Prevalence and Attitude towards Trichomonas vaginalis infection among undergraduate students of a higher institution in South Eastern Nigeria

O.M. Ukpai, F.T. Nwaodu, E.C. Amaechi — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A study to determine the prevalence and attitude towards Trichomonas vaginalis infection amongst undergraduate students of
a higher institution in south Eastern Nigeria was conducted between January and June 2015. A total of 250 students comprising of 104 males and 146 females had their urine samples examined using the microscopy method for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from all the consenting participants after which high vaginal swabs were collected, processed and examined for T. vaginalis using microscopy. Out of this number, 40 (16%) were infected. Age related infection rate was highest in the 31 – 35 years (25%) age group. Symptoms associated with this infection included genital discharges, painful urination, painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), itching, and irregular menstruation. Factors which affect the student’s attitude towards getting screened for the infection are fear, ignorance, poverty, self-medication, lack of time and even carelessness. Possible causes of T. vaginalis infection were revealed as: sharing of towels (10.0%), sharing of bathing sponge (6.0%), sharing of under wears (5.2%), unclean or infected toilet facility (2.0%). sharing of shaving sticks, razor blade and scissors (for pubic hair) (1.2%) and unprotected sex (0.8%). Known preventive measures against Trichomonas vaginalis infection included avoidance of sexual contact with infected persons (2.8%), use of condoms (32.8%), avoidance of premarital sex (9.2%), having only one sexual partner (12.8%), disinfecting and keeping the toilet clean (17.2%) and not sharing towels (6.0%). Public health enlightenment that is targeted at behavioural change is strongly advocated.

Feeding behavioural patterns of Imbrassia belina larvae that minimizes the production of tannins in Colophospermum mopane leaves

Madeline Sibula, Shadreck Dube — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) trees respond to herbivory by producing secondary metabolites known as tannins. In order to exploit such trees, insects will adopt feeding patterns that will best reduce production of such feeding deterrents. To elucidate this, the behavioural feeding patterns of Imbrasia belina larvae were studied on Mopane trees and artificial damage on the same was done by punching small holes on a large number of leaves over a period of 25 days. Similarly, a control was used to simulate feeding behaviour of I. belina larvae by removing a large number of full leaves on each day over a period of 25 days. In each instance leaves were collected and tested for tannin content using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The feeding behavioural patterns showed that I. belina larvae will feed on a full leaf at a time and will not leave a leaf unfinished. The surface area of leaf eaten by these larvae increases exponentially from the first instar to the last instar until the entire tree foliage is finished. The results obtained for tannin content showed that removing full leaves as in the control resulted in no increase in amount of tannin produced whereas artificial damage resulted in an increase in amount of tannin produced. From these results it can then be concluded that the feeding behaviour of I. belina will minimises production of tannins on Mopane trees.

Zimbabwe Journal of Science and Technology

Prevalence and Attitude towards Trichomonas vaginalis infection among undergraduate students of a higher institution in South Eastern Nigeria

Feeding behavioural patterns of Imbrassia belina larvae that minimizes the production of tannins in Colophospermum mopane leaves