GENDER-DIFFERENCES AND ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES IN ONCHOCERCAL-SKIN-DISEASEIN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

During preparation for a study on the effects of ivermectin treatment on onchocercal skin disease in the Ifeloju Local Government Area of Oy o State, Nigeria, 1032 adults aged 20 years and older were examined fo r skin lesions and palpable nodules. It was found that for 4 types of skin lesions, acute papular onchodermatitis (APOD), chronic papular on chodermatitis (CPOD), lichenified onchodermatitis (LOD) and depigmenta tion (leopard skin), as well as for subcutaneous nodules, females had a significantly higher prevalence than males. Although the area is inh abited primarily by the Yoruba people, the study also included some of the cattle-herding Fulani ethnic group. The reactive skin lesions, AP OD, CPOD and LOD, were found to be more common among the Fulani, altho ugh there were no significant differences in leopard skin and nodules between both groups. While there is need for further research on both immunological and behavioural factors that may lead to these differenc es in disease. The need to achieve equity in health programming by ens uring that women and ethnic minorities receive full disease control se rvices is of more immediate concern.