Abstract
Onchocerciasis is an endemic disease in Ondo state, Nigeria. Community directed distribution of ivermectin is currently on-going in some local government areas of the state. Randomly selected persons (2331 males and 2469 females) were interviewed using a modified rapid assessment procedure for Loa loa (RAPLOA) to assess community directed treatment with ivermectin. The retrospective study evaluated the coverage, impacts and adverse reactions to the drug treatment. A questionnaire was administered by house-to-house visit in six local government areas, implementing community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in this bioclimatic zone. A total of 2,398 respondents were reported to have participated in the treatment. The overall ivermectin coverage of 49.96% was recorded (range 0-52% in different communities). Adverse reactions from ivermectin administration were experienced in 38% of individuals. Diverse adverse reactions experienced included predominantly itching (18.50%); oedema, especially of the face and the limbs (8.2%); rashes (3.4%) and body weakness (2.4%). Expulsion of intestinal worms occurred in 0.96% of the respondents. The occurrence of adverse reactions in relation to age categories was statistically significant. Neither fatal nor severe adverse reactions were reported by respondents. Significantly, despite experienced adverse reactions, continued participation, acceptability and compliance to ivermectin treatment was expressed by the various communities. This attitude is in consonance with the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) objectives. Rev. Biol.
Highlights
In June 2000, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control and communities directed treatment with ivermectin commenced in sixteen onchocerciasis endemic local government areas in the State
Participation and coverage in the community directed treatment with ivermectin was highest in Ifedore Local Government Area and least in Owo Local Government Area (Table 3)
This study revealed that the age groups 21 – 30 and 31 – 40 were actively involved in community directed treatment with ivermectin programme in the State (Table 2)
Summary
In June 2000, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control and communities directed treatment with ivermectin commenced in sixteen onchocerciasis endemic local government areas in the State. The studied local government areas were Owo, Akure North, Ifedore, Akure South, Ondo East and Ondo West. Of the 4 800 individuals, 2 398 were reported to have participated in the community directed treatment with ivermectin between the periods 1996 to 2004(Table 1). Participation and coverage in the community directed treatment with ivermectin was highest in Ifedore Local Government Area and least in Owo Local Government Area (Table 3).
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