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VALIDATION OF REPORTS OF NODULES DLSSOLUTION AITER REPEATED IVERMECTIN TREATMENT OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN SOUTElEASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract
Objective: To ascertain the validity of the claims by villagers in endemic communitie in
southeastern Nigeria that repeated ivermectin treatment cause disappearance or dissdution
of onchocercal nodules.
Design: From baselie epidemiological data, four communities (Amum, Aku, Nzerem
Ikpem and Awuchinimo) were randomly chosen as the study sites. A total of 324 adults
(hitherto had onchocercal nodules), aged 2 24 years from these communities were enlisted
in the study. After clinical examination, each of the villager was interviewed with structured,
pre-tested questionnaire. Also personal and focus group discussion was held.
Results: Sixty nine (21.30%) respondents; 16.67% from Amuro, 32.26% from Aku, 19.05%
from Nzerem Ikpem and 15% from Awuchnimo elaimed that their nodules gradually
dissolved or disappeared. A significant (pd.05) proportion (82.61%) attributed this
phenomenon to repeated doses of ivermectin, 4.35% claimed it was not due to ivermectin
therapy while 13.04% were not sure of the cause.
Conclusion: The results have opened challenges in our understanding of the role of
ivermectin therapy in endemic communities and calls for further studies of nodule dissolution
m other onchocerciasis endemic communities.
southeastern Nigeria that repeated ivermectin treatment cause disappearance or dissdution
of onchocercal nodules.
Design: From baselie epidemiological data, four communities (Amum, Aku, Nzerem
Ikpem and Awuchinimo) were randomly chosen as the study sites. A total of 324 adults
(hitherto had onchocercal nodules), aged 2 24 years from these communities were enlisted
in the study. After clinical examination, each of the villager was interviewed with structured,
pre-tested questionnaire. Also personal and focus group discussion was held.
Results: Sixty nine (21.30%) respondents; 16.67% from Amuro, 32.26% from Aku, 19.05%
from Nzerem Ikpem and 15% from Awuchnimo elaimed that their nodules gradually
dissolved or disappeared. A significant (pd.05) proportion (82.61%) attributed this
phenomenon to repeated doses of ivermectin, 4.35% claimed it was not due to ivermectin
therapy while 13.04% were not sure of the cause.
Conclusion: The results have opened challenges in our understanding of the role of
ivermectin therapy in endemic communities and calls for further studies of nodule dissolution
m other onchocerciasis endemic communities.
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