Prevalence of parasitic diseases among nomadic Fulanis of south-eastern Nigeria.
A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections among the nomadic Fulanis of south-eastern Nigeria between September 2003-March 2004. Urine, stool and blood specimens were collected from each of 231 subjects. Of these, 98 (42.4%) were infected with one or more of 14 parasitic species, of which Plasmodium malariae had the highest prevalence (15.3%). Others included 6 intestinal helminth parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichocephalus trichiurus, 2 protozoan parasites: Entamoeba histolytica and E. coli, 4 blood parasites: Mansonella perstans, Loa loa, Trypanosoma sp, Plasmodium falciparum, as well as Schistosoma haematobium recovered in the urine. Prevalence of these parasitic infections varied significantly among bush encampments, sexes, and age groups. They had evidence of onchocerciasis. Their occupational imperatives, beliefs and general life style are contributing factors to the prevalence of parasitic infections among the nomadic Fulanis of south eastern Nigeria. Aspects of prevalence and control of parasitic infections are discussed.
Anosike
Jude C
JC
Nomadic Reseach Program Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Imo State University, Owerri, PMB 2000 Owerri, Nigeria. jc_anosike@yahoo.com
Nwoke
Bertram E B
BE
Onwuliri
Celestine O E
CO
Obiukwu
Charles E
CE
Duru
Akuchinyere F
AF
Nwachukwu
Micheal I
MI
Ukaga
Chinyere N
CN
Uwaezuoke
Joseph C
JC
Uduji
Olga S
OS
Amajuoyi
Oliver U
OU
Nkem
Benjamin I
BI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants