Perceptions on onchocerciasis and ivermectin treatment in rural communities in Uganda: implications for long-term compliance
- 1 December 2009
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in International Health
- Vol. 1 (2), 163-168
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inhe.2009.08.008
Abstract
Registers of community-directed distributors of ivermectin for onchocerciasis from 2000 to 2005 were reviewed to identify people highly and poorly compliant to ivermectin treatment. Compliance was termed ‘high’ if a person took annual ivermectin ≥4 out of 6 times and ‘poor’ if it was taken P < 0.001). Those who believed that ivermectin caused itchiness were 6.1% and 39.5% of highly and poorly compliant respectively (P < 0.001). Given that people more highly compliant with ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) appear to better recognize the severity of onchocerciasis and the salutary effects of ivermectin, their enthusiasm to take ivermectin should be maintained through regular health education on the benefits and importance of continued treatment, and proper management of adverse events. The conclusions drawn in this article may equally apply to other MDA programmes.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Malaria and hookworm infections in relation to haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in pregnancy in Masindi district, western UgandaTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2008
- African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC): sociological study in three foci of central Africa before the implementation of treatments with ivermectin (Mectizan®)Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2007
- Listening to those on the frontline: Lessons for community-based tuberculosis programmes from a qualitative study in SwazilandSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2005
- Predictors of compliance with community‐directed ivermectin treatment in Uganda: quantitative resultsTropical Medicine & International Health, 2005
- Refusal to take ivermectin: the associated 'risk' factors in Hoima district, UgandaPathogens and Global Health, 2005
- The impact of ivermectin treatment alone and when in parallel with Simulium neavei elimination on onchocerciasis in UgandaTropical Medicine & International Health, 2004
- Review: The delivery of ivermectin (Mectizan®)Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2004
- Controlling onchocerciasis by community-directed, ivermectin-treatment programmes in Uganda: why do some communities succeed and others fail?Pathogens and Global Health, 2000
- Programmatic goals and approaches to onchocerciasisThe Lancet, 2000
- The effects of ivermectin on onchocercal skin disease and severe itching: results of a multicentre trialTropical Medicine & International Health, 1998