Community-directed treatment with ivermectin in Maridi, South Sudan: Impact of an onchocerciasis awareness campaign and bi-annual treatment on therapeutic coverage

Summary

In Maridi County, South Sudan, high onchocerciasis burden and low ivermectin coverage prompted a switch from annual to biannual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) with reinforced awareness raising. Surveys from 2018–2024 show treatment coverage rose from 40.8% in 2017 to 70.3% in 2023. Uptake was linked to younger age, male gender, multiple information sources and awareness of a link between onchocerciasis and epilepsy. Implementing similar approaches in other humanitarian and conflict-stricken settings could help accelerate onchocerciasis elimination efforts.