This investigation was conducted between March 2010 and November 2011,
to determine the prevalence and transmission of haemoparasites amongst Fulani pastoralists
in six communities of Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria- Ahoada – East, Elele, Eleme,
Elelenwo, Oyigbo and Bori. 2mls of intravenous blood samples were collected from 593
Fulani pastoralists. Thick and thin blood smear techniques were utilized and thin film was
stained with Delafield’s haematoxylin. Of the entire pastoralists sampled, 538(90.7%) were
positive for different heamoparasites, showing 564 (78.2%) for
Plasmodium falciparum,
while 74(2.5%) were positive for microfilariae of human filariasis. The microfilariae
recovered, showed prevalence of 27 (4.6) for
Loa loa; 38(6.4%) for
Mansonella perstans
and 9(1.5%) for
Wuchereria bancrofti
. No
Oncherca volvulus was recovered during the
study. Differences in the prevalence of haemoparasitic infections varied significantly in the
six communities (x
2=14.6, df = 3, p>0.05). The prevalence of haemoparasites was higher in
Elelenwo community, with 114(99.1%). Sex-related prevalence showed, 326(88.3%) in
males and 172(76.8%) in females. The haemoparasitic infections among male and female
Fulani pastoralists were statistically significant, males: (x
2=145.1, df 4, P>0.05), females :(
x2=92.9, df = 4 p>0.05). Infections of haemoparasites within age groups varied
significantly (x
2=26.9, df =3, p>0.05) with 21-30 years having the highest prevalence of
119(98.3%). A decline in prevalence was observed among 50 years and above age group.
Multiple infections in males were 32(8.7%), while females were 8(3.6%).Thus, multiple
infections were higher in males than females. No
W. bancrofti was recorded in the females
.Occupation-related prevalence was significant within the study populations (x
226.9, df =3,
p>0.05), and the highest prevalence recorded among the nomads, with 336(96.8%). This
study examined the interacting factors enhancing the high prevalence of haemoparasitic
infections and further suggests, the provision of social amenities by government and other
medical agencies to reduce haemoparasitic burden among pastoralists. ©JASEM
