14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 77.012
Session: Gram-positives & Miscellaneous Pathogens
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
Knowledge of Leptospirosis among community-based rural residents in Kandy, Sri Lanka:
Implications for intervention
C. Nwafor-Okoli 1 , S. Kularatne 2 , C. Gamage 1 , R. Rajapaske 2 , Y. Obayashi 1 , H. Tamashiro 1
1 Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, 2 University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that has emerged as an important cause of
morbidity and mortality among impoverished populations, such as those in the rural communities
in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Poor knowledge has contributed to an increase in number of rural residents
who have died as a result of acquiring Leptospirosis. In 2008 alone, 207 local deaths were
reported, but the number may be underreported. To address the incidence of Leptospirosis, a
community-based intervention is being planned.
Methods: A survey involving 159 randomly-selected community-based rural residents in Kandy
was carried out to provide baseline data for the intervention program. The study examined
Leptospirosis-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. This paper reports on the knowledge
part of the study in which respondents’ knowledge of the transmission routes (TR), reservoirs (R),
sources (So), symptoms (Sy) and prevention (P) of Leptospirosis were determined using the
yes/no question format. Knowledge responses were recoded and constructed into high and low
categories. Using SPSS Version 14, knowledge data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
and were cross-tabulated with respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics.
Results: Respondents were: of varying ages; mostly men and married; of differing educational
levels; primarily farmers and of low-income category; and were residing in the rural community for
diverse periods. Across four knowledge items, far greater numbers of respondents had low than
high knowledge level of Leptospirosis. Specifically, two-thirds had low TR knowledge; threefourths
had low R knowledge; 60% had low So knowledge; and most (83%) had low P
knowledge. However, in the Sy knowledge item, respondents were about equally divided into
those with high (50%) and those with low knowledge level (46%). Cross-tabulation results
between socio-demographic characteristics and Sy knowledge item revealed a significant
association between income and knowledge. In particular, those with low income had a lower Sy
knowledge level than those with high income.
Conclusion: Rural residents of Kandy, Sri Lanka, across socio-demographic categories, are at a
continuing risk for Leptospirosis because of their poor knowledge. Appropriate interventions are
needed.