Social implications of onchocercal dermatitis among females in endemic communities of Okigwe L.G.A. of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 400 females were examined. Of this number 207(51.8%) were infected. Members of the age group 21-30 years had the highest rate of infection (67.20%) in all the communities studied. Occupations wise, the farmers were mostly infected (89.0%) while the least infected were students .%). Signs and symptoms of onchocerciasis such as nodules, leopard skin, blindness, rashes, musuloskeletal pain, itching/pruritis were present. The cause of the disease was known to some of the patients; few saw it as water-contracted while majority attributed it to other causes such as charms. Treatment was therefore carried out the native/local way as only few resorted to the clinics for help. Many of the females infected were single (60.83%); some were married while a lot more were either separated or divorced-a picture of the social implications of the disease.

The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 59-64