Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) were carried out to assess the current situation of Onchocerciasis after repetition of annual community directed distribution of Ivermectin in Zainabi and Ririwai of Doguwa Local Government area of Kano State. Certain manifestations, like nodules, leopard skin and blindness, were used to measure the endemicity level in the community. The subjects of 30 - 50 years who are engaged in rural occupation, resident in that community, were examined for the presence of nodules, skin lesion and blindness. The common manifestation in both communities is nodules with 3 (3.40%) and 2 (3.44%). Leopard skin and blindness were found in Zainabi with 2 (2.27%) and 2 (2.27%). The manifestation of Onchocerciasis was found in older age groups of 49 - 70 and 50 - 69 respectively, which give an indication that the disease was eliminated in the community due to mass distribution of Ivermectin in the previously known endemic community. We recommend mass distribution of Mectizan in other identified endemic foci.
Onchocerciasis or river blindness is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies (Simulium damnosum). These blackflies breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams, mostly in remote villages located near fertile land where people rely on agriculture. The adult worms
produce embryonic larvae microfilariae that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs in the human body. When a female blackfly bites an infected person during a blood meal, it also ingests microfilariae which develop further in the blackfly and are then transmitted to the next human host during subsequent bites [
The study was carried out in Zainabi, and Ririwai Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State. The areas which cover about 717 km² with population 188,859 [
Letter of introduction was collected from the Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano to Kano State Hospitals Management Board for ethical approval. The approved ethical clearance was collected on 20/04/2012.
This involves Rapid Assessment Method (RAM). The RAM method was used for the observation of nodules, leopard skin and blindness was used to assess the endemicity level in the community [
Zainabi and Ririwai are communities located along River Kano at Ririwai. During the study, Onchocerciasis manifestations were examined using Rapid Assessment Method (RAM). The Onchocerciasis manifestation is found in the older age group 49 - 70 and 50 - 69 respectively where as the younger generation show no symptoms of Onchocerciasis (
Age Range | Number, Examined Number and Percentage of the Subjects with Different Manifestation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nodules | Leopard skin | Blindness | Total prevalence | ||
10 - 19 | 3 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
20 - 29 | 6 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
30 - 39 | 15 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
40 - 49 | 22 | 1 (1.13) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 1 (1.13) |
50 - 59 | 11 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
60 - 69 | 9 | 0 (0.00) | 1 (1.13) | 1 (1.13) | 2 (2.26) |
70 - 79 | 14 | 2 (2.27) | 1 (1.13) | 1 (1.13) | 4 (4.53) |
80 - 89 | 6 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
90 - 99 | 2 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
Total | 88 | 3 (3.40) | 2 (2.26) | 2 (2.26) | 7 (7.92) |
Age Range | Number, Examined Number and Percentage of the Subjects with Different Manifestation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nodules | Leopard skin | Blindness | Total prevalence | ||
10 - 19 | 4 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
20 - 29 | 14 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
30 - 39 | 9 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
40 - 49 | 13 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
50 - 59 | 8 | 1 (1.72) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 1 (1.72) |
60 - 69 | 5 | 1 (1.72) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 1 (1.72) |
70 - 79 | 4 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
80 - 89 | 2 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
90 - 99 | 0 | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) |
Total | 58 | 2 (3.44) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 2 (3.44) |
Sampling Area | Number, Examined Sex Number and Percentage of the Subjects with Different Manifestation | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nodules | Leopard skin | Blindness | Total | ||||
Zainabi | 88 | 66 (male) | 22 (female) | 3 (3.40) | 2 (2.26) | 2 (2.26) | 7 (7.92) |
Ririwai | 58 | 47 (male) | 11 (female) | 2 (3.44) | 0 (0.00) | 0 (0.00) | 2 (3.44) |
Total | 146 | 113 (male) | 33 (female) | 5 (6.84) | 2 (2.84) | 2 (2.26) | 9 (11.36) |
The results showed that the Onchocerciasis manifestation observed in Zainabi and Ririwai agree that both com- munities were endemic before the initial distribution of Mectizan drugsin the various communities. High prevalence of Nodules was found among aged group in the study site followed by leopard skin and blindness. The data obtained agree with the work of [
The result obtained from clinical manifestation using RAM showed nodule is below the threshold standard symptomatology which is in agreement with the study of [
Considering the low Onchocerciasis manifestation recorded in the study area which is below the threshold to be consider, an area is no longer an endemic foci. This achievement was due to mass distribution of Mectizan drugs for more than 15 years. We recommend mass distribution of Mectizan in other identified endemic foci.