Rapid Assessment of Health Education Package on Community Knowledge, Attitude and practices for Control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Tanzania

Abstract

Taenia solium cystcercosis/Taeniasis (TSCT) is endemic in many rural areas practicing traditional pig keeping with potential transmission to urban communities in Tanzania. The endemicity of the parasite is associated with low community knowledge and poor sanitation. Community health education intervention was conducted in Nyasa district using a community-based Health Education Package (CHEP) to improve community knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to TSCT control. Two wards and one village from each ward were purposively selected based on number of pigs and occurrence of porcine cysticercosis. The CHEP included a leaflet, poster and a practical guidebook. The delivery model involved one-day Training of selected community members who then trained the community for two days. Structured questionnaire involving eighty-eight (88) participants was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the community about TSCT before and immediately post health education intervention. At baseline, about 70% of the participants were aware of the existence of TSCT and the awareness increased to 90% post Health Education (HE) intervention. Forty-three percent of the participants were ignorant about TSCT transmission, risk factors and its effects on human health. There was an improvement in all aspects regarding community KAP about TSCT transmission and control post HE intervention. Education level of the participants had an impact on baseline knowledge but did not affect knowledge acquisition during community health training.  The intervention improved community KAP about TSCT prevention and control confirming the efficiency of the CHEP in controlling the parasite. The study recommends long-term impact assessment of the HE interventions to observe the community change in risky behavior and practices in control of TSCT.