OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term impact of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control on itching and onchocercal skin disease (OSD). METHODS: Seven study sites in Cameroon, Sudan, Nigeria and Uganda participated. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted of communities meso- and hyper-endemic for onchocerciasis before and after 5 or 6 years of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). Individuals were asked about any general health symptoms including itching and underwent full cutaneous examinations. Onchocercal skin lesions were documented according to a standard classification. RESULTS: Five thousand one hundred and ninety three people were examined in phase I and 5,180 people in phase II. The presence of onchocercal nodules was a strongly significant (P < 0·001) risk factor for all forms of onchocercal skin disease: APOD (OR 1·66); CPOD (OR 2·84); LOD (OR 2·68); reactive skin lesions (OR 2·38) and depigmentation (OR 3·36). The effect of community-directed treatment with ivermectin was profound. At phase II, there were significant (P < 0·001) reductions in the odds of itching (OR 0·32), APOD (OR 0·28); CPOD (OR 0·34); reactive skin lesions (OR 0·33); depigmentation (OR 0·31) and nodules (OR 0·37). Reduction in the odds of LOD was also significant (OR 0.54, P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This first multi-country report of the long-term impact of CDTI reveals a substantial reduction in itching and OSD. APOC operations are having a major effect in improving skin health in poor rural populations in Africa.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term impact of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control on itching and onchocercal skin disease (OSD). METHODS: Seven study sites in Cameroon, Sudan, Nigeria and Uganda participated. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted of communities meso- and hyper-endemic for onchocerciasis before and after 5 or 6 years of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). Individuals were asked about any general health symptoms including itching and underwent full cutaneous examinations. Onchocercal skin lesions were documented according to a standard classification. RESULTS: Five thousand one hundred and ninety three people were examined in phase I and 5,180 people in phase II. The presence of onchocercal nodules was a strongly significant (P < 0·001) risk factor for all forms of onchocercal skin disease: APOD (OR 1·66); CPOD (OR 2·84); LOD (OR 2·68); reactive skin lesions (OR 2·38) and depigmentation (OR 3·36). The effect of community-directed treatment with ivermectin was profound. At phase II, there were significant (P < 0·001) reductions in the odds of itching (OR 0·32), APOD (OR 0·28); CPOD (OR 0·34); reactive skin lesions (OR 0·33); depigmentation (OR 0·31) and nodules (OR 0·37). Reduction in the odds of LOD was also significant (OR 0.54, P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This first multi-country report of the long-term impact of CDTI reveals a substantial reduction in itching and OSD. APOC operations are having a major effect in improving skin health in poor rural populations in Africa.
Authors: Saskia I Johanns; Richard G Gantin; Bawoubadi Wangala; Kossi Komlan; Wemboo A Halatoko; Meba Banla; Potchoziou Karabou; Adrian Jf Luty; Hartwig Schulz-Key; Carsten Köhler; Peter T Soboslay Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2022-05-03
Authors: Luc E Coffeng; Wilma A Stolk; Honorat G M Zouré; J Lennert Veerman; Koffi B Agblewonu; Michele E Murdoch; Mounkaila Noma; Grace Fobi; Jan Hendrik Richardus; Donald A P Bundy; Dik Habbema; Sake J de Vlas; Uche V Amazigo Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2014-06-05
Authors: Sébastien D S Pion; Hugues C Nana-Djeunga; Joseph Kamgno; Nicholas Tendongfor; Samuel Wanji; Flobert Njiokou; Roger K Prichard; Michel Boussinesq Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2013-02-28
Authors: Luc E Coffeng; Wilma A Stolk; Honorat G M Zouré; J Lennert Veerman; Koffi B Agblewonu; Michele E Murdoch; Mounkaila Noma; Grace Fobi; Jan Hendrik Richardus; Donald A P Bundy; Dik Habbema; Sake J de Vlas; Uche V Amazigo Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2013-01-31