Surgically confirmed cases of cystic echinococcosis from Baluchistan Province, Pakistan for the years 2011-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms. It has a worldwide geographic distribution and can threaten the livestock industry and human health in endemic areas, including Pakistan. CE prevalence is high in Pakistan due to lack of local knowledge about disease transmission and a lack of control measures. The Pakistan province of Baluchistan shares a border with Iran and Afghanistan and is largely agricultural. However, little is known about E. granulosus transmission in this region. METHODS: Information on surgically confirmed cases of CE in Baluchistan Province was obtained through evaluation of paraffin fixed cyst samples and patient records obtained from three local hospitals for the years 2011-2018. RESULTS: A total of 22 paraffin fixed samples were collected during the study period. The majority of cysts were obtained from the liver (9/22; 40.9%), with anatomical location not available for two of the cysts. Demographic information was available for 18 cases. Females made up 61.1% (11/18) of the cases. The largest numbers of cases were found in the 31-40 years age group (5/18; 22.7%). DISCUSSION: This study shows that Echinococcus spp. parasites are circulating in the study area. In order to control the disease, a comprehensive regional surveillance and control program is needed.

Knowledge, attitude & practices (KAPs) regarding rabies endemicity among the community members, Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Rabies is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in numerous regions of the world. Annually, 60,000 deaths have been reported, mostly in Asia and Africa. Dogs are responsible for approximately 99% of human deaths due to rabies. Consequently, incidences of canine bites are increased yet rabies continues to remain a neglected disease in Pakistan. The objective of the study was to investigate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) for rabies, among the participants from urban and rural population of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. METHODS: Data was collected by conducting household based cross-sectional survey over a period of 5 months (from January 2018 to May 2018). Quantitative data was collected in the form of questionnaires to investigate awareness and knowledge of rabies among the participants. The questionnaire compromised of socio-demographic features and degree of KAP with respect to rabies management and control. RESULTS: A total sample size of 434 participants responded in the study. Among them, 89.4% were found to have heard about rabies, 38.7% have no knowledge of signs and symptoms, 93.3% knew that infected dogs are the major cause of spreading rabies and 77.6% considered that the vaccination of animals is important for prevention of rabies. However, only 39.8% actively seek medical treatment at a hospital if bitten by a dog. From the 434 participants 61 reported dog bites, of which 68.8% (42/61) were male and 49.1% (30/61) belonged to age group of 6-25 years. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that respondents have relatively limited knowledge, inconsistent attitude and poor practices towards rabies prevention and control. There is a high need of imparting knowledge to the population from multidisciplinary programs for effective management and prevention of rabies.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to cystic echinococcosis endemicity in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a human and animal health problem in many endemic areas worldwide. It is considered a neglected zoonotic disease caused by the larval form (hydatid cyst) of Echinococcus spp. tapeworm. There are limited studies on echinococcosis in Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to find out recent knowledge, attitudes and practices on the occurrence of cystic echinococcosis in butchers and dog owners in both urban and rural areas of Rawalpindi/Islamabad regions, Pakistan. The quantitative data was collected in the form of questionnaires to investigate the knowledge and awareness of CE among community members and their routine practices that  were behind the factors involved in hydatid cyst infection. The practices and infrastructure of abattoirs/butcher shops and their role in transmission of cystic echinococcosis were also evaluated in the present study. RESULTS: The participants involved in the study were dog owners and people who kept animals. A total of 400 people were interviewed and 289 questionnaires were received. The results showed that only 4.1% of people have heard about the disease, and 58.1% were closely associated with dogs. Sixty-three percent of dogs in study area were consuming uncooked organs (e.g. liver, lung, etc.) of slaughtered animals, while 100% of dogs at butcher shops were consuming uncooked organs. Home slaughtering was common in 20.06%. Among butchers, 32.3% had heard about zoonoses and 7.61% knew about CE. The statistical analysis showed that there was highly significant difference (P < 0.05) among most of the practices that were associated with the prevalence of CE. CONCLUSIONS: It  was concluded from the present study that, the knowledge and awareness of CE among people of Rawalpindi/Islamabad were low. Because of dogs and poor knowledge of CE among community members and butchers, the transmission of echinococcosis is facilitated. Therefore, there is urgent need to strengthen awareness and health education among people, as well as proper practices related to the CE not only in the study area, but also in other areas of Pakistan.