Evaluation of knowledge level about leptospirosis in rural area 'San Gabriel del Baba”, Ecuador

Abstract

Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution, particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. In Ecuador, the incidence of this disease is high due to environmental and socioeconomic conditions favorable to its transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge about leptospirosis in the rural area of “San Gabriel del Baba,” in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador. A qualitative investigation with an action-research design was conducted, utilizing a structured survey of 27 questions administered to 110 residents of the rural area. The results revealed that, although 79 % of the respondents had heard of leptospirosis and 91 % understood its association with floods, there are significant gaps in knowledge about the vectors and symptoms of the disease. Only 77.9 % correctly identified rats as carriers, and a significant percentage did not recognize severe symptoms such as kidney damage. Additionally, 19.8 % of the respondents work in high-risk conditions, and 30.2 % do not use adequate personal protection. While the majority of the population has access to basic services, 16.3 % still lack these, increasing their risk of infection. Conclusions: Although there is a basic knowledge of leptospirosis in "San Gabriel del Baba," significant gaps remain that need to be addressed. Continuous education and improvements in access to basic services and personal protective equipment are required to mitigate the risks associated with this disease in the studied community.