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

Abstract

This 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 significantly higher among females (14.6%) than males (11.2%) (P<0.05). Overall, 77.2% of respondents across the communities eat crabs, and this was comparable between males (76.4%) and females (77.6%) (P>0.05). The prevalence was comparable between the two ethnocultural groups and between communities within each ethnocultural group (P>0.05 for both tests). The 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.