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

Abstract

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: 165-170