Attendee awareness about preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTD) control during the first world neglected tropical diseases day in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Author summary Neglected Tropical Diseases has remained a public health menace in most developing countries including Nigeria. Efforts targeted at controlling the diseases requires substantial community acceptance and participation in drug donation campaigns. This study, therefore, provides information on public knowledge and awareness about NTDs and its control activities. We surveyed 309 attendees during the inaugural 2020 World NTD Day event in Ekiti, Nigeria. Our results show that attendee knowledge and awareness about NTDs control programme and promotional activities is low. There is thus a need for NTD control programmers to engage in regular promotional activities such as media engagements to ensure improved awareness and community involvement. Background The need to control Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and sustain progress towards elimination through mass administration of medicines requires substantial communal participation. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge and perception of attendees' regarding NTDs and its control activities during the Inaugural World NTD day event in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Methodology A cross-sectional study involving the administration of pretested semi-structured questionnaires to consenting attendees at the Inaugural World NTD day event was conducted on the 30(th) January, 2020. The questionnaire collected data on attendee's demography, knowledge and awareness about NTDs in Nigeria. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS. 20.0 Software and expressed as frequencies and percentages. However, qualitative data to support quantitative analysis were obtained using open-ended questionnaires and analysed thematically. Principal findings/conclusion A total of 309 attendees comprising 167 (54.0%) females, and 142 (46.0%) males participated in this study. By age groupings, majority 206 (66.7%) were within 15-25 years. 167 (54.8%) of the attendees have not heard about NTDs before, whereas 77(35.0%) have heard about NTDs through the advertisement of the event. 181(63.3%) were aware of ongoing NTD control programs in schools and communities. Also, 246 (83.4%) of them have not taken or do not know anyone that has taken drugs donated in schools or communities before. The number of attendees 41(13.3%) who incorrectly classified malaria as NTDs is higher than those who recognized onchocerciasis 36 (11.7%) and worm infections 34(11.0%) as NTDs (p>0.05). This study has shown that awareness and knowledge about NTDs control activities in Ekiti State is low, thus justifying the event as an awareness day for addressing NTDs. Public enlightment and regular promotional activities such as media engagement will raise the public appreciation and participation in NTDs control activities.

Automated summary

This study surveyed attendees at the inaugural 2020 World NTD Day event in Ekiti, Nigeria to assess their knowledge and awareness about Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and its control activities. The results showed low levels of knowledge and awareness among attendees, highlighting the need for regular promotional activities such as media engagement to improve awareness and community involvement in NTD control programs.