Knowledge and prevalence of Human African Trypanosomiasis among residents of Kachia grazing reserve, Kachia local government area, Kaduna state, Nigeria, 2012

Abstract

IntroductionHuman African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a vector borne parasitic disease transmitted to humans by infected tse-tse flies cause morbidity including delayed child mental development. Reports of nuisance and bites from tse-tse flies by residents of Kachia grazing led to the study to determine the knowledge, practices and prevalence of HAT among residents of the grazing reserve.MethodsWe conducted active case search in a cross-sectional study using multi-stage sampling with probability proportionate to size. We administered structured questionnaire on Knowledge, practices relating to HAT prevention and screened for HAT using card agglutination test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT). Knowledge of HAT was scored 0-5 and categorized good (3-5) and poor (0-2) based on score, predisposition to risk of HAT as exposure to ≥two risk factors and, a case of HAT as any respondent that tested positive on CATT. We analysed data using Epi-info and MS-excel.ResultsOf the 300 respondents, mean age 39(±17years) interviewed, 56.3% were males, 12.0% had good knowledge of HAT and 76.3% were exposed to HAT risk factors. Prevention practices included clearing of overgrown bushes around houses (99%), use of insecticidal treated nets (75.7%) and protective clothing (41.0%). Males {Odds Ratio [OR] 5.0; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.8 - 13.6}, age above 40 years {OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.1 - 24.4} and family history of HAT {OR 8.7; 95% CI 2.4 - 32.1} were significantly associated with HAT knowledge. None tested positive on CATT.ConclusionDespite poor knowledge of HAT, residents practiced HAT preventive measures and zero HAT prevalence was recorded.

Community Perception on Trypanosomosis, Parasitological, and Entomological Studies in Two Selected Districts of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia

“…is should not be overlooked, since there is a continuous movement in and out in this border area. Chronic and sporadic as well as nonspecific symptom characteristic nature of the disease may be the reason for poor recognition and or may be due to trypanotolerance nature of individual after being infected [35]. e lack of good knowledge could be due to nonendemicity of the disease in the reserve [36].…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about human African trypanosomiasis and their implications in designing intervention strategies for Yei county, South Sudan

“…Both qualitative and quantitative studies play a role in highlighting information on community knowledge, perceptions and acceptance of HAT related control interventions. Qualitative studies on HAT in Uganda, South Sudan and the DRC have been useful in highlighting the importance of understanding community attitudes and perceptions in effective engagement in HAT interventions [ 10 , 15 , 16 ].Similarly, a number of surveys on community’s KAP on HAT have been carried out in various endemic countries, including Tanzania [ 17 ], the DRC [ 18 ] and Nigeria[ 19 ]. These studies highlight people’s knowledge about cause, symptoms and prevention of HAT, people’s beliefs about the disease and where they would seek for treatment.…”

The socio-economic burden of human African trypanosomiasis and the coping strategies of households in the South Western Kenya foci

“…[ 31 , 32 ] report that HIV and Tuberculosis, respectively, lead to shortages of able-bodied adults, particularly in the peak seasons of planting and harvesting, resulting in low agricultural yields. HAT morbidity and mortality therefore affect food security by reducing the household’s ability to produce and buy food, depleting assets, and reducing the insurance value of social networks as the household consistently calls in favours [ 15 ]. HAT morbidity affects agricultural productivity by reducing labour availability, and forcing households to reallocate labour from agriculture to patient care, while mortality permanently removes adult labour from the household leading to foregone opportunities.…”

“…Studies in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo have demonstrated that HAT can have an adverse impact on the functioning of households [ 12 , 14 ]. Such adverse consequences include: increased poverty; decline in agricultural activities often leading to famine or lack of basic food security; disruption of children’s education and; generally reversal of role obligations, which more often than not enhance women’s and children’s burdens [ 10 , 15 ]. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs) has over the years been used to quantify the impact of disease.…”