Effect of onchocerciasis on farming activity in Oyo State, Nigeria
Meludu, N.T.; Ajayi, O.O.
African Journal of Biomedical Research 8(3): 143-149
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1119-5096 Document Number: 260077
Onchocerciasis has a devastating effect in hyper-endemic areas where almost every person is infected and half the population is blinded before they die. A study was carried out to determine the effect of onchocerciasis on farmers' health and the implications for sustainable food security in the infected and non-infected in areas of Oyo State. There were significant differences in the demographic characteristics of affected and non-affected farmers. The level of awareness of preventive measures available was determined. A total of one hundred and fifty randomly selected respondents were interviewed. The field survey revealed that the majority of the respondents in infected and non-infected areas (62.2% and 73.3%, respectively) were males. Chi square test showed a significant relationship between sex of the respondents and the effect of onchocerciasis while there is no significant relationship between the age, marital status and educational background of the farmers and the effect of onchocerciasis. 97.8% of the respondents said that they were aware of preventive measures against onchocerciasis. 96.7% wore clothing that covered the lims to prevent being bitten by the disease vector while only 16.7% used insect repellents.