Status of onchocerciasis and treatment measures in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Following the World Health Organization momentum towards the elimination of onchocerciasis in sub-Saharan Africa, its status was evaluated to determine prevalence and treatment measures among community members of Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State. Two hundred and thirty-six participants 127 (54%) males and 109 (36%) females) were randomly selected and administered questionnaire to obtain information on socio-economic factors, the occurrence of onchocerciasis, symptomatic effects in relation to age of people, and preventive measure used to control onchocerciasis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 software into frequency count and simple percentages. Results showed occurrence rate of onchocerciasis higher in males (11.86%) than females (6.78%), and higher rate within the age-range of 20 to 60 (35.17%), while the least (14.8%) was observed between 1-10 age-groups. Onchocerciasis was found to be higher (5.5%) in Ido community, followed by Apata (4.2%) and Omi Adio (3.8%), with Apete community having the least prevalence of 1.3%. The symptoms observed to be associated were itching, rheumatism, leopard skin, scaly skin, blindness, pruritus, fever and weakness. Ivermectin was the drug used but they were not readily available. It was observed that the disease had adverse effects on the social-economic life of the communities; therefore, government and non-governmental organizations involve in control should intensify more efforts towards addressing the endemic situation of the disease in the communities.

Keywords: Onchocerca volvulus, Simulium damnosum, ivermectin and Ido Local Government.