Communities’ perception, knowledge, and practices related to human African trypanosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

by Kabanga C, Valverde Mordt O, Mbo F, Mbondo M, Olela D, Etinkum R, Nkaji D, Mukoso B, Lubanza Mananasi L. Diseases 2022; 10(4):69. doi: 10.3390/diseases10040069

Summary: The significant decrease in the number of human African trypanosomiasis cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo potentially jeopardizes human African trypanosomiasis control activities, especially community engagement. The authors of this study used an ecological model framework to understand how various factors shape communities’ knowledge, perceptions, and behavior in this low endemicity context. Community members, frontline health providers, and policymakers were consulted using an ethnographic approach. The authors conclude that community members see their role more in terms of vector control than participation in screening, referral, or accepting treatment and make recommendations for achieving sustainable community engagement, including development of an information and communication strategy, and empowerment of communities to take greater ownership of human African trypanosomiasis control activities.

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