Knowledge, attitude and practice of household heads/spouses about onchocerciasis transmission and prevention in Gambella woreda, Gambella, Sout-west Ethiopia, 2015

Abstract

Background: Peoples in most at risk area were ignorant and hampered with incorrect beliefs which can lead to negligence in prevention and in seeking appropriate treatment. Although dedicated community engagement is crucial for the success of the control effort, there is little/no information on the levels of community’s knowledge, attitude and practice about onchocerciasis. Hence, this study tried to know family heads/spouses Knowledge, Attitude and Practice status and draw possible recommendations. Objective: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of families heads/spouses on onchocerciasis transmission & prevention in Gambella woreda, Gambella, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods:. The study was conducted in thirteen kebeles of Gambella woreda from Feb. – Mar., 2015. The sample size was 750. A community based cross-sectional survey was supported by in-depth interview. EPI DATA and SPSS software’s were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Statistical analysis included frequency distribution tables and Bivariate analysis using logistic regression were done using p value <0.05 as the significant level and p value < 0.25 were candidates for multiple logistic regression. Qualitative data had been transcribed and summarized manually. Ethical clearance and formal letter were obtained from Jimma University and Gambella regional health bureau and G/Wo/H/O respectively. Result: A total of 721(96%) respondents were participated in the study. 92.8% participants heard about the disease. But only 5.1% and 4% subjects knew the causative agent and outcome of the disease respectively. However 76.8% knew the disease is preventable and 72.2% stressed the use of preventive drugs. 90.4% subjects were taken the drug and 76.4% were interrupted the drug in the past. Consequently 27.9% and 72.1% categorized as poor and good practice respectively. In bivariate logistic regression analysis ethnicity, income, knowledge and attitude variables found to be significantly associated with taking of the drug. Agnuwa (AOR= 9.561, 95% CI: 4.375, 22.040) and respondents with adequate knowledge (AOR= 13.769, 95% CI: 6.893, 27.336) were more likely to be engaged in practice. Conclusion and Recommendation: large proportion of family heads/spouses held misconceptions about its transmission and prevention of the disease. Therefore, community interventions for onchocerciasis emphasized to include health education and behavior change communications aimed at dispelling misconceptions and increasing risk perception