Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon.
Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021 Dec;11(4):426-434. doi: 10.1007/s44197-021-00010-8. Epub 2021 Oct 26.
Preventive chemotherapy (PCT) is the main strategy currently used to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH), and community participation (through implementation or adherence to PCT) is critical. This study aimed at investigating knowledge/perceptions of populations of the Mbengwi health district (North West Region, Cameroon), in relation to their attitudes/practices regarding the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
A household-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Mbengwi health district (North West Region, Cameroon) using the cluster sampling technique. Clusters were selected using the probability proportionate to estimate size strategy. In each cluster, the random walk technique was used for the selection of households, and a structure questionnaire was administered to 2-3 of its members.
A total of 254 households from 26 clusters were visited, and 514 individuals were interviewed. The sex ratio of interviewees (1.08) was unbiased, and their ages ranged between 10 and 99 years old. Though most of the respondents declared having already heard of these NTDs (41.6%, 73.9% and 90.5% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively), only a minority of them were aware of how they are acquired/transmitted (8.9%, 9.2% and 32.7% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively), or prevented (23.1%, 18.9% and 47.2% for onchocerciasis, LF and STH, respectively).
This study revealed poor knowledge/perceptions and wrong attitudes/practices of interviewees as regards to these NTDs, and these misconceptions can seriously affect the adherence and contribution of populations to the success of PCTs. It appears compulsory to reinforce information, education, and communication, with a focus on the rationale and importance behind PCTs, to optimize/improve community participation.
预防性化疗（PCT）是目前控制和/或消除盘尾丝虫病、淋巴丝虫病（LF）和土壤传播性蠕虫病（STH）的主要策略，社区参与（通过实施或遵守 PCT）至关重要。本研究旨在调查 Mbengwi 卫生区（喀麦隆西北区）人群对最常见的被忽视热带病（NTDs）的知识/认知、态度/实践。
在 Mbengwi 卫生区（喀麦隆西北区）采用聚类抽样技术进行了一项基于家庭的横断面调查。使用估计大小的概率比例策略选择聚类。在每个聚类中，使用随机游走技术选择家庭，对其 2-3 名成员进行结构问卷调查。
共访问了 26 个聚类中的 254 个家庭，对 514 人进行了访谈。受访者的性别比（1.08）无偏倚，年龄在 10 至 99 岁之间。尽管大多数受访者宣称已经听说过这些 NTDs（盘尾丝虫病、LF 和 STH 的知晓率分别为 41.6%、73.9%和 90.5%），但只有少数人了解它们是如何获得/传播的（盘尾丝虫病、LF 和 STH 的知晓率分别为 8.9%、9.2%和 32.7%），或预防（盘尾丝虫病、LF 和 STH 的知晓率分别为 23.1%、18.9%和 47.2%）。
本研究揭示了受访者对这些 NTDs 的知识/认知水平低，态度/实践错误，这些误解可能严重影响人群对 PCTs 的依从性和贡献。加强信息、教育和宣传，重点是 PCTs 的原理和重要性，以优化/改善社区参与，是非常必要的。
