidae [OR 8.29], were significantly associated with malaria infection

Bionomics ofanopheline vectors in Zabid District, Al- Hodeidah Governorate, Republic of Yemen

The bionomics of anopheline vectors were analyzed in randomly selected centres, representing fixed and spot-check stations. Three anopheline species were found. Anopheles arabiensis was the most prevalent species [84.2%] with a sporozoite rate of 0.7%, followed by A. culicifacies adenensis [14.9%] and A. rhodesiensis rupicolus [0.9%]. Maximum indoor resting density was recorded during March, July and August. Positive sprayed sites for females were higher in bedrooms [40.4%] than animal sheds [26.9%]. A total of 2560 anopheline larvae were collected of which 79.5% were A. arabiensis, 19.4% were A. culicifacies adenensis and 1.1% A. rhodesiensis rupicolus. A. arabiensis was assumed to be the most efficient malaria vector based on epidemiological evidence and the finding of natural sporozoite infected females

Bioenvironmental and meteorological factors related to the persistence of malaria in Fayoum Governorate: a retrospective study

The present study was conducted to determine the magnitude of the malaria problem in Fayoum Governorate and to ascertain the determinant factors behind its persistence in this area. Malaria records in Fayoum Governorate for the period 1971-1999 were reviewed retrospectively. The data show that no Plasmodium vivax cases were recorded during 1997-1999 and prediction up till 2004 indicated no positive cases expected. No P. falciparum cases were detected in 1998 and 1999. The prediction trend for this species showed an apparent but not statistically significant decrease in the incidence. The factors responsible for the persistence of malaria in this governorate are discussed