Human myiasis in an endemic area of Southwestern Ethiopia: Prevalence, knowledge, perceptions and practices

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Human subcutaneous myiasis is an endemic, understudied disease in Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, perceptions and practices in different urban and rural
communities of Jimma Zone, southwestern Ethiopia, related to human myiasis.
Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study was carried out during March -June 2005 in 5 urban and 3
rural kebeles in Jimma Zone. Kebeles were chosen by random sampling and a total of 1,272 households were selected
by systematic random sampling technique for interview.
Results: Most subjects (60.0%) mentioned lying on damp soil as the cause of myiasis. More urban than rural
communities who wore un-ironed clothes had myiais infestation (p< 0.05). Myiasis was reported to be common in the
lower extremities (65.6%), upper extremities (56.7%), abdomen (48.9%) and back (34.9%). A total of 86% dwellers
responded that myiasis was more common during the wet season. More than half of the interviewees were
knowledgeable about the clinical presentation of the disease. The most common signs and symptoms were itching
(94.0%), pus discharge (82.9 %) and papules (79.5%). The majority (87.9%) of the study subjects treated infestations
with hot matches. Wearing dry clothes (38.6%) was reported to be effective preventive measure. Nearly 64.8% of the
rural and 68.7% of the urban communities knew that human subcutaneous myiasis is preventable.
Conclusion: Due to the low levels of knowledge about myiasis, we recommend that community health education
programs be developed through the health services to raise the awareness levels about this infestation to the general
population. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2007;21(2):166-172]