title: Age and sex differences in new and recurrent cases of guinea worm disease in Nigeria.
abstract: In this population-based cross-sectional survey of the prevalence and incidence of guinea worm disease in Idere, a rural agricultural community of Oyo state in Nigeria, epidemiological data were collected by household interview of all 501 households (6527 persons, 3594 females and 2933 males). 86% of the households had at least one case. The prevalence was 32.4% in the overall population, but varied markedly by age and sex. About 10% of prevalent cases were first-time infections or new cases. Males over 19 years of age had a higher prevalence rate than adult females; however, females had a higher prevalence rate at younger ages. The prevalence in females peaked (47%) at 35 to 44 years; for males the proportion was highest (57%) at ages 45 to 54 years.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77225-0186.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Ilegbodu
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004320:Dracunculiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012008:Recurrence; D012737:Sex Factors