Prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus among apparently healthy population in Adamawa-north senatorial zone

Abstract

Onchocerciasis is one of the tropical neglected diseases that is still prevalent in Nigeria. The disease is of considerable socio-economic and public health importance with a lot of implications. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of human onchocerciasis in five communities of the Northern Senatorial District of Adamawa State, Nigeria. A total of 629 study subjects were randomly selected and enrolled for the study. Skin snip and venous blood were collected from 196 and 433 study subjects respectively and examined for microfilaria of Onchocerca volvulus. Results obtained showed an overall of 3.4% infection while different Local Government Areas had different distribution patterns vis-a-viz percentages. Mubi had the highest percentage of 32.4% infection followed by Michika at 2.5% and the least was Madagali with Zero prevalence. Among different occupational groups, students had 7.8% infection, farmers had 3.4%, and other groups had zero prevalence. As per the age bracket, 10-19 years had 9.1% infection followed by 50-59 years (5.0%), and the least was 60-70 years with 1.9%. The Northern Senatorial District population needs to be educated on the disease onchocerciasis as the infection rate is rather increasing or near status with modern-day technology. The government and Non-Governmental Organizations may come in to assist in lowering the infection rate by providing or identifying specific clinics for the treatment or providing preventive drugs free.