Clinical epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis and community practices and perceptions amongst the ado people of Benue State, Nigeria

As part of efforts to initiate lymphatic filariasis elimination activities in Benue State; this study employed the use of lymphatic filariasis-related clinical signs as rapid diagnostic features; immunochromatographic card test (ICT) to detect circulating filarial antigen (CFA) and questionnaire to investigate community perceptions and beliefs. 81 (32.6) out of the 248 persons were positive for circulating filarial antigen (CFA). Infection rates denoted by CFA ranged from 41 (46.1) in Uffia to 1(6.6) in Ijigbam districts. Distribution of community ICT prevalence showed a significant variation (X2; P 0.05). The prevalence of clinical signs and/or symptoms in the communities also showed significant variations (X2; P 0.05). Community hydrocoele prevalence ranged from 8 (9.0) in Uffia to 1(6.6) in Ijigbam. The overall hydrocoele prevalence was 21 (8.5); while the overall lymphoedema prevalence was 16 (6.4) and women accounted for 14 (87.5) of persons with swollen limbs. Only about 14 (15.9) of unaffected respondents knew that lymphatic filariasis is transmitted through mosquito bites; this differ significantly from affected respondents 10 (66.6) (X2; P 0.05). The communities' capacity to protect themselves is hindered by a lack of understanding of the true cause; symptoms; transmission route and prevention of the disease. Our study demonstrates the need for the development of health education programmes that will enable people to protect themselves against mosquito bites. As Nigeria commence her lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes; there is an urgent need to develop morbidity management activities that will alleviate the burden of patients

A utilizaçäo da informática em um programa de controle de morbidade em empresa

Os autores apresentam Programa Informatizado de Controle de Morbidades em fase de teste, utilizado em serviço médico de indústria do setor de eletrônica. Säo adotados os códigos da classificaçäo dos "Motivos de Procura de Serviços de Atençäo Primária à Saúde da OMS" modificado, para alimentar banco de dados em microcomputador. Säo obtidos dados de queixas e diagnósticos que cruzados com informaçöes de idade, sexo e setor da empresa permitem o conhecimento do estado de saúde da populaçäo ou parte dela num dado momento. O objetivo é a partir daí se planejar açöes de promoçäo, manutençäo e recuperaçäo da saúde e se estabelecer prioridades. O sistema fornece ainda a possibilidade de se detectar surtos epidêmicos precocemente, de se acompanhar o seguimento de pacientes crônicos e identificar rapidamente grupos de interesse. Também säo obtidos relatórios de vencimento de exames periódicos que permitem a programaçäo da realizaçäo destes