TY - JOUR
KW - Nigeria
KW - Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
KW - Lymphatic filariasis
KW - Health Education
KW - Awareness
KW - Attitudes
AU - Amaechi EC
AU - Ohaeri CC
AU - Ukpai OM
AU - Nwachukwu PC
AU - Ukoha U
AB - <h4>Objective<br />
To ascertain the knowledge of lymphatic filariasis among inhabitants of an irrigation project community in north central Nigeria.</h4>

<h4>Methods<br />
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.</h4>

<h4>Results<br />
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 (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05).</h4>

<h4>Conclusions<br />
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.</h4>

BT - Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease
DO - 10.1016/S2222-1808(16)61114-3
IS - 9
J2 - Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease
LA - eng
N2 - <h4>Objective<br />
To ascertain the knowledge of lymphatic filariasis among inhabitants of an irrigation project community in north central Nigeria.</h4>

<h4>Methods<br />
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.</h4>

<h4>Results<br />
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 (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05).</h4>

<h4>Conclusions<br />
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.</h4>

PY - 2016
T2 - Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease
TI - Lymphatic filariasis: knowledge, attitude and practices among inhabitants of an irrigation project community, North Central Nigeria.
VL - 6
SN - 22221808
ER -