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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/ISSRR-RA-25-09

The Influence of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) Socio-Economic Development in Cross River State, Nigeria

Erhuotor Ejiro Efe 1*, Kigbu John Agabi 2, Elumah, Ewache Joseph 3

1 Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

2 Faculty of Social Sciences

3 Department of Economics

 

*Corresponding Author: Erhuotor Ejiro Efe, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

Citation: Erhuotor Ejiro Efe, Kigbu John Agabi, Elumah, Ewache Joseph (2025). The Influence of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) Socio-Economic Development in Cross River State, Nigeria, J International Social Science Research and Review. 1(2), DOI: ISSRR-RA-25-09

Copyright: Erhuotor Ejiro Efe, et al © (2025). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 15 May 2025 | Accepted: 23 May 2025 | Published: 31 May 2025

Keywords: onchocerciasis; educational attainment; employment opportunities; financial status; and living conditions

Abstract

This study examines the influence of onchocerciasis on socio-economic development in Cross River State, Nigeria. The research is grounded in the Life Cycle Theory and the Cost of Illness Theory, adopting a quantitative approach to explore how onchocerciasis impacts four key socio-economic variables: educational attainment, employment opportunities, financial status, and living conditions. A structured questionnaire was distributed across the state’s three senatorial zones, targeting residents in the most populous local government areas. A total population of 3,875,200 (NPC, 2023) was used for sampling, and stratified random sampling yielded a sample size of 400 respondents. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant negative effects of onchocerciasis on the socio-economic variables. Educational attainment, employment opportunities, financial status, and living conditions all showed notable declines as a result of onchocerciasis, with coefficients of -31.120, -39.291, -47.209, and -12.345, respectively. The study underscores the detrimental impact of onchocerciasis on the socio-economic fabric of Cross River State, with findings consistent with previous research in related areas. Based on the results, it is recommended that public health interventions be intensified to combat the effects of onchocerciasis. Additionally, policies addressing healthcare access, disease prevention, and socio-economic support should be formulated to mitigate the adverse impacts of this neglected tropical disease on the development of the state.

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