Assessment of a computer-based Taenia solium education tool ‘The Vicious Worm’ in Mbeya Region, Tanzania

project summary

<p><strong><em>Abstract:</em></strong></p> <p><em>Taenia solium </em>is endemic in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia. There is a lack of knowledge regarding <em>T. solium </em>in endemic countries and it has shown to be a risk factor for the transmission of <em>T. solium</em>. Few studies have assessed the effect of health education, but the studies that have been conducted indicate a good effect of health education. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a computer-based <em>T. solium </em>education tool ‘The Vicious Worm’ on knowledge uptake among professionals and to investigate their attitudes towards the program. A total of 79 study subjects were included in the study, which was conducted between March and May 2014. The study subjects included were veterinarians, meat inspectors, agriculture/livestock extension officers, agriculture/livestock diploma students, medical officers, health officers and assistant medical officer students. The study was carried out in Mbeya Region, Tanzania, where <em>T. solium </em>is endemic. The study was a pre– and post– health intervention trial that built on questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, interviews and observations.</p> <p>A moderate to relatively high percentage of the study subjects had an already-existing knowledge of some aspects of <em>T. solium </em>cysticercosis/taeniosis (score: 48.1–78.5%), however, there was lack of knowledge of acquisition of neurocysticercosis, relation between cysticercosis and taeniosis and prevention of <em>T. solium </em>cysticercosis/taeniosis (score: 15.2–31.6%). Knowledge about <em>T. solium </em>cysticercosis/taeniosis among all study subjects was significantly improved both immediately after the intervention (p=0.001) and two weeks after (p<0.001). Knowledge regarding specific aspects of <em>T. solium </em>cysticercosis/taeniosis was significantly improved in all aspects immediately after the intervention (p<0.05) apart from acquisition and transmission of <em>T. solium </em>infections and relation between cysticercosis and taeniosis. Two weeks after the intervention, knowledge of all aspects but the relation between cysticercosis and taeniosis was significantly improved (p<0.05). Being employed in the health sector was a significant factor for knowledge improvement (immediately after intervention: OR=8.3; two weeks after intervention: OR=5.0).</p> <p>The focus group discussions and interviews showed a general positive attitude towards the program and the study subjects found ‘The Vicious Worm’ efficient, simple and appealing. The results from this study show a good effect of ‘The Vicious Worm’ on knowledge uptake regarding <em>T. solium </em>among professionals in Mbeya Region and a positive attitude towards the program.</p>