Abstract: Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale are the 2 major species of human hookworms occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Up to date, without any hookworm species identification study, Necator americanus remains the only species reported in Cameroon. In order to identify hookworm species from two Health Districts in Cameroon, stool samples from ~ 100 hookworm-positive schoolchildren were cultured to the third-stage (L3), filariform larvae, using the Harada-Moritest-tube method. In the Health District of Mouanko, N. americanus larvae were recovered from a total of 27 (62.79%) coprocultures while A. duodenale larvae were recovered from a total of 24 (55.81%) stool cultures. 44.18% of the hookworm infections were due solely to N. americanus, 37.2% solely to A. duodenale and 18.6% were mixed infections with both species. In all mixed infections, N. americanus appears to be the predominate species. In contrast, in the health district of Loum, N. americanus larvae were the only species found in all of the20 hookworm-positive coprocultures. This study reports for the first time the presence of A. duodenale in Cameroon. This new data is very important because it emphasizes the need to assess the actual distribution of these two species in Cameroon, for better taken into account in treatment and control strategies.Abstract: Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale are the 2 major species of human hookworms occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Up to date, without any hookworm species identification study, Necator americanus remains the only species reported in Cameroon. In order to identify hookworm species from two Health Districts in Cameroon, stool samples from ~ 10...Show More
Abstract: Small ruminant production is an important animal husbandry practices practiced in developing countries including Sierra Leone. This current study was conducted in the Southern Part of Sierra Leone (Moyamba District) to investigate Small Ruminant Production (SRP) at the free-range management system concerning household contributions, practices, and challenges. Data were collected from 192 respondents using a well-structured pretested questionnaire. This was administered randomly to 6 selected chiefdoms in the Moyamba District. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics for mean, frequencies, and percentages. The results of the study showed that 60.4% of the respondents were male whilst 39.6% were females. 80.7% were married, 49.0% were illiterate and 74.0% were unemployed. Household demands were reported as the main purpose for keeping goat and sheep followed by traditional practices, income generation, religious ceremonies, and manure for vegetable production. 67.7% and 89.1% provided supplementary feed and water for their animals respectively. The majority of the respondents (81.8%) built separate shelters whilst the remaining farmers either shared dwelling houses with their animals (25.7%) or did not confine them (18.2%). Disease outbreaks such as [mange, Peste des Petit Ruminant (PPR), diarrhea, respiratory infections, foot rot, and bloat]; uncontrolled theft; poor market facility; damage; and inadequate animal healthcare services among others were the major constraints reported by farmers. It was concluded that production management practices were mainly done at the traditional level using traditional knowledge and skills with little or no modern input hence low-output. The study therefore recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should implement multi-sectorial interventions to provide the pre-requisite assistant to the farmers which can help to combat the multiple challenges affecting small production in the study area.Abstract: Small ruminant production is an important animal husbandry practices practiced in developing countries including Sierra Leone. This current study was conducted in the Southern Part of Sierra Leone (Moyamba District) to investigate Small Ruminant Production (SRP) at the free-range management system concerning household contributions, practices, and ...Show More
