Beb Nwoke

Local knowledge and perceptions on the transmission, treatment and prevention of loiasis in parts of Niger Delta Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Indigenous knowledge and perceptions on the transmission, treatment and prevention of loiasis was investigated in parts of the Niger Delta Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Data was obtained using pretested questionnaires, in-depth interviews and participant-observation techniques. Knowledge about the disease was based mainly on recognition of clinical manifestations (eye worm and calabar swelling). The males (58.2%) knew more about the disease than the females (41.8%). Respondents,60 years above (51%) had the most knowledge about the disease. Health workers (58.5%) had more knowledge of the disease among occupational groups. Only 2.8% of respondents attributed transmission of infection to the vector fly, chrysops species. The preferred methods of disease prevention included: maintenance of personal hygiene (18.5%) for eye worm and avoidance of insect bite (19.3%) for calabar swelling. Herbal therapy was mostly preferred for treating the disease manifestations. The results from this study suggests a need for the introduction of community education programmes aimed at creating awareness on the disease so as to ensure better control and preventive measures.

The impact of chronic lymphatic filariasis on labor inputs in the Niger delta, Nigeria

The loss of labor and work time in people affected by chronic lymphatic filariasis in six rural communities of the Niger Delta area of Southeastern Nigeria was investigated. The disability caused by this chronic disease resulted in partial loss of work. The mean (standard deviation) time that each of these chronic cases spent on economic activities were significantly less (P Keywords : Chronic lymphatic filariasis; labor inputs; rural community; Niger Delta; Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 246-249

Studies on vesical schistosomiasis in Northern Abia state, Nigeria

A study was conducted between February and November 2002 to determine the prevalence and intensity of vesical schistosomiasis in Ohafia area of Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 2112 urine samples were collected from children and adult of both sexes aged between 6 and 60 yrs in 10 communities during the survey. Overall prevalence of 30.1% was recorded for vesical schistosomiasis in the study with prevalence varying significantly among villages surveyed (p S. haematobium ova and hematuria was observed in 58.3% of the infected subjects. Subjects in 11-20 years age group showed higher infection rate (48.3%) then the other age groups as infection among the age groups showed statistical difference (p Bulinus globosus is implicated as the intermediate host. Control of vesical schistosomiasis in the area is suggested. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 345-349