Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de teniasis y cisticercosis por Taenia solium en estudiantes y profesionales de bioanálisis en Maracay, Venezuela, 2020.

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Title: Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de teniasis y cisticercosis por Taenia solium en estudiantes y profesionales de bioanálisis en Maracay, Venezuela, 2020.
Alternate Title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices taeniasis/cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium among students and professionals of Bioanalysis in Maracay, Venezuela, 2020.
Authors: Rojas, Glenda C.1,2, Aouad, María3, Barrios, Yumara3, Cortez, María M.1 milacortez3@yahoo.com
Source: Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud. sep2025, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p406-422. 17p.
Subjects: CYSTICERCOSIS, TAENIA solium, MEDICAL personnel, NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS, TAENIA
Abstract (English): Introduction. Taeniasis and cysticercosis are diseases caused by Taenia solium prevalent in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and associated with serious economic and health problems. To date, few studies have evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to these parasitoses among health professionals. Objective. To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with T. solium among students and professionals in the field of bioanalysis, residing in an urban, nonendemic area for T. solium in Maracay, Aragua, central region of Venezuela. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a survey to collect data from students (n = 41) and professionals (n = 41) of bioanalysis regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to taeniasis and cysticercosis in Maracay, Venezuela. Results. Among all participants, 67.1% recognized T. solium as a public health problem prevalent in rural areas, while 30.5% correctly identified the causative agent. Limited knowledge was observed regarding the transmission of taeniasis (6.1%), human cysticercosis (11.0%), and porcine cysticercosis (17.1%), as well as the signs and symptoms of taeniasis (4.9%) and the characteristics of pork meat infected with T. solium cysticerci (3.7%). Professionals had greater knowledge of taeniasis, porcine cysticercosis, severe disease caused by T. solium, and neurocysticercosis (p < 0.05). Students knew better the causative agent and the preferred diagnostic method for taeniasis (p < 0.05). Most participants exhibited positive attitudes and practices. Professionals outperformed students in providing information regarding T. solium and dealing with patients infected with Taenia spp. (p < 0.05). Conclusion. This study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding T. solium among professionals and students of bioanalysis in Venezuela showed deficiencies in clinicalepidemiological and diagnostic aspects. We recommend updating knowledge on taeniasis and cysticercosis and developing further studies with larger sample sizes and the inclusion of other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish): Introducción. La teniasis y la cisticercosis por Taenia solium ocasionan serios problemas económicos y de salud, y son prevalentes en Latinoamérica, África y Asia. Existen pocos estudios en que se evalúen los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) de los profesionales de la salud ante estas parasitosis. Objetivo. Evaluar los conocimientos, las actitudes y las prácticas sobre T. solium, de los estudiantes y profesionales de bioanálisis, residentes en un área urbana no endémica para T. solium en Maracay (Aragua), región central de Venezuela. Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un estudio transversal mediante la aplicación de una encuesta a estudiantes (n = 41) y profesionales (n = 41) del área de bioanálisis, para recopilar información sobre sus conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas con respecto a la teniasis y la cisticercosis. Resultados. El 67,1 % de los participantes reconoció a T. solium como un problema de salud pública prevalente en las comunidades rurales; mientras que solo el 30,5 % acertó sobre el agente causal. Se evidenció un conocimiento limitado sobre la vía de transmisión de la teniasis (6,1 %), la cisticercosis humana (11 %) y la cisticercosis porcina (17,1 %). Asimismo, se observó un conocimiento reducido sobre los signos y síntomas de la teniasis (4,9 %) y las características de la carne de cerdo infectada con cisticercos de T. solium (3,7 %). Los profesionales mostraron un mayor conocimiento sobre teniasis, cisticercosis porcina, enfermedad grave por T. solium y neurocisticercosis (p < 0,05), mientras que los estudiantes se destacaron en la identificación del agente causal y en el método diagnóstico de elección para la teniasis (p < 0,05). La mayoría de los participantes mostró actitudes y prácticas positivas. Los profesionales fueron mejores en cuanto a la difusión de información sobre T. solium y en el manejo de pacientes infectados con Taenia spp. (p < 0,05). Conclusión. Este estudio sobre los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los profesionales y estudiantes de bioanálisis con respecto a T. solium en Venezuela, evidenció debilidades relacionadas con los aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos y diagnósticos. Se recomienda actualizar los conocimientos sobre T. solium y llevar a cabo más estudios relacionados, con muestras más amplias y en otras disciplinas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: MedicLatina
Description
Abstract:Introduction. Taeniasis and cysticercosis are diseases caused by Taenia solium prevalent in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and associated with serious economic and health problems. To date, few studies have evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to these parasitoses among health professionals. Objective. To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with T. solium among students and professionals in the field of bioanalysis, residing in an urban, nonendemic area for T. solium in Maracay, Aragua, central region of Venezuela. Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a survey to collect data from students (n = 41) and professionals (n = 41) of bioanalysis regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to taeniasis and cysticercosis in Maracay, Venezuela. Results. Among all participants, 67.1% recognized T. solium as a public health problem prevalent in rural areas, while 30.5% correctly identified the causative agent. Limited knowledge was observed regarding the transmission of taeniasis (6.1%), human cysticercosis (11.0%), and porcine cysticercosis (17.1%), as well as the signs and symptoms of taeniasis (4.9%) and the characteristics of pork meat infected with T. solium cysticerci (3.7%). Professionals had greater knowledge of taeniasis, porcine cysticercosis, severe disease caused by T. solium, and neurocysticercosis (p < 0.05). Students knew better the causative agent and the preferred diagnostic method for taeniasis (p < 0.05). Most participants exhibited positive attitudes and practices. Professionals outperformed students in providing information regarding T. solium and dealing with patients infected with Taenia spp. (p < 0.05). Conclusion. This study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding T. solium among professionals and students of bioanalysis in Venezuela showed deficiencies in clinicalepidemiological and diagnostic aspects. We recommend updating knowledge on taeniasis and cysticercosis and developing further studies with larger sample sizes and the inclusion of other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01204157
DOI:10.7705/biomedica.7668