Burden, knowledge and perception of lymphatic filariasis in resource poor communities in north central Nigeria
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Date
2024-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Indian Society for Parasitology
Abstract
A number of vector-borne diseases are known to affect humans in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Lym phatic filariasis is one of such debilitating disease caused by a nematode, Wuchereria bancrofti. The present study assessed
the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis by screening individuals with filariasis test strip and clinical examination. A sample
of 765 consenting individuals were screened for filarial antigenemia using filariasis test strip and clinical examination and
interviewed for knowledge and perception of filariasis using a structured questionnaire. Overall antigenemia prevalence
was 8.8% and the disease prevalence varied among villages with Shonga (16.7%) having the highest and Tada (1.6%) the
least infected.In relation to age group, 40-49years had the highest (49.3%) while 0–9 years did not record any infection.
Among the respondents infected, a greater number (43.3%) believed that the disease was caused by stepping on charm,
45.4% of those unaffected also believed in the same cause. A greater number of the respondents (28.4%) believed that
avoiding sexual intercourse with affected individuals can help prevent the disease. A majority(67.2%) of the study partici pant had a misconception about its preventive measure. Misconceptions on the preventive measures included sacrifice to
appease the gods and avoiding sexual intercourse with affected individuals. This study showed filarial antigenemia was
above the threshold of 2% in the study area with misconception on the disease transmission and therefore this area war rants strategies to prevent transmission.
Description
Keywords
Wuchereria bancrofti, Burden, vector borne, Test strip
Citation
Burden, Knowledge, perception, Lymphatic filariasis