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Endemicity of lymphatic filariasis in Three Local Government Areas of Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract
A study was carried out to determine and compare the rate of occurrence of lymphatic filariasis in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo State, south-eastern Nigeria. One sample community was selected from each of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) comprising of Umuezereokam in OwerriWest, Ebikoro in Owerri North, and Nguru in Ngor Okpala. In all, six
hundred blood samples, made up of two hundred each from each of the LGAs were collected at random between 10 p.m., and 12 a.m., each screening day, from equal number of male and female volunteers, aged between 11 and 80, and screened for a possible presence of the microfilaria of lymphatic filariasis, using the Giemsa thick stained blood film. Results obtained show that the microfilaria ofWuchereria bancrofti was the only filarial worm isolated in the three LGAs. The results further revealed that Ngor Okpala recorded the highest rate . 56 (28%) of infection, followed by Owerri North with 47 (23.5%), while the least
was observed in OwerriWest with 43 (21.5%). Also, more male, 85 (42.5%) than females, 61 (30.5%) were positive for the disease. There was however, no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the rate of occurrence of the infection in the LGAs between the male and female cases at 95% confidence interval. Lymphatic filariasis will indeed become a veritable public health problem in the LGAs unless its progression is adequately monitored by the relevant government authorities and independent
health care providers.
hundred blood samples, made up of two hundred each from each of the LGAs were collected at random between 10 p.m., and 12 a.m., each screening day, from equal number of male and female volunteers, aged between 11 and 80, and screened for a possible presence of the microfilaria of lymphatic filariasis, using the Giemsa thick stained blood film. Results obtained show that the microfilaria ofWuchereria bancrofti was the only filarial worm isolated in the three LGAs. The results further revealed that Ngor Okpala recorded the highest rate . 56 (28%) of infection, followed by Owerri North with 47 (23.5%), while the least
was observed in OwerriWest with 43 (21.5%). Also, more male, 85 (42.5%) than females, 61 (30.5%) were positive for the disease. There was however, no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the rate of occurrence of the infection in the LGAs between the male and female cases at 95% confidence interval. Lymphatic filariasis will indeed become a veritable public health problem in the LGAs unless its progression is adequately monitored by the relevant government authorities and independent
health care providers.
