Browsing by Author "Winkler, Andrea S."

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    Development and rapid assessment of Community-Based Health Education Package for the Control of Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis in Tanzania
    (Private, 2024-07-03) Nyangi, Chacha.; Mkupasi, Ernatus M.; Mahonge,Christopher; Churi, Ayubu J.; Winkler, Andrea S.; Ngowi, Helena A.
    Background: We conducted this study to develop and rapidly assess a community-based health education package (CHEP) to serve as a guide to improving knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) for controlling T. solium cysticercosis Taeniasis (TSCT) in endemic areas in Tanzania. Methods: Data for the development of the (CHEP) was collected through a questionnaire and observation of household infrastructure. We conducted and analyzed 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 38 key informant interviews (KIIs) using ATLAS.ti 8. A household survey using a questionnaire was conducted on 480 respondents and analyzed using SPSS by conducting a chi square test. Results: The developed CHEP included the following key messages: (1) improving knowledge and attitudes towards TSCT transmission, causes, health effects, treatment, and control measures, (2) proper pork preparation and general food handling practices, (3) good pig husbandry practices, and (4) improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. The CHEP developed comprises a Training of Trainers (TOT) manual, a leaflet/brochure, a poster, and a handbook. The results from the rapid assessment reported a statistically significant improvement in knowledge regarding the link between epilepsy and cysticercosis (p
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    Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitude, and Reported Practices Regarding Taenia Solium Cysticercosis Taeniasis in Tanzania
    (East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2024-03-04) Nyangi, Chacha J.; Mahonge, Christopher.; Ngowi, Helena A.; Winkler, Andrea S.; Churi, Ayubu J.; Mkupas, Ernatus M.
    Taenia solium Cysticercosis/Taeniasis (TSCT) is a neglected zoonotic disease with significant public health and socio-economic impacts. TSCT is endemic in areas with low socio-economic development. This study examined the influence of socio-demographic factors on community knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding TSCT control in Mbulu, Mpwapwa, Mbinga, and Rungwe districts of Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, and. data were collected using a questionnaire, which was administered to 483 randomly selected households in the study districts. In addition, qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews (KIIs) from 38 purposively selected respondents and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed in SAS 9.4 using binary logistic regression with education, location, gender, age, occupation, source of income, the duration of residence (years), savings and credits cooperative society (SACCOS) membership, and household size included in the model as predictors of knowledge, attitude, and/or practices related to TSCT control. The qualitative data were analysed in ATLAS.ti 8. Findings show that respondents with post-primary education were more likely to have heard of tapeworm (P = 0.0071), be aware of T. solium transmission (P = 0.0396), aware of T. solium health effects (P = 0.0212), and be be knowledgeable on human cysticercosis (HCC) health effect (P = 0.003) compared to respondents with no formal education. With regard to practices, respondents from Mpwapwa district were more likely to report washing their hands with soap before eating (P =