A Survey on Knowledge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (Ntds) Among Residence of Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria

Authors :

Public knowledge regarding neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) among residence of Port Harcourt city was investigated using structured questionnaire. Out of 2996 respondents comprising 1994(66.6%) males and 1002(33.4%) females, 1121(37.4%) have knowledge of neglected tropical diseases. This indicated a statistically significant (P<0.05) poor knowledge of NTDs among residence of the study area. Of the 1121 respondents with knowledge of NTDs, 34.6% claimed to have heard about NTDs from journals and books. Respondents showed high percentage of knowledge for ascariasis (31.4%), trachoma (18.5%), onchocerciasis (10.8%), and leprosy (10.4%). They exhibited low percentage of knowledge for hookworm (8.7%), dracunculiasis(7.5%), schistosomiasis (4.5%), human Africa trypanosomiasis (2.8%), lymphatic filariasis (1.6%), trichuriasis (1.5%) and Chagas disease (1.2%) but no knowledge of buruli ulcer (0%). Majority of the respondents showed significant (P<0.05) preference for the use of improved sanitation (37.9%), education and orientation (36.8%) for the control of NTDs. Public knowledge of the diseases among residence of the study area is low. Therefore it becomes pertinent for the government and other stakeholders to deliberately initiate and implement programs that will increase the knowledge of the public regarding NTDs. This will no doubt facilitate the effective implementation of control measures.