Thielecke Marlene, McNeilly Hannah, Mutebi Francis, Banalyaki Mike B, Arono Rebecca, Wiese Susanne, Reichert Felix, Mukone George, Feldmeier Hermann
Charité Center for Global Health, Institute of International Health, Charité University Medicine, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.
Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 24;8(9):425. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090425.
Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that can cause significant suffering and disability. Health promotion is an important pillar in NTD control programs, assuming that better knowledge contributes to reduced risk behavior and reduced risk of infection. The study objective was to assess tungiasis-related knowledge and its translation into control practices in a rural and highly endemic setting in Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda. We applied a mixed-methods design on household and community level. A semi-quantitative questionnaire on knowledge, practices, and attitudes (KAP) regarding tungiasis was administered to 1329 individuals with the main caring responsibilities in the household. Additionally, eight community dialogue meetings were held and analyzed. Overall, knowledge of tungiasis in humans was high but knowledge of tungiasis in animals was low. Most questionnaire respondents knew the causative agent and clinical presentations of tungiasis in humans, risk factors, and preventive measures. This tungiasis-related knowledge was translated into simple prevention measures. However, adequate tungiasis control was impeded due to a lack of resources, such as access to water and effective medical treatment. In conclusion, health promotion campaigns should be integrated with support towards adequate tungiasis control measures, such as provision of safe treatment, hardening of non-solid floors in the houses, and improved access to water.
沙蚤病是一种被忽视的热带疾病（NTD），会造成巨大痛苦和残疾。健康促进是NTD控制项目的重要支柱，前提是更多的知识有助于降低风险行为和感染风险。本研究的目的是评估乌干达东北部卡拉莫贾一个农村且沙蚤病高度流行地区与沙蚤病相关的知识及其在控制措施中的应用情况。我们在家庭和社区层面采用了混合方法设计。对1329名承担家庭主要照料责任的个人进行了一份关于沙蚤病知识、实践和态度（KAP）的半定量问卷调查。此外，还举行并分析了八次社区对话会议。总体而言，人们对人类沙蚤病的了解程度较高，但对动物沙蚤病的了解程度较低。大多数问卷调查受访者知道人类沙蚤病的病原体、临床表现、风险因素和预防措施。这种与沙蚤病相关的知识转化为了简单的预防措施。然而，由于缺乏资源，如获得水和有效医疗治疗的机会，沙蚤病的充分控制受到了阻碍。总之，健康促进活动应与支持采取充分的沙蚤病控制措施相结合，如提供安全治疗、硬化房屋中非固体地面以及改善获得水的机会。
