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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Knowledge and beliefs about onchocerciasis among rural inhabitants in an endemic area of Ethiopia
International Health, Volume 2, No. 1, Year 2010
Notification
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Description
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge and beliefs about causes, transmission, prevention and control of onchocerciasis among rural inhabitants in an endemic area of Ethiopia. Descriptive and quantitative information was collected using focus group discussions and a pretested structured questionnaire. Onchocerciasis affected and unaffected respondents' knowledge and beliefs regarding onchocerciasis were compared. Overall, 75.9% (192/253) of study subjects were aware about onchocerciasis. During the survey, 66.9% of affected, and 45.5% of unaffected respondents knew that onchocerciasis was transmitted through blackfly bites. About 53% of unaffected and 60% of affected respondents thought that onchocerciasis was preventable and the majority of the affected respondents felt that it was curable. Chi-square statistical analysis found a significant association between affected and unaffected individual's knowledge and beliefs about causes, transmission, prevention and control of onchocerciasis. Although the majority of respondents had ample awareness, a sizable proportion still had misconceptions and misunderstandings about causes, transmission, prevention and control of onchocerciasis. Therefore, appropriate communication strategies should be developed to create the awareness regarding the role of blackflies in onchocerciasis transmission, the importance of proper prevention techniques, early diagnosis and treatment to bring a constructive outcome in the near future. © 2009 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Authors & Co-Authors
Karunamoorthi, Kaliyaperumal
Ethiopia
College of Public Health and Medical Sciences
India, Coimbatore
Bharathiar University
Kassa, Eyerusalem
Ethiopia
College of Public Health and Medical Sciences
Endale, Aschalew
Ethiopia
College of Public Health and Medical Sciences
Statistics
Citations: 6
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.inhe.2009.11.002
ISSN:
18763413
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Quantitative
Study Locations
Ethiopia