Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Sodo District Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a common infectious disease. However, existing knowledge on community awareness is scarce.ObjectiveObjectives is to access knowledge, attitude, and practices about CL in Sodo District.MethodsPrimary quantitative method using a cross-sectional descriptive approach was applied. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews held with 423 households between January to April 2018. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were obtained by aggregating responses to questions. Levels of these outcomes were determined by dichotomizing the generated scores using their mean vales. Percentages, frequency and mean values were used to descriptively understand the data. Logistic regression was used to model the binary outcomes. R Package Version 3.02 was used to conduct the statistical analysis.ResultsOf 423 participants 263 (61.9%), 226 (53.4%), and 213 (50.4%) have satisfactory knowledge, favourable attitude, and good practice about leishmaniasis. Majority are unable to identify leishmaniasis and unaware of its cause and transmission. Sandfly is considered “important biting and blood-sucking insect” by 210 (49.6%) but knowledge on biting time and breeding place was unsatisfactory. Most believed CL can be treated, is a serious problem and have a disfiguring outcome. However, most (59.3%, n=251) prefer use of traditional medication. Concerning practice, 288 (68.1%) have bed nets but personal protective measures are rarely used.ConclusionThe level of overall knowledge and attitudes and practice in the current study was not adequate. This finding implies that there is a need for intensified education regarding CL.