Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Visceral Leishmaniasis in Endemic Areas of Malda District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Community participation is an important aspect for the success of kala-azar (KA) elimination program implemented in five Southeast Asian countries by the WHO. The participation of community depends on the level of knowledge of, attitude toward, and practice around risk factors associated with KA transmission among the population. We assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward KA elimination in endemic areas of Malda district, West Bengal, India. A total of 709 individuals from different villages of 12 sub-centers were interviewed during April–July 2019. Data were recorded in a structured questionnaire under four categories: sociodemographic parameters, knowledge, attitude, and practice. The association of dependent variables such as knowledge, attitude, and practice with independent variables such as the economy and sociodemographic parameters was analyzed by binary logistic regression model and chi-square test using SPSS software. Despite the endemicity of the disease for a long time, the adequacy of knowledge about the disease was found to be poor that can be attributed to low education level and socioeconomic status, but the attitude and practices were good. So, there is a scope of improvement in knowledge of the disease through proper health education. This will further improve the level of attitude and practices that will be helpful for the smooth implementation of different activities of the program by more active participation of the community.

Active Community-Based Case Finding of Endemic Leishmaniasis in West Bengal, India

“…Regular awareness among the residents of endemic areas is an important aspect of ongoing programme through information, education, communication and behavioural, change, communication activities. Since the knowledge about the disease is moderate to poor among 75.2% population [30], enhancement of health education in endemic areas will improve the treatment seeking behaviour.…”

Determinants of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis by case-control study in Morocco

“…This result may be attributed to the general lack of awareness and education about ACL disease in the local context. In India, the lack knowledge regarding visceral leishmaniasis was correlated to a low level of education and a low socio-economic status [60].…”