Paragonimiasis and Renewed Crab-Eating Behavior in Six Communities from Two Ethnocultural Clusters in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

is work was aimed at assessing the prevalence of paragonimiasis and crab-eating behavior in Southeastern Nigeria. Sputum examinations and questionnaire administration were carried out. Prevalence was 13.2% and was signi�cantly higher among females (14.6%) than males (11.2%) ( ). Overall, 77.2% of respondents across the communities eat crabs, and this was comparable between males (76.4%) and females (77.6%) ( ). e prevalence was comparable between the two ethnocultural groups and between communities within each ethnocultural group ( for both tests). e mean age of crab eaters was 43 years, while that of noncrab eaters was 26 years. Many (46.3%) infected individuals presented low intensity infections (1-50 eggs/ova per 5 mL −1 sputum), while 28.8% and 23.8% presented moderate (51-100 eggs/ova per 5 mL −1 sputum) and high (above 100 eggs/ova per 5 mL −1 sputum) intensity infections, respectively. Infection risk among weekly eaters of crabs was 3 times higher than that of monthly eaters (OR 3.68), 19 times higher than that of quarterly eaters (OR 19.0), and 9 times higher than that of irregular eaters (OR 9.38). Concerted awareness campaign is needed to curb the renewed increase of the scourge in endemic Southeastern Nigeria.

PREVALENCE OF <i>PARAGONIMUS</i> INFECTION

“…This too agrees with the reports made by (Singh et al, 1986;Udonsi 1987;Uttah et al, 2013) but disagrees with the results of (Ibenga et al, 1997;Asor et al, 2003;Uttah, 2013) who reported that more females were infected than males. Many other researchers have reported no sex-related difference in prevalence (Uchiyama et al, 1999;Ashitani et al, 2000).…”

A retrospective clinical analysis of pediatric paragonimiasis in a Chinese children’s hospital from 2011 to 2019

“…reported that 79.3% (46/58) admitted a history of raw water or food ingestion. Changing dietary patterns are having a profound effect on the epidemiology of paragonimiasis 17 , 18 . Hence, it is necessary to appeal to change risky eating habits and strengthen the awareness of not taking raw water or food.…”

Paragonimiasis

“…A survey in a different part of NE India did not detect a gender bias [ 7 ]. In one Nigerian study, women had a relatively high prevalence because they were more likely to eat crabs [ 8 ], perhaps while handling and preparing food, but prevalence was also high among fi shermen working in local rivers [ 142 ]. Cases of paragonimiasis due to P. kellicotti in the USA are nowadays mostly seen in male campers and canoeists who eat raw crayfi sh to show off [ 146 ].…”

“…Of these, 20.9 % of children and 4.1 % of adults had eggs in their sputum. In SE Nigeria, 13.2 % of a population surveyed was eggpositive for paragonimiasis [ 8 ]. But it is important not to extrapolate too far from these focal data.…”

“…Recent publications focusing on the situation and trends in particular countries or regions are as follows: China [ 22 , 23 ], Japan [ 24 -27 ], Korea [ 28 -32 ], Vietnam [ 33 , 34 ], Laos [ 35 ], Thailand [ 36 ], the Philippines [ 5 , 6 ], India [ 37 ], Brazil [ 38 ], Ecuador [ 39 ], Colombia [ 40 ], USA [ 17 , 41 , 42 ], Africa in general [ 43 ], South Africa [ 44 ], Cameroon [ 45 ], and Nigeria [ 8 ].…”