Benguela Province Research Articles

Envenenamento fatal por mordedura de Naja Nigricollis em Angola e uso da terapia tradicional: um caso clínico em Benguela

Introdução: O envenenamento por mordedura de serpentes constitui um importante problema de Saúde Pública e uma emergência médico-cirúrgica frequente, que afecta as comunidades rurais de África. É responsável por elevado número de vítimas que podem evoluir para morte, principalmente nas áreas rurais, onde estas comunidades são as que mais sofrem por viverem longe dos serviços de saúde, acabando por submeterem-se a tratamentos tradicionais impedindo o manuseio precoce e adequado dos casos em ambiente hospitalar. O presente artigo tem como objectivo descrever o primeiro caso clínico fatal ocorrido numa criança na Província de Benguela - Angola com envenenamento por naja nigricollis, a espécie que é considerada a segunda mais perigosa de África a seguir à Dendroaspis polylepsis. Trata-se de uma criança que foi mordida de noite no pescoço e pé direito. Durante cinco dias os pais submeteram-na a tratamento tradicional fitoterapêutico com um curandeiro, tendo a mesma acorrido ao Hospital Geral de Benguela com um quadro séptico de fasceíte necrotizante grave, anemia severa tendo-se realizado a necrectomia das regiões afectadas e tratamento adequado da anemia. Resultados: A morte da criança após 4 dias nos cuidados intensivos do mesmo Hospital. Conclusões: A fatalidade deste caso clínico demonstra que apesar do manuseio clinico cirúrgico tardio adequado o espectro da gravidade do envenenamento por naja nigricollis ainda constitui uma realidade que poderia ser evitada se educássemos as nossas comunidades rurais em relação à crença do uso de terapias tradicionais nos acidentes ofídicos em Angola.

Education for Prevention of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption in Secondary Education in Cubal

The objective of the study was to characterize the current situation of alcohol and tobacco consumption in secondary school, with a view to the health education, in Cubal, Benguela province, Angola. The study was carried out in the first and second trimester of the school year and the survey to the teacher and student, interviews with school principals and participant`s observation during class and in the playground were used as methods. The sample was taken from the Fist Cycle of Secondary Education at "Kilamba" School and it concluded that teachers and students presented themselves to classes after comsuming alcohol and used to consume tobacco during break time in the court-yard. Although teachers and students were aware of the negative effect of alcohol and tobacco consumption, it was noticed that the problem at issue was not systematically addressed in the teaching-learning process of Geography, which would contribute to the prevention of alcohol and tobacco consumption in school and in general life of the citizen.

Паразитарное поражение органов мочевыводящей системы (на примере шистосомоза)

The globalization observed in the modern world contributes to the increasing rate of the delivery of "exotic" bacterial and parasitic infections from the tropic countries to Russia and the European countries. To analyze the modern early diagnostic tools of premalignant changes and malignant tumors of urinary bladder of schistosome origin in the residents of endemic areas. The current study included an analysis of examination and treatment of 181 patients with bladder schistosomiasis who lived in Benguela province in Angola. In 39 cases (21.5%) bladder cancer associated with schistosomiasis was detected. All patients were undergone to surgical treatment. 142 patients (78.5%) were divided into two groups. In Group 1 (n=74) patients had uncomplicated bladder schistosomiasis and in Group II (n=68) the patients with granulomatous inflammatory changes in the urinary bladder were included. The patients with bladder schistosomiasis (n=142) were undergone to outpatient examination. In 38 cases (26.8%) the cytologic study of urinary sediment (CSUS) revealed the schistosomes eggs. With ultrasound study, the specific granulomatous changes in the mucous membrane of urinary bladder were detected in 28 cases (19.7%) while hydronephrosis, calcifications and thickening of bladder wall was diagnosed in 7 (4.9%), 10 (7%) and 99 (69.7%) patients, respectively. During cystoscopy the granulomatous changes in the bladder were found in 68 cases (47.9%). In Group I patients received "Praziquantel" in combination with oral antibiotic therapy, which resulted in resolution of gross hematuria and dysuria. All patients in Group II (n=68) were also administered antibacterial and antiprotozoal therapy. An additional 35 patients (24.6%) were undergone to transurethral bladder resection. Of 33 patients in Group II (23.2%) who received only antibacterial and antiprotozoal therapy the granulomas persisted in 7 cases (4.9%) and, therefore, TURB was performed. The subsequent studies showed the regression of the lesions in these patients. CSUS and ultrasound study are not sufficient for diagnosis of bladder schistosomiasis. Cystoscopy is recommended for all patients, since it allows to evaluate bladder volume and to determine the indications for TURB in addition to antiprotozoal and antibacterial therapy.

