CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES AND ONGOING CONTROL IN ANIOCHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES AND ONGOING CONTROL IN ANIOCHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was carried out in four farming communities in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria, Idumuogo, Ogodor, Anioma and Ubulubu – between November 2008 and March 2009.

The study was carried out to determine the current status of Onchocerciasis in the communities, through the study of the clinical manifestations of the disease and socio-economic effects on the sufferers, and to connect on the ongoing control measures with ivermectin in the area.

A total of 450 subjects were selected for examination for clinical manifestation of Onchocerciasis. 140 (31.1%) males, and 104 (23.1%) females were found to be infected with one or two clinical manifestations. Although infections were found in all age groups, it occurred mostly in older groups. Various rates of clinical manifestation were recorded thus: leopard skin 106 (24%), Onchocercal nodules 32 (7.1%), Onchodermatitis 51 (11.3%), itching 50 (11.1%) and impaired vision 18 (4.0%) with Idumuogo and Ubulubu, having the highest infections rates of 114 (25.3%) and 76 (16.9%) respectively. Males were significantly more infected than females (X2 = 176.4, df = 24, P<0.01). From the result of the study, the communities surveyed can be said to be hypoendermic for Onchocerciasis with a nodular rate of 32 (7.1%).