Prevalence of onchocerciasis and loiasis in five communities in Yewa South LGA, Ogun State

Onchocerciasis is a disease of public health importance as it affects 25 million people worldwide, of which 300,000 are blind. Nigeria is highly endemic for onchocerciasis. People with co-infection of onchocerciasis with loiasis are at increased risk of neurologic severe adverse events (SAEs) following mass drug administration with ivermectin. In this study, 291 individuals from 5 selected communities of Idogo, Ipaja, Olokuta, Erinja Orile and Ilobi in Yewa South LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria, were examined for Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa microfilaremia. The field work was conducted from 12th to 20th of October, 2015 and it lasted for a week. SD BIOLINE onchocerciasis IgG4 rapid diagnostic test kits and skin snip technique were used for onchocerciasis while thick blood smear technique was used for loiasis. Structured questionnaires and rapid assessment procedure for loiasis were used to obtain information on the knowledge, attitude and practices from 452 respondents in all the 5 selected communities. Chi-square and ANOVA statistical methods were used to analyze the disease prevalence relative to demographic factors such as gender, age, occupation and education. The overall prevalence of 1.03% was recorded for onchocerciasis using diagnostic kits and 1.64% with the skin snip method. Loiasis prevalence in the studied area was 34.02%. The mean intensity for onchocerciasis was 4.62 mf/ss while 31.31 mf/ml was recorded for loiasis. No co-infection of onchocerciasis and loiasis was observed in this study. Ivermectin can therefore be administered safely for the treatment of onchocerciasis in Yewa South, Ogun State. Keywords : Co-infection; conchocerciasis; loiasis; SAEs.