Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Healthcare Providers Towards Preventive Chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Forécariah Health District, Guinea, 2022.

Background

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 "preventive chemotherapy" (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.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 22 November 2022 among healthcare providers in the health district of Forécariah in Guinea. Data on participants' 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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.