For a Better Literacy of Tunisians in Eco-health: Leishmaniasis Case

Abstract

Background: In Tunisia, leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem. Climate changes, geographical extension of this zoonosis, high incidence and especially harms: functional, aesthetic, social, psychological are issues that question the Environmental and health education in schools. Methods: This study was conducted in two stages: First, a cross-sectional survey, which included Tunisian school students residing in different regions of the country. Second, a curricula analysis of Life Sciences related to infectious diseases prevention. Results: The results of the cross-sectional survey show low literacy scores toward leishmaniasis. The risk perception depends on geographical proximity, gender, media coverage, and didactic choices. Leishmaniasis was in the penultimate position in the classification of infectious diseases feared by secondary school students (2.6%). This disease interested more school students in the south of Tunisia than those in the north (7.5% vs. 4.2%, p < 0.05). Female students generally had a more acute perception of risk. They were more likely to perceive the possibility of contracting an infectious disease in everyday situations (24.8% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.05). Only 33% of students surveyed knew that the disease is parasitic. They had no specific knowledge on leishmaniasis or its transmission modes: cough (23%), sexual intercourse (19.3%), skin (37.3%), and food (29.8%). (26%) have reported that there is an effective treatment for leishmaniasis, whereas (12%) believed the opposite and more than half (62%) had no idea. Conclusion: Poor literacy is correlated with the absence of leishmaniasis in the Tunisian health education curriculum. Informing and mobilizing youth through promotional interventions adapted to the local situations and aiming to anticipate eco-health risks is essential.