Browsing by Author "Laar, A. K."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Malaria and HIV Infections in Pregnancy: Maternal, Perinatal and Infant Health Issues
    (University of Ghana, 2009-01) Laar, A. K.
    In sub-Saharan Africa, several hundreds of pregnancies are exposed to both malaria and HIV infections annually. Consequences of these infections include maternal anemia, immunosuppression, preterm delivery, low birth weight, low Apgar score, and cord malaria. Unfortunately, these infections in relation to these adverse outcomes are not well characterized in Ghana. This study determined whether maternal malaria and HIV infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of these outcomes. The study enrolled 1154 (443 HIV-positive and 711 HIV-negati ve) women at their first antenatal visit, and prospectively collected data at delivery on 761 mother-infant pairs. Maternal and cord blood malaria parasitemia status were determined using a Rapid Immunochromatographic Test Kit. Hemoglobin concentrations were determined using an automated hematologic analyzer, and CD4+ count determined using the Becton Dickinson F ACScount system. This study demonstrates a significantly increased risk of LBW among HIV-positive women who had malaria at recruitment; odds ratio (OR) = 4.4, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] (2.3 - 8.4), at delivery; OR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.1 - 3.7), and at both time points; OR = 11.3, 95% CI (4.6 - 27.4). Women dually-infected with HIV and malaria'at both time points had a 4-fold risk of delivering preterm; OR = 3.96, 95% CI (1.8 - 8.5). Neonates with cord malaria were more likely to be born to women dually-infected with HIV and malaria at recruitment and at delivery; OR = 10.5, 95% CI (4.5 - 24.0). Maternal anemia and immunosuppression (as measured by reduced CD4+ count) were significantly associated with maternal infection with malaria and HIV (p < 0.05) in each case. These findings suggest that maternal infection with HIV and/or malaria is associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Routine screening of pregnant women for both malaria and HIV at antenatal visits, and successful treatment of malaria may reduce these adverse outcomes.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Schistosomiasis Infection and Nutritional Status of Children in Weija, Sourthern Ghana
    (Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 5(8): 1-3, 2008) Bimi, L.; Sory, S.; Laar, A. K.
    Schistosomiasis is widespread in the developing world and is one of the most important helminth infection that has attracted public health intervention. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the blood flukes that causes urinary Schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium) and the nutritional status of children. Height and weight measurements were taken, and the body mass indices computed. Also urine samples were collected from each of the subjects and analyzed in the laboratory for the presence or otherwise of Schistosoma hematobium eggs. Our results show that more girls than boys were infected with the blood fluke; probably because contact with water per person per day is greater in girls than in boys. We observed a statistically significant relationship between having red blood cells in urine (a principal symptom of schistosomiasis infection) and lower BMI treated as a dichotomized variable. The knowledge-base of the pupils with respect to the disease did not seem to have a bearing on the incidence of schistosomiasis in school children in the study area. It is therefore advisable to put in place active measures to help curb the disease by ensuring that the people living in the area do not urinate or defecate near/into any water body.