Background:Among parasitic infections,schistosomiasis ranks second after malaria in terms of worldwide morbidity.Despite efforts to contain transmission,more than 230 million people are infected,of which 85%live in Su...Background:Among parasitic infections,schistosomiasis ranks second after malaria in terms of worldwide morbidity.Despite efforts to contain transmission,more than 230 million people are infected,of which 85%live in Sub-Saharan Africa.While the epidemiologic characteristics of schistosomiasis have been extensively studied across endemic settings,social factors have been paid less attention.The current study assesses community knowledge of schistosomiasis causes,transmission,signs,symptoms and prevention,as well as healthcare-seeking behaviours in two West African settings,with the aim of strengthening schistosomiasis control interventions.Methods:From August 2014 to June 2015,we conducted two cross-sectional surveys in Korhogo,Cote d’Ivoire and Kaedi,Mauritania.We applied a questionnaire to collect quantitative data at the household level in Korhogo(n=1456)and Kaedi(n=1453).Focus group discussions(Korhogo:n=32,Kaedi:n=32)and participatory photography(photovoice)(Korhogo:n=16,Kaedi:n=16)were conducted within the communities to gather qualitative data.In addition,semi-structured interviews were used to discuss with key informants from control programmes,nongovernmental organizations and health districts(Korhogo:n=8,Kaedi:n=7).Results:The study demonstrated that schistosomiasis is not well known by the communities;64.1%claimed to know the causes of the disease,but the reality is different.This knowledge is more from cultural than biomedical source.It was observed that social construction of the disease is different from the biomedical definition.In Korhogo,schistosomiasis was often associated with several other diseases,notably stomach ulcer and gonorrhoea.The populations believe that schistosomiasis is caused by exposure to goat or dog urine in the environment.In Kaedi,schistosomiasis is considered as a disease transmitted by environmenal elements such as sunshine and dirty water.In both settings,the care-seeking pathways were found to be strongly influenced by local customs and self-medication acquired from the informal sector.Conclusions:This study revealed that knowledge about the aetiology,transmission,symptoms,prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis among the populations in Korhogo and Kaedi is based on their local culture.Deep-rooted habits could therefore pose a significant obstacle to the elimination of schistosomiasis.展开更多
An assessment method for the quality of service （QoS） of virtual knowledge communities （VKC） is proposed based on fuzzy theory and analytic hierarchy process （AHP）. The QoS is evaluated in terms of Website desig...An assessment method for the quality of service （QoS） of virtual knowledge communities （VKC） is proposed based on fuzzy theory and analytic hierarchy process （AHP）. The QoS is evaluated in terms of Website design, reliability, responsiveness, trust, personalization, and information quality. The cognitive QoS and the QoS evaluated by assessors are compared to analyze which QoS of the VKC should be improved urgently and which indicators keep leading positions, and to assist administrators of the VKC on measuring and understanding current status and implementation effect of the QoS.展开更多
An important task in the period of 12th Five-year Plan is to promote innovation in research in philosophy and social sciences. In order to fulfill this task, we need to grasp the logic of the knowledge community, clea...An important task in the period of 12th Five-year Plan is to promote innovation in research in philosophy and social sciences. In order to fulfill this task, we need to grasp the logic of the knowledge community, clear up value conflicts that hinder our progress, and map the route of system change in this field.展开更多
基金This project received financial support from the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases(TDR)and the Canadian International Development Research Centre(IDRC)(grant no.NB20283 to Dr.Brama Koné)The funders had no role in the study design,data collection and analyses,decision to publish,or preparation of the paper.
文摘Background:Among parasitic infections,schistosomiasis ranks second after malaria in terms of worldwide morbidity.Despite efforts to contain transmission,more than 230 million people are infected,of which 85%live in Sub-Saharan Africa.While the epidemiologic characteristics of schistosomiasis have been extensively studied across endemic settings,social factors have been paid less attention.The current study assesses community knowledge of schistosomiasis causes,transmission,signs,symptoms and prevention,as well as healthcare-seeking behaviours in two West African settings,with the aim of strengthening schistosomiasis control interventions.Methods:From August 2014 to June 2015,we conducted two cross-sectional surveys in Korhogo,Cote d’Ivoire and Kaedi,Mauritania.We applied a questionnaire to collect quantitative data at the household level in Korhogo(n=1456)and Kaedi(n=1453).Focus group discussions(Korhogo:n=32,Kaedi:n=32)and participatory photography(photovoice)(Korhogo:n=16,Kaedi:n=16)were conducted within the communities to gather qualitative data.In addition,semi-structured interviews were used to discuss with key informants from control programmes,nongovernmental organizations and health districts(Korhogo:n=8,Kaedi:n=7).Results:The study demonstrated that schistosomiasis is not well known by the communities;64.1%claimed to know the causes of the disease,but the reality is different.This knowledge is more from cultural than biomedical source.It was observed that social construction of the disease is different from the biomedical definition.In Korhogo,schistosomiasis was often associated with several other diseases,notably stomach ulcer and gonorrhoea.The populations believe that schistosomiasis is caused by exposure to goat or dog urine in the environment.In Kaedi,schistosomiasis is considered as a disease transmitted by environmenal elements such as sunshine and dirty water.In both settings,the care-seeking pathways were found to be strongly influenced by local customs and self-medication acquired from the informal sector.Conclusions:This study revealed that knowledge about the aetiology,transmission,symptoms,prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis among the populations in Korhogo and Kaedi is based on their local culture.Deep-rooted habits could therefore pose a significant obstacle to the elimination of schistosomiasis.
文摘An assessment method for the quality of service （QoS） of virtual knowledge communities （VKC） is proposed based on fuzzy theory and analytic hierarchy process （AHP）. The QoS is evaluated in terms of Website design, reliability, responsiveness, trust, personalization, and information quality. The cognitive QoS and the QoS evaluated by assessors are compared to analyze which QoS of the VKC should be improved urgently and which indicators keep leading positions, and to assist administrators of the VKC on measuring and understanding current status and implementation effect of the QoS.
文摘An important task in the period of 12th Five-year Plan is to promote innovation in research in philosophy and social sciences. In order to fulfill this task, we need to grasp the logic of the knowledge community, clear up value conflicts that hinder our progress, and map the route of system change in this field.
