Loiasis assessment in onchocerciasis endemic communities of Esan West LGA of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State is endemic for onchocerciasis but its status with regards to loiasis is unknown. Co-endemicity of onchocerciasis and loiasis results in severe adverse events (SAEs) when ivermectin is administered to treat onchocerciasis. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that persons living in onchocerciasis-endemic communities be evaluated for co-infection with loiasis. Four communities in Esan-West LGA of Edo State (Egoro-Amede, Farm Settlement, Ora-Ede and Ukhun) were selected for this study. A simple random method was employed in the survey. The respondents were divided into distinct age groups throughout a five-year period, starting at age 15. Of these, 134 were males, 86 were females, with ages between 15 to 110 (mean = 60). Only 18 persons (8.2%) reported having a history of eye worms. Egoro-Amede and Farm settlements had the highest prevalence (7.3%). Ukhun had no record of eye worm history. Of the 18 persons that reported eye worm history, 13 (9.7%) were males and 5 (5.8%) were females (p>0.05). Age group ?50 had the highest number of persons reporting history of eye worm (6.6%). This study has shown that these communities are at low risk to severe adverse events due to Onchocerca-Loa loa co-infection, hence ivermectin distribution should continue in these communities