Stakeholders' Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions on the Control of Taenia solium in Kamuli and Hoima Districts, Uganda

Ngwili, Nicholas; Thomas, Lian F.; Githigia, SM; Johnson, Nancy L.; Wahome, R.G.; Roesel, Kristina

doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.833721

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…This is common practice within the region as it is said to be cheaper than confining the pigs in pig pens [ 17 , 18 ]. Similar barriers to pig confinement have also been reported in other studies [ 30 , 41 , 45 , 46 ]. Among those that reported consuming pork, the majority preferred boiling their pork meat.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in Zambia

et al. 2023

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Background Several studies on Taenia solium taeniosis / cysticercosis (TSTC) have been conducted in Zambia. However, none has assessed community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to TSTC and epilepsy. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2022. The design consisted of a questionnaire-based survey conducted in each of the 25 purposely selected villages in Chiparamba Rural Health Centre (RHC) catchment area in Chipata district of the Eastern Province. Results A total of 588 participants comprising 259 (44%) males and 329 (56%) females with median age of 42 years (range 17 to 92 years) were interviewed. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of taeniosis and human cysticercosis (HCC), including transmission and prevention measures was very low. Whilst the majority had heard about epilepsy, they were not able to link HCC to epilepsy. Most participants were aware of cysticerci in pigs (PCC) including its predilection sites but were not aware of mode of transmission and prevention measures. The pork meat inspection by trained professionals was also not a common practice in the area. Risk perception of T. solium infections was thus very low. Overall knowledge, attitude and practice scores related to T. solium infections and to epilepsy were very low with median scores of 0.38 (IQR 0.25–0.54) for knowledge, 0.25 (0.25–0.50) for attitudes, and 0.31 (0.25–0.44) for practices. Males had better knowledge on TSTC (median = 0.42, p = 0.017, r = 0.098) and better practice scores (median = 0.38, p = < 0.001, r = 0.154) compared to females though the effect size was small. With regards to sanitation and hygiene washing with soap and water was reported by many but only few had a hand washing facility near their latrines. Conclusion The study shows overall poor knowledge, attitudes and practices related to TSTC among the community of Chiparamba RHC in Chipata district of the Eastern Province of Zambia. This poses a serious challenge for control and elimination of T. solium infections and thus efforts to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices should be made using a One Health approach for the control and elimination of TSTC. Educational programs about TSTC transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention, management and control need to be scaled up in the study area and Zambia as a whole.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in Zambia

et al. 2023

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“…Despite the participants’ quite good knowledge of porcine cysticercosis and taeniasis and their experience with the parasite, specific knowledge about human cysticercosis and especially neurocysticercosis was lacking. This pattern has been observed by other studies carried out in India, Mexico, Kenya, and Tanzania [ 14 , 19 , 24 , 26 – 29 ]. The life cycle of T .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

The Vicious Worm education tool improves the knowledge of community health workers on Taenia solium cysticercosis in Rwanda

Uwibambe,

Shyaka,

Niyotwagira

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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The pork tapeworm Taenia solium causes human taeniasis and cysticercosis when ingested as viable cysts and eggs, respectively. Despite its high health burden in low-income countries, knowledge of the parasite in endemic areas such as Rwanda is often limited. Here, we assess whether The Vicious Worm education software can increase knowledge in endemic areas of Rwanda. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate knowledge about T. solium among community health workers trained using the Vicious Worm education software. Knowledge was assessed before, immediately after, and four weeks after the training. The health workers perceptions of the software were analysed thematically. A total of 207 community health workers were recruited from Nyamagabe district in Southern Province, Rwanda. Participants were composed of males (33.5%) and females (66.5%), aged between 22 and 68 years, and most (71%) had only completed primary education. Knowledge of cysticercosis at baseline was low, particularly knowledge of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. The overall knowledge score increased significantly after training and was maintained four weeks after the training. Overall, insufficient knowledge was associated with neurocysticercosis-related questions, which after the training, remained relatively lower compared to questions of other categories. Participants reported the software to be user-friendly and educational. Digital illiteracy and the lack of smartphones were among the critical challenges highlighted in responses. This study has shown gaps in knowledge regarding T. solium infections within rural Rwanda, particularly neurocysticercosis. Health education using the Vicious Worm education software should be considered in integrated control programs.

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“…Consequently, as was reported by respondents in this study, pork infested with cysts ends up being sold and consumed. There was no clear explanation as to why different actors engage in risky behaviors but lack of knowledge and to some extent ignorance could be the cause, as also found by Ngwili et al ( 20 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…However, the role of public health officials and trained veterinarians is also important. Limited, and fragmented knowledge about T. solium transmission has been reported other parts of Uganda ( 20 ). Consequently, as was reported by respondents in this study, pork infested with cysts ends up being sold and consumed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure of the pork value chain in Northern Uganda: implications for Taenia solium control interventions

et al. 2023

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IntroductionThis study characterizes the pork value chain in Agago, Kitgum, Lamwo, and Pader districts of Northern Uganda and analyzes its implications on the transmission and control of Taenia solium infections.Methodology:Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) with farmers and pig and pork traders, key informant interviews (KIIs) with local government officials and consumers, and district-level multi-stakeholder mini workshops organized in the study area. The value chain actors identified include input and services providers, pig farmers, live pig traders, pork traders, and consumers.ResultsMost of the pig production, marketing and consumption was found to occur through informal channels. Pig production in this area is dominated by smallholder extensive systems, with most producers keeping less than 10 pigs. The production segment of the pig value chain is characterized by low use of inputs and services such as veterinary extension, drugs and improved feeds. Pigs scavenge for food under free-range systems and are at risk of parasitic infections such as the zoonotic helminth Taenia solium. This risk is exacerbated by the inherent contextual aspects of the study sites including low latrine coverage, open defecation, and high poverty. In addition, some respondents viewed pigs as “sanitation policemen” where they leave them to roam around and eat dirt including feaces thereby cleaning the environment. T. solium was recognized as an important pig health constraint in this value chain alongside African swine fever (ASF). Unlike ASF that was associated with the pig mortalities, the cysts were associated with rejection of pigs by traders at purchase, condemnation of pig carcasses by meat inspectors and rejection of raw pork by consumers at points of sale.DiscussionPoor organization of the value chain and lack veterinary extension and meat inspection services results in some pigs infected with T. solium entering the food chain, exposing consumers to infection with the parasite. To reduce the pig production losses and public health impact from T. solium infections, there is need for control and prevention interventions targeting specific nodes of the value chain where the risk of transmission is highest.

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Stakeholders' Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions on the Control of Taenia solium in Kamuli and Hoima Districts, Uganda

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in Zambia

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis in Zambia

The Vicious Worm education tool improves the knowledge of community health workers on Taenia solium cysticercosis in Rwanda

Structure of the pork value chain in Northern Uganda: implications for Taenia solium control interventions

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