ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The public health impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is quite substantial. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and response capability of health professionals regarding NTDs in Kaduna State, Nigeria. METHODS: A pre-tested questionnaire with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.716 was administered to 350 health professionals. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge, resource availability and capacity to handle NTD cases. RESULTS: Only 38 (12.6%) respondents were familiar with the World Health Organization's definition of NTDs. Although self-reported knowledge was highest for physicians (37 [82.2%]), there was no statistically significant knowledge disparity between cadres of health professionals. Only 12 (46.2%) practitioners in private health facilities reported adequate knowledge. The tier of practice was significantly associated with management of NTDs (χ2 = 10.545; df 2; p = 0.005). Only 24 (47.1%) medical laboratory scientists and 18 (40.0%) physicians had adequate clinical resources for management of NTDs. Nearly three-quarters (211 (70.1%)] of respondents had never been trained in the management of NTDs. More than half (177 [58.8%]) of facilities lacked pharmaceuticals or standard operating procedures for management of NTDs. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported knowledge of NTDs was suboptimal. Physical and clinical resources for the diagnosis and treatment of NTDs were inadequate. Targeted training, increased funding and provision of adequate resources are needed in order to ameliorate the situation.
