Title : Oral treatment of african human trypanosomiasis: Feasibility in the communities of Guinea’s coastal area
Abstract:
Introduction: Conventional treatments for human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are restrictive, requiring systematic hospitalization, lumbar puncture to determine the stage of the disease, and intravenous infusions over several days, causing suffering to patients. To improve the management of this disease, an oral treatment has been developed by DNDi. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this new drug in three endemic foci in Guinea.
Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in the households of Boffa, Dubreka and Forecariah to assess local people's knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of this new treatment.
Results: The study found that 27.5% of respondents had a good knowledge of the mode of transmission of HAT, while 49.6% had heard of the new HAT treatment. The majority recognized its advantages, particularly the absence of a lumbar puncture (61.4%) and the fact that it was free of charge (38%). Almost all respondents (99.3%) would be willing to accept oral treatment, and 98.3% would be willing to take it at home. In addition, many felt that such treatment would reduce the stigma associated with the disease.
Conclusion: Although knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the new treatment varied by study site and level of education, overall acceptability was high. These results suggest that the new drug could be widely used to facilitate the management and control of HAT in these endemic foci.
