Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Lymphatic Filariasis among Inhabitants of an Endemic Town in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The burden of lymphatic filariasis popularly called Ina orun in southwest Nigeria is of serious concern and it calls for urgent attention. The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of inhabitants of two communities endemic to lymphatic filariasis in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 243 respondents aged between 18-64 years using a semi-structured questionnaire. Knowledge of lymphatic filariasis was computed and categorized as poor or good. The odds ratio was generated from a binary logistics regression model. Results: Mean age of respondents was 35.0± 8.5 years and 124 (51.0%) reported ever hearing about lymphatic filariasis. The majority, 157 (64.6%) had an overall poor knowledge of the disease. About half 123 (50.6%) of the participants did not know the symptoms and prevention practices. Up to 208 (85.6%) of the respondents were not aware of the mass drug administration program in the study area while 89 (36.6%) did not know the role of mass drug administration in preventing and controlling lymphatic filariasis. Respondents’ gender (OR: 3.75, 95 CI: 2.13-6.58), education (OR: 0.09, 95 CI: 0.04-0.22), and occupation (OR: 62.57 95 CI: 18.4-212.75) were found to be significantly associated with good knowledge on lymphatic filariasis. Conclusion: These results indicate poor community knowledge of lymphatic filariasis, inadequate prevention practices, and inadequate awareness of available programmatic efforts that the population can benefit from to tackle continuing transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Therefore, increased sensitization on lymphatic filariasis is necessary and urgent.