KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARD ONCHOCERCIASIS IN THE THYOLO HIGHLANDSOF MALAWI

In preparation for mass distribution of ivermectin to control onchocer ciasis in the Thyolo highlands of Malawi a survey was conducted to det ermine knowledge and attitudes toward onchocerciasis which could assis t in developing educational messages. Since onchocerciasis is not know n by a specific name in the Thyolo highlands, information was sought a bout individual perceptions of common symptoms of infection. Itching, skin thickening, nodules, or depigmentation (leopard skin) were report ed by 95% of those interviews. Effective treatment was often thought b y the community to be available when actually it was not. Traditional healers were not thought to be an important source for treatment of le sions associated with onchocerciasis. None of those interviewed associ ated Simulium damnosum s.l. with any symptoms other those related to t he actual bite. Based on the information gathered, various options for ivermectin educational messages are discussed.