Attitudes on Loa loa by local residents.

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.

背景：目前全球已有超过2000万人感染罗阿丝虫（L. loa），约4000万人生活在西非与中非的高或中等风险区域。尽管罗阿丝虫病（loiasis）可引发显著发病与超额死亡，但受影响社区对该病的认知状况仍鲜有报道。本研究针对加蓬辛达拉（Sindara）地区的农村人群，评估其对罗阿丝虫病的知识、态度与实践水平，该区域以罗阿丝虫病高患病率为显著特征。方法：2022年1月至6月，研究团队在加蓬开展一项基于社区的横断面调查。通过系统性逐户走访，邀请随机抽取的常住居民参与本次问卷调研。所有参与者均于午间采集静脉血样，用于丝虫感染的显微镜检测，并完成罗阿丝虫病临床体征的评估。结果：本研究共纳入150名参与者，其中66%的受试者感染罗阿丝虫。尽管几乎所有参与者都对罗阿丝虫具备基础认知，但仅72%的人群知晓其为寄生性蠕虫。仅有21%的参与者了解罗阿丝虫可通过鹿蝇传播。被提及频次最高的罗阿丝虫病临床症状依次为瘙痒（84%）、眼内虫体移行（59%）及结膜炎样症状（53%）。曾出现罗阿丝虫病移行症状的参与者，对该病的认知水平更高，且认为其危害性更为严重。传统与草药疗法是最常被报告的可及治疗手段（72%）。尽管正规医疗保健机构被视为首选的治疗提供者，但据报告的感染病例中，有60%是由传统行医者完成治疗的。结论：该居住于罗阿丝虫高传播区域的社区人群，总体上对罗阿丝虫病具备一定认知水平。但研究仍发现了显著的知识缺口，尤以传播途径相关认知不足最为突出。现有医疗保健体系似乎无法为罗阿丝虫病提供充分的诊疗管理。