{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,7]],"date-time":"2026-03-07T14:48:50Z","timestamp":1772894930577,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]],"date-time":"2026-03-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1772755200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100000865","name":"Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["INV-047737"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["INV-047737"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100000865","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Many communities along the Edo-Ondo border in southern Nigeria remain highly endemic for onchocerciasis. Despite more than two decades of mass drug administration (MDA), transmission persists, necessitating the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee (NOEC) to designate the zone as special intervention hotspots. Slash-and-Clear (S&amp;C) has emerged as a promising, community-based approach that can be integrated with ongoing MDA campaigns. This study assessed community knowledge of blackfly, onchocerciasis and willingness to sustain S&amp;C without external financial or logistical support.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n                    <jats:title>Method<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Structured questionnaire was administered to 79 key informants from Edo (n\u2009=\u200959) and Ondo (n\u2009=\u200920) communities along Ose River. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted pre- and post-intervention (April 2023 and April 2025, respectively) with participants from 76 communities that participated in slash-and-clear. Three communities declined due to security and socio-cultural reasons.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Prior to intervention, all 79 (100%) key informants reported frequent blackfly bites and expressed the need for strategies to reduce the nuisance. FGD findings corroborated this, with participants recognizing blackflies and their biting burden but showing limited awareness of onchocerciasis as a disease. Common protective measures included wearing long clothing and applying chemical substances on skin to prevent bites. At post-intervention, participants collectively reported noticeable decline in blackfly activity, which reinforced community enthusiasm for sustaining the intervention. Although some communities expressed willingness to continue without monetary incentives, the provision of essential tools and materials was consistently emphasized by majority.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The reduction in blackfly nuisance was a motivator for community\u2019s willingness to sustain the intervention. Continued support and routine monitoring by the Edo and Ondo State governments, especially for communities reluctant to participate without financial incentives, are critical to prevent reinfestation in committed areas. This supervision will ensure the broader success of the S&amp;C strategy and the elimination of onchocerciasis in communities along the Edo-Ondo border.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0344617","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]],"date-time":"2026-03-06T18:36:16Z","timestamp":1772822176000},"page":"e0344617","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Perception on blackflies and community ownership of the \u201cSlash-and-Clear\u201d vector control intervention in onchocerciasis-endemic communities along Edo-Ondo border in Southern Nigeria"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-1361-4253","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Monsuru Adebayo","family":"Adeleke","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"John","family":"Agbonifo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Olabanji Ahmed","family":"Surakat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bertram","family":"Nwoke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kenneth","family":"Opara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Hayward","family":"Mafuyai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3846-4401","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Oluwadamilare Ganiu","family":"Dauda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Dauda Ishola","family":"Azeez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Olanike","family":"Oladipupo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Happy","family":"Poko","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Francisca","family":"Olamiju","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Emmanuel","family":"Emukah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Chukwuemeka","family":"Makata","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0344617.ref001","volume-title":"Onchocerciasis","author":"WHO","year":"2025"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref002","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1186\/1756-3305-3-93","article-title":"Biting behaviour of Simulium damnosum complex and Onchocerca volvulus infection along the Osun River, Southwest Nigeria","volume":"3","author":"MA Adeleke","year":"2010","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref003","first-page":"59","article-title":"Mvolo County, an Onchocerciasis Endemic Area in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan: An Entomological Study to Prepare for a \u201cSlash and Clear\u201d Community-Based Vector Control Intervention","volume":"15","author":"TL Lakwo","year":"2024","journal-title":"Res Rep Trop Med"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref004","first-page":"11","article-title":"Onchocerciasis in Nigeria 1: History of control efforts","volume":"19","author":"BEB Nwoke","year":"2023","journal-title":"Niger J Parasitol"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref005","author":"Federal Ministry of Health","year":"2017"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref006","volume-title":"Preventive chemotherapy in human helminthiasis: coordinated use of anthelminthic drugs in control interventions: a manual for health professionals and programme managers","author":"WHO","year":"2006"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0344617.ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"396","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.17-1004","article-title":"Evaluation of Treatment Coverage and Enhanced Mass Drug Administration for Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in Five Local Government Areas Treating Twice Per Year in Edo State, Nigeria","volume":"99","author":"E Griswold","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am J Trop Med Hyg"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0344617.ref008","first-page":"84","article-title":"Hyperendemicity of onchocerciasis in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria","volume":"7","author":"FO Akinbo","year":"2010","journal-title":"East Afr J Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0344617.ref009","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-016-0160-7","article-title":"Progress towards onchocerciasis elimination in the participating countries of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control: epidemiological evaluation results","volume":"5","author":"AH Tekle","year":"2016","journal-title":"Infect Dis Poverty"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref010","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/inthealth\/ihx054","article-title":"Alternative treatment strategies to accelerate the elimination of onchocerciasis","volume":"10","author":"M Boussinesq","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int Health"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref011","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"748540","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/748540","article-title":"Transmission of onchocerciasis in wadelai focus of northwestern Uganda has been interrupted and the disease eliminated","volume":"2012","author":"MN Katabarwa","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Parasitol Res"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0344617.ref012","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"218","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actatropica.2013.02.016","article-title":"The disappearance of onchocerciasis from the Itwara focus, western Uganda after elimination of the vector Simulium neavei and 19 years of annual ivermectin treatments","volume":"126","author":"TL Lakwo","year":"2013","journal-title":"Acta Trop"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0344617.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1159","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.13-0501","article-title":"Transmission of Onchocerca volvulus by Simulium neavei in Mount Elgon focus of Eastern Uganda has been interrupted","volume":"90","author":"M Katabarwa","year":"2014","journal-title":"Am J Trop Med Hyg"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0344617.ref014","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0006471","article-title":"Interruption of onchocerciasis transmission in Bioko Island: Accelerating the movement from control to elimination in Equatorial Guinea","volume":"12","author":"Z Herrador","year":"2018","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"8","key":"pone.0344617.ref015","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0006702","article-title":"Community-directed vector control to supplement mass drug distribution for onchocerciasis elimination in the Madi mid-North focus of Northern Uganda","volume":"12","author":"BG Jacob","year":"2018","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"10","key":"pone.0344617.ref016","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1329","DOI":"10.3390\/pathogens10101329","article-title":"\u201cSlash and Clear\u201d, a Community-Based Vector Control Method to Reduce Onchocerciasis Transmission by Simulium sirbanum in Maridi, South Sudan: A Prospective Study","volume":"10","author":"S Raimon","year":"2021","journal-title":"Pathogens"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref017","first-page":"113","article-title":"Prevalence and socio-economic effects of onchocerciasis in Okpuje, Owan West LGA, Edo State, Nigeria","volume":"4","author":"M Wogu","year":"2008","journal-title":"Int J Biomed Health Sci"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0344617.ref018","first-page":"107","article-title":"Incidence of onchocerciasis and vector knowledge among residents of some parts of Ondo State, Nigeria","volume":"7","author":"FP Adesina","year":"2017","journal-title":"Public Health Res"},{"key":"pone.0344617.ref019","volume-title":"Minutes of the 15th National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee Meeting","author":"National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee","year":"2022"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0344617.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010320","article-title":"Black flies and Onchocerciasis: Knowledge, attitude and practices among inhabitants of Alabameta, Osun State, Southwestern, Nigeria","volume":"16","author":"LO Busari","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"8","key":"pone.0344617.ref021","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013411","article-title":"Knowledge and attitude of populations on blackflies and onchocerciasis and participation in mass drug administration in first-line communities near Erin-Ijesha and Arinta waterfalls, Southwest Nigeria","volume":"19","author":"OG Dauda","year":"2025","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0344617.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"546","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-021-05048-y","article-title":"Knowledge\/perception and attitude\/practices of populations of two first-line communities of the Centre Region of Cameroon regarding onchocerciasis and black fly nuisance and bio-ecology","volume":"14","author":"A Domche","year":"2021","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0344617.ref023","first-page":"162","article-title":"Perception on bioecology of onchocerciasis vectors around Osun River, southwestern Nigeria","volume":"3","author":"MA Adeleke","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Public Health Epidemiol"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0344617.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1016\/j.idh.2018.03.001","article-title":"Assessment of community knowledge and participation in onchocerciasis programme, challenges in ivermectin drug delivery, distribution and non-compliance in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria","volume":"23","author":"OA Surakat","year":"2018","journal-title":"Infect Dis Health"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0344617.ref025","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"658","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph21060658","article-title":"Community Perceptions of Blackfly Nuisance and Acceptability of the \u201cSlash and Clear\u201d Vector Control Approach in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study","volume":"21","author":"JN Siewe Fodjo","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0344617.ref026","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"408","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-50747-4","article-title":"Significant reduction of blackfly densities in persistent onchocerciasis area following pilot implementation of an environment friendly approach (Slash and Clear)","volume":"14","author":"A Domche","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sci Rep"}],"container-title":["PLOS One"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0344617","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]],"date-time":"2026-03-06T18:36:20Z","timestamp":1772822180000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0344617"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Kenneth Bentum","family":"Otabil","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"editor","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0344617","relation":{},"ISSN":["1932-6203"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1932-6203","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,6]]}}}