The use of a documentary drama film to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice of an endemic village population towards mycetoma at Sennar State, Sudan

ABSTRACT

Background: Mycetoma is a badly neglected tropical disease, characterised by enormous deformities, disfigurement and disabilities if untreated early. Frequently, the majority of the mycetoma patients present late with advanced disease, and the only available treatment for them will be amputation of the affected part. Aim: This study aimed at producing a health promoting film to be used to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of a targeted population in one of the mycetoma endemic villages at Sennar State, Sudan.Materials and Methods: A 26 - minute drama film on a mycetoma patient journey from a small painless mass to advanced disease till lower limb amputation due to missinformation and negligence was performed. Professional actors and cinema work team were employed in the film production. It was filmed in one of the mycetoma endemic areas. A cohort of 250 individuals from two mycetoma endemic villages were included in this study. A closed ended pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from the targeted population. The collected data included demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards mycetoma. The data was collected before and after the film was shown.Results: In this study, 218/250 responded to the questionnare with a response rate of 87%. Fifty-five percent of the respondents were males, 21.6% were farmers, 29.4% were students and 29.4% were unemployed.The film had improved the KAP of the targeted population hence it can be used as a health educational material in other mycetoma endemic areas in the Sudan