Assignment task:
In Study 1, the research team investigated infection with Schistosoma mansoni (a water-borne parasite) in a small community on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. They attempted to enrol all children over 12 months of age from the community. The children were asked to provide fresh stool samples, one per day produced on three consecutive days, which were then used to prepare duplicate slides that were examined for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs. A finger-stick blood sample was tested using the schistosome adult worm protein (SWAP)-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A child with positive stool slides or with positive SWAP ELISA results was considered infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Results from a total of 500 children were included in the final analysis, with ages ranging from 1 to 15 years. The prevalence rate was 15% among 1 year olds and increased steadily with age. More than 90% of children over age 10 were infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
In Study 2, the research team investigated visceral leishmaniasis (VL; also known as kala-azar), which is caused by the parasite Leishmania and transmitted by sandfly vectors. The study was conducted in neighbouring areas of Kenya and Uganda. Cases were sourced from local hospitals and clinics, and the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed using one of the rapid tests (rK39 immunochromatographic test). Controls were individuals who had been selected at random from the same communities as the cases. A pre-tested standardized household questionnaire was administered to each case. All controls were interviewed at home. Sleeping outside during some or all of the year was associated with an increased risk of visceral leishmaniasis (OR 4.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.65-13.67). Owning a mosquito net was associated with a protective effect (OR 0.18; 95% confidence interval: 0.09-0.37). Want Assignment Help?
- Study 1 is likely to be a prevalence (cross-sectional) study and Study 2 is likely to be an intervention study.
- Study 1 is likely to be a prevalence (cross-sectional) study and Study 2 is likely to be a case-control study.
- Study 1 is likely to be a case-control study and Study 2 is likely to be a case-control study.
- Study 1 is likely to be a cohort study and Study 2 is likely to be an intervention study.
- Study 1 is likely to be an intervention study and Study 2 is likely to be a cohort study.