Estudio Descriptivo De La Autonomía Motivacional En El Alumnado De Educación Secundaria De La Provincia De Benguela (Angola)

The study of motivation has a very important role in understanding of school success. The teachers and the education of parents and tutors are the key elements that influence the motivational dynamics for student learning, which is a crucial aspect to self-regulate the learning process in a positive way. This research aims to analyze the influence of the school context on the development of the motivational autonomy of Secondary Education students in the municipality of Baía Farta, Benguela province, Angola. For this purpose, a quantitative descriptive methodology was developed through a Likert scale questionnaire administered to teachers and students. The total sample of the study consisted of 650 students (60.1% men and 39.9% women) and 72 teachers (54.2% men and 45.8% women). The main results point to the commitment and active participation of students through motivational strategies that are implemented through the activities planned by the school. Creating a supportive environment for the student to be motivated requires the development of a role of the guiding teacher, guide and support in the teaching and learning process, as opposed to a traditional conception of teaching more closed and hierarchical.

Spatio-temporal variations of Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae and their Plasmodium infectivity rates in Lobito, Angola.

From 2003 to 2007, entomological surveys were conducted in Lobito town (Benguela Province, Angola) to determine which Anopheles species were present and to identify the vectors responsible for malaria transmission in areas where workers of the Sonamet Company live. Two types of surveys were conducted: (1) time and space surveys in the low and upper parts of Lobito during the rainy and dry periods; (2) a two-year longitudinal study in Sonamet workers' houses provided with long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN), "PermaNet," along with the neighboring community. Both species, An. coluzzii (M molecular form) and An. gambiae (S molecular form), were collected. Anopheles coluzzii was predominant during the dry season in the low part of Lobito where larvae develop in natural ponds and temporary pools. However, during the rainy season, An. gambiae was found in higher proportions in the upper part of the town where larvae were collected in domestic water tanks built near houses. Anopheles melas and An. listeri were captured in higher numbers during the dry season and in the low part of Lobito where larvae develop in stagnant brackish water pools. The infectivity rates of An. gambiae s.l. varied from 0.90% to 3.41%.

Molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Benguela province, Angola.

BackgroundThe malaria situation has been worsening in Angola, partly due to armed conflict until the recent past and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria transmission is heterogeneous within the country, and data on drug-resistant malaria in different parts of the country are incomplete. The aim of the present study was to evaluate resistance to 4-aminoquinolines and antifolate drugs in P. falciparum isolates collected in Benguela province, central Angola, using molecular markers.MethodsFingerprick capillary blood was collected from asymptomatic children aged less than 15 years old during a household survey in and around Balombo town in 2010–2011. Samples were screened for P. falciparum by nested PCR. Molecular markers (P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase [pfdhfr], P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase [pfdhps], P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter [pfcrt], and P. falciparum multidrug-resistance gene 1 [pfmdr1]) were sequenced to determine the key codons associated with drug resistance.ResultsA total of 60 blood samples were positive for P. falciparum. Most isolates with successful PCR amplification had mutant pfdhfr alleles, with either double mutant AICNI (69%) or triple mutant AIRNI (21%) haplotypes. A16V, S108T, and I164L substitutions were not found. Many of the isolates were carriers of either SGKAA (60%) or AGKAA (27%) pfdhps haplotype. K540E substitution was absent. There were only two pfcrt haplotypes: wild-type CVMNK (11%) and mutant CVIET (89%). Wild-type pfmdr1 NYSND haplotype was found in 19% of the isolates, whereas single mutant pfmdr1 YYSND and NFSND haplotypes occurred in 48% and 11%, respectively. Double mutant pfmdr1 haplotypes (YFSND and YYSNY) occurred rarely.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the high prevalence of mutant pfcrt CVIET haplotype is in agreement with low clinical efficacy of chloroquine observed in earlier studies and that the double pfdhfr mutant AICNI and single pfdhps mutant SGKAA are currently the predominant haplotypes associated with antifolate resistance in Benguela province. The hallmark of clinical resistance observed in East Africa, i.e. triple pfdhfr mutant haplotype (AIRNI) and double pfdhps mutant haplotype (SGEAA), was absent. These molecular findings need to be further evaluated in parallel with clinical studies, in particular with the efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment using sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in pregnant women and artesunate-amodiaquine for uncomplicated malaria.

