Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive forhelminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Hymenolepis nana. Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age,in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive for helminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni , Trichuris trichiura , Strongyloides stercoralis , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Hymenolepis nana . Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age, in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Guinea worm eradication program in Borno state: The need for adopting appropriate intervention strategies

The objective of this study is to update the status of Guinea worm and Eradication Program in Borno State and to demonstrate the effectiveness of adopting appropriate intervention strategies. The assessment of the prevalence of Dracunculus medinensis was carried out by active case search. Three hundred and ten thousand and ninety-two (310,092) residents were examined from 136,892 households spread across 148 villages. Residents were examined for guinea worm disease infection between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004. Diagnosis of cases was based on the World Health Organization case definitions: “an individual exhibiting or having a recent (about one year) history of a skin lesion with emergence of a guinea worm”. In addition, the Surveillance reports submitted to Global 2000 from 1995(the first target date for the eradication of guinea worm) to 2002 were reviewed alongside the data from this study. The result revealed that number of cases increased from 1995 (587) to 1998(2,063) and then declined to 195 in 2002. The results of the 2003/2004 survey showed that 34 (0.01%) out of the 310,092 individuals examined had emerging guinea worm. Also, 12(8.11%) out of the 148 villages surveyed were still endemic for the infection. Sex and age related distribution of infection revealed that 25(0.02%) out of 162,972 males and 9(0.01%) out of the 147,120 females examined were infected, while individuals within the age group 10-40 years were more affected (0.8%) among females and age group 11-20 (0.07%) in the male category were most affected. Farmers (0.02%) and Nomads (0.02%) had the highest prevalence rates of infection. The peak transmission period in the state was July through November. All the 34 (100%) cases appeared on the legs and feet. The success story of Guinea Eradication Program in Borno State without the provision of adequate potable water to every affected community demonstrates that the disease could be contained with or without potable water supply. Keywords: Guinea worm; Dracunculus medinensis; eradication program; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 182-18

The impact of intervention strategies on the eradication of dracunculiasis in Gombe state, Nigeria

The impact of the different interventions put in place in 10 villages of Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State was evaluated during the 2003/2004 epidemiological years. Out of the 888 persons examined from 263 households, 51 (5.74%) had cases of guinea worm. Gode and Bakundi villages had the highest infection with 9(17.17%) cases each. Individuals within age groups 16-20 years were more infected (10.84%) while persons above 40 years were not infected. Although more males (6.22%) than females (5.21%) were infected, it was not statistically significant. Interventions put in place included health education, filter distribution, Abate application, case containment and surveillance. New water supply was zero in all the villages. The people still drank from ponds. Only one hand dug-well was found at Galdo but it was through communal effort. The attitude, knowledge, beliefs and practices of the people concerning the disease has improved greatly but few people still believe that rain water is the source of the disease. Few infected individuals still practice the traditional method of treating the disease by puncturing the infected part with a very hot iron rod and applying potash around the area. Lack of compliance to some of the interventions like not insisting on drinking filtered water always and not achieving 100% case containment seem to be the major problems hindering the complete eradication of the disease from the state. The federal, state and local government health authorities, and international agencies should intervene in these communities by providing potable water to facilitate the complete eradication of the disease in the area. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(2) 2005: 165-17

Prevalence and public health significance of helminth ova in deposited dog feces in Owerri, Nigeria

We conducted a prevalence study of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of dogs in Owerri area of Imo state, Nigeria between April and October 1999. Of the 284 fecal dog specimens examined, 200(70.4%) were infected with one or more helminth parasites of the infected specimens. Eight helminth parasites were recorded and include Ancyclostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxoscaris leonine, Strongyloides spp, Dipylidium caninum,Spirocerca lupi and Taeniid eggs. Ancyclostoma caninumhad the highest prevalence (32.7%), followed by Toxocara canis (27.8%) and Trichuris vulpis (21.1%) with Taeniid eggs as the least (2.8%). The proportion of infected dogs varied significantly among various study locations with Nwafor (60.0) and Umudagu (50.0) areas being higher than others (p 0.01). The zoonotic implications of some of the helminth parasites recovered are discussed. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(1) 2006: 34-3

Assessment of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

An assessment study of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis amongst farming communities of Ezza north, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2,226 persons were physically examined during the initial study prior to the application of intervention measures. A total of 426 (19.1%) subjects had either Dracunculus ulcers or emergent worms. About 18.5% and 20.2% males and females were infected respectively. Infection varied among communities with Iyere (47.9%) and Ekka (43.9%) being significantly higher than others (

The endemicity of dracunculiasis, transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in the Northwestern part of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Studies on the endemicity of dracunculiasis, it's transmission pattern and ecology of cyclopoid copepods in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria were carried out between January and December 2001. Of the 2226 persons examined in eight communities, 426 (19.1%) were infected. This included 24 (18.3%) and 202 (20.2%) males and females respectively. The highest prevalence (47.9%) was recorded in Iyere community followed by Ekka (43.9%) with Umuoghara community as the least (12.4%). Although the overall male prevalence was lower than the female, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Infection prevalence in school-aged children (1-24 years) was significantly higher than the older persons (p63% of all the copepods found. This was followed by Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus with M. ogunnus Onabamiro as the least. Only T. oblongatus nigerianus and M.aequatorialis were infected with D. medinensis larvae. The ecology of the vector in relation to the epidemiology of the disease in the area is discussed. Keywords: dracunculiasis, endemicity, transmission pattern, ecology, cyclops, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(1) 2005: 57-6