Parental perceptions of giardiasis: a study in an outpatient paediatric hospital setting in havana, cuba.

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.

Caregiver perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood giardiasis in Havana City, Cuba. A qualitative study.

Although long considered a non-pathogenic protozoan, Giardia lamblia is now a well recognized cause of abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and failure-to-thrive in children. The overall prevalence of this infection in Cuban population is about 7.2%; however, higher prevalences have been found among young children attending day-care centres and primary school in the country. Anecdotally, clinical giardiasis is generally considered to place a large burden on both diagnostic and treatment services in Cuba. In order to gain insight into caregivers' perspectives with respect to this infection in children, a qualitative study was carried out in a paediatric hospital in Cuba. Focus group discussions were conducted to gather information about the awareness of the giardiasis, their mode of transmission and symptoms, diagnosis process, treatment seeking behaviour, possible ways of prevention, and barriers for not adopting preventive behaviours, the source and channels of information about this disease. Caregivers have knowledge of giardiasis, although there were myths and misconceptions regarding giardiasis. Manifestations like diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea were cited; however, asymptomatic forms of these infections are hardly accepted. Boiling water and washing hands before eating and after defecation and washing vegetables were mentioned among the principal ways of preventing this infection. The most commonly mentioned reasons for not adopting preventive behaviours included lack of time due to outdoor activities and limitation of combustible distribution. Treatment-seeking behaviour when giardiasis suspected mainly included visiting the nearby family doctor. The findings of this study reveal the need for a health education intervention in areas of misperceptions and confusion.