Indigenous Knowledge, Practices, Beliefs and Social Impacts of Porcine Cysticercosis and Epilepsy in Iringa Rural

Gamba Nkwengulila,Mwita Chacha,Coletha Yohana

doi:10.4236/health.2014.621328

Abstract

Porcine Cysticercosis (PCC) and Human Cysticercosis (HCC)/Neurocysticercosis (NCC) are a burden to the community owing to the reduced value of animals, associated costs of treatment, decreased labour productivity and social discrimination. There is limited knowledge on the management and prevention of PCC and epilepsy in Iringa rural. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing indigenous knowledge, practices, attitudes and social impacts of PCC and epilepsy in Iringa rural district. A total of 588 people participated in the survey whereby 306 were pig farmers, 223 non-pig farmers and 59 families with epileptic individuals. It was found that 49.8% (χ2 = 0.003, DF = 1, p = 0.954) of pig keepers were aware of PCC, whereas the remaining 50.2% were not aware (χ2 = 25.5, DF = 1, p < 0.001). The prevalence of late onset epilepsy was significantly higher (62.7%) than that of those who manifested seizures and convulsions in childhood 37.3% (χ2 = 3.814, DF = 1, p = 0.51). People in Iringa rural believe epilepsy is caused by evil spirits, witchcraft and/or inheritance. It was concluded that there was limited knowledge on T. solium cysticercosis and epilepsy. This ignorance is the cause of poor practices, negative beliefs and attitudes that negatively affect the social life of People with Epilepsy (PWE) in communities. This study recommends that health education to raise awareness on cysticercosis/taeniosis and epilepsy should be one of the intervention measures for elimination of cysticercosis and epilepsy in Iringa rural district.

Highlights

Taenia solium cysticercosis and the associated public health and economic consequences are a growing problem in poor areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America where people eat pork and keep pigs in traditional ways [1]-[3]
The present study found it necessary to assess the indigenous knowledge, practices and social impacts related to Porcine Cysticercosis (PCC) and epilepsy in Iringa rural district
A total of 306 pig keepers were surveyed during the study for the assessment of knowledge and practices on T. solium cysticercosis

Summary

Introduction

Taenia solium cysticercosis and the associated public health and economic consequences are a growing problem in poor areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America where people eat pork and keep pigs in traditional ways [1]-[3]. The epidemiology of porcine and human cysticercosis is associated with unhygienic habits and free range pig keeping [6] [7]. Effective control of Taenia solium requires knowledge on the life cycle, patterns of infection and the associated risk factors [8] [9]. The lack of knowledge on the epidemiology of porcine and human cysticercosis leads to practices that encourage the transmission and persistence of Taenia solium [10] [11]. Prevalence of PCC and HCC in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) ranks among the highest in the world [16]

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Discussion

Conclusion