Prevalence and socio-economic effects of onchocerciasis in Okpuje, Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A survey of the prevalence and socio-economic effects of onchocerciasis in Okpuje, Owan West L.G.A. ofEdo State,Nigeria, was undertaken. Of the 655 persons enumerated in the community, a total of 200 subjects (102 males and 98 females) were randomly chosen for the study. The people were skin – snipped after undergoing a physical examination by a physician. The overall prevalence of infection was 47.5%. The symptomatic manifestations of the disease were: Leopard skin recorded the highest prevalence of 40.5%, ocular lesion, 14%; nodules, 10.5% and lizard skin, 7.5%. More males (27.5%) than females (20%) had onchocerciasis but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, age had a significant effect on the prevalence of onchocarciasis (P < 0.001). Socio-economic studies using structured questionnaires and interviews were carried out. The results indicated that onchocerciasis was associated with a variety of adverse social and economic effects on the people. 40.5% of subjects, mainly farmers and artisans, that presented with pruritus or itching complained of insomnia, general fatigue and lack of concentration at work, with a net effect of low productivity. Some children of infected parents reportedly dropped out of school. 14% of females with ocular lesions had given up jobs such as sewing, weaving and hair plaiting because of visual impairment thus leading to loss of personal and household economic productivity. 93.3% of subjects with lizard skin and 50.5% of those with leopard skin presented with varying levels of body disfigurement, had high level of low self-esteem, marital problems and social stigma.