Abstract:A study was undertaken to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices about sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis) among communities living in and around Serengeti National Park (SENAPA). Structured questionnaires were administered to a total of 1490 consenting participants. Of the respondents, 924 (62%) knew sleeping sickness, and 807 (87.3%) knew the right place to seek healthcare. Of 924 who knew sleeping sickness, 386 (42%) said the disease was present in the areas they live. Most respondents (85.4%) knew that sleeping sickness infections were acquired in the bush and forest. The most common (69.3%) sources of information about sleeping sickness were relatives and friends. Symptoms of sleeping sickness mentioned included abnormal sleep (45.2%), fever (35.3%), body malaise (14.5%), headache (7.6%) and lymph node enlargement (6.1%). Of 1490 people interviewed 90.4% knew tsetse flies and 89.8% had been bitten by tsetse flies. The majority (86.6%) of the respondents knew that sleeping sickness is transmitted through a tsetse bite. Activities that exposed people to tsetse bites included working in tsetse infested bushes/forests, grazing livestock in tsetse infested areas and hunting game animals. In conclusion, communities living in and around SENAPA were knowledgeable about tsetse and sleeping sickness. The communities can thus understand and support community based tsetse and sleeping sickness control programmes to ensure success.

This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and level of individual and community participation in the control of Human African trypanosomiasis in Urambo District, western Tanzania. Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect information from individuals at house hold level. Retrospective data of HAT was sought from the medical officers in-charge of health facilities. The results indicate that, 191 (90.5%, n = 211) individuals knew tsetse flies and 187 (88.6%, n=211) knew HAT. All nine key informants reported that, the communities were aware of HAT while seven key informants reported that, the communities were aware of health risks associated with tsetse bites in human. There was poor knowledge about the role played by animals in the transmission of HAT (26.7%, n=187). Majority of those who knew HAT (n = 187) were willing to contribute labour (70.1%) and money (64.2%) to tsetse and HAT control whereas amongst those who knew tsetse flies, 66.5% and 60.7% were willing to contribute labour and money, respectively. Amongst those who knew any HAT control technique (n = 108), 78.7% and 82.4% were willing to contribute money and labour respectively. A total of 454 cases of HAT were reported in the area from 1999 to 2006. It is concluded that, the factors influencing individual and community participation include the knowledge of tsetse, HAT and control measures.

HIV/AIDS represents one of the critical challenges to human development in sub Saharan Africa. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its relationship with sexual practices among communities in Tabora and Igunga Districts in western Tanzania. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods, which included interviews and group discussions. A total of 568 participants (female=49%; males= 51%) were involved in the study. Two hundred and eighty-four of the respondents were adults (>25 years) and 284 were youths of 12 -25 years. The results showed although the knowledge of the disease and its prevention was high (90%) among the community, some gaps regarding the knowledge on modes of transmission were observed. About 17.2% of the respondents reported to have multiple sexual partners and only about half of the respondents reported the use of condoms. The level of education correlated significantly with the individual knowledge on HIV/AIDS (P=0.003). There was no significant difference between urban and rural communities on their knowledge on HIV/AIDS (P>0.05). Health education on HIV/AIDS prevention needs to be strengthened and improved to include cognitive behavioural interventions that emphasize attitude changes, negotiation skills and decisionmaking skills that could be effective in changing and maintaining safe sexual behaviour.

Background: The public health and socio-economic burden of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in East Africa is not well documented. Understanding the epidemiology and impact of HAT in such settings is difficult due to a lack of robust surveillance and reporting systems, restricting evidence-based policy development and contributing to the continued neglect of this disease.

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