02271nas a2200349 4500000000100000008004100001653001600042653001700058653001600075653001200091653001600103653000900119653001100128653001100139653001900150653001900169653002400188653001000212653001600222653001000238653001500248100001100263700001600274700001500290700001400305700001400319245011300333300001000446490000700456520144400463022001401907 2014 d10aYoung Adult10aWater Supply10aSex Factors10aNigeria10aMiddle Aged10aMale10aHumans10aFemale10aDrinking water10aDracunculiasis10aDisease eradication10aChild10aAge Factors10aAdult10aAdolescent1 aEde AO1 aNwaokoro JC1 aIwuala C C1 aAmadi A N1 aAkpelu UA00aThe provision of potable water in eradication of Guinea worm infection in Ezza North, Southeastern, Nigeria. a980-60 v393 a

Guinea worm is a parasite found in unprotected drinking water sources, causes considerable morbidity and loss of agricultural production among rural people. The study was to determine the current status of Guinea worm infection in Ezza North and to evaluate the impact of control measures on guinea worm infection. A total of 200 individuals in Ezza North Southeastern, Nigeria were examined for guinea worm infection. A standardized questionnaire was used to determine the effect of potable water on guinea worm eradication/control, the source of drinking water, information on the knowledge, attitude, symptom management practices, availability of health facilities and boreholes installation status. The instrument for data collection was well constructed, validated and reliable tested questionnaire by an expert. Data obtained was analyzed using Epi-Info model 3.4 versions. Results of a study indicated majority of the respondents 195 (97.5 %) have access to safe drinking water supply which indicated no case of Guinea worm infection. The active use of potable water supply was found among the age group of 20-30 years 71 (35.5 %) and higher in male (57.5 %) than females (42.5 %). The drastic reduction of Guinea worm infection to zero (0) level in Ezza North were due to multiple factors as health education, availability of functional boreholes, presence of health centers for immediate treatment if any case discovered.

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