Onchocerciasis In Different Regions Of Ethiopia

Onchocerciasis is a disease of public health and socio-economic importance in Ethiopia. There is a scarcity of comprehensive data on onchocerciasis in Ethiopia. Thus this study is done to obtain information on the magnitude and distribution of onchocerciasis in different parts of Ethiopia. A literature based survey using published and unpublished articles was used to collect the data. A total of 12445 study subjects from 21 articles were selected and included in the study. The highest prevalence (85.3%) recorded in Teppi, southwestern Ethiopia and the lowest (6.9%) from the Kuwara province of Northwest Ethiopia. Onchocerciasis was higher in males than females and more common in middle age groups than other age groups. This study clearly shows the existence and severity of onchocerciasis in many parts of Ethiopia mainly in the Southwestern Ethiopia. A country wide study about ocular and non-ocular onchocerciasis and economical impacts caused by the disease should be implemented.