IngentaConnect Dracunculiasis in the north eastern border of Ebonyi State, south...

Authors: Anosike J.C.¹; Azoro V.A.¹; Nwoke B.E.B.¹; Keke R.I.¹; Okere A.N.¹; Oku E.E.²; Ogbulie J.N.³; Tony-Njoku R.F.¹; Okoro O.U.¹; Nwosu D.C.¹

Source: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Volume 206, Number 1, January 2003 , pp. 45-51(7)

Publisher: Urban & Fischer

Abstract:

Between January and August 2000, a house-to-house survey of dracunculiasis was conducted in 15 communities along the north eastern border of Ebonyi State, south eastern Nigeria. Of the 3,777 subjects examined, 192 (5.1%) had active cases of guinea worm comprising 109 males (5.5%) and 83 females (4.6%). Infections were observed in all age groups. Of the 3,777 persons examined, 2,092 (55.4%) had ever been infected in the area. Protruding adult female Dracunculus medinensis worms were found predominantly on the lower limbs (80.2%), but also on the scrotum (9.4%), umbilicus (3.1%) groin (2.6%), buttocks (20.8%) and chest (1.6%). Prevalence of dracunculiasis had no significant sex, age and occupation related differences (P>0.1). All the 47 stagnant ponds in the area were infested with cyclops while the 6 streams and 13 newly constructed community wells were free of cyclops. Of the five species of cyclopoid copepods found in the stagnant ponds, only Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus and Mesocyclops aequatorialis harboured guinea worm larvae. The efforts of the endemic communities, government and international organizations in guinea worm eradication in these areas are discussed.

Keywords: Dracunculiasis; active cases; eradication; disability; predilection sites; Ebonyi - Nigeria

Language: English

Document Type: Original article

DOI: 10.1078/1438-4639-00176

Affiliations: 1: Zoology Unit, Imo State University, p.m.b. 2000 Owerri, Nigeria 2: School of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria 3: Environmental Microbiology Unit, Imo State University, p.m.b. 2000 Owerri, Nigeria

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Dracunculiasis in the north eastern border of Ebonyi State, south eastern Nigeria