Browsing by Author "Kankya, C."

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    Knowledge Attitude and Practices towards Cystic Echinococcosis among Pastoral Communities in Greater Kapoeta South Sudan
    (Journal of Veterinary Medicine Research, 2017-05) Wumbiya, S. D.; Mutebi, Francis; Eneku, Wilfred; Nasinyama, G. W.; Skjerve, Eystein; Muwonge, Adrian; Musso, Munyeme; Mugasa, Clare; Nabadda, Daisy; Mirembe, Bernadette; Ambrose, Jubara; Bugeza, James; Wizaso, Mwansinga; Kankya, C.
    Background: Cystic Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease of major public health importance globally. The disease is endemic in pastoral communities of developing countries because of poor hygienic conditions, illegal home and backyard slaughtering of animals coupled with the presence of stray dogs and poor veterinary services among others. In South Sudan, the magnitude and factors associated with persistence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge attitudes and practices of the pastoral community towards persistence and maintenance of cystic echinococcosis among domestic animals and humans in Kapoeta county Eastern Equatoria state, South Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted and a semi-structured questionnaires, observation, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informants interviews were used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of the pastoral community. Results: Out of the 353 respondents, only 6(1.7%) knew about CE, 41.9% and 78.5% had seen the disease in man and animals respectively, and a larger proportion (87%) of respondents were not aware that other animals also suffer from CE. Only 41.9.% perceived themselves at risk of acquiring CE from dogs. Practices identified as potential risk factors for CE included dogs left to move freely (96.7%), presence of stray dogs (79.9%), no deworming of dogs (95.1%), home slaughtering (58.9%), lack of meat inspection (95.5%), Dogs having free access to livestock slaughter facilities (83.3%), sometimes washing hands before eating food (62.9%), use of untreated water (84.4%), dogs left to feed on their own (93.5%) and do not dispose off dogs feces (95.1%). FGDs revealed that people do not perceived themselves at risk of infection from dogs, and that people think CE is caused by witchcraft. Conclusions: The study clearly showed that there is a knowledge gap about the disease, and the predisposing factors that are responsible for the persistence and maintenance of CE within Kapoeta pastoral community were present. These are wide range of modifiable factors, which should constitute targets for control. There is therefore a need for community education about CE through the One Health Approach.
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    Myths, perceptions knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) linked to mycobacterial infection management among the pastoralist communities of Uganda
    (Advance Tropical Medicine and Public Health International, 2011) Kankya, C.; Mugisha, A.; Muwonge, A.; Skjerve, E.; Kyomugisha, E.; Oloya, J.
    The present study was conducted to assess community myths, perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) of the pastoral farmers and explore mycobacterial infection management practices. Both structured questionnaire survey and participatory rural appraisal approaches were used. This study revealed that mycobacterial infection especially tuberculosis as referred to in vernacular as akakonko, akasubba or akafuba because of the persistent cough and other respiratory symptoms. Knowledge attitudes and practices: congestion under extended family homes, sharing of household utensils, consumption of untreated milk and drinking untreated water as means of mycobacterial infections spread to humans. Perceptions: sharing the drinking straws and cigarette sticks. Community myths: witchcraft, family history and genetic heritability. Mycobacterial infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) were closely linked and these infections issued stigmatisation among the community members. Mycobacterial infection management methods: Sixty five percent (65 %) of the respondents visited traditional healers and used local herbs while 35% visited health centres and used modern medicines. The multivariate model identified sex, marital status, and age influencing the choice of managing mycobacterial infections. Sustainable community intervention require a thorough understanding of traditional indigenous knowledge, attitudes, practices myths, beliefs and perceptions in designing disease prevention and control strategies at the human- environment-animal interface in the pastoral ecosystems of Uganda.
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    The role of social behavior in mycobacterial infection management: A case study of pastoral communities of Uganda
    (Advance Tropical Medicine and Public Health International, 2012) Kankya, C.; Muwonge, A.; Munyeme, M.; Skjerve, E.; Oloya, J.; Rich, R. M.
    In sub-Saharan African arid pastoral regions, the socio-behavioral indigenous knowledge mystical systems associated with actions and response by communities to mycobacterial infections in the pastoral ecosystems of Uganda remains largely unknown in Uganda and across the African continent. These drivers are important as they often magnify the problems linked to co-infection with HIV/AIDS. This study sought to determine the socio-behavioral, indigenous knowledge mystical systems and other factors associated with mycobacterial infections and their management among the pastoralist communities. Socio-demographic, environmental, and household-level behavioral and attitudinal variables data was collected through a cross sectional questionnaire-based study administered to a total of 301 pastoralists from Mubende and Nakasongola pastoral districts of Uganda. In addition, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Consumption of raw and half cooked animals’ products, drinking untreated water, and smoking as well as sharing of cigarette sticks and drinking straws, coughing and spitting, and excessive alcoholism were the socio-behaviors perceived to expose the pastoralist communities to mycobacterial infections. Stigmatization was related to chronic illness and faith-based perceptions facilitated mycobacterial infection transmission. Involvement in the risky production actions and social livelihood ventures such as charcoal production are perceived as being responsible for mycobacterial infection transmission. High degree of stigmatization, discrimination (S&D) and abandonment of the patients suffering from mycobacterial infections among the pastoralist communities have been revealed. Socio-consumption behaviors were perceived the main routes for acquisition of mycobacterial infections. Pastoralist communities perceived that livestock act as sources of mycobacterial infections and therefore pose a health threat to the humans living at the human-animal interface.