Knowledge, Attitude, and Beliefs of Communities and Health Staff about Echinococcus granulosus Infection in Selected Pastoral and Agropastoral Regions of Uganda

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was done to determine knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the communities and health workers about cystic echinococcosis (CE) in pastoral region of Northeastern (NE) and agropastoral regions of Eastern (E) and Central (C) Uganda. Overall a total of 1310 participants were interviewed. Community respondents from NE region were more aware of CE infection than those from Eastern (OR 4.85; CI: 3.60–6.60; p < 0.001) and Central (OR 5.73; CI: 4.22–7.82; p < 0.001) regions. 19.8% of the respondents from EA region had positive attitude towards visiting witch doctors for treatment compared with 62.0% and 60.4% from NE and Central regions, respectively (p < 0.001). Notably, the awareness of CE increased with level of education (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between male and female respondents as far as awareness of CE was concerned (p > 0.05). 51.7% of the community respondents from Central believed CE is caused by witchcraft, compared with 31.3% and 14.3% from NE and EA regions, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between health staff regarding their knowledge, attitude, and beliefs about CE infection (p > 0.05). None of the participants knew his/her CE status. The communities need to be sensitized about CE detection, control, and management and health staff need to be trained on CE diagnosis.

Prevalence of cystic echinococcosis among livestock in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas in Uganda

“…The risk factors were found to be, owning of a large number of livestock, large dog populations found in livestock grazing and watering areas, home livestock slaughters and feeding of dogs with cystic offals (Oba et al ., 2016; Othieno et al ., 2017; Omadang et al ., 2018). Overall, these were promoted by limited awareness within the community of the epidemiology of CE (Omadang et al ., 2018; Othieno et al ., 2018). The observation shows that CE is endemic and a public health hazard in the study areas and the potential could be transmission to humans.…”

Laparoscopic deroofing of recurrent giant echinococcal and simple liver cysts in Uganda: a case series

“…Although rare in the western parts of the world6, hepatic echinococcosis is regarded to be endemic in sub-Saharan Africa21. In Uganda, its prevalence has been found to vary between pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, with pastoral communities being at higher risk22,23. The patient discussed in case 1 lived in a pastoral community in North Eastern Uganda and this put her at a higher risk of exposure to Echinococcus granulosus.…”

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of annexin B3 and B38 as secretory proteins in Echinococcus granulosus

“…Cystic echinococcosis (CE), which is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus , is a parasitic zoonosis currently prevalent in Mediterranean countries, southern South America, Central Asia, China, Australia and parts of Africa [ 1 , 2 ]. CE seriously threatens public health and impedes the development of animal husbandry, resulting in approximately US $ 3 billion losses to the livestock industry each year [ 3 ].…”