Abstract:
Back ground: Onchocerciasis is one of the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), which is
commonly known as river blindness. Compliance with annual Ivermectin treatment is major
challenge in community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) implementation. Those
individuals, who did not comply with the annual mass treatment, will contribute to the continuity
of the disease transmission. The objective of this study was assessing magnitude and predictors
of compliance with annual community directed treatment with Ivermectin for Onchocerciasis
Elimination in Yeki Woreda Sheka Zone, SNNP Regional state, South-West Ethiopia.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 1-28, 2018 on
systematically sampled 546 representative households. Data was collected using interviewer
administered pre-tested questionnaire and key informant interview guide. The data was entered
into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was
computed to summarize data in tables. Variable with P-values < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were
selected for multivariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the
independent predictors of the CDTI compliance at P value 0.05.
Results: A total of 546 respondents aged from 19 to 73 (mean 42.2± 13) years participated in the
study. More than two-third (77.3%) of them reported compliance with the annual treatment.
Significantly higher rate of treatment compliances were reported by those who were in the age
group above 35 years [AOR: 3; 95% CI: 1.4, 6.0], perceived risk of infection [AOR: 4.6; 95%
CI: 2.3, 9.6], knowledgeable about CDTI [AOR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 12.2], Perceive community
drug distributors (CDDs) are doing their work well [AOR:2.7;95%CI:1.2,5.0], being civil servant
[AOR:0.1;95% CI:0.04,0.25],being merchant [AOR:0.09;95% CI:0.03,0.19], and who had
favorable attitude towards CDTI [AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1, 6.3].
Conclusion: The annual treatment compliance with CDTI in the study area was low so to
overcome these problem intervention packages should consider factors such as age, perceiving
risk, performance of CDD, occupation, knowledge and attitude towards CDTI improve
compliance.
