Intestinal helminthiasis, anaemia and associated risk factors in a cross-section of the population of Melong, Littorial Region of Cameroon.

Assessment of risk factors of intestinal helminths and anaemia in various geographical regions is important for the development of appropriate control strategies. This study aimed at determining the risk factors associated with intestinal helminths and anaemia in Melong, Cameroon. A total of 325 participants were recruited in this study between September-December 2021. Faecal samples were examined using the formol-ether sedimentation technique while haemoglobin level was measured using a HemoCue spectrometer. Data on demographic and behavioural factors was collected and used to determine the risk factors using a pretested structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 24.6% (80/325). Helminths recovered from the study included hookworm (16%; 52/325), Schistosoma mansoni (10.8% 35/325) Ascaris lumbricoides (1.9%; 6/325), and Trichuris trichiura (0.6%; 2/325) with 15 participants having multiple infections (4.6%). The geometric mean egg density was 77epg and ranged from 20 to 560 epg of faeces. Males and age group ≤ 5 years had the highest parasite intensity (248epg). The overall prevalence of anaemia was 33.5% (109/325). Anaemia was significantly (p = 0.001) high at 48.8% (39/80) in those infected with intestinal parasites compared to non-infected individuals. Age group of 31-45 years; [3.42(1.05-11.21)] and > 65 years [6.21(1.75-12.47)], poor knowledge [0.41(0.67-6.07)], no regular deworming [0.70(1.76-21.96)], mud floors toilet [6.18(1.61-23.79)], toilets made of sticks [16.5(4.24-64.31)], and participants who did not have stomach/abdominal pains [0.22(0.07-0.67)] were significant predictors of helminth infections. Age group < 15 years [2.58(1.09-6.11)], geophagia [3.69(1.91-9.33)], hookworm infection [3.26(1.49-7.11)], S. mansoni [1.72 (1.16-3.41)] and those with multiple infections [1.76(1.04-2.88)] were identified as risk factors for anaemia. Risk factors identified in this study can be used to improve the control mechanism put in place by the government.

Control of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Using Fractionated Extracts from Cameroonian Hemizygia welwitschii (Lamiaceae) Leaf on Stored Vigna unguiculata (Fabales: Fabaceae).

Bioassays were conducted to assess the individually insecticidal activities of hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts from Hemizygia welwitschii Rolfe-Ashby leaves powder against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The extracts were applied at 2, 4, 6, and 10 g/kg of cowpea and the untreated seeds served as negative control. Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized design with four replications. Adult mortality, F1 progeny emergence, as well as insect population increase, seeds damage, and seeds germination were carried out. The results obtained showed that the three extracts of H. welwitschii were very effective in protecting stored cowpea against C. maculatus at the highest dosage (10 g/kg) 7 d after treatment. There was no F1 progeny emergence of C. maculatus in cowpea treated with hexane extract at the dosage of 10 g/kg, while, at the same dosage, acetone and methanol extracts almost completely inhibited the F1 progeny emergence. Also, the different concentration levels significantly protected the seeds with regard to seed damage caused by C. maculatus compared with the untreated control after 3 mo storage. The viability of seeds was not affected by the extracts. Because of their effectiveness, the three extracts of H. welwitschii leaves powder could be a good candidate in pest management programs, especially against C. maculatus in stored cowpea grains, in Cameroon and other developing countries.