Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Trinidadian households regarding leptospirosis and related matters

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is underreported in many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, because of a low level of awareness of the disease. A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey concerning leptospirosis was carried out on 800 households throughout Trinidad to determine the level of awareness of the disease in the country. Of the participants, 52.4% had heard of leptospirosis but approximately half of these did not know any signs or symptoms of the disease. Knowledge of leptospirosis was not related to level of education of people, but to geographical location. Approximately 82% of participants were involved in at least one risk activity, the most common of which was walking barefooted outdoors. The animal which most participants were in contact with was the dog. Of the 53% of participants who had seen a mouse or rat around the house, 5% utilized the free control services of the regional corporation. Approximately 66% of participants were not satisfied with the services provided by the regional corporation. There was a positive attitude towards general health and good sanitary practices among the Trinidad population, but there was also a lack of knowledge of leptospirosis. The low level of awareness of leptospirosis in Trinidad makes it a disease of public health importance, as it is often mistaken for dengue which is more well-known in the country.

Unsatisfactory Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Leptospirosis among Army Personnel’s in Northeastern Malaysia

“…Further studies should actively look for the factors avoiding preventive practice of leptospirosis as behavior depends on many other factors beside knowledge and attitude. A surprising finding by a study in Trinidad and Tobago done involving 800 households showed that there was a positive attitude towards general health and good sanitary practices among them, although there was also a lack of knowledge of leptospirosis [12]. This finding was contradicted to the finding in our study.…”

“…The weakest area identified in safe work practice sub domain was related to personal hygiene, which was covered by item that related to hand washing before sleeping and bathing in the river. Previous study also shared the same finding as our study whereby the respondents weakest area was related to personal hygiene [12]. For the general practice off work, the weakest area identified was struggling with flood water.…”

“…The same finding was seen in a study in Brazil whereby more than 90% of the respondents had heard of leptospirosis [14]. However, in contrast to our study, a study in Trinidad and Tobago among the household revealed that less than half of the respondents never heard of the disease [12]. Of those who ever heard of leptospirosis among our respondents, majority of them (52%) heard through either television or radio or both.…”

“…Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) surveys are a common strategy done by researchers to gather the information on leptospirosis and to assess the safe work practice among populations at risk [9]. Researchers around the world especially those who are at the endemic region for leptospiral infections, had done various researches to assess the knowledge of the community and high-risk groups [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]. Unfortunately review of literature revealed that very little information regarding KAP study on leptospirosis among army personnel.…”

Spatial Analysis of Leptospirosis Disease in Bantul Regency Yogyakarta

“…It can be understood because a person's level of education will determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and behavior in fighting the disease. Knowledge about the incidence, risk factors and preventive measures are often not owned by residents with low education, including the leptospirosis disease (Mohan, 2011).…”