ONCHOCERCIASIS: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TO DISEASE INTERVENTION AMONG RESIDENTS IN AN ENDEMIC VILLAGE IN ONDO STATE, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study of Onchocerciasis was undertaken in Imeri, an endemic community in Ondo State, Nigeria. The skin snip method was employed in the examination of the nodules that characterize the disease followed by application of structured questionnaires on knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of the disease. Of the 194 respondents interviewed and screened for onchocerciasis, 62 (32%) respondents, were positive for microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. 150(77.3%) respondents claimed ignorance of the aetiology of the disease while 44(22.7%) showed appreciable knowledge of the disease. 184(94.8%) respondents received ivermectin but 156 (80.4%) actually took the drug during the study and 10(5.2%) showed apathy to the drug. 60 (30.9%) of the respondents complained of side effects but the side effects were more among the infected persons (25.8%) than the uninfected persons (5.1%). The study showed good attitude towards reception and use of ivermectin, however there was a dearth of knowledge about the aetiology and transmission of the disease in the community despite its endemicity. Routine enlightenment programmes in native tongue may be necessary for effective and lasting intervention