Cutaneous leishmaniasis a neglected tropical disease: community knowledge, attitude and practices in an endemic area, Northwest Ethiopia
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Date
2019-10-16
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BMC infectious diseases
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases in the Ethiopian highlands and
studies on assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of the community in endemic areas are scanty. The
study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude towards cutaneous leishmaniasis and treatment seeking practices in
people living in the endemic highlands areas in the Northwest, Ethiopia and to provide evidence-based information
to guide development of appropriate interventions to reduce the impact of cutaneous leishmaniasis on
communities.
Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic districts (woredas)
using a semi structured questionnaire. Households were randomly selected according to probability proportional to
size of households in each enumeration area. Systematic random sampling of eligible households was based on the
number of households recorded during listing of households. Descriptive statistics was used to describe numerical
data, organise and summarise the data in a manner that gave meaning to the numerical form. Frequency tables were
used to show descriptive analysis and regression analysis was used to determine correlation between variables.
Results: Majority of respondents 321(78.7%) lived in rural areas, age ranged between 18 and 85 years and most were
farmers. Illiteracy was high (47.6%) among respondents and majority 358(87.8%) had seen patients with CL. Less than
quarter (21.6%) had heard about sand flies and knowledge on the peak transmission period was low (46.3%). About
192 (47.1%) of the respondents indicated disfiguring lesions were the major clinical presentations, less than half 55(27.5%)
of urban residents believed CL was treatable compared to 145(72.5%) of rural residents (P < 0.001). Traditional medicines
were indicated as best treatment option by 209(51.2%) compared to 114(27.9%) for modern treatment. Major factors
influencing treatment options included accessibility to treatment facilities, distance and short duration of treatment.
Participants expressed negative experiential attitude and perceived control towards modern treatment because of
inaccessibility and distance from where modern treatment is provided.
Conclusion: Priority should be given to primary prevention and appropriate awareness campaigns on lesion recognition.
Information on modern treatment should be intensified.
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Keywords
Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Knowledge, Attitude
Citation
Tamiru, H.F., Mashalla, Y.J., Mohammed, R. and Tshweneagae, G.T., 2019. Cutaneous leishmaniasis a neglected tropical disease: community knowledge, attitude and practices in an endemic area, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC infectious diseases, 19(1), pp.1-10.