title: Lymphatic Filariasis in Southwestern Nigerian Rural Communities: A Cross-sectional Survey of the Knowledge, Awareness, and Predisposing Factors.
abstract: Nigeria is the second most endemic country in the world for lymphatic filariasis, with control efforts often hampered by poor community awareness and involvement in intervention strategies.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and psychosocial aspects of some residents in Nigerian rural communities about lymphatic filariasis in order to develop disease control and intervention strategies with active community involvement.
  
  
  
  A standardized questionnaire was adapted and a scale of measurement was developed. The methodology was quantitative and the study design was cross-sectional. A sample of 203 respondents was selected using a precision of 0.06.
  
  
  
  A majority (51.2%) had heard of elephantiasis but very few (9.3%) had accurate knowledge of the causes of the disease. Most people (53.2%) had no sources of information about elephantiasis, and of the few individuals that claimed availability of sources of information, information about the mode of transmission of the disease (10.0%) was the most common. Very few individuals (7.9%) believed mosquitoes were associated with elephantiasis, with 16.7% having a history of elephantiasis. The proportion of respondents who did not use mosquito netting (61.1%) was significantly higher than those who did use it (33.0%) (P < .05). An appreciable proportion (26.1%) of individuals believed elephantiasis to be an abominable disease, with 5.9% individuals believing that people treat the victims of elephantiasis with disrespect.
  
  
  
  The study areas are at high risk of lymphatic filariasis. There is a need to create a knowledge-based awareness among the residents for effective management of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bolatito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oluwabiyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences (Biology Programme), Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Electronic address: zootund@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Oyetunde T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Oyeyemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adetayo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olorunlana
authors.affiliation: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nofisat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Omiyeniyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ayomide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koleosho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Nigeria; awareness; knowledge; lymphatic filariasis; predisposing factors