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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Should I get screened for sleeping sickness? A qualitative study in Kasai province, Democratic Republic of Congo
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 6, No. 1, Article e1467, Year 2012
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Description
Background: Control of human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based on mass population active screening by mobile teams. Although generally considered a successful strategy, the community participation rates in these screening activities and ensuing treatment remain low in the Kasai-Oriental province. A better understanding of the reasons behind this observation is necessary to improve regional control activities. Methods: Thirteen focus group discussions were held in five health zones of the Kasai-Oriental province to gain insights in the regional perceptions regarding sleeping sickness and the national control programme's activities. Principal Findings: Sleeping sickness is well known among the population and is considered a serious and life-threatening disease. The disease is acknowledged to have severe implications for the individual (e.g., persistence of manic periods and trembling hands, even after treatment), at the family level (e.g., income loss, conflicts, separations) and for communities (e.g., disruption of community life and activities). Several important barriers to screening and treatment were identified. Fear of drug toxicity, lack of confidentiality during screening procedures, financial barriers and a lack of communication between the mobile teams and local communities were described. Additionally, a number of regionally accepted prohibitions related to sleeping sickness treatment were described that were found to be a strong impediment to disease screening and treatment. These prohibitions, which do not seem to have a rational basis, have far-reaching socio-economic repercussions and severely restrict the participation in day-to-day life. Conclusions/Significance: A mobile screening calendar more adapted to the local conditions with more respect for privacy, the use of less toxic drugs, and a better understanding of the origin as well as better communication about the prohibitions related to treatment would facilitate higher participation rates among the Kasai-Oriental population in sleeping sickness screening and treatment activities organized by the national HAT control programme. © 2012 Mpanya et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Mpanya, Alain
Democratic Republic Congo
Programme National de Lutte Contre la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine Pnltha
Hendrickx, David
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Vuna, Mimy
Democratic Republic Congo
Institut Nationale de Recherche Biomédicale
Kanyinda, Albert
Democratic Republic Congo
Bureau Diocesain Des Œuvres Médicales
Lumbala, Crispin Wa Mbuyi
Democratic Republic Congo
Programme National de Lutte Contre la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine Pnltha
Tshilombo, Valéry
Democratic Republic Congo
Université de Mbuji-mayi
Mitashi, Patrick M.
Democratic Republic Congo, Kinshasa
Universite de Kinshasa
Luboya, Oscar Numbi
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Kandé, Victor Betu Ku Mesu
Democratic Republic Congo
Programme National de Lutte Contre la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine Pnltha
Boelaert, Marleen C.
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Lefèvre, Pierre
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Lutumba, Pascal Tshindele
Democratic Republic Congo
Institut Nationale de Recherche Biomédicale
Democratic Republic Congo, Kinshasa
Universite de Kinshasa
Statistics
Citations: 66
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0001467
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Study Locations
Congo