Community participation in the control of onchocerciasis in Cross River State, Nigeria

Human onchocerciasis is reported to occur in all States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with serious medical, social and economic impact on affected communities. Attempted control schemes have failed because of reinvasion caused by limited area coverage, short duration of the scheme and non-involvement of the affected communities. As the Nigeria National Onchocerciasis Control Programme (NOCP) takes off with baseline data collection, it is essential to point out the need for community participation in the programme. Information obtained from group interviews in 8 villages in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, reveal that ignorance of the cause of onchocerciasis. Location of villages and farms near fast flowing waters and outdoor working habits, have resulted in continued endemicity of the disease in the affected poor farming communities. For successful control of the disease, the communities should be involved in all stages of the control programme. During the preparatory stage, control officials should carry out intensive health education; encourage, and assist in, formation of village health committees (VHC) and selection of village based workers (VBW); and work with the VHC and VBW in developing skeletal control plans and deciding on input from community. During screening for prevalence, communities will, if adequately mobilized, accommodate field workers, act as field guides and interpreters and cooperate despite conflicting religions and traditional beliefs and practices. Before chemical treatment of breeding sites of Simulium, permission will be required from the communities, members of which will, if trained, take part in the exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)