Knowledge and beliefs about causes, transmission, treatment and control ofhuman onchocerciasis in rural communities in south western Nigeria

Descriptive and quantitative information on onchocerciasis transmission and control were collected using focus group discussions and structured questi onnaire to determine what changes if introduced, could upset the establishe d human-vector-parasite relationship in limiting transmission. People's kno wledge of cause of infection and transmission was very poor. Of the 1012 pe ople interviewed, only 3% related the clinical manifestations of onchocerci asis to Simulium bites. Thirty six percent had no idea of the cause of infe ction while the rest attributed the clinical symptoms of the disease to man y other causes. People's knowledge of the current treatment and control mea sures was also poor. However an impressive knowledge of the daily and seaso nal distribution of Simulium flies was observed. The study identifies the n eed for health education campaigns aimed at relating the clinical manifesta tions of onchocerciasis to Simulium bites. This could help people in taking personal protective measures and seeking appropriate treatment. (C) 2000 P ublished by Elsevier Science B.V.