Babana Parasitic Diseases Project. II. Prevalence and impact of dracontiasis in Babana district, Kwara State, Nigeria.

An epidemiological survey of dracontiasis conducted in Babana district, Kwara State, Nigeria revealed that of 669 subjects examined in the three communities where active transmission occurred, 366 (54.7%) were infected. Multiple infections were common (85.1%) and the frequency of severe incapacitation was correspondingly high (55.5%), especially among the economically productive adults of whom about 70% were disabled. Whereas the infection rate was 37.9% among 190 children under 10 years of age examined, it was significantly higher (61.4%) among 479 older subjects (P less than 0.001). 188 (57.1%) of all the males examined and 178 (53.3%) of their female counterparts were infected. However, this difference was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.20). Of the various ethnic groups represented, the infection rate was significantly higher among the Bokos than among the cattle Fulanis (P less than 0.001) while that for the non-indigenes (Hausas, Yorubas, and Agatus) was statistically comparable to the Bokos. The public health impacts of dracontiasis as reflected on the social, economic, religious and political situations locally, are discussed.