Lymphatic Filariasis in Southwestern Nigerian Rural Communities: A Cross-sectional Survey of the Knowledge, Awareness, and Predisposing Factors

Bolatito Oluwabiyi,Oyetunde T Oyeyemi,Adetayo Olorunlana,Nofisat Omiyeniyi,Ayomide Koleosho

doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2016.07.003

Bolatito Oluwabiyi, Oyetunde T Oyeyemi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2016.07.003

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Abstract

BackgroundNigeria is the second most endemic country in the world for lymphatic filariasis, with control efforts often hampered by poor community awareness and involvement in intervention strategies. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and psychosocial aspects of some residents in Nigerian rural communities about lymphatic filariasis in order to develop disease control and intervention strategies with active community involvement. MethodsA standardized questionnaire was adapted and a scale of measurement was developed. The methodology was quantitative and the study design was cross-sectional. A sample of 203 respondents was selected using a precision of 0.06. FindingsA majority (51.2%) had heard of elephantiasis but very few (9.3%) had accurate knowledge of the causes of the disease. Most people (53.2%) had no sources of information about elephantiasis, and of the few individuals that claimed availability of sources of information, information about the mode of transmission of the disease (10.0%) was the most common. Very few individuals (7.9%) believed mosquitoes were associated with elephantiasis, with 16.7% having a history of elephantiasis. The proportion of respondents who did not use mosquito netting (61.1%) was significantly higher than those who did use it (33.0%) (P < .05). An appreciable proportion (26.1%) of individuals believed elephantiasis to be an abominable disease, with 5.9% individuals believing that people treat the victims of elephantiasis with disrespect. ConclusionsThe study areas are at high risk of lymphatic filariasis. There is a need to create a knowledge-based awareness among the residents for effective management of the disease.

Highlights

More than 1.4 billon people are at risk of elephantiasis,[1] as Nigeria and some other countries contribute more than 80% of global burden of the disease.[2]
Lymphatic Filariasis in Southwestern Nigeria of the world, and 39 African countries carry more than a third of the global burden of lymphatic filariasis.[3]
The areas were selected based on the prevailing environmental factors that could predispose the residents to lymphatic filariasis and information about the presence of the disease in the communities

Summary

Introduction

More than 1.4 billon people are at risk of elephantiasis,[1] as Nigeria and some other countries contribute more than 80% of global burden of the disease.[2]. Nigeria was rated the second most endemic country worldwide and the country with the largest population at risk of infection with lymphatic filariasis in the African continent.[5] Filarial infections have been reported in the coastal and rainforest zones of Nigeria.[6,7] A survey from the Federal Ministry of Health[8] estimated that 20 million people in Nigeria take treatment for elephantiasis. It noted that such a figure only represented about 20% of the at-risk population. Nigeria is the second most endemic country in the world for lymphatic filariasis, with control efforts often hampered by poor community awareness and involvement in intervention strategies

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Results

Conclusion