Abstract:
Background: Human onchocerciasis is parasitic diseases caused by O. volvulus and results in
devastating skin and eye disease mostly in Africa. It was targeted for elimination from most parts of
Africa and America targeting both the vector and the parasite. Parasitological and epidemiological
studies showed that onchocerciasis is highly endemic in Southwestern parts of Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the magnitude and predictors of onchocerciasis among inhabitants close to
Ivermectin treated area along Colombo River, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: The magnitudes and predictors onchocerciasis was carried out from April 23 to May 23, 2012
and by employing community based cross-sectional study design. Random sampling technique was
employed to select the study subjects from each household for sociodemograpic, clinical, parasitological
data and for knowledge, attitude and practice towards onchocerciasis. The data was analyzed by using
SPSS version 16.0 statistical packages for different variables and the results presented using frequency
tables and graphs.
Results: The overall prevalence of O.volvulus in the study area was 22.5% with 26.6% and 17.6%, for
males and females, respectively. The overall prevalence of onchocercial skin diseases was 29.80 % with
the community microfilarial load 2.70 microfilarias per milligram (mg) of skin snips. Age, sex,
educational status, occupation and duration of stay in the community had shown a significant association
(P <0.05) with O.volvulus infection but only duration of stay in the village was the independent predictor
for O.volvulus infection. Individuals who stayed 1-10 years in the study area were at lower risk of
infection than those who stayed >60 years (OR =0.15, 95% CI, 0.035, 0.682). Moreover among 440
respondents for knowledge, attitude and practice towards onchocerciasis 88.2 % (388/440) reported that
they didn’t hear about onchocerciasis by its local name before.
Conclusion and Recommendations: According to WHO onchocerciasis endemicity classification, the
study area could be classified as mesoendemic for onchocerciasis and the observed onchocercial skin
diseases might results in social stigma and reduced productivity among infected individuals. The
prevalence of onchocerciasis, onchocercial skin diseases and microfilarial loads of males were higher
than female counterparts (P-vale <0.05) and the duration stay in the village was the independent
predictor for O.volvulus infection. Knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards
onchocerciasis and the vector were very poor. Implementation of mass drug administration and
integrated vector control strategies very crucial and further wide studies assessing the epidemiology of
onchocerciasis in remaining villages adjacent to intervened area will support the elimination programs.
Moreover, sustainable provision of health information can build the Knowledge, attitude and practice
gaps and may reduce disease burden and further transmission.
