@article{article,
  keywords = {Knowledge, Attitude, and practice, Practices, Health providers, Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Preventive chemotherapy (PC), Guinea},
  author = {Diallo FD and Millimouno TM and Manet H and Kamano AS and Camara E and Camara BS and Delamou A},
  title = {Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Healthcare Providers Towards Preventive Chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases in the For{\'e}cariah Health District, Guinea, 2022},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of twenty diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical regions that particularly affect vulnerable and often marginalised populations. Five of these are classified as {\textquotedblleft}preventive chemotherapy{\textquotedblright} (PC) diseases such as trachoma, onchocerciasis, geo-helminthiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers in the Forecariah health district with respect to PC-NTDs in Guinea in 2022.</p>

<p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 22 November 2022 among healthcare providers in the health district of For{\'e}cariah in Guinea. Data on participants{\textquoteright} socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of and attitudes and practices regarding PC-NTDs were collected using an electronic (KoboToolbox) semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 86 healthcare providers who participated in this study, nurses (44.2\%) and young adults aged between 25 and 49 years (81.4\%) were mostly represented. The majority of respondents declared having already heard about onchocerciasis (70.7\%) and lymphatic filariasis (60.0\%) but only the minority declared having already heard about geo-helminthiasis (30.7\%), schistosomiasis (21.3\%), and trachoma (9.3\%). Only a few respondents knew how to prevent PC-NTDs (onchocerciasis 26.7\%, lymphatic filariasis 26.7\%, geo-helminthiasis 29.3\%, and schistosomiasis 17.3\%). Many healthcare providers reported they would refer cases of onchocerciasis (50.6\%), lymphatic filariasis (58.7\%), and schistosomiasis (46.7\%) to a management centre.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the varying levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare providers in dealing with PC-NTDs, suggesting areas for improvement in training and resource allocation.</p>
},
  year = {2024},
  journal = {Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease},
  volume = {9},
  pages = {1-12},
  publisher = {MDPI AG},
  issn = {2414-6366},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/9/11/273/pdf?version=1731311763},
  doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed9110273},
  language = {ENG},
}