Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia

Mulat Yimer; Bayeh Abera; Wondemagegn Mulu; Belay Bezabih

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia

Mulat Yimer, Bayeh Abera, Wondemagegn Mulu, Belay Bezabih

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 2, Issue 1)

Received: 16 October 2013 Published: 20 December 2013

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Abstract

Background: Louse- borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis (B. recurrentis). It is transmitted by body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis (P. humanus corporis). LBRF is more prevalent in high risk populations such as prisoners, street children and yekolotemaries (traditional students of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with low levels of socio economic status and poor personal hygiene). Thus, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) among high risk populations towards LBRF prevention in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted on KAPs of high risk populations regarding LBRF from November to December, 2012. Data was collected using a standardized pre- tested closed ended questionnaire by face to face interviews to address socio demographic characteristics, KAPs and sources of information regarding LBRF prevention. The overall KAPs of the study participants were analyzed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point (60-80%). Having a score above the cut-off point was equated with having high levels of knowledge, positive attitude and good practice. Results: Of the 407 study participants, 383 (94.1%) were males with the mean age of 31 years. Among the study participants, 243 (59.7%) had no formal education. The response rate of the participants was 98.2%. Overall, 222 (54.5%) of the study participants had low knowledge, 247(60.7%) had neutral attitude (30-39 scores out of 50 item- questions on LBRF) and 320 (78.6%) had fair practice (20-25 scores out of 32 item-questions). Prisoners had the highest knowledge, attitude and practices followed by street children and yekolotemaries towards LBRF prevention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall KAPs of the high risk populations towards prevention of LBRF were poor. However, prisoners had highest level followed by street children and yekolotemaries. Moreover, the sources of information on LBRF received by the high risk populations have determined their KAP levels towards LBRF prevention. This showed that information on LBRF using television, radio and through their friends is essential to bring knowledge and attitudinal change towards LBRF prevention.

Published in	Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13
Page(s)	15-22
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2013. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices, Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever, Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

References

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[3]	Dworkin MS, Anderson DE, Schwan JRTG, Shoemaker PC, Banerjee SN, Kassen BO, Burgdorfer W: Tick- borne relapsing fever in the North western United States and South western Canada. Clin Infect Dis 1998, 26:122-131.
[4]	Raoult D, Roux V: The body louse as a vector of re-emerging human diseases. Clin Infect Dis 1999, 29:888-911.
[5]	Durden LA: Lice, the phthiraptera. In Biology of disease vectors. 2nd edition. Edited by Marquardt WC. China: Dana Dreibelbis; 2004: 67-75.
[6]	Shayeghi M, Salim abadi PY, Dehkoordi AS, Eshaghi A, Bazrafkan S: Epidemiology of head lice infestation in primary school pupils, in Khajeh city, east Azerbaijan province, Iran. Iranian J Arthropod-Borne Dis 2010, 4(1): 42–46.
[7]	Cutler SJ, Abdissa A, Trape JF: New concepts for the old challenge of African relapsing fever borreliosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009, 15: 400–406.
[8]	Culter SJ: Relapsing fever a forgotten disease revealed. J App Microbiol 2010, 108: 1115-1122.
[9]	Nordstrand A, Bunikis I, Larsson C, Tsogbe K, Schwan TG, Nilsson M, Sven Bergström S: Tick borne relapsing fever diagnosis obscured by malaria, Togo. Emerg Infect Dis 2007, 13(1):117-123.
[10]	Bailey M, Prociv P, Petersen HP: Head lice and body lice: shared traits invalidat assumptions about evolutionary and medical distinctions. Australian J Med Sci 2003, 24(2):1-8.
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[14]	Tesfayohannes T: Prevalence of body lice in elementary school students in three Ethiopian towns at different altitudes. Ethiop Med J 1989, 27: 201–207.
[15]	Badiaga S, Brouqui P: Human louse-transmitted infectious diseases. Clin Microbiol Infect 2012, 18: 332–337.
[16]	Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Population Census Commission: Summary and statistical Report of the 2007 Population and Housing Census: Population size by age and sex. Addis Ababa; 2008.

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APA Style

Mulat Yimer, Bayeh Abera, Wondemagegn Mulu, Belay Bezabih. (2013). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Science Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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ACS Style

Mulat Yimer; Bayeh Abera; Wondemagegn Mulu; Belay Bezabih. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Sci. J. Public Health 2013, 2(1), 15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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AMA Style

