Bancroftian filariasis in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana

Location :Navrongo - Ghana

Investigators :Dr Johnny Gyapong, Dr Sam Adjei, Dr Fred Binka

Collaboration : Navrongo Health Research Centre, the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratories
and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

Funding : British Overseas Development Administration (ODA)

Period Covered: April 1992

OBJECTIVES SUMMARY RESULTS

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology of elephantiasis and hydroceles in the Kassena-Nankana District. To provide a baseline data on clinical conditions such as elephantiasis and hydrocele and the most likely cause of such conditions. The study also aimed at establishing the prevalence of microfilaraemia in the community as a basis for future studies and intervention programmes in the district.

SUMMARY

A filariasis prevalence survey was conducted in the Kassena-Nankana district. All resident members of 106 compounds who were randomly selected were clinically examined and blood taken between 2100 and 0200 hours for thick film examination. Haemoglobin levels were also estimated. All the blood slides were examined by the investigators in Navrongo. Two reference laboratories examined 10% of each of the slides.

RESULTS

The prevalence of microfilaria was 41.1%. This prevalence varied with the geometric mean of the microfilaria densities of the positive cases. The densities were related to the hydrocele and elephantiasis rates. There is a general rise in the prevalence rates with increasing age. As much as 60% of the 60+ age group were microfilaria positive. There was no significant difference in the microfilaria prevalence in males and females.