Fighting Two Health Battles: Onchocerciasis and Chronic Diseases in Cameroon

In Cameroon's Bafut Health District, two significant health challenges are colliding. Onchocerciasis, often called river blindness, is still a big issue. For years, communities have been using a treatment called ivermectin to fight it. But even with this effort, the disease is still around. At the same time, there's a growing number of people with chronic diseases like diabetes and heart problems. Why is this happening? One reason might be how people understand and act towards these health issues. Do they know enough about onchocerciasis and the ivermectin treatment? Do they believe in it? And do they follow through with the treatment? These questions are important because the answers can affect how well the efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis work.But it's not just about onchocerciasis. The rise of chronic diseases adds another layer to the problem. People might be dealing with both onchocerciasis and a chronic disease at the same time. This can make things more complicated. It's like having two battles to fight at once. So, what's the way forward? It's important to understand people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards these health issues. This can help in finding better ways to tackle both onchocerciasis and chronic diseases. It's a complex situation, but with the right approach, it's possible to make a difference.