title: Parental perceptions of giardiasis: a study in an outpatient paediatric hospital setting in havana, cuba.
abstract: Background. Giardia lamblia is an important cause of diarrhoeal disease throughout the world. Giardiasis- a mild and self-limiting disease that this protozoan causes- is perceived as a harmful disease. Aim. To explore the general level of awareness about giardiasis, clinical features, mode of transmission, prevention, and consequences and describe the sources and channels of information caregivers would prefer using to be informed about this disease. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers attending to the outpatient paediatric hospital setting in Havana. Results. A total of 202 caregivers were interviewed. Nearly 73% considered giardiasis as a modern problem, and 39% considered that it could be a fatal disease. Although 76.7% were aware that small intestine is the organ affected, other localizations were cited. Abdominal pain and diarrhoea were recognized as the commonest symptoms. Around one-third could identify that giardiasis may spread through drinking unboiled water and unwashed vegetables other incorrect ways were mentioned; respondents with more than 12 years of formal education were more likely to have better knowledge. Discussion. Strategies to control giardiasis need to be through an integrated approach aiming at boosting caregivers' knowledge and encouraging healthcare workers to act as a readily available source for health information.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Municipal Centre of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Calle 8 No. 406 Esquina a 19, Vedado, 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Almirall
authors: Department of Gastro-enterology, Nutrition and Parasitology, Academic Paediatric Hospital "Pedro Borrás", Calle F No. 616 Esquina 27, Vedado, 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Angel A
authors: AA
authors: Escobedo
authors: Department of Child Health, National Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Calle Infanta No. 1158 Esquina a Llinas, Cerro, 10300 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Yohana
authors: Y
authors: Salazar
authors: Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine "Comandante Manuel Fajardo", Calle D esquina a Zapata, Vedado, 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Maydel
authors: M
authors: Alfonso
authors: Gastro-intestinal unit, Department of Paediatrics, Academic Paediatric Hospital "Centro Habana", Benjumeda y Morales, Cerro, 10600 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Ivonne
authors: I
authors: Avila
authors: Department of Infectious diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases "Emilio Ribas", Rua Zacarias de Gois, 966/41 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Cimerman
authors: Gastro-intestinal unit, Department of Paediatrics, Academic Paediatric Hospital "Centro Habana", Benjumeda y Morales, Cerro, 10600 La Habana, Cuba.
authors: Isabel V
authors: IV
authors: Dawkins