A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease that affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide. In South America, CD is a major health problem in several regions, causing more than 12 000 deaths per year. CD is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, mostly transmitted thro...
| المؤلفون الرئيسيون: | , , , , |
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| التنسيق: | مقال |
| اللغة: | English |
| منشور في: |
James Cook University
2023-01-01
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| سلاسل: | Rural and Remote Health |
| الموضوعات: | |
| الوصول للمادة أونلاين: | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6796/ |
| _version_ | 1828072796741173248 |
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| author | Patricia Mora-Criollo Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca Sharon Casapulla Benjamin Bates Mario Grijalva |
| author_facet | Patricia Mora-Criollo Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca Sharon Casapulla Benjamin Bates Mario Grijalva |
| author_sort | Patricia Mora-Criollo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease that affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide. In South America, CD is a major health problem in several regions, causing more than 12 000 deaths per year. CD is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, mostly transmitted through the contaminated feces of certain species of triatomine bug, commonly known as the 'kissing bug'. CD is endemic in Loja province in the southern region of Ecuador, where triatomines have been found in 68% of communities. Previous promotion of healthy practices in Loja province have included educational programs directed toward youth to affirm cultural and social norms that support health and prevent CD transmission. The present study was designed to evaluate current knowledge related to CD among youth in the three communities of Loja province following previous intervention programs.
Methods: A descriptive, qualitative approach was applied using individual semi-structured interviews with 14 young people (eight females, six males) from three rural communities in Loja province. Interviews assessed knowledge about CD transmission, knowledge about the parasite-vector-disease pathway, and the role of youth in preventing Chagas disease in their communities.
Results: Following a thematic analysis of the data, the study results showed there is cursory knowledge of the triatomine insect that can carry the causative parasite for CD. Participants were able to generally talk about the vector, habitat and prevention practices for triatomine infestation. Nevertheless, limited understanding of transmission dynamics in the parasite-vector-disease pathway itself was found. One major finding was that prevention practices were not correctly applied or followed, increasing the risk of exposure in the community. Youth also articulated that CD is stigmatized in their communities, which may be a barrier for prevention efforts.
Conclusion: Gaps in knowledge about the parasite-vector-disease pathway were identified among youth. Overall, youth responses indicated positive regard for prevention practices and a desire to be involved in prevention programs. Developing educational programs focusing on CD transmission may be needed to improve control and prevention of this parasitic disease. The implications of these findings are discussed for developing effective control programs in the region.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:17:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc5bb96caef24be2bc30a2c293809dbc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1445-6354 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:17:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | James Cook University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rural and Remote Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc5bb96caef24be2bc30a2c293809dbc2023-01-03T23:27:38ZengJames Cook UniversityRural and Remote Health1445-63542023-01-012310.22605/RRH6796A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural EcuadorPatricia Mora-Criollo0Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca1Sharon Casapulla2Benjamin Bates3Mario Grijalva4Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USADepartment of Biosciences and Department of Anthropology, Durham University, UKOffice of Rural and Undeserved Programs, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA; and Department of Primary Care, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USAInfectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA; and School of Communication Studies, Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USAInfectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA; and Centro de Investigación para la Salud en America Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease that affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide. In South America, CD is a major health problem in several regions, causing more than 12 000 deaths per year. CD is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, mostly transmitted through the contaminated feces of certain species of triatomine bug, commonly known as the 'kissing bug'. CD is endemic in Loja province in the southern region of Ecuador, where triatomines have been found in 68% of communities. Previous promotion of healthy practices in Loja province have included educational programs directed toward youth to affirm cultural and social norms that support health and prevent CD transmission. The present study was designed to evaluate current knowledge related to CD among youth in the three communities of Loja province following previous intervention programs. Methods: A descriptive, qualitative approach was applied using individual semi-structured interviews with 14 young people (eight females, six males) from three rural communities in Loja province. Interviews assessed knowledge about CD transmission, knowledge about the parasite-vector-disease pathway, and the role of youth in preventing Chagas disease in their communities. Results: Following a thematic analysis of the data, the study results showed there is cursory knowledge of the triatomine insect that can carry the causative parasite for CD. Participants were able to generally talk about the vector, habitat and prevention practices for triatomine infestation. Nevertheless, limited understanding of transmission dynamics in the parasite-vector-disease pathway itself was found. One major finding was that prevention practices were not correctly applied or followed, increasing the risk of exposure in the community. Youth also articulated that CD is stigmatized in their communities, which may be a barrier for prevention efforts. Conclusion: Gaps in knowledge about the parasite-vector-disease pathway were identified among youth. Overall, youth responses indicated positive regard for prevention practices and a desire to be involved in prevention programs. Developing educational programs focusing on CD transmission may be needed to improve control and prevention of this parasitic disease. The implications of these findings are discussed for developing effective control programs in the region. https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6796/adolescentsChagas diseaseEcuadorknowledge and attitudesqualitativestigma. |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Mora-Criollo Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca Sharon Casapulla Benjamin Bates Mario Grijalva A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador Rural and Remote Health adolescents Chagas disease Ecuador knowledge and attitudes qualitative stigma. |
| title | A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador |
| title_full | A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador |
| title_short | A qualitative exploration of knowledge of Chagas disease among adolescents in rural Ecuador |
| title_sort | qualitative exploration of knowledge of chagas disease among adolescents in rural ecuador |
| topic | adolescents Chagas disease Ecuador knowledge and attitudes qualitative stigma. |
| url | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6796/ |
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