Published Article

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the strategies, causes and modes of transmission of

lymphatic filariasis among men and women in Emeroke and Okorote communities in Eastern

Obolo Local Government Area. The research design adopted for the study was a descriptive

survey design. The study area was Eastern Obolo with its headquarters at Okoroete. The

population for the study, according to National Population Commission (2006) was 75,000;

males are 36,600 and females are 38,400 representing 48.8 percent males and 51.2 percent

females respectively. The target population for this study was people aged 20 years and above in

Emereoke and Okoroete communities of Eastern Obolo. Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The

researcher used the stratified random sampling method to sample out the subset of population A

and B which represented the two communities in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. A total

of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents was the sample size for the study in the

communities. The main instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled

‘‘Strategies, Causes and Modes of Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis’’ Questionnaire

(SCMTLFQ). Data were collected from the adult respondents in the community who attended the

clinic on daily visit to the hospital. Data collected were collated, coded, and analyzed using

statistical package for social science (SPSS version 2.0). SPSS was used because it was fast and

flexible and provided more accurate analysis which resulted in dependable conclusions. The

findings showed that greater percentage of respondents did not have the basic knowledge on the

causes of lymphatic filariasis. Based on the findings, it was recommended that advocacy

including awareness and sensitization about the disease including the causes and management at

the community and national level be established.

KEYWORDS: Transmission, Lymphatic filariasis, Disabilities, Indigenous belief,

Traditional drugs and Modern drugs