EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME MICROBIAL AND PARASITIC INFECTIONS OF NOMADIC FULANI HERDSMEN IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Over the years, nomadic Fulani herdsmen have established different settlement camps outside the traditional villages of their indigenous host communities in Ebonyi State. With increasing concerns about the health condition of the nomads, this study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence and distribution of some microbial and parasitic infections amongst the spartially distributed population of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen in Ebonyi State. This investigation was carried out between June 2005 and June 2007 using standard bacteriological, mycological and parasitological techniques. In addition, the knowledge, attitudes and perception of Fulani herdsmen about microbial and parasitic infections was studied using questionnaires. Out of 1218 samples taken from 7 bush encampments, 677 (55.6%) had various bacterial organisms with Enterococcus spp (21.3%) and Nesseria spp (19.5%) being predominant followed by Enterobacter sp (14.6%) Staphylococci (10.6%) while the least was Acinetobacter sp (0.14%). Out of 280 persons examined for dermatophytes infections, 59(21.1%) were infected with ringworm of the scalp being most predominant. Although the prevalence varied amongst age and sex, both male and female within age bracket of 11- 15 years were significantly infected than other age categories (P<0.05). Microsporum spp and Trichophyton spp were the most predominant isolates. Two (2) species of Microsporum, namely M. audouinii, (35.1%) and M. canis (28.0%) and four (4) species of Trichophyton, namely T. mentagrophytes, T. quickenum, T. soudanense and T. schoenleini were isolated. Infections decreased with increase in age. Out of 573 samples examined for parasitic infections a total of 263 were positive with an overall prevalence of 45.9%. Plasmodium sp 61(10.6%) and Schistosoma haematobium 48(8.4%) showed the highest prevalence; the least prevalent was Trypanosoma sp

(0.7%). Distribution of these infections varied significantly amongst bush encampments, sex and age group. Out of the four (4) human Plasmodium species encountered, P. falciparum was significantly higher than others (P<0.05). The results of filarial studies showed Onchocerca volvulus (3.8%), Mansonella sp (2.8%) and Wuchereria bancrofti (2.4%) in decending order of prevalence.Among the nomads that participated in the Knowledge, attitude and perception survey, 82% displayed total lack of knowledge about the cause of microbial infection. The proportion that accepted western medication was very low (6.5%). Poor infrastructures, lifestyle and beliefs, low personal hygiene by the Fulani’s are contributing factors to the high frequency and severity of these infections in the area. Adequate and quality education campaign should be carried out in the various bush encampments in Ebonyi State.