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Study aim: As part of an ongoing study of the impact of the Mobil Oil spillage from the Idoho terminal, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria on the coastline dwellers of Lagos, another state of the country, we investigated the report of gastrointestinal symptoms and some peculiarities which may influence the outcome of such study.
Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on 17,240 and 1706 residents from 3 exposed and 3 control communities respectively with the use of questionnaires containing demographic data and symptoms checklist. Visits to health facilities were noted. Further verification of results was by oral interview and medical examination for subjects who reported oil related symptoms in Local government areas that were initially classified as unexposed.
Main result: The number of residents who reported vomiting was statistically greater in the exposed group (odds ratio 21.38, 95% CI:9.85-49,P