Onchocerciasis Control in South Eastern Nigeria: Prevalence Survey and Community-based Mass Distribution of Ivermectin

Onchocerciasis, or River Blindness as it is commonly called, has been found to be endemic in the Imo River basin of Imo and Abia States, all in the Southeastern part of Nigeria [1,2]. Auchinumo is a community of 16 villages situated along the Imo River basin in the Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State. The people live in somewhat isolated settlements and are predominantly farmers. Among the people of Auchinumo, there is generally a high level of awareness about the vector of onchocerciasis, the Simulium blackfly which they call “Nwandunta” in vernacular. There is also high level awareness of the clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis, namely, leopard skin which they call ”ukwu-ocha”, palpable nodules which they call “akpu”, hanging groin which they call “ehiri”, onchocercal blindness which they call “Isi anya-ocha” and also of various types of onchodermatitis. The people are also aware of both scrotal enlargement Afr J Med Phy, Biomed Eng & Sc, 2010, 2, 21 27 21