ENDEMICITY OF ONCHOCERCIASIS IN SOME COMMUNITIES IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA, FOLLOWING LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH IVERMECTIN

This study examined the effect of long term annual ivermectin mass distribution on morbidity status and factors related to the drug distribution programme. Semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and household survey methods were employed to elicit response on key issues of the control programme in four communities of two endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs), Ardo Kola and Gashaka, in which annual mass ivermectin distribution had been on-going for over a decade in Taraba State, Nigeria. Rapid assessment method was also employed in determining morbidity status. The investigations revealed that Barki Dutse and Sibre communities of Ardo Kola LGA were hypoendemic with nodular rate of 2% while Nyambar and Jimtari communities of Gashaka LGA were mesoendemic, with nodular rate of 26% and 22% respectively and 73.3% of those surveyed claimed to have received ivermectin treatment during the last treatment exercise, with a higher percentage in Gashaka LGA (p<0.05). Most (85.2%) of the respondents (89.0% in Gashaka LGA and, 81.8% in Ardo Kola LGA) reported disruption in the annual drug distribution in the communities during some years. Nonetheless, majority (79.4%) of the respondents had positive perception of the control programme. It is suggested that sustainability of the annual drug distribution is essential for effective control of the disease in these rural communities.