A Critical Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Concerning HTLV-1 Infection Among Healthcare Professionals in Gabon.

Background/

Objectives

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus that infects an estimated 5-10 million people worldwide. In Gabon, despite a high seroprevalence (7.3-8.7%), documented cases of associated pathologies remain rare, suggesting significant underdiagnosis driven by a lack of clinical awareness. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning HTLV-1 among Gabonese healthcare professionals.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 healthcare professionals across four provinces in Gabon using a standardized questionnaire. Bivariate comparisons were performed using chi-square (χ2) and Mann-Whitney U tests, followed by multivariable binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of HTLV-1 awareness.

Results

Overall, 79.9% of the participants had never heard of HTLV-1. Awareness of the virus was critically low among nursing and obstetric staff (7.2%), whereas physicians demonstrated the highest level of knowledge (57.1%). In the multivariable analysis, independent predictors of higher HTLV-1 awareness included being male (aOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.60-5.39; p < 0.001), holding a university degree (aOR = 3.43; 95% CI: 1.66-6.89; p < 0.001), and working as a physician (aOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.24-6.10; p = 0.013).

Conclusions

A critical HTLV-1 knowledge deficit exists among healthcare professionals in Gabon, particularly among frontline nursing staff, which likely explains the low reporting of associated diseases. Integrating HTLV-1 into medical and paramedical curricula, launching targeted educational campaigns, and implementing national screening protocols are urgently required to improve diagnosis and prevent transmission.