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

Abstract

BackgroundA clear understanding of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of a particular community is necessary in order to improve control of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).New screening and diagnostic tools and strategies were introduced into South Sudan, as part of integrated delivery of primary healthcare. Knowledge and awareness on HAT, its new/improved screening and diagnostic tools, the places and processes of getting a confirmatory diagnosis and treatment are crucial to the success of this strategy.MethodologyA KAP survey was carried out in Yei County, South Sudan, to identify gaps in community KAP and determine the preferred channels and sources of information on the disease. The cross-sectional KAP survey utilized questionnaires, complemented with key informant interviews and a focus group discussion to elicit communal as well as individual KAP on HAT.FindingsMost (90%) of the respondents had general knowledge on HAT. Lower levels of education, gender and geographic locations without a history of HAT interventions were associated with incorrect knowledge and/or negative perceptions about the treatability of HAT. Symptoms appearing in the late stage were best known. A majority (97.2%) would seek treatment for HAT only in a health centre. However, qualitative data indicates that existing myths circulating in the popular imagination could influence people’s practices. Seventy-one percent of the respondents said they would offer social support to patients with HAT but qualitative data highlights that stigma still exists. Misconceptions and stigma can negatively influence the health seeking behaviour of HAT cases. In relation to communication, the top preferred and effective source of communication was radio (24%).ConclusionGaps in relation to KAP on HAT still exist in the community. Perceptions on HAT, specifically myths and stigma, were key gaps that need to be bridged through effective education and communication strategies for HAT control alongside other interventions.

Awareness of sleeping sickness by the populations of the Bipindi historic focus: Lessons for ownership and sustainability of control interventions

“…In general, the participants were aware and had good knowledge of sleeping sickness, its mode of transmission and the control strategy organized by the HAT national control program. Similar results have been previously described in South Sudan (Bukachi et al, 2018). Unlike in South Sudan where only 18% of participants reported sleep disorder, the majority of participants (91.6%) in the Bipindi focus reported that the latter is the most evocative sign of HAT.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards the novel corona virus among Bangladeshi people: Implications for mitigation measures

“…This observation is a positive one as females are more responsible in maintaining family hygiene and teach the children. The good knowledge, attitude and practice of female over male is supported by their lower mortality rate in this diseases, although female are globally more prone to this disease than male [32,42]. While the highest attitude score of the ‘Retired’ (7.55±0.69) was a reflection of their highest knowledge score; for other professional groups, knowledge scores mismatched their attitude scores.…”

“…Historically, the KAP model was developed for family planning and population studies in the 1950s, with its purpose being to measure the extent to which any clear opposition to the notion and organization of family planning existed among different populations, so specific family planning practices could be used for different program purposes worldwide [31]. KAP surveys are now the most widely used studies for uncovering societal context in public health research [32][33][34]. These surveys are easy to design, data output is quantifiable, interpretation is robust and their utility is generalizable for context specific problems [35].…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the novel coronavirus among Bangladeshis: Implications for mitigation measures

“…KAP was used to measure the extent to which any clear opposition to family planning existed among different populations, so specific family planning practices could be used for different programs worldwide [ 31 ]. KAP surveys are now the most widely used studies for demonstrating societal context in public health research [ 32 – 34 ]. These surveys are easy to design, data output is quantifiable, interpretation is robust, and their utility is generalizable for context-specific problems [ 35 ].…”