Clinical onchocerciasis in Ini Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey for prevalence and clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis was conducted in 5 rural communities of Ini Local
Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Physical and parasitological examinations of 1,162 consenting persons were
carried out between January and November 2001. Overall, 138 (11.9%) of those examined were infected with microfilariae
of Onchocerca volvulus. Prevalence varied significantly (p<0.05) among the communities ranging from 7.8% in Ibiono
Ewura to 16.4% in Obot Mme. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between prevalence and sex. The mean microfilarial
intensity was 6.0 mf/snip (range 4.1 mf/snip – 8.9 mf/snip) (p<0.05). The prevalence and intensity of infection increased
rapidly with age in both sexes. The following clinical manifestations were found: dermatitis (58.2%), dizziness (57.6%),
leopard skin (15.5%), nodules (6.9%) and blindness (1.4%). The result showed that onchocerciasis is hypoendemic in the
study-area, however, if effective treatment with ivermectin is not initiated and sustained in the area, it might become a public
health problem in the near future.

Keywords: Onchoceroiasis, prevalence, clinical manifestations, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 27 2006: pp. 36-40