Mulat Yimer, Bayeh Abera, Wondemagegn Mulu, Belay Bezabih. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Sci J Public Health. 2013;2(1):15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13,
  author = {Mulat Yimer and Bayeh Abera and Wondemagegn Mulu and Belay Bezabih},
  title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {15-22},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20140201.13},
  abstract = {Background: Louse- borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis (B. recurrentis). It is transmitted by body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis (P. humanus corporis). LBRF is more prevalent in high risk populations such as prisoners, street children and yekolotemaries (traditional students of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with low levels of socio economic status and poor personal hygiene). Thus, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) among high risk populations towards LBRF prevention in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted on KAPs of high risk populations regarding LBRF from November to December, 2012. Data was collected using a standardized pre- tested closed ended questionnaire by face to face interviews to address socio demographic characteristics, KAPs and sources of information regarding LBRF prevention. The overall KAPs of the study participants were analyzed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point (60-80%). Having a score above the cut-off point was equated with having high levels of knowledge, positive attitude and good practice. Results: Of the 407 study participants, 383 (94.1%) were males with the mean age of 31 years. Among the study participants, 243 (59.7%) had no formal education. The response rate of the participants was 98.2%. Overall, 222 (54.5%) of the study participants had low knowledge, 247(60.7%) had neutral attitude (30-39 scores out of 50 item- questions on LBRF) and 320 (78.6%) had fair practice (20-25 scores out of 32 item-questions). Prisoners had the highest knowledge, attitude and practices followed by street children and yekolotemaries towards LBRF prevention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall KAPs of the high risk populations towards prevention of LBRF were poor. However, prisoners had highest level followed by street children and yekolotemaries. Moreover, the sources of information on LBRF received by the high risk populations have determined their KAP levels towards LBRF prevention. This showed that information on LBRF using television, radio and through their friends is essential to bring knowledge and attitudinal change towards LBRF prevention.},
 year = {2013}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia
AU - Mulat Yimer
AU - Bayeh Abera
AU - Wondemagegn Mulu
AU - Belay Bezabih
Y1 - 2013/12/20
PY - 2013
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13
DO - 10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13
T2 - Science Journal of Public Health
JF - Science Journal of Public Health
JO - Science Journal of Public Health
SP - 15
EP - 22
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2328-7950
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13
AB - Background: Louse- borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis (B. recurrentis). It is transmitted by body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis (P. humanus corporis). LBRF is more prevalent in high risk populations such as prisoners, street children and yekolotemaries (traditional students of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with low levels of socio economic status and poor personal hygiene). Thus, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) among high risk populations towards LBRF prevention in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted on KAPs of high risk populations regarding LBRF from November to December, 2012. Data was collected using a standardized pre- tested closed ended questionnaire by face to face interviews to address socio demographic characteristics, KAPs and sources of information regarding LBRF prevention. The overall KAPs of the study participants were analyzed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point (60-80%). Having a score above the cut-off point was equated with having high levels of knowledge, positive attitude and good practice. Results: Of the 407 study participants, 383 (94.1%) were males with the mean age of 31 years. Among the study participants, 243 (59.7%) had no formal education. The response rate of the participants was 98.2%. Overall, 222 (54.5%) of the study participants had low knowledge, 247(60.7%) had neutral attitude (30-39 scores out of 50 item- questions on LBRF) and 320 (78.6%) had fair practice (20-25 scores out of 32 item-questions). Prisoners had the highest knowledge, attitude and practices followed by street children and yekolotemaries towards LBRF prevention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall KAPs of the high risk populations towards prevention of LBRF were poor. However, prisoners had highest level followed by street children and yekolotemaries. Moreover, the sources of information on LBRF received by the high risk populations have determined their KAP levels towards LBRF prevention. This showed that information on LBRF using television, radio and through their friends is essential to bring knowledge and attitudinal change towards LBRF prevention.
VL - 2
IS - 1
ER -

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Author Information

Mulat Yimer

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University
Bayeh Abera

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University
Wondemagegn Mulu

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University
Belay Bezabih

Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau

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APA Style

Mulat Yimer, Bayeh Abera, Wondemagegn Mulu, Belay Bezabih. (2013). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Science Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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ACS Style

Mulat Yimer; Bayeh Abera; Wondemagegn Mulu; Belay Bezabih. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Sci. J. Public Health 2013, 2(1), 15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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AMA Style

Mulat Yimer, Bayeh Abera, Wondemagegn Mulu, Belay Bezabih. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia. Sci J Public Health. 2013;2(1):15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13

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@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13,
  author = {Mulat Yimer and Bayeh Abera and Wondemagegn Mulu and Belay Bezabih},
  title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Risk Populations on Louse- Borne Relapsing Fever in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {15-22},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140201.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20140201.13},
  abstract = {Background: Louse- borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile illness caused by Borrelia recurrentis (B. recurrentis). It is transmitted by body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis (P. humanus corporis). LBRF is more prevalent in high risk populations such as prisoners, street children and yekolotemaries (traditional students of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with low levels of socio economic status and poor personal hygiene). Thus, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) among high risk populations towards LBRF prevention in Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted on KAPs of high risk populations regarding LBRF from November to December, 2012. Data was collected using a standardized pre- tested closed ended questionnaire by face to face interviews to address socio demographic characteristics, KAPs and sources of information regarding LBRF prevention. The overall KAPs of the study participants were analyzed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom’s cut-off point (60-80%). Having a score above the cut-off point was equated with having high levels of knowledge, positive attitude and good practice. Results: Of the 407 study participants, 383 (94.1%) were males with the mean age of 31 years. Among the study participants, 243 (59.7%) had no formal education. The response rate of the participants was 98.2%. Overall, 222 (54.5%) of the study participants had low knowledge, 247(60.7%) had neutral attitude (30-39 scores out of 50 item- questions on LBRF) and 320 (78.6%) had fair practice (20-25 scores out of 32 item-questions). Prisoners had the highest knowledge, attitude and practices followed by street children and yekolotemaries towards LBRF prevention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall KAPs of the high risk populations towards prevention of LBRF were poor. However, prisoners had highest level followed by street children and yekolotemaries. Moreover, the sources of information on LBRF received by the high risk populations have determined their KAP levels towards LBRF prevention. This showed that information on LBRF using television, radio and through their friends is essential to bring knowledge and attitudinal change towards LBRF prevention.},
 year = {2013}
}

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