Health Workers' Knowledge and Care for Tropical Diseases in Guinea

Ever wondered how healthcare providers in Guinea handled certain tropical diseases? A recent study looked into this, focusing on diseases like trachoma and onchocerciasis. From November 7th to 22nd, 2022, researchers surveyed 86 healthcare providers in the Forecariah health district. They used a questionnaire to gather information about these workers' understanding and practices regarding preventive chemotherapy for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The results showed that most healthcare providers were nurses and young adults aged between 25 and 49. They had mostly heard of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis but weren't as familiar with others like geo-helminthiasis and schistosomiasis. Unfortunately, their knowledge of preventive measures was also quite low. A substantial number said they would refer cases of diseases like onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis to a management center. This study underscores the need to improve training and resources for healthcare providers in Guinea to better deal with these tropical diseases.