Monitoring of Human Onchocerciasis in Delta State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Background: In Delta State, free doses of ivermectin are distributed annually to communities through the Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI). Despite this intervention approach, pockets of endemic foci still exits. Updated information of the epidemiology of human onchocerciasis is essential for planning effective control strategies. Thus this study aimed at investigating the current prevalence and distribution of human onchocerciasis in endemic communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three local government areas (Aniocha North, Aniocha South and Oshimili) comprising of 41 communities in Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 1,201 consented subjects were examined by skin snips biopsy. A pre-validated well structure questionnaire was used in collecting epidemiological information. Results: The general prevalence of onchocerciasis in the studied communities was 11.5%. The prevalence did not vary among the three local government areas (P>0.05) though, the infection rate was highest in Aniocha North (12.5%), followed by Oshimili South (11.5%) and Aniocha South (10.7%). With respect to gender, the prevalence was insignificantly higher in males (12.2%) than in female (9.9%). Age-wise, the general pattern showed that the prevalence increased significantly with age. The prevalence of onchocerciasis generally differed widely among the various occupational groups sampled. The prevalence was almost two-fold among farmers (19.3%) compared to drivers and bike riders group (10.2%). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of onchocerciasis has decreased, the infection still remainsa public health concern in the area. Occupation and age were significant risk factors that affected the prevalence of onchocerciasis. Thus, there is need for control measures to be tailored towards these high risk groups. Also, intensifying community treatment with ivermectin will help eliminate onchocerciasis in the studied communities.