Perception of onchocerciasis by rural hausa women in northeast Nigeria and the implications for onchocerciasis control
Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The survey was conducted to explore the hard-held beliefs of rural Hausa women that help to sustain onchocerciasis transmission in an onchocerciasis endemic focus in North eastern Nigeria. The beliefs explored pertained to the perceived symptoms and effects of onchocerciasis peculiar to women. The study area was the Hawul River Valley, North Eastern, Nigeria. An area known for serious ocular and socio-economic tolls of onchocerciasis. 158 women (age range 20 to 60) enlisted by purposive sampling were surveyed on their disease perception of onchocerciasis using standard guidelines. Focal group discussions, in-depth interviews and questionnaires were used as instruments. The disorders that the respondents associated with onchocerciasis included blindness (86.1 %), various menstrual problems (65.8 %), impaired (failing/blurred) Vision (61.4 %) and itching (58.2 %). Least responses were for ‘others ’ (17.7 %) and scrotal enlargement (22.8%). The respondents significantly associated barrenness ( � 2 = 3.41; df = 4; P < 0.05) and foetal abortion/miscarriage ( � 2 = 1.53; df = 4; P < 0.05), with onchocerciasis but their association of scrotal elephantiasis was statistically insignificant ( � 2 = 0.26; df = 4; P>
Institutions: University of Nigeria, University of Jos
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W69893475