Evaluation of Community Knowledge and Uptake of Preventive Chemotherapy for Onchocerciasis in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria

Community knowledge about onchocerciasis and positive attitudes toward community-directed treatment with ivermectin are foundational prerequisites for achieving and sustaining the high therapeutic coverage necessary for programme success and eventual elimination. This study evaluates community knowledge and uptake of preventive chemotherapy for onchocerciasis in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted in 25 communities across Ido-Osi, Moba, and Ikole Local Government Areas, which lie within known onchocerciasis transmission zones. Randomly selected adults completed structured questionnaires assessing knowledge of onchocerciasis symptoms and transmission, awareness of ivermectin benefits and side effects, willingness to participate in annual treatment, and history of previous drug receipt. Focus group discussions were held with women's groups and community leaders to explore cultural and social barriers to programme participation. Literature from 2020 to 2024 identifies low community knowledge of onchocerciasis aetiology and misconceptions about ivermectin side effects as the most common drivers of treatment refusal in Nigerian endemic communities. This study generates community-level knowledge indices and uptake predictors to inform social mobilisation strategy revision. Recommendations will be submitted to the Ekiti State NTD Control Programme and national programme coordinators. Keywords: onchocerciasis, community knowledge, preventive chemotherapy, ivermectin uptake, Ekiti State.