02010nas a2200229 4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653003900054653002500093653002100118653001400139653001400153100001500167700001400182700001300196700001700209700001200226245013700238490000600375520138600381022001301767 2016 d 10 aNigeria 10 aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 10 aLymphatic filariasis 10 aHealth Education 10 aAwareness 10 aAttitudes 1 aAmaechi EC 1 aOhaeri CC 1 aUkpai OM 1 aNwachukwu PC 1 aUkoha U 00 aLymphatic filariasis: knowledge, attitude and practices among inhabitants of an irrigation project community, North Central Nigeria. 0 v6 3 aObjective
To ascertain the knowledge of lymphatic filariasis among inhabitants of an irrigation project community in north central Nigeria.
Methods
A descriptive cross sectional study which involved 285 participants ≥18 years who live in Omi and its surrounding communities was done. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants were obtained using pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analyzed usin SPSS software version 16.0.
Results
A greater proportion (82%) of the participants were not aware of lymphatic filariasis and the exact cause of the infection. Quite a good number (85%) reported pain and swelling as symptoms. The respondents generally had a fair understanding of prevention and management strategies of the disease. The results from this study showed that the association between awareness of lymphatic filariasis and gender, age, educational level and occupation of the participants was not significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
Many of the participants had a poor knowledge of lymphatic filariasis, the mode of transmission and symptoms of the disease. For proper understanding of lymphatic filariasis in the community, there is need for effective and realistic health education campaigns targeted at the grassroots.
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