{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,16]],"date-time":"2026-06-16T15:45:14Z","timestamp":1781624714739,"version":"3.54.5"},"update-to":[{"DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","type":"new_version","label":"New version","source":"publisher","updated":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,23]],"date-time":"2024-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1721692800000}}],"reference-count":25,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]],"date-time":"2024-05-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1716422400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100009139","name":"Deutsches Zentrum f\u00fcr Infektionsforschung","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TTU03909"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TTU03909"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100009139","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"GIZ","award":["81281913"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["81281913"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosntds.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS Negl Trop Dis"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n<jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>More than 20 million people are infected with <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic>, 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.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A 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.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A total of 150 participants were recruited, of which 66% were infected by <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic>. While almost everyone had some knowledge about <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic>, 72% of the participants understood that <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic> is a parasitic worm. The transmission of <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic> 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.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Loiasis is in general well known by this community residing in a region of high <jats:italic>L<\/jats:italic>. <jats:italic>loa<\/jats:italic> 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.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]],"date-time":"2024-05-23T17:59:26Z","timestamp":1716487166000},"page":"e0012109","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practices towards loiasis in the rural community of Sindara, in central African Gabon"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Teite Rebecca","family":"Hildebrandt","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saskia Dede","family":"Davi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anita Lumeka","family":"Kabwende","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lilian Rene","family":"Endamne","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Esther","family":"Mehmel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maximilian","family":"Rakotonirinalalao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ayodele","family":"Alabi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rella Zoleko","family":"Manego","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peter G.","family":"Kremsner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bertrand","family":"Lell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ay\u00f4la Akim","family":"Adegnika","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ghyslain","family":"Mombo-Ngoma","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Johannes","family":"Mischlinger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Selidji Todagbe","family":"Agnandji","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9259-1885","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Michael","family":"Ramharter","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"413","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2915.1991.tb00569.x","article-title":"Chrysops silacea and C.dimidiata seasonality and loiasis prevalence in the Chaillu mountains, Congo","volume":"5","author":"F Noireau","year":"1991","journal-title":"Med Vet Entomol"},{"issue":"5","key":"pntd.0012109.ref002","article-title":"The Geographic Distribution of Loa loa in Africa: Results of Large-Scale Implementation of the Rapid Assessment Procedure for Loiasis (RAPLOA).","volume":"28","author":"HGM Zour\u00e9","year":"2011","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref003","unstructured":"CDC\u2014Loiasis. [cited 2022 Jun 24]. Available from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/loiasis\/index.html."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(13)70263-9","article-title":"Loa loa-does it deserve to be neglected?","volume":"14","author":"WG Metzger","year":"2014","journal-title":"Lancet Infect Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref005","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(20)30256-5","article-title":"Burden of disease in Gabon caused by loiasis: a cross-sectional survey","volume":"20","author":"L Veletzky","year":"2020","journal-title":"Lancet Infect Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref006","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(16)30405-4","article-title":"Excess mortality associated with loiasis: a retrospective population-based cohort study","volume":"17","author":"CB Chesnais","year":"2017","journal-title":"Lancet Infect Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e0008001","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0008001","article-title":"What constitutes a neglected tropical disease?","volume":"14","author":"PJ Hotez","year":"2020","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref008","year":"2019","journal-title":"R\u00e9publique Gabonaise Troisi\u00e8me Enqu\u00eate D\u00e9mographique et de Sant\u00e9 au Gabon (EDSG-III)."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref009","article-title":"Patient Knowledge on Malaria Symptoms Is a Key to Promoting Universal Access of Patients to Effective Malaria Treatment in Palawan, the Philippines.","volume":"10","author":"ELA Matsumoto-Takahashi","year":"2015","journal-title":"PLoS One."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref010","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20032369","article-title":"Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) and Fear toward COVID-19 among Patients with Diabetes Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Kuwait.","volume":"20","author":"FM Alsaleh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref011","unstructured":"Gabon\u2014Climatology | Climate Change Knowledge Portal. [cited 2023 Mar 26]. Available from: https:\/\/climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org\/country\/gabon\/climate-data-historical"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref012","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.7189\/jogh.08.010413","article-title":"Behavioural and clinical predictors for Loiasis.","volume":"8","author":"J Mischlinger","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Glob Health."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-017-4045-x","article-title":"Demography, maternal health and the epidemiology of malaria and other major infectious diseases in the rural department Tsamba-Magotsi, Ngounie Province, in central African Gabon.","volume":"17","author":"RZ Manego","year":"2017","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref014","first-page":"852","article-title":"Rapid assessment method for prevalence and intensity of Loa loa infection","volume":"80","author":"I Takougang","year":"2002","journal-title":"Bull World Health Organ"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref015","first-page":"390","article-title":"Comparison of thick blood smear and saponin haemolysis for the detection of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans infections","volume":"93","author":"F Noireau","year":"1990","journal-title":"J Trop Med Hyg"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref016","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"426","DOI":"10.1007\/s44197-021-00010-8","article-title":"An Integrated Approach to Assess Knowledge\/Perceptions and Attitudes\/Practices (KAP) Regarding Major Neglected Tropical Diseases Endemic in the Mbengwi Health District, North West Region, Cameroon.","volume":"11","author":"L Sumo","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Epidemiol Glob Health."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref017","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"546","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-021-05048-y","article-title":"Knowledge\/perception and attitude\/practices of populations of two first-line communities of the Centre Region of Cameroon regarding onchocerciasis and black fly nuisance and bio-ecology.","volume":"14","author":"A Domche","year":"2021","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref018","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-015-1050-8","article-title":"Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards schistosomiasis among rural population in Yemen.","volume":"8","author":"H Sady","year":"2015","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref019","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1329","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0001329","article-title":"Epidemiology of Concomitant Infection Due to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in Gabon.","volume":"5","author":"JP Akue","year":"2011","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1016\/S0035-9203(03)90114-3","article-title":"Heterogeneity in the prevalence and intensity of loiasis in five contrasting bioecological zones in Cameroon","volume":"97","author":"S Wanji","year":"2003","journal-title":"Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref021","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-017-2103-y","article-title":"Loa loa vectors Chrysops spp.: perspectives on research, distribution, bionomics, and implications for elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.","volume":"10","author":"L Kelly-Hope","year":"2017","journal-title":"Parasit Vectors."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/ofid\/ofz417","article-title":"Atypical Clinical Manifestations of Loiasis and Their Relevance for Endemic Populations.","volume":"6","author":"KG Buell","year":"2019","journal-title":"Open Forum Infect Dis."},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref023","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e0010793","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010793","article-title":"Distinct loiasis infection states and associated clinical and hematological manifestations in patients from Gabon.","volume":"16","author":"L Veletzky","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e910","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0000910","article-title":"Parasitic Worms: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Western C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire with Implications for Integrated Control.","volume":"4","author":"CA Acka","year":"2010","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0012109.ref025","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1155\/2022\/1417804","article-title":"Knowledge, Attitude, and towards an Onchocerciasis Elimination Program from South West Ethiopia","volume":"2022","author":"H Worku","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Trop Med"}],"updated-by":[{"DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","type":"new_version","label":"New version","source":"publisher","updated":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,23]],"date-time":"2024-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1721692800000}}],"container-title":["PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,23]],"date-time":"2024-07-23T19:11:27Z","timestamp":1721761887000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Eva","family":"Clark","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"editor"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]]},"references-count":25,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","relation":{"new_version":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012109","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["1935-2735"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1935-2735","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]]}}}