Anorectal diseases in Western Nigerian adults. A field survey.

A survey of anorectal diseases in parts of Western Nigeria was performed by examining 336 adults in various locations. It was concluded that anorectal diseases are more common among the population than is suggested in reviews of hospital cases--a fact largely due to poor health awareness and consequently poor hospital attendance. The fairly generally high prevalence of these diseases does, in fact, mirror holoendemic conditions such as schistosomiasis, amebiasis, and intestinal tuberculosis. In spite of known western influence on food preparation and dietary habits, particularly among the urban dwellers, it is probably too early to expect any impact on bowel habits and large-bowel and anorectal diseases. In view of the significant association, the author suggests than any disturbance in bowel action should prompt a thorough investigation for anorectal diseases.