Research Article

The Influence of Poverty and Culture on the Transmission of Parasitic Infections in Rural Nicaraguan Villages

Table 2

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding general hygiene and parasites.

CategoryQuestionPercentage (%)

Perceptions of general hygieneWell water clean ( 𝑛 = 1 7 4 )87
Sufficient to wash without soap ( 𝑛 = 2 0 8 )5
Animals free of infection ( 𝑛 = 1 9 0 )13
Dirt in yard clean ( 𝑛 = 2 0 8 )20

Attitude toward water filtersDesire to have filter ( 𝑛 = 1 6 1 )75
Faith in efficacy of filter ( 𝑛 = 2 0 5 )80

Attitude toward hygieneBelieve they have good hygiene ( 𝑛 = 2 0 4 )92

Parasites ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )85
Awareness about parasitesWorms ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )83
Ameba ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )72

Infection ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )27
Bacteria ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )53
Perception of parasitesVirus ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )21
Animal ( 𝑛 = 2 1 3 )50
Have seen a parasite in yard ( 𝑛 = 2 0 7 )40

Malnutrition ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )33
Lack of energy ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )30
Loss of appetite ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )68
Poor growth ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )32
Difficulty in school ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )9
Headache ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )47
Dizziness ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )48
Health outcomes*Anal itch ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )51
Diarrhea ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )78
Bloated stomach ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )58
Stomach ache ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )80
Anemia ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )19
Fever ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )73
Vomiting ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )81
Death ( 𝑛 = 1 4 4 )38

Drink dirty water ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )87
Walk barefoot ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )83
Eating with dirty hands ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )81
Transmission/high risk behaviors*Eat uncooked meat ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )55
Defecating outdoors ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )57
Leaving animals unfenced ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )41
Washing food with dirty water ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )70
Eating after touching animals ( 𝑛 = 1 0 3 )50

Perceived threatCause of death ( 𝑛 = 2 0 5 )98

Attitude toward parasitesAfraid of parasites ( 𝑛 = 2 0 8 )91

Children barefoot (observed) ( 𝑛 = 2 0 9 )34
Children barefoot (self-reported) ( 𝑛 = 2 0 8 )51
Practice of bad habitsChildren without diaper (self-reported) ( 𝑛 = 1 7 4 )19
Home-grow vegetables ( 𝑛 = 2 0 6 )39
Well water to wash vegetables ( 𝑛 = 1 7 1 )87
Well water to cook food ( 𝑛 = 1 7 6 )88

Before preparing food ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )96
Before eating ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )71
Knowledge regarding time of hand washing*After using bathroom ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )94
After changing baby’s diaper ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )54
After cleaning yard ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )54
After touching animals ( 𝑛 = 1 0 0 )59

* The “ 𝑁 ” values for these questions are significantly lower than 213 due to interviewer error with the manner in which questions were asked to participants. These interviews were not counted in the data calculations.