Abstract:
Background: Peoples in most at risk area were ignorant and hampered with incorrect beliefs
which can lead to negligence in prevention and in seeking appropriate treatment. Although
dedicated community engagement is crucial for the success of the control effort, there is little/no
information on the levels of community’s knowledge, attitude and practice about onchocerciasis.
Hence, this study tried to know family heads/spouses Knowledge, Attitude and Practice status
and draw possible recommendations.
Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of families heads/spouses on
onchocerciasis transmission & prevention in Gambella woreda, Gambella, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods:. The study was conducted in thirteen kebeles of Gambella woreda from Feb. – Mar.,
2015. The sample size was 750. A community based cross-sectional survey was supported by in-depth interview. EPI DATA and SPSS software’s were used for data entry and analysis
respectively. Statistical analysis included frequency distribution tables and Bivariate analysis
using logistic regression were done using p value <0.05 as the significant level and p value <
0.25 were candidates for multiple logistic regression. Qualitative data had been transcribed and
summarized manually. Ethical clearance and formal letter were obtained from Jimma University
and Gambella regional health bureau and G/Wo/H/O respectively.
Result: A total of 721(96%) respondents were participated in the study. 92.8% participants heard
about the disease. But only 5.1% and 4% subjects knew the causative agent and outcome of the
disease respectively. However 76.8% knew the disease is preventable and 72.2% stressed the use
of preventive drugs. 90.4% subjects were taken the drug and 76.4% were interrupted the drug in
the past. Consequently 27.9% and 72.1% categorized as poor and good practice respectively. In
bivariate logistic regression analysis ethnicity, income, knowledge and attitude variables found
to be significantly associated with taking of the drug. Agnuwa (AOR= 9.561, 95% CI: 4.375,
22.040) and respondents with adequate knowledge (AOR= 13.769, 95% CI: 6.893, 27.336) were
more likely to be engaged in practice.
Conclusion and Recommendation: large proportion of family heads/spouses held
misconceptions about its transmission and prevention of the disease. Therefore, community
interventions for onchocerciasis emphasized to include health education and behavior change
communications aimed at dispelling misconceptions and increasing risk perception
