Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38781277›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2024

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practices towards loiasis in the rural community of Sindara, in central African Gabon.

Teite Rebecca Hildebrandt, Saskia Dede Davi, Anita Lumeka Kabwende, Lilian Rene Endamne, Esther Mehmel, Maximilian Rakotonirinalalao, Ayodele Alabi, Rella Zoleko Manego, Peter G Kremsner, Bertrand Lell and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Teite Rebecca HildebrandtCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Saskia Dede DaviCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Anita Lumeka KabwendeCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Lilian Rene EndamneCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Esther MehmelCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Maximilian RakotonirinalalaoCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Ayodele AlabiCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Rella Zoleko ManegoCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Peter G KremsnerCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Bertrand LellCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Ayôla Akim AdegnikaCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Ghyslain Mombo-NgomaCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Johannes MischlingerCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Selidji Todagbe AgnandjiCentre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Michael RamharterCenter for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-9259-1885

Funding

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale ZusammenarbeitGerman Center for Infection Research
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMore than 20 million people are infected with L. loa, and around 40 million live in high or intermediate-risk areas in West- and Central Africa. Although loiasis is associated with significant morbidity and excess mortality, little is known about the perception of loiasis by affected communities. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the rural population of Sindara, Gabon, a region characterized by high loiasis prevalence.

methodsA community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Gabon between January and June 2022. During systematic door-to-door visits, randomly selected inhabitants were invited to participate in this questionnaire based survey. Venous blood was collected at midday from all participants for microscopic detection of filarial infection and clinical signs of loiasis were assessed.

resultsA total of 150 participants were recruited, of which 66% were infected by L. loa. While almost everyone had some knowledge about L. loa, 72% of the participants understood that L. loa is a parasitic worm. The transmission of L. loa via the deer fly was known to only 21% of participants. The most frequently mentioned clinical symptoms attributed to loiasis were itching (84%), eye worm migration (59%), and conjunctivitis-like symptoms (53%). Participants who experienced migratory loiasis had better knowledge of loiasis and considered it as more serious. Traditional and herbal medicine was reported most often as an available treatment option (72%). While the formal healthcare sector was mentioned as the preferred treatment provider, 60% of the reported infections were treated by traditional medical practitioners.

conclusionLoiasis is in general well known by this community residing in a region of high L. loa transmission. Important gaps in knowledge were discovered foremost regarding the mode of transmission. The available healthcare system does not seem to provide adequate management for loiasis.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeLoaLoiasisRural PopulationAdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGabonHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID38781277
PMCPMC11265652

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.