The knowledge, attitude and perception of onchocerciasis and ivermectin treatment by the people in Okpuje, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of onchocerciasis and its treatment with ivermectin by the people of Okpuje, an endemic community inEdo State,Nigeria. A four-step approach involving: a structured questionnaire, personal interview, physical examination and group discussion, were used in the study. Two hundred (200) volunteers, over ten years of age, were randomly chosen for the study. 61 persons (30.5%) inadequate knowledge of the disease but 139 subjects (69.5%) were ignorant of onchocerciasis. Adequate knowledge has a significant effect on the prevalence of onchocerciasis (P<0.005). Most respondents perceived the various symptoms of onchocerciasis found in the area, namely; itching, nodules, leopard skin, lizard skin and ocular lesion as separate diseases. Some symptoms were regarded as part of the ageing process while some respondents were not bothered by the disease. Although 147 persons (73.5%) were given ivermectin during the yearly single-dose treatment, only 117 respondents (58.5%) actually took the drug while the rest opted for local traditional method of treatment. More females (51.28%) than males (48.72%) accepted ivermectin. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Members of the community need to be educated and sufficiently mobilized to appreciate onchocerciasis as a health problem so as to positively change their attitude, perception and level of awareness of the disease and the efficacy of ivermectin treatment. That in turn should greatly increase the distribution coverage and acceptance level of ivermectin used for the control of onchocerciasis in the community.