Research Article
Oluyemi E. Dada
Abstract
Study on the prevalence of dracunculiasis was carried out from 1999 to 2004 in Auga-Okemale, Iboropa and Ise- Akoko, in Akoko North-East Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. The annual prevalence of dracunculiasis was found to be significantly (P≤0.05) different in the towns. Out of the 2922 persons examined for dracunculiasis, 202 (6.9%) persons were infected. Dracunculiasis was more prevalent in Auga Okemale (8.1%) than in Iboropa (7.2%) and Ise-Akoko (3.5%). During the survey, prevalence was found to decrease annually. In year 2002 to 2004, no transmission was observed in Ise-Akoko while there was transmission from 1999 to 2004 in Auga-Okemale and Iboropa. Prevalence in Auga-Okemale was 23.2% in 1999, 12.0% in 2000, 9.8% in 2001, 0.5% in 2002 and 2003 respectively and 0.4% in 2004. Next is Iboropa, with 22.4% (1999), 10.5% (2000), 8.6% (2001), and then 1.5% (2003 and 2004). Prevalence was significantly (P≤0.05) high (7.6%) in males than in females (6.2%). Age and sex prevalence of dracunculiasis show that in both sexes, infection rate increased from age group 6-10 years old to 31- 35 years. There was no transmission (0.0%) prevalence among males and females of age 0-5 years. Prevalence in males ranged from 4.4% to 5.9% respectively in those aged 6-10 years and 16-20 years old while in females of the same age groups, it ranged from 0.0% to 6.6%. Infection rate in males of 41-45 years was 10.8%. In females of 26- 30 years and 31-35 years, infection rate of 9.4% and 9.7% were respectively observed.