1
|
Lounis M, Belabbas Z, Telha T, Bencherit D, Chebbah O, Laoues K, Abdelhadi S. Knowledge, awareness and practice regarding cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: A cross-sectional survey among the general population. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 47:100956. [PMID: 38199698 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease with a widespread occurrence, particularly in developing countries. Known as a neglected disease, it is highly prevalent in Algeria with a significant public health concern and substantial financial losses. The objectives of this study was to explore knowledge and awareness and practice of the Algerian population regarding this disease. A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted between July 15 and September 25, 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire targeting all Algerian people of more than 18 years of age. Out of the total respondents, 87.7% have ever heard of CE with livestock rearing connection (OR:2.550, CI 95% OR: 1.108-5.870) and educational level (OR:3.826, CI 95% OR: 1.599-9.156) as the main factors associated with the level of awareness. Regarding their knowledge, results showed dispersing notions about the disease. The majority (84.8%) were aware of the zonnotic nature of the disease while only 49.6% knew that CE is caused by parasitic disease. Also, 83.3% were knowledgeable of the role of contaminated offal in the contamination of dogs which are considered as the main source of contamination of humans (65.19%). Regarding their practices, even home slaughtering was common (92.96%), some positive attitudes were prevalent where most of the participants declared washing vegetable before consumption (97.41%) and washing their hands after touching a dog (91.11%). Also, 68.29% among the dog owners declared that deworming their pets. This study has revealed that despite the high level of awareness and some positive attitudes, the level of knowledge about CE among the Algerian public has shown some gaps related to the epidemiology of the disease. These results could be helpful for the awareness campaigns programmers in their missions through focusing their efforts on raising the level of knowledge for the items that have shown a lack of understand which will be of great importance in the strategy of CE elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Lounis
- Department of Agro-veterinary sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria; Laboratoire d'Exploration et Valorisation des Écosystèmes Steppiques, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria.
| | - Zoubir Belabbas
- Department of Agro-veterinary sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Telha Telha
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Djihad Bencherit
- Laboratoire d'Exploration et Valorisation des Écosystèmes Steppiques, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria; Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Ourida Chebbah
- Laboratoire d'Exploration et Valorisation des Écosystèmes Steppiques, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Kheira Laoues
- Department of Agro-veterinary sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Samir Abdelhadi
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Frères Mentouri University, Constantine 25000, Algeria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lounis M, Bencherit D, Laoues K, Telha T, Chebbah O, Belabbas Z. Attitude and awareness of Algerian university students about cystic echinococcosis: A cross-sectional study. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100879. [PMID: 37208085 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral and poor communities. CE is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, including Algeria posing a real threat for either animal and public health. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge of Algerian university students about this disease and to describe their attitude toward some risky practices. Results showed that despite that a high number of students (76.1%) have heard about CE, their level of knowledge is however medium (63.3%) especially among students of non medical and life sciences specialties. The gaps of knowledge concerns especially the life cycle of the parasite even they are aware about the association of dogs (43.7%) and sheep (59.4%) and considered that dogs are the main source of contamination of humans (58.1%) through contaminated foods (45%) or direct contact with their faeces (44.5%). Regarding their practice, a good level was shown since washing vegetables (99.2%) and washing hands after touching a dog (97.9%) and dogs deworming (82%) were common. These results highlight the need to improve knowledge about the transmission cycle of the parasite through awareness campaign targeting students which could be helpful in CE eradication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Lounis
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria.
| | - Djihad Bencherit
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Kheira Laoues
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Telha Telha
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Ourida Chebbah
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Zoubir Belabbas
- Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Ziane Achour, BP 3117, Road of Moudjbara, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anuk T, Çantay H. Determination of Factors Affecting Human Transmission of Echinococcus granulosus Parasite: A Case-control Study, Turkey. TURKIYE PARAZITOLOJII DERGISI 2022; 46:201-206. [PMID: 36094121 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.73792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Through this study we aimed to determine the risk factors affecting the transmission of Echinococcus granulosus to humans. METHODS This case-control study included a study group comprising of 107 people who underwent surgery for hydatid cyst and a control group comprising of 107 people. Place of living, age, and sex were taken as matching factors. A chi-square analysis was used for paired comparisons in the study. The variables that were significantly related in paired comparisons were included in the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Hydatid cyst disease was seen 3.661 [confidence interval (CI) =1.650-8.123] times more often in individuals with an education period of 11 years or less compared to those with 12 years or above, 3.427 (CI=1.470-7.991) times more in those with a toilet outside the house compared to those with a toilet inside the house, and 5.540 (CI=2.088-14.697) times more in individuals who took a shower 8 times a month or less compared to those who take a shower 9 times or more. CONCLUSION Individuals with a low level of education and who do not pay attention to environmental and personal hygiene are at risk for hydatid cyst disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Turgut Anuk
- University of Health Sciences, Erzurum Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Hasan Çantay
- Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Kars, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|