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

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• 作者：Ebube Charles Amaechi^a ; ^b ; ^{ebubeamechi@yahoo.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Camelita Chima Ohaeri^a ; Onyinye Mkpola Ukpai^a ; Prosper Chidi Nwachukwu^a ; UkohaKalu Ukoha^a ; ^c
• 关键词：Lymphatic filariasis ; Knowledge ; Attitudes ; Practices ; Health education ; Omi
• 刊名：Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：September 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：6
• 期：9
• 页码：709-713
• 全文大小：386 K

文摘

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.