Intestinal helminths and schistosomiasis among school children were investigated in an urban and some rural communities of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Fecal samples of 1,059 subjects (524 males, 535 females) aged 3-18 years were examined using direct smear and brine concentration methods between June 2005 and November 2006. The pooled prevalence of infection was 66.2%. Ascaris lumbricoides showed the highest prevalence (53.4%) (P < 0.001) followed by hookworms (17.8%), Trichuris trichiura (10.4%), Taenia sp. (9.6%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%), Schistosoma haematobium (0.6%), and Enterobius vermicularis (0.3%). The prevalences of A. lumbricoides, hookworms, Taenia sp., S. mansoni, and S. stercoralis in the urban centre were similar (P > 0.05) to those in the rural communities. The fertile and infertile egg ratios of A. lumbricoides in the urban centre and the rural communities were 13: 1 and 3.7: 1, respectively. Each helminth had similar prevalences among both genders (P > 0.05). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides increased significantly with age (P < 0.001). The commonest double infections were Ascaris and hookworms, while the commonest triple infections were Ascaris, hookworms, and Trichuris. The study demonstrates the need for urgent intervention programmes against intestinal helminthiases and schistosomiasis in the study area.
Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Male ; Nigeria/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Rural Population ; Schistosomiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Sex Factors ; Urban Population

AIM: To determine and compare clinico-sociodemographic profiles of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)with non-glaucoma eye patients in Gwagwalada, Nigeria.METHODS:A cross-sectional comparative study. A total of 235 adult patients including 96 with POAG and 139 non-glaucoma were included. General characteristics such as age, gender, education, vocation, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, ocular itching, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were recorded. Ocular examinations included visual acuity, central visual field, cup disc ratio, anterior chamber angle assessment, and intraocular pressure.RESULTS:Mean age was 49.88+13.75 years and 114(48.5%)were males. Patients with POAG comprised 42 ethnics with Igbo(24/96, 25.0%)and Yoruba(20/96, 20.8%)being most common. Most POAG(74/96, 77.1%)were in the age range 40-69. The POAG(73/96, 76.0%)had varied visual impairment. The POAG versus non-glaucoma as follows: positive family history of glaucoma(34/96, 35.4%)vs (25/139, 18.0%; P=0.012); history of diabetes mellitus(8/96, 8.3%)vs(6/139, 4.3%); hypertension(24/96, 25.0%)vs(28/139, 20.1%); combined diabetes mellitus and hypertension(1/96, 1.0%)vs(4/139, 2.9%; P=0.268); antidiabetic drugs(5/96, 5.2%)vs(7/139, 5.0%); antihypertensives drugs(24/96, 25.0%)vs(23/139, 16.5%); combined antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs(4/96, 4.2%)vs(5/139, 3.6%; P=0.328); ocular itching(18/96, 18.7%)vs(37/139, 26.6%; P=0.328); visual impairment [right eye(RE):51/96, 53.1%; left eye(LE):60/96, 62.5%] vs(RE:40/139, 28.7%; LE:37/139, 26.6%; P=0.000); vertical cup disc ratio>0.4(RE: 96/96, 100.0%; LE:96/96, 100.0%)vs(RE:131/139, 94.2%; LE:124/139, 89.2%)(RE: P=0.307; LE: P=0.006); intraocular pressure >22 mmHg(RE: 17/96, 17.7%; LE: 22/96, 22.9%)vs(RE: 2/139, 1.4%; LE: 2/139, 1.4%; P=0.006). Most POAG(60/96, 62.5%)were on antiglaucoma drugs and(23/96, 24.0%)were yet to commence medication(P=0.000). Many POAG(32/96, 33.3%)were on combination antiglaucoma drugs of beta blockers, prostaglandin inhibitors and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.CONCLUSION:Glaucoma has distinguishing clinico-sociodemographic features from other eye conditions. Many participants affirmed family history of glaucoma, and most glaucoma participants were on antiglaucoma treatment. The visual impairment including blindness was significantly associated with glaucoma. The study affirmed open angle glaucoma was associated with high cup-disc ratio and high intra ocular pressure.