article · PubMed
A study of 310 personnel at a tertiary healthcare facility in Benue State, Nigeria, evaluated awareness, knowledge, and perceptions concerning neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Although general awareness was recorded at 72.6 percent, only 42.6 percent of respondents exhibited good knowledge, and only 18.5 percent could identify at least one NTD by name. Schools and seminars served as the primary information source for 85.8 percent of participants. Staff working in health-related disciplines had significantly higher knowledge levels, particularly regarding the status of NTDs as major public health concerns and the existence of vaccine-preventable types. Overall, respondents supported preventive measures including enhanced sanitation and health education. The findings emphasise the necessity of targeted educational interventions, broader curriculum integration, and increased funding to close knowledge gaps, especially among non-clinical staff.
Successful intervention against neglected tropical diseases depends heavily on informed healthcare facility personnel. When hospital staff cannot identify these conditions or lack comprehensive knowledge, diagnosis and control programmes are compromised. Highlighting these specific deficiencies helps health administrators design targeted training initiatives that improve disease surveillance and overall healthcare delivery.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it reports descriptive survey findings rather than a technology or product. However, the identified knowledge gaps could guide the development of professional development modules or public health training packages for hospital workforces.
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Background: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 diverse communicable diseases of significant public health concern. Adequately trained personnel play a vital role in implementing effective NTD control programs, as their expertise directly influences patient outcomes and the overall success of intervention strategies. This study assessed the awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of NTDs among staff in a tertiary healthcare facility in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed to study 310 randomly selected respondents using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Results: The majority of respondents were aged 31-50 years (75.4%), predominantly female (54.8%), married (72.9%), and had tertiary education (97.4%). Most were health-related professionals (59.7%). Overall, 72.6% of respondents were aware of NTDs, but only 42.6% demonstrated good knowledge. The main source of information was schools/seminars (85.8%). However, only 18.5% could name at least one NTD. Health-related disciplines significantly influenced knowledge, including recognition of NTDs as public health issues (P = 0.030) and awareness of vaccine-preventable NTDs (P = 0.001). Preventive measures such as health education and improved sanitation were widely endorsed. Conclusion: While awareness of NTDs was relatively high, good knowledge remained suboptimal, particularly among non-health-related professionals. Health-related disciplines significantly influenced both awareness and knowledge, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions in non-health sectors. Strengthening public health education, integrating NTD-related content into broader curricula, and prioritizing funding for NTD control measures are recommended to bridge knowledge gaps and promote effective prevention strategies.
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DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v35i5.6
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