Changes in malaria epidemiology in a rural area of Cubal, Angola.

BackgroundScarce information about malaria epidemiology in Angola has been published. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology of malaria at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz (Cubal, Angola) and the fatality rate due to malaria (total and in children under five years) in the last five years.MethodsA retrospective, observational study was performed at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, a 400-bed rural hospital located in Benguela Province of Angola. The study population included all patients who attended the hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Outcome variables were calculated as follows: the percentage of malaria cases (number of positive thick blood films, divided by the total thick blood films performed); the percentage of in-patients for malaria (number of in-patients diagnosed with malaria, divided by the total number of in-patients); and, the fatality rate (number of deaths due to malaria divided by the number of positive thick blood films).ResultsOverall, 23,106 thick blood films were performed, of which 3,279 (14.2%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum infection. During this five-year period, a reduction of 40% (95% CI 37-43%, p < 0.001) in the malaria-positive slides was detected. Distribution of positive-malaria slides showed a seasonal distribution with a peak from December to March (rainy season). An average annual reduction of 52% (95% CI 50-54%, p < 0.001) in the admissions due to malaria was observed. The overall fatality rate due to malaria was 8.3%, and no significant differences in the annual fatality rate were found (p = 0.553).ConclusionsA reduction in the number of malaria cases and the number of admissions due to malaria has been observed at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, during the last five years, and incidence along the study period showed a seasonal distribution. All this information could be useful when deciding which malaria control strategies have to be implemented in this area.

Perceção da população sobre a qualidade do ambiente e sobre as transformações recentes no município da Baía Farta (Benguela – Angola)

O estudo sobre o município da Baía Farta representou um percurso reflexivo e analítico acerca da importância da Geografia Física na análise dos constrangimentos e potencialidades de desenvolvimento em termos de Planeamento e Ordenamento do Território. Decorrendo de uma análise geográfica realizada em escala crescente sobre Angola, a província de Benguela e o município de Baía Farta, este foi escolhido como caso de estudo, por se tratar de uma área economicamente dinâmica, mas problemática e frágil em termos ambientais, de urbanização e de ordenamento do território. Após a identificação dos principais recursos naturais e das condicionantes ao desenvolvimento do município, entre os quais estão os riscos naturais, foram apresentados os resultados de um inquérito destinado a avaliar a percepção da população local sobre a realidade ambiental, sobre as transformações recentes e sobre as políticas de desenvolvimento em curso. Para além das diferenças de percepção verificadas em função das caraterísticas dos inquiridos (sexo, idade, naturalidade, tempo de residência, profissão e habilitações literárias), registou-se, também, uma clara diferenciação entre os habitantes das diferentes comunas que é reflexo das diferentes condições locais ao nível dos recursos, das infraestruturas e das condições de desenvolvimento.

