Assessment of the Community Awareness on Transmission and Control Practices towards Gastrointestinal Parasites in Vegetables in Aden Governorate, Yemen

Abstract

In Aden Governorate, Yemen, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infections is alarmingly high due to insufficient community awareness and preventive actions. Our research adopted a descriptive and analytical crosssectional design, utilizing structured questionnaires to evaluate the understanding of 400 local market vendors and consumers regarding the etiology, symptoms, transmission, and prevention of gastrointestinal parasites. The findings indicated a moderate level of awareness, with 73% of respondents aware of intestinal parasitosis.However, knowledge concerning transmission methods (67.8%) and preventive measures was notably lower,pointing to significant educational gaps. Despite some level of awareness, the detailed knowledge necessary for effective prevention and control was generally lacking. This highlights the urgent necessity for targeted public health initiatives in Yemen aimed at increasing awareness and implementing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the spread of gastrointestinal parasites. This study underscores the critical need for enhancing community knowledge and preventive practices against these infections.