Parental Perceptions of Giardiasis: A Study in an Outpatient Paediatric Hospital Setting in Havana, Cuba

Abstract

Background. Giardia lamblia is an important cause of diarrhoeal disease throughout the world. Giardiasis— a mild and self-limiting disease that this protozoan causes— is perceived as a harmful disease. Aim. To explore the general level of awareness about giardiasis, clinical features, mode of transmission, prevention, and consequences and describe the sources and channels of information caregivers would prefer using to be informed about this disease. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers attending to the outpatient paediatric hospital setting in Havana. Results. A total of 202 caregivers were interviewed. Nearly 73% considered giardiasis as a modern problem, and 39% considered that it could be a fatal disease. Although 76.7% were aware that small intestine is the organ affected, other localizations were cited. Abdominal pain and diarrhoea were recognized as the commonest symptoms. Around one-third could identify that giardiasis may spread through drinking unboiled water and unwashed vegetables other incorrect ways were mentioned; respondents with more than 12 years of formal education were more likely to have better knowledge. Discussion. Strategies to control giardiasis need to be through an integrated approach aiming at boosting caregivers' knowledge and encouraging healthcare workers to act as a readily available source for health information.

Care-seeking behaviour and diagnostic processes for symptomatic giardiasis in children attending an academic paediatric hospital

“…When the awareness of Giardia infection among caregivers in Havana, 33,34 its increased prevalence among children, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and its occurrence within the community, 2 which may also be a cause of hospitalization, 35,36 are considered, it is not surprising to find that children of mothers who knew other people with Giardia were diagnosed earlier. However, it seems that despite efforts at informing the public about intestinal parasites in Cuba, more information is necessary for addressing the giardiasis.…”

Isolation of Giardia Cyst in Paediatric Patient Under Five in Kanpur Region

“…In healthy individuals Infection is usually perceived as mild and self-limiting and symptoms generally subside within 2-3 weeks. 2 This Infectious disease may have both immediate and long-term consequences including chronic diarrhoea with or without dehydration and intestinal malabsorption, recurrent abdominal pain, and weight loss. 3 In recent years in early childhood, poor cognitive function and failure to thrive and chronic fatigue post infectious irritable bowel syndrome all of these have been responsible factors for increasing attention to this protozoan infection.…”

“…4,5,6 Prevalence of Giardia is more common in developing countries ranges from 20% to 30% compared to 2% to 5% in developed countries in worldwide distribution. 2,3 In 1681 Van Leeuwenhoek discovered Giardia a flagellated, binucleated protozoan. The parasites of mammals and other animals are Giardia spp.…”