High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda
Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that can cause significant suffering and disability. Health promotion is an important pillar in NTD control programs, assuming that better knowledge contributes to reduced risk behavior and reduced risk of infection. The study objective was to assess t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/8/9/425 |
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| author | Marlene Thielecke Hannah McNeilly Francis Mutebi Mike B. Banalyaki Rebecca Arono Susanne Wiese Felix Reichert George Mukone Hermann Feldmeier |
| author_facet | Marlene Thielecke Hannah McNeilly Francis Mutebi Mike B. Banalyaki Rebecca Arono Susanne Wiese Felix Reichert George Mukone Hermann Feldmeier |
| author_sort | Marlene Thielecke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that can cause significant suffering and disability. Health promotion is an important pillar in NTD control programs, assuming that better knowledge contributes to reduced risk behavior and reduced risk of infection. The study objective was to assess tungiasis-related knowledge and its translation into control practices in a rural and highly endemic setting in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda. We applied a mixed-methods design on household and community level. A semi-quantitative questionnaire on knowledge, practices, and attitudes (KAP) regarding tungiasis was administered to 1329 individuals with the main caring responsibilities in the household. Additionally, eight community dialogue meetings were held and analyzed. Overall, knowledge of tungiasis in humans was high but knowledge of tungiasis in animals was low. Most questionnaire respondents knew the causative agent and clinical presentations of tungiasis in humans, risk factors, and preventive measures. This tungiasis-related knowledge was translated into simple prevention measures. However, adequate tungiasis control was impeded due to a lack of resources, such as access to water and effective medical treatment. In conclusion, health promotion campaigns should be integrated with support towards adequate tungiasis control measures, such as provision of safe treatment, hardening of non-solid floors in the houses, and improved access to water. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:53:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a2ccd25acd3b467a95aa743986ffab9d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-6366 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:53:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-a2ccd25acd3b467a95aa743986ffab9d2023-11-19T13:16:42ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662023-08-018942510.3390/tropicalmed8090425High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern UgandaMarlene Thielecke0Hannah McNeilly1Francis Mutebi2Mike B. Banalyaki3Rebecca Arono4Susanne Wiese5Felix Reichert6George Mukone7Hermann Feldmeier8Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Charité University Medicine, 13353 Berlin, GermanyEdinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UKInnovations for Tropical Disease Elimination (IFOTRODE), Kampala P.O. Box 24461, UgandaInnovations for Tropical Disease Elimination (IFOTRODE), Kampala P.O. Box 24461, UgandaInnovations for Tropical Disease Elimination (IFOTRODE), Kampala P.O. Box 24461, UgandaInstitute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité University Medicine, 12203 Berlin, GermanyDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, GermanyInnovations for Tropical Disease Elimination (IFOTRODE), Kampala P.O. Box 24461, UgandaInstitute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité University Medicine, 12203 Berlin, GermanyTungiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that can cause significant suffering and disability. Health promotion is an important pillar in NTD control programs, assuming that better knowledge contributes to reduced risk behavior and reduced risk of infection. The study objective was to assess tungiasis-related knowledge and its translation into control practices in a rural and highly endemic setting in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda. We applied a mixed-methods design on household and community level. A semi-quantitative questionnaire on knowledge, practices, and attitudes (KAP) regarding tungiasis was administered to 1329 individuals with the main caring responsibilities in the household. Additionally, eight community dialogue meetings were held and analyzed. Overall, knowledge of tungiasis in humans was high but knowledge of tungiasis in animals was low. Most questionnaire respondents knew the causative agent and clinical presentations of tungiasis in humans, risk factors, and preventive measures. This tungiasis-related knowledge was translated into simple prevention measures. However, adequate tungiasis control was impeded due to a lack of resources, such as access to water and effective medical treatment. In conclusion, health promotion campaigns should be integrated with support towards adequate tungiasis control measures, such as provision of safe treatment, hardening of non-solid floors in the houses, and improved access to water.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/8/9/425tungiasisneglected tropical diseaseknowledgeattitude practiceshealth promotionUganda |
| spellingShingle | Marlene Thielecke Hannah McNeilly Francis Mutebi Mike B. Banalyaki Rebecca Arono Susanne Wiese Felix Reichert George Mukone Hermann Feldmeier High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease tungiasis neglected tropical disease knowledge attitude practices health promotion Uganda |
| title | High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda |
| title_full | High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda |
| title_fullStr | High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda |
| title_short | High Level of Knowledge about Tungiasis but Little Translation into Control Practices in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda |
| title_sort | high level of knowledge about tungiasis but little translation into control practices in karamoja northeastern uganda |
| topic | tungiasis neglected tropical disease knowledge attitude practices health promotion Uganda |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/8/9/425 |
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