Adverse reactions following annual ivermectin treatment of onchocerciasis in Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to document and underscore the need to monitor adverse reactions following repeated ivermectin treatment under the current dispensation of the implementation of the Community-directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) Program. As communities are empowered to distribute ivermectin, monitoring of adverse reactions by health care professionals is important in achieving the onchocerciasis control objectives through mass ivermectin therapy.


METHODS
Eight hundred and ninety subjects from 204 randomly selected households (based on cluster of households) were interviewed using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Responses concerning the adverse effects of ivermectin at the first and sixth rounds were obtained using self-report and treatment records.


RESULTS
Of the 890 individuals, 40.67% presented with adverse reactions at the first round of treatment (TX(1)). This was reduced to 15.06% at the sixth (TX(6)) round of treatment. Pains in joints were more frequently reported at TX(1) and TX(6), 22.7% and 8.5%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The relatively mild adverse reaction rates observed at TX(1) did not affect future participation in community treatment with ivermectin, due to adequate community mobilization with health education messages. The current CDTI program has a good chance of achieving the onchocerciasis control program's objectives in Shao, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Oyibo
Wellington A
WA
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Abbaba University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. wellao@yahoo.com
Fagbenro-Beyioku
A F
AF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000871:Anthelmintics; D007559:Ivermectin