Article,
Knowledge, Awareness, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cystic Echinococcosis in Khartoum State, Sudan
Advances in Preventive Medicine and Health Care (ISSN: 2688-996X), 6 (2): 5 (August 2021)
Abstract
Background: Cystic echinococcosisis (CE) a cosmopolitan disease occurs throughout the globe,it is important disease as it is neglected. It is a parasitic disease of a tapeworm belongs to the genus Echinococus. Control of echinococcosis require
awareness and understanding of the disease. The objectives in our study were to describe, a survey based on a questionnaire, the characteristics, attitudes, understanding, awareness and practices of population regarding CE and to know some of the bad practices that might be the cause of the disease.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted in Khartoum state - Sudan; a study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). The data which has been collected of KAP study was found to be the direct cause of echinococcosis disease.The
descriptive survey was performed between December 2017 and April 2018 by face-to-face communication. Results: We interviewed 512 people, 314(61%) female and 198(39%) male, all of them were originated from Khartoum state
(three localities: Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahry). Their ages range from 18 -90 years with age mean (41.3 ± 18.08 SD). 9%of people dog ownership in the area. Of whom, only (13.6%) dewormed their owned dogs. Moreover, participants’ response also showed that 10% had contact with dogs. Almost (91%) of the participants found to slaughter their animals near or at home, of whom, (23.5%) they provide raw infected organ and uneatable offal like lung, intestine, etc. for their dog and cats.94%
reported that they drink water which is un-boiled. On the other hand, small proportions (17%) of study participants had heard of echinococcus disease prior, but (4.7%) from them had wrong knowledge about this disease as some of them think that the
echinococcus cyst is a sebaceous cyst, more than half of participants knew about the echinococcus disease were at university educational level.The involved interviewed persons were not aware about how humans get infected with CE disease.
Conclusion:The candidates whom they have been in the survey are found to be unaware of the disease.It has been noticed that it is concluded as the disease is less aware in the community and It is important that close collaboration between clinicians
and community physicians with veterinary service by sharing all necessary data concerning KAP study, to know and help echinococcosis disease control.
The study shows the importance of of health education in Khartoum state, an elaborate health programme depends on health education can minimize cystic echinococcosis.
