EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDIES OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN BALI AND TAKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDIES OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN BALI AND TAKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
1996-03
Authors
RIPIYE, PUNA-RIMAM
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Abstract
A study was undertaken in ten communities of Bali and
Takum Local Government Areas (LGA) of Taraba State to examine the
prevalence of onchocerciasis together with its accompanying
socioeconomic effects.
A total of 934 persons were examined for onchocerciasis by
skin snip for the presence of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae
and by clinal signs such as nodules, leopard skin and blindness.
Two hundred and sixty nine (269) household heads were administered
questionnaires for the purpose of evaluating their responses
with respect to knowledge and perception of both the
disease (onchocerciasis) and the blackfly Simulium vector plus
the associated social, and economic effects-
The overall prevalence of onchocerciasis in the study area
was 46.92.$ frontline communities were generally hyper endemic in
nature. Infection increased with age and was higher in men
(34.67.) than women (13.87.) Nodules, leopard skin and blindness
were found in .19.67., 5.47. and 4.5% of those examined respectively.
Majority (62.47.) of the respondents identified the blackfly
sample shown to them;; 59.6% described it as a wet season breeding
and bitting pest that is associated with rivers (73.9%), bites
mainly in the morning hours (48.47.) and disturbs farming activities
(53.7%) by way of reducing the time spent on the farm
(80.97.) and forced people to migrate (15.4%). Suprisingly, only
6.4% of the respondents associated the fly with disease.
Blindness was associated with disease (27.9%) or spirits
(13.6%) or enemies (10.8%) or largely to an unknown cause
(38.7%). Majority (74.2%) of those who associated blindness with
disease described the disease in such a manner that could be
ascribed to onchocerciasis.
Onchocerciasis related effects such as body itching largely
disturbed outdoor recreation (30.7%)p fishing and farming
(23.6%) sleep (20.4%) and caused social/psychological discomfort
(15%). Dermal changes such as leopard and lizard skins were seen
as disfiguring the skin (48.2%) and causing social/psychological
discomfort (23.5%) and equally discolouring of the skin (23.5%).
Weakness of the body reduced farming strength (55%), and general
ability to work (36.4%) and furthermore retarded mental ability
(8.5%). Nodules caused disfiguration of the body (48.0%) and
social and psychological discomfort (39.0%). Majority (37.1%) of
the respondent agreed that scrotal enlargement affected sexual
interaction, caused social/psychological discomfort (28.6%) and
obstructed movement (22.8%) to the extent that farming activity
was reduced (11.4%). The terminal stage of onchocerciasis i.e.
blindness, reduced family income (24.3%), caused incapacitation
(21.6%), and reduced crop output (17.1%) such that the blind felt
a social and economic burden to their families (52.3%), disabled
(31.5%) and dejected (9.9%). The burden of care rested on their
household (64%) and to same extent the community (18.9%) and
themselves (17.1%). Most blind persons preoccupied themselves
with begging (34.2%) or weaving (26.1%). Regrettably., some
remained idle (22.5%).
This study has thus revealed that both onchocerciasis and
its transmitting vector constitute a major health, social and
economic problem to the people of Takum and Bali.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA,
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE,
(M.Sc.) ZOOLOGY.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA.
Keywords
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL,, SOCIO-ECONOMIC,, STUDIES,, ONCHOCERCIASIS,, BALI,, TAKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS,, TARABA STATE,, NIGERIA