Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Malaria Infections, and High Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Levels among Individuals at the Rivers State University, Nigeria: Findings of a Free Medical Outreach
Ibioku Elekima *
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Barinaaziga Sunday Mbeera
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
ThankGod Prince Ohaka
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Chidimma Anthonia Azike
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Onyemaechi Collins Micah
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Easter Godwin Nwokah
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Onyemaechi Uchechukwu
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Vivian Nkemkanma Agi
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Amarachi Bridget Ibuchim-Owabie
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Science, College of Medical Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Chinyere Omereji-David
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ollor Amba Ollor
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Helen Waribo
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ibitoroko George-Opuda
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Adline Ben-Chioma
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Tombari Pius Monsi
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Co-morbidity of infections and non-infectious diseases is increasing in developing societies with little effort in identifying these trends. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria infections, and high serum prostate-specific antigen levels among individuals and residents at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Experimental Design: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study, which consisted of 501 participants in a free medical outreach organized by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Rivers State University Chapter, Rivers State, Nigeria, in commemoration of the 2022 International Biomedical Day. The test subjects consisted of males and females, who were students, staff, and residents at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The age range of the test subjects was 18-64 years.
Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study encompassed 501 adults (males and females) who gave consent for their blood screening during our free medical outreach. As a procedure, venous blood specimens were collected at the antecubital fossa from the attendees by venipuncture technique and were screened forH. Pylori antibody, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, malaria parasite, and prostate-specific antigen with the use of Accu-Tell rapid diagnostic test kits. Each test was read within 10 minutes. Red lines on the test zone and control zones of the test kits were read and recorded as positive cases, while a red line on the control zone and the absence of a red line on the test zone of the test kit were read, and recorded as negative case, in line with the rapid diagnostic manufacturer’s instructions.
Results: Out of a total of 501 participants, the prevalence of H. pylori, M. tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, and prostate-specific antigen were 9 (1.79 %), 3 (0.6 %), 12 (2.40 %), 6 (4.65 %%) respectively. The sex-based comparison showed that males have the same prevalence for all infectious diseases (H. pylori, M. tuberculosis, and P. falciparum) of 3 (2.32 %), and 6 (4.65 %) for a prostate-specific antigen. For the females, the prevalence of H. pylori, M. tuberculosis and P. falciparum were 6 (2.20 %), 0 (0.00 %), and 9 (2.42 %) respectively.
Conclusion: M. tuberculosis prevalence was observed to be greater in the males than in the females of the studied population while that of H. pylori was observed to be higher in the females than the male participants. So continuous screening of the public to monitor and prepare them against the insurgence of these diseases which are of public health concern is important.
Keywords: H. pylori, malaria parasite, mycobacterium tuberculosis, prostate specific antigen, rivers state, prevalence