Yosef Dek Kahin, Awil Barwaqo Saleban, Ismail Ahmed Saeed, Hassan Mohamed Ahmed
School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medical and Health Science, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Burao, Burao, Somaliland, Somalia.
BMC Infect Dis. 2025 Jun 2;25(1):780. doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11164-2.
Onchocerciasis is endemic to parts of Ethiopia; however, epidemiological data are lacking in some regions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of onchocerciasis in previously unmapped villages in the Fer-Fer District of the Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and October 2023, with 422 participants aged ≥ 15 years, comprising 299 males (70.85%) and 123 females (29.15%). Skin snip biopsies were performed to detect and quantify Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae infection. Clinical examination and questionnaires were used to assess onchocerciasis-related skin diseases and their associated risk factors. Descriptive statistics, and logistic regression, analyses were performed.
The overall prevalence of onchocerciasis was 19.19% (81/422). The mean microfilarial intensity was 11.11 mf/mg of skin with a community microfilarial load of 1.506 mf/mg. Onchocerciasis-related skin diseases were observed in 25.59% of participants, with pruritus (17.29%) being the most common. Females had higher infection rates than males (AOR = 1.794, 95% CI: 1.081-2.975, p = 0.023). Age > 43 years (AOR = 9.27, 95% CI: 1.59-53.832, p = 0.013) and living within 3 km of rivers (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.221-3.443, p = 0.007) were associated with a higher infection risk. Knowledge of onchocerciasis was low (15.88%) and preventive practices were limited, with 93.33% not taking any preventive action.
This study revealed a significant onchocerciasis burden in the Fer-Fer District, highlighting the need for expanded control efforts. Findings on prevalence, risk factors, and community knowledge gaps provide crucial baseline data to inform targeted interventions including mass drug administration, vector control, and health education. Further research is needed to monitor the impact of interventions and to explore innovative strategies for community engagement in onchocerciasis control.
Not applicable.
盘尾丝虫病在埃塞俄比亚部分地区流行；然而，一些地区缺乏流行病学数据。本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚东部索马里州费尔-费尔区以前未测绘村庄的盘尾丝虫病患病率、感染强度及危险因素。
于2023年3月至10月进行了一项横断面研究，纳入422名年龄≥15岁的参与者，其中男性299名（70.85%），女性123名（29.15%）。进行皮肤切片活检以检测和量化盘尾丝虫微丝蚴感染。采用临床检查和问卷调查评估与盘尾丝虫病相关的皮肤病及其相关危险因素。进行了描述性统计和逻辑回归分析。
盘尾丝虫病的总体患病率为19.19%（81/422）。微丝蚴平均感染强度为11.11条/毫克皮肤，社区微丝蚴负荷为1.506条/毫克。25.59%的参与者观察到与盘尾丝虫病相关的皮肤病，瘙痒（17.29%）最为常见。女性感染率高于男性（调整后比值比[AOR]=1.794，95%置信区间[CI]：1.081-2.975，p=0.023）。年龄>43岁（AOR=9.27，95%CI：1.59-53.832，p=0.013）和居住在距河流3公里以内（AOR=2.05，95%CI：1.221-3.443，p=0.007）与较高的感染风险相关。对盘尾丝虫病的知晓率较低（15.88%），预防措施有限，93.33%的人未采取任何预防措施。
本研究揭示了费尔-费尔区盘尾丝虫病负担较重，突出了扩大防治工作的必要性。关于患病率、危险因素和社区知识差距的研究结果提供了关键的基线数据，为有针对性的干预措施提供依据，包括大规模药物给药、病媒控制和健康教育。需要进一步研究以监测干预措施的影响，并探索社区参与盘尾丝虫病控制的创新策略。
不适用。
