Effect of onchocerciasis on farming activity in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Onchocerciasis has a devastating effect on hyper-endemic area where almost every person is infected and half the population blinded before they die. The study was carried out to determine the effect of Onchocerciasis on farmers' health and the implication for sustainable food security in the infected and non-infected in the areas of Oyo State. It determined significant difference in the demographic characteristics of affected and non-affected farmers and identified the period in which they are more exposed to the disease. The farmers' level of awareness of preventive measures available to them was determined. A total of one hundred and fifty randomly selected respondents were interviewed. The field survey revealed that majority of the respondents in the infected and non-infected areas (62.2%) and 73.3%) respectively were males. Chi square test showed a significant relationship between sex of the respondents and the effect of onchocerciasis while there is no significant relationship in the age, marital status and educational background of the farmers and the effect of onchocerciasis. However, there is need to provide resources that will enable the farmers to farm most when the disease is not prevalent. Enlightenment programs on the prevention, care and management should be established. There should proper distribution of the drug, to all the farmers in the area through agricultural extension agent, so that the drastic effect of this disease will be reduced for sustainability of food security.

Keywords: onchocerciasis, farming, farmers, Oyo State, Nigeria

African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol. 8(3) 2005: 143-149