Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana

Background. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents in the Ho municipality towards intestinal helminth infections and their prevention. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled resident...

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Main Authors: Verner N. Orish, Moses A. Asumbono, Isaac B. Addei, Moses A. Ayaaba, Precious K. Kwadzokpui, Aleksandra Marinkovic, Stephanie Prakash, Chuku Okorie, Ricardo Izurieta, Rajashree Pandit, Adekunle Sanyaolu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Parasitology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5515603
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author Verner N. Orish
Moses A. Asumbono
Isaac B. Addei
Moses A. Ayaaba
Precious K. Kwadzokpui
Aleksandra Marinkovic
Stephanie Prakash
Chuku Okorie
Ricardo Izurieta
Rajashree Pandit
Adekunle Sanyaolu
author_facet Verner N. Orish
Moses A. Asumbono
Isaac B. Addei
Moses A. Ayaaba
Precious K. Kwadzokpui
Aleksandra Marinkovic
Stephanie Prakash
Chuku Okorie
Ricardo Izurieta
Rajashree Pandit
Adekunle Sanyaolu
author_sort Verner N. Orish
collection DOAJ
description Background. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents in the Ho municipality towards intestinal helminth infections and their prevention. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. A minimum sample size of 400 was calculated for subjects using Yamane’s formula for population. Pearson’s chi-square analysis was done to determine any relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the categories of knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results from data analysis were computed as frequencies and percentages. P<0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results. Of the 400 participants, 343 (85.7%) were aware of intestinal helminths, but the majority had poor knowledge of its cause despite 50.5% (202) having good knowledge scores. Most participants (331, 82.8%) had a bad attitude toward preventing the disease. Most (335, 83.8%) of the community members still adhered to the poor practice of open defecation with the excuse of unavailable latrines, and some (143, 35.8%) believe that intestinal helminths are nothing to worry about. Conclusion. Health education should address the perceptions towards preventing intestinal helminthiasis and be complemented by making available public lavatories in the municipality to curb the unacceptable practice of open defecation.
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spelling doaj.art-6f459c2406e2427ea8885db4d153babc2023-12-17T00:00:08ZengHindawi LimitedJournal of Parasitology Research2090-00312023-01-01202310.1155/2023/5515603Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of GhanaVerner N. Orish0Moses A. Asumbono1Isaac B. Addei2Moses A. Ayaaba3Precious K. Kwadzokpui4Aleksandra Marinkovic5Stephanie Prakash6Chuku Okorie7Ricardo Izurieta8Rajashree Pandit9Adekunle Sanyaolu10Department of Microbiology and ImmunologySchool of MedicineSchool of MedicineSchool of MedicineDepartment of Medical Laboratory SciencesSaint James School of MedicineSaint James School of MedicineUnion County College (Plainfield Campus)Global Communicable DiseasesD’Youville UniversityD’Youville UniversityBackground. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents in the Ho municipality towards intestinal helminth infections and their prevention. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. A minimum sample size of 400 was calculated for subjects using Yamane’s formula for population. Pearson’s chi-square analysis was done to determine any relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the categories of knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results from data analysis were computed as frequencies and percentages. P<0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results. Of the 400 participants, 343 (85.7%) were aware of intestinal helminths, but the majority had poor knowledge of its cause despite 50.5% (202) having good knowledge scores. Most participants (331, 82.8%) had a bad attitude toward preventing the disease. Most (335, 83.8%) of the community members still adhered to the poor practice of open defecation with the excuse of unavailable latrines, and some (143, 35.8%) believe that intestinal helminths are nothing to worry about. Conclusion. Health education should address the perceptions towards preventing intestinal helminthiasis and be complemented by making available public lavatories in the municipality to curb the unacceptable practice of open defecation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5515603
spellingShingle Verner N. Orish
Moses A. Asumbono
Isaac B. Addei
Moses A. Ayaaba
Precious K. Kwadzokpui
Aleksandra Marinkovic
Stephanie Prakash
Chuku Okorie
Ricardo Izurieta
Rajashree Pandit
Adekunle Sanyaolu
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
Journal of Parasitology Research
title Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
title_full Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
title_fullStr Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
title_short Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice towards prevention of intestinal helminth infection among residents of the ho municipality in the volta region of ghana
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5515603
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