Knowledge, perceptions and practice of primary healthcare doctors in Ecuador on Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection

Abstract

Introduction: Human angiostrongyliasis presents a broad clinical spectrum, which ranges from asymptomatic infection to eosinophilic meningitis, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, and ocular angiostrongyliasis.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, perceptions, and practice of primary healthcare doctors in the Republic of Ecuador regarding Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection.

Methods: It was conducted a descriptive observational study. A survey on knowledge, perceptions, and practice was designed, validated, and applied to 163 primary healthcare doctors from Napo and Guayas provinces between November and December 2017. The information obtained was stored in a Microsoft Access 2016 database, and a frequency analysis was performed to the answers provided to every question.

Results: Insufficient knowledge, inadequate perceptions, and incorrect practice regarding angiostrongyliasis were found.

Conclusions: The results evidenced the need to implement an educational intervention program to primary healthcare doctors aimed at reducing the deficiencies found to have a positive impact on the communities where the intermediate and definitive hosts and a potential infection risk exist.