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

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

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 (