02054nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653002400054653005700078653004000135100001500175700001500190700001600205700002100221700001400242700001600256700001600272700001500288245012100303856006700424300000800491490000600499520126900505022001401774       2022                            d  bMDPI AG10aInfectious Diseases10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Immunology and Microbiology1 aMwiinde AM1 aSimuunza M1 aNamangala B1 aChama-Chiliba CM1 aMachila N1 aAnderson NE1 aAtkinson PM1 aWelburn SC00aHealthcare Management of Human African Trypanosomiasis Cases in the Eastern, Muchinga and Lusaka Provinces of Zambia  uhttps://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/7/10/270/pdf?version=1664432536  a2700 v73 a<p>Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease that has not received much attention in Zambia and most of the countries in which it occurs. In this study, we assessed the adequacy of the healthcare delivery system in diagnosis and management of rHAT cases, the environmental factors associated with transmission, the population at risk and the geographical location of rHAT cases. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted among the affected communities and health workers. The study identified 64 cases of rHAT, of which 26 were identified through active surveillance and 38 through passive surveillance. We identified a significant association between knowledge of the vector for rHAT and knowledge of rHAT transmission (p &lt; 0.028). In all four districts, late or poor diagnosis occurred due to a lack of qualified laboratory technicians and diagnostic equipment. This study reveals that the current Zambian healthcare system is not able to adequately handle rHAT cases. Targeted policies to improve staff training in rHAT disease detection and management are needed to ensure that sustainable elimination of this public health problem is achieved in line with global targets.</p>
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