Abstract:

Introduction: Dracunculiasis is one of the oldest diseases known to man. Although it is not a killer disease, it is a disease of high morbidity and complications found mostly in farming populations. Its health, social, educational and economic cost to the individual, the household and the community which is considerable and it’s transmission cycle are well documented. Key intervention strategies to eradicate guinea worm are safe water supply, vector control using abate, health education and case management.

General objective: To determine the Knowledge, attitude, Practices, towards Guinea Worm Disease in Juba County.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The quantitative method was face to face interviews while the qualitative method included Key Informants (KIs). It was conducted in Juba county 2015 by the principal investigator (PI) and a group of trained research assistants (RAs) to establish residents’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices, towards Guinea Worm.

Result: More than a quarter of respondents or relative have ever fallen victim of Guinea worm in their life (50/138 (36%)). A large proportion of respondent perceive drinking infected water was a cause of infection (79/138 (55.7%)), Most of respondent obtained drinking water from River/Stream (100/232 (43%)), most respondent said someone with Guinea worm has very much difficulty in farming (63%), Education level was found to be strongly associated with knowledge on the cause of infection of Guinea worm. (X²=26.249, d.f. =6, p>0.000).

Conclusion: A large proportion of respondent perceive drinking infected water as a cause of infection Guinea worm, More than a quarter of respondent’s family member fallen victim of Guinea worm, In general the knowledge attitude and practice of respondent’s in Juba County in addition to other confounding factors have had an impact on the Guinea worm eradication

Recommendations: both focused and integrated health education by the health workers need to be emphasized stressing to the communities the importance of Guinea worm eradication. This can be done both at the health unit and through specific and integrated outreaches such as immunization or mass awareness to cover three messages: That Guinea worm comes from contaminated water, Villagers should prohibit a person with blisters or ulcer from entering source of drinking water and that drinking water should be filtered or boiled before drinking.          

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