A health examination survey of morbidity in rural Nigeria.

A health survey to describe the morbidity pattern of a rural population in Nigeria was conducted among a 10% random sample of 1091 households in the Kainji Lake area of Nigeria. The diseases most frequently encountered were fevers, gastro-enteritis and chest infections, with prevalence rates of 50.2%, 37.1% and 10.0% respectively. Dental debris, conjunctival pallor, missing teeth and dental calculi were present in 65.8%, 59.1%, 32.2% and 24.1% respectively. The adult males were found to be significantly taller and heavier and with higher blood pressure than the females. Most of the health problems were attributed to various types of infection, but unhealthy social habits, lack of sanitation facilities and poor personal hygiene could have contributed to the overall morbidity in the population. Control of communicable diseases, community mobilization towards provision of basic sanitation facilities, good housing and dental hygiene were recommended to be included in health planning for the Kainji Lake area population.