Onchocerciasis along Anambra river system of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.

The high transmission in Nigeria has been attributed to misconceptions of the disease by several cultural groups which led to neglect of personal protection against the disease vector and non compliance of infected individuals to treatment regime.  People in Kogi State attributed the disease to witchcrafts (hence, a superstitious disease) while others attribute it to a repercussion of sins committed by one’s ancestors in the distant past (a repercussive disease). 

The assessment of endemicity was based on Rapid Epidemiological Assessment (REA), which involved the use of onchocercal indices of nodules, dermatitis, depigmentation and impaired vision. 514 individuals were examined (267 males and 247 females) and the overall prevalence of onchocerciasis was 26.45%. Individuals from the age group nine (9) years and above were examined in eight (8) communities in Kogi State.

Community, age and sex prevalence of onchocerciasis showed a significant difference (ρ < 0.05). Alakwa community had the highest prevalence (38.09%) while Odolu had the least (19.64%). Age related prevalence of onchocerciasis showed that the age group, 30 and18 above had the highest prevalence (38.33%) as against 9-15 years age group that had the least prevalence (4.30%). Sex related prevalence showed that males had higher prevalence (33.70%) than the females (18.62%). Symptom prevalence showed that nodules had higher prevalence (62.5%) while impaired vision had the least (6.61%).

Health education is a key factor that will erase all negative beliefs, cultural practices and behavioural patterns which may jeopardize individual and community acceptance and compliance to prevention and control of onchocerciasis.