Carbon dioxide fluxes in the Benguela upwelling system during winter and spring: A comparison between 2005 and 2006

Abstract The distributions of f CO 2 in surface seawater and in the atmosphere were studied in the Benguela Province (14–33°S) during the austral winter and spring 2005 and 2006. High f CO 2sw variability was observed due to the effect of upwelled and derived meso-scale structures such as filament water. The complexity of the system, dominated by the upwelling dynamics, produces both a general decrease in f CO 2sw with temperature (16 μatm/°C) and negative temperature– f CO 2sw relationship due to the presence of upwelling, filaments, and frontal zones. Multiple linear regressions are unable to capture the resulting variability in f CO 2 in the area. CO 2 fluxes over the cruise track varied from Northern Namibia to the Southern Benguela regions. The northern system (14–20°S) is oversaturated in CO 2 relative to the atmosphere, and presents an average flux of 0.56 mol m −2 yr −1 . The southern part (20°S–33°S) of the Benguela system is undersaturated in CO 2, and the average flux is −1.62 mol m −2 yr −1 . This study describes an intensive upwelling area, acting as a sink for CO 2 in winter and spring.

Large-scale patterns in diversity and community structure of surface water copepods from the Atlantic Ocean

Diversity and structure of copepod assemblages were investigated using 259 WP2 zoo- plankton samples collected from the top 200 m of the Atlantic Ocean between 60°N and 63°S. Whilst richness at a number of taxonomic levels (genera-superfamily) demonstrated a smooth latitudinal cline from the tropics towards the poles, other diversity indices such as evenness and taxonomic dis- tinctness showed abrupt changes around 40°N and 40°S, coincident with sea surface temperatures of 17 to 20°C. In the tropics and subtropics, copepod communities were characterised by high stable taxonomic diversity and a relatively even distribution of genera within samples. In contrast, at high latitudes and low temperatures communities showed large variation in overall diversity, evenness and distinctness. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis of transformed generic abundances, pooled into 5° latitudinal means, produced ordinations consistent with the recent subdivision of the oceans into 4 primary biomes based on temporal and spatial patterns of primary production. The copepod community corresponding to the Trades biome, where primary production is broadly con- tinuous, exhibited high generic richness and evenness. In contrast, community structure in the Polar biome, where primary production is highly seasonal, was highly variable and dominated by a few genera. These genera tended to be herbivorous or omnivorous and stored lipid. The Westerlies biome and the Benguela province had intermediate copepod community characteristics. We therefore sug- gest that copepod diversity and community structure are closely tied not to temperature or energy input, but to the temporal patterns of primary and secondary production.

Africa—Latin America—Asia—Middle-East—Europe

As reported in the previous issue of the Review, surveys carried out regularly by ICRC teams to monitor the civilian population's nutritional status showed that the food situation in several districts of southern Huambo and Benguela provinces was worse than at the same season in previous years. During the period under review, the ICRC therefore stepped up its programme of food assistance to civilian victims of the combined effects of drought and conflict. A fifth Twin Otter aircraft was sent to reinforce the system established to transport food from the Atlantic coast to towns in the provinces of Benguela, Bie and Huambo. The nutritional status of the people in Ganda (Benguela province) made it necessary to set up a therapeutic feeding centre, in addition to the large-scale food distributions carried out in the area. The centre was opened on 7 February. The ICRC also provided support to Caritas, which was organizing “soup kitchens” for particularly needy groups. In all, the ICRC distributed 2,270 tonnes of food to some 100,000 people between 1 January and 28 February.

Africa — Latin America — Asia — Middle East — Europe

The President of the ICRC, Mr. Alexandra Hay, accompanied by the ICRC delegate general for Africa, Mr. Jean-Marc Bornet, went on a mission to Angola from 6 to 10 April and met representatives of the Angolan Government, in particular the Ministers of External Relations, Health, Defence, State Security and Provincial Coordination. Apart from the progressive resumption of ICRC humanitarian action on the central Angolan plateau (Planalto) since the end of January and a survey of its activities throughout the world, the President of the ICRC discussed more specific subjects, such as the carrying off by UNITA of foreign collaborators at Alto Catumbela (Benguela province) on 12 March. The delegate general for Africa only returned to Geneva on 14 April after discussing the future of ICRC assistance action on the Planalto with the ICRC delegation.