Socio-cultural factors in onchocerciasis control: a study of rural Southeast Nigeria

Despite significant global and local efforts geared towards elimination of onchocerciasis, it has been observed that there are socio-cultural factor that make the disease to persist; especially in the rural areas.This study, therefore, investigated socio-cultural factors influencing the control of onchocerciasis in rural southeast Nigeria. The mixed methods research design was adopted for this study. Questionnaire and in-depth interview were the data collection instruments. The quantitative data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For the qualitative data, 23 in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using content analysis method. The study established a negative correlation between cultural factors such as religions beliefs and participation in onchocerciasis control in rural South-East Nigeria. Thus, religious beliefs which reinforces onchocerciasis prevalence must be addressed for effective control and elimination of the disease in rural southeast Nigeria.