| Autor: |
Siewe Fodjo JN; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon.; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium., Ekome SRE; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon., Njamnshi JNT; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon., Njamnshi WY; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon.; Division of Operational Research in Health, Ministry of Public Health, N°8 Rue 3038 quartier du Lac (Yaoundé III), Yaoundé P.O. Box 3595, Cameroon., Njamnshi KG; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon., Ngarka L; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon.; Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon.; Neurology & Clinical Neuroscience Department, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé P.O. Box 87, Cameroon., Njamnshi AK; Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé P.O. Box 25625, Cameroon.; Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon.; Neurology & Clinical Neuroscience Department, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé P.O. Box 87, Cameroon. |
| Abstrakt: |
Besides being vectors of the onchocerciasis parasite, blackflies are a source of nuisance in onchocerciasis-endemic communities. We investigated the experience of residents in the Ntui Health District (Cameroon) regarding blackfly nuisance and assessed their perceptions of a novel "Slash and Clear" (S&C) intervention for blackfly control. Focus group discussions were conducted before and after S&C implementation (respectively, in February 2022 and December 2023). Blackflies were known to emerge from the river areas and cause disease. To prevent blackfly bites, the population often covered their body with protective clothing and applied various substances (kerosene, oil, or lemon) to their skin. Post-intervention data showed reduced blackfly nuisance, and the willingness to sustain blackfly control in the long-term was unanimous among community leaders and members, including the village volunteers who implemented the S&C intervention. In conclusion, blackfly nuisance is evident in the Ntui onchocerciasis focus of Cameroon and led to a panoply of coping practices, some of which could be detrimental to their health. Implementing S&C for blackfly control is well accepted and could sustainably alleviate the nuisance caused by blackflies while simultaneously breaking the onchocerciasis transmission cycle. |
