Lymphatic filariasis: knowledge, attitude and practices among inhabitants of an irrigation project community, North Central Nigeria

Autor: Ebube Charles Amaechi, Camelita Chima Ohaeri, Onyinye Mkpola Ukpai, Prosper Chidi Nwachukwu, UkohaKalu Ukoha
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, Vol 6, Iss 9, Pp 709-713 (2016)
ISSN: 2222-1808
Popis: Objective To ascertain the knowledge of lymphatic filariasis among inhabitants of an irrigation project community in north central Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study which involved 285 participants ≥18 years who live in Omi and its surrounding communities was done. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants were obtained using pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analyzed usin SPSS software version 16.0. Results A greater proportion (82%) of the participants were not aware of lymphatic filariasis and the exact cause of the infection. Quite a good number (85%) reported pain and swelling as symptoms. The respondents generally had a fair understanding of prevention and management strategies of the disease. The results from this study showed that the association between awareness of lymphatic filariasis and gender, age, educational level and occupation of the participants was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions Many of the participants had a poor knowledge of lymphatic filariasis, the mode of transmission and symptoms of the disease. For proper understanding of lymphatic filariasis in the community, there is need for effective and realistic health education campaigns targeted at the grassroots.
Databáze: OpenAIRE