Policarpo Ncogo
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
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Featured researches published by Policarpo Ncogo.
PLOS ONE | 2015
Maria Romay-Barja; Inma Jarrin; Policarpo Ncogo; Gloria Nseng; Maria Jose Sagrado; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Pilar Aparicio; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito
Background Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old in Equatorial Guinea. However, little is known about the community management of malaria and treatment-seeking patterns. We aimed to assess symptoms of children with reported malaria and treatment-seeking behaviour of their caretakers in rural and urban areas in the Bata District. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Bata and 440 houses were selected from 18 rural villages and 26 urban neighbourhoods. Differences between rural and urban caregivers and children with reported malaria were assessed through the chi-squared test for independence of categorical variables and the t-Student or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for normally or not-normally distributed continuous variables, respectively. Results Differences between rural and urban households were observed in caregiver treatment-seeking patterns. Fever was the main symptom associated with malaria in both areas. Malaria was treated first at home, particularly in rural areas. The second step was to seek treatment outside the home, mainly at hospital and Health Centre for rural households and at hospital and private clinic for urban ones. Artemether monotherapy was the antimalarial treatment prescribed most often. Households waited for more than 24 hours before seeking treatment outside and delays were longest in rural areas. The total cost of treatment was higher in urban than in rural areas in Bata. Conclusions The delays in seeking treatment, the type of malaria therapy received and the cost of treatment are the principal problems found in Bata District. Important steps for reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in this area are to provide sufficient supplies of effective antimalarial drugs and to improve malaria treatment skills in households and in both public and private sectors.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 2013
Amalia Fernández-Martínez; Patricia Mula; Pedro Cravo; Pilar Charle; Aranzazu Amor; Policarpo Ncogo; Agustín Benito; Pedro Berzosa
Plasmodium falciparum resistance to the primary drugs used for treatment of malaria has become the main obstacle to malaria control. Artemisinin combination therapies are the current treatment strategy, and it has been suggested that resistance to artemisinin derivatives may be related to mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase ortholog of the mammalian sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase gene, known as the pfatp6 gene. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pfatp6. The presence of different SNPs was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the pfatp6 gene, and then sequencing to identify all possible alleles of the gene. A total of 20 SNPs were detected, including eight SNPs that have not been previously described: K481R in Malabo; R801H on Annobon Island; and the synonymous SNPs a141t, c1788t, a2211g, t2739g, a2760c, and g2836a. The genotypic profile of pfatp6 in samples from Equatorial Guinea, may be a useful epidemiologic tool for monitoring local efficacy of artemisinin combination therapies.
PLOS ONE | 2017
Policarpo Ncogo; Maria Romay-Barja; Agustín Benito; Pilar Aparicio; Gloria Nseng; Pedro Berzosa; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Matilde Riloha; Basilio Valladares; Zaida Herrador; Marly Augusto Cardoso
Anemia in children under 5 years of age is a global public health problem. According to the World Health Organization the current rate of anemia among preschool aged children in Equatorial Guinea is 66%. No information is available above this age. The cross-sectional Prevamal Survey was conducted in 2013 aimed at providing baseline data on malaria prevalence in children aged 2 months-15 years old. Sampling was carried out with the use of a multistage, stratified cluster strategy in the district of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. The χ2 test and adjusted Poisson regression models were applied to assess the association between social-demographic and economic factors, malaria and anemia. A total of 1436 children were tested, out of which 1,421 children (99%) were tested for anemia. Over 85% were anemic; out of them, 284 (24%), 815 (67%) and 111 (9%) children had mild, moderate and severe anemia, respectively. Severe anemia was more frequent among children aged 2–12 months old and those living in rural sites. About 47% tested positive for malaria via a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). This rate was significantly higher in rural villages (66%; p<0.001). The prevalence of anemia and malaria was higher in rural settings (p<0.001). On the other hand, anemia in urban areas displayed a heterogeneity and complexity that differed from the rural environment: in urban neighbourhoods, children with concomitant malaria infection were more likely to be anemic (adjusted prevalence rate (aPR):1.19; CI 95%: 1.12–1.28). Moreover, the prevalence of anemia was higher in children aged above 13 months compared to younger children (p<0.005). Belonging to the poorest wealth tertile were positively (aPR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05–1.24) and children’ parents being employees (aPR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.96) or self-employed (aPR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.97) vs. working in agriculture and/or fishing negatively associated with anemia among urban children. This marked urban-rural variation indicates the importance of targeting specific areas or districts. Strategies aimed at reducing malaria are clearly paramount in this country. Prevention and treatment of other factors associated with the etiology of anemia (e.g., iron deficiency) are also likely necessary to combat the burden of anemia in Equatorial Guinea.
PLOS ONE | 2015
Maria Romay-Barja; Inma Jarrin; Policarpo Ncogo; Gloria Nseng; Maria Jose Sagrado; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Pilar Aparicio; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito
There is an error in affiliation 3 for author Santosh Kumar. Affiliation 3 should be: Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, United States of America.
Malaria Journal | 2015
Policarpo Ncogo; Zaida Herrador; Maria Romay-Barja; Emely García-Carrasco; Gloria Nseng; Pedro Berzosa; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Matilde Riloha; Pilar Aparicio; Basilio Valladares; Agustín Benito
Malaria Journal | 2016
Maria Romay-Barja; Jorge Cano; Policarpo Ncogo; Gloria Nseng; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito
Malaria Journal | 2017
Pedro Berzosa; Andrés Esteban-Cantos; Luz García; Vicenta González; Marisa Navarro; Taiomara Fernández; Maria Romay-Barja; Zaida Herrador; José Miguel Rubio; Policarpo Ncogo; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito
PLOS ONE | 2016
Maria Romay-Barja; Policarpo Ncogo; Gloria Nseng; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Zaida Herrador; Pedro Berzosa; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito
Malaria Journal | 2017
Diana Gómez-Barroso; Emely García-Carrasco; Zaida Herrador; Policarpo Ncogo; Maria Romay-Barja; Martín Eka Ondo Mangue; Gloria Nseng; Matilde Riloha; Maria Angeles Santana; Basilio Valladares; Pilar Aparicio; Agustín Benito
Malaria Journal | 2018
Pedro Berzosa; Aida de Lucio; Maria Romay-Barja; Zaida Herrador; Vicenta González; Luz García; Amalia Fernández-Martínez; Maria A. Santana-Morales; Policarpo Ncogo; Basilio Valladares; Matilde Riloha; Agustín Benito