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Eppley TM, Borgerson C, Patel ER, Herrera JP, Kirkby AE, Golden CD, Andriamahaihavana M, Andrianandrasana L, Bóveda A, Gibson D, Jaofeno LJ, Rakotondrasoa F, Ramahaleo TA, Rasamisoa DC, Ratelolahy F, Razafindramanana J, Spira C, Welch C, Vasey N. A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call-to-action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23483. [PMID: 36851838 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The northeast of Madagascar is as diverse as it is threatened. The area bordering the Analanjirofo and SAVA regions contains six protected areas and at least 22 lemur species. Many applied research and conservation programs have been established in the region with the aim of ensuring both wildlife and people thrive in the long term. While most of the remaining humid evergreen forest of northeast Madagascar is formally protected, the local human population depends heavily on the land, and unsustainable natural resource use threatens this biodiversity hotspot. Drawing from our collective experiences managing conservation activities and research programs in northeast Madagascar, we discuss the major threats to the region and advocate for eight conservation activities that help reduce threats and protect the environment, providing specific examples from our own programs. These include (1) empowering local conservation actors, (2) ensuring effectively protected habitat, (3) expanding reforestation, (4) establishing and continuing long-term research and monitoring, (5) reducing food insecurity, (6) supporting environmental education, (7) promoting sustainable livelihoods, and (8) expanding community health initiatives. Lastly, we provide a list of actions that individuals can take to join us in supporting and promoting lemur conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Eppley
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Cortni Borgerson
- Department of Anthropology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
| | - Erik R Patel
- Lemur Conservation Foundation, Myakka City, Florida, USA
| | - James P Herrera
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew E Kirkby
- Birdlife International, Conservation Department, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher D Golden
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - McAntonin Andriamahaihavana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Antonio Bóveda
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Dean Gibson
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Delaïd C Rasamisoa
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Felix Ratelolahy
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Josia Razafindramanana
- Mention Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charlotte Spira
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charles Welch
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalie Vasey
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Aninagyei E, Puopelle DM, Tukwarlba I, Ghartey-Kwansah G, Attoh J, Adzakpah G, Acheampong DO. Molecular speciation of Plasmodium and multiplicity of P. falciparum infection in the Central region of Ghana. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002718. [PMID: 38236793 PMCID: PMC10796036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is endemic in the Central region of Ghana, however, the ecological and the seasonal variations of Plasmodium population structure and the intensity of malaria transmission in multiple sites in the region have not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, five districts in the region were involved. The districts were Agona Swedru, Assin Central and Gomoa East (representing the forest zone) and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese and Cape Coast representing the coastal zone. Systematically, blood samples were collected from patients with malaria. The malaria status was screened with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit (CareStart manufactured by Access Bio in Somerset, USA) and the positive ones confirmed microscopically. Approximately, 200 μL of blood was used to prepare four dried blood spots of 50μL from each microscopy positive sample. The Plasmodium genome was sequenced at the Malaria Genome Laboratory (MGL) of Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI), Hinxton, UK. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the parasite mitochondria (PfMIT:270) core genome aided the species identification of Plasmodium. Subsequently, the complexity of infection (COI) was determined using the complexity of infection likelihood (COIL) computational analysis. In all, 566 microscopy positive samples were sequenced. Of this number, Plasmodium genome was detected in 522 (92.2%). However, whole genome sequencing was successful in 409/522 (72.3%) samples. In total, 516/522 (98.8%) of the samples contained P. falciparum mono-infection while the rest (1.2%) were either P. falciparum/P. ovale (Pf/Po) (n = 4, 0.8%) or P. falciparum/P. malariae/P. vivax (Pf/Pm/Pv) mixed-infection (n = 2, 0.4%). All the four Pf/Po infections were identified in samples from the Assin Central municipality whilst the two Pf/Pm/Pv triple infections were identified in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district and Cape Coast metropolis. Analysis of the 409 successfully sequenced genome yielded between 1-6 P. falciparum clones per individual infection. The overall mean COI was 1.78±0.92 (95% CI: 1.55-2.00). Among the study districts, the differences in the mean COI between ecological zones (p = 0.0681) and seasons (p = 0.8034) were not significant. However, regression analysis indicated that the transmission of malaria was more than twice among study participants aged 15-19 years (OR = 2.16, p = 0.017) and almost twice among participants aged over 60 years (OR = 1.91, p = 0.021) compared to participants between 20-59 years. Between genders, mean COI was similar except in Gomoa East where females recorded higher values. In conclusion, the study reported, for the first time, P. vivax in Ghana. Additionally, intense malaria transmission was found to be higher in the 15-19 and > 60 years, compared to other age groups. Therefore, active surveillance for P. vivax in Ghana and enhanced malaria control measures in the 15-19 year group years and those over 60 years are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Aninagyei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Dakorah Mavis Puopelle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Isaac Tukwarlba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Juliana Attoh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Godwin Adzakpah
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Desmond Omane Acheampong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Ante-Testard PA, Carrasco-Escobar G, Benmarhnia T, Temime L, Jean K. Investigating inequalities in HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: spatial analysis of cross-sectional population-based surveys in 25 countries. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072403. [PMID: 38081667 PMCID: PMC10729013 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aim to explore spatial variations in socioeconomic inequalities in HIV testing uptake in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at different geographical scales to identify potential geographical hotspots of inequalities. Additionally, to evaluate the potential benefits of HIV testing programmes, we assess whether local levels of HIV testing match the local levels of HIV prevalence. DESIGN A multi-country analysis of population-based cross-sectional surveys in SSA. SETTING We analysed data from 25 SSA countries with Demographic and Health Surveys between 2011 and 2019. PARTICIPANTS Country-level analysis included 473 775 participants (312 104 women and 161 671 men) and cluster-level analysis included 328 283 individuals (241 084 women and 87 199 men). Women aged 15-49 years and men aged 15-54/59 years in selected households who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months were eligible. We quantified inequalities in self-reported recent HIV testing with the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) across geographical scales to capture sex-specific within-country spatial variations. We also conducted local Getis-Ord Gi* statistics to consider the autocorrelation in fine-scale SII and RII across countries. To assess the efficiency of HIV testing programmes, we measured the correlation between recent HIV testing and HIV prevalence through Spearman correlation across geographical scales. RESULTS We observed varying inequalities in recent HIV testing in magnitude and spatial distribution on both absolute and relative scales in many countries for both sexes at national and subnational levels. Hotspots of absolute and relative inequalities were mostly observed in Western and Central Africa with a few regions in Eastern and Southern Africa. Despite significant sex-specific correlations between testing and prevalence in all countries when assessed at the national level, we report an absence of such a correlation at fine scale in 17 of 50 sex-country combinations. CONCLUSIONS We highlight the importance of investigating the spatial variability of various HIV indicators and related inequalities across different geographical levels. Results may help inform an equitable distribution of HIV testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Anne Ante-Testard
- Laboratoire MESuRS, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Unité PACRI, Institut Pasteur, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Gabriel Carrasco-Escobar
- Health Innovation Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Laura Temime
- Laboratoire MESuRS, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Unité PACRI, Institut Pasteur, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Kévin Jean
- Laboratoire MESuRS, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Unité PACRI, Institut Pasteur, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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