People with disabilities in Cabo Verde, an unresolved issue: HIV prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and practices.

This article provides evidence about profile of persons with disabilities in Cabo Verde, their Knowledge, attitudes and practice and their bio-behavioural vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The Cape verdian population was estimated to be 537,661 inhabitants in 2020, with an HIV prevalence of about 0.6% in the general population. Data were collected from 5 islands and 8 municipalities with a proportion of people with disabilities greater than or equal to 5%. A total of 682 persons participated in the study, and 653 People with Disabilities (PwDs) were tested for HIV. The HIV prevalence rate was 2.3% (3.5% in men; 1.7% in women), and the most prevalent type of virus is HIV1. Over 90% PwDs have access to information about HIV. Most of PwDs (85.8%) have had sex and known protection methods against HIV, although there are some misconceptions and beliefs. About 80.0% never participated in HIV/AIDS prevention activities, and 96.3% said that their participation gave them a better understanding about HIV and AIDS. About 79% were unaware of the existence of HIV care, support and prevention facilities, and 36.7% do not know of any place for HIV screening. This first study in Cabo Verde highlights the reality about PwDs social and environmental situation.

The prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the Cape Verdean population in the context of malaria elimination.

Cabo Verde aims to eliminate malaria by 2020. In the country, Plasmodium falciparum had been the main parasite responsible for indigenous cases and primaquine is the first line treatment of cases and for radical cure. However, the lack of knowledge of the national prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may be one of the constraints to the malaria elimination process. Hence, this first study determines the prevalence of G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) in the archipelago. Blood samples were collected from patients who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, in the health facilities of eight municipalities on four islands, tested with G6PD CareStart ™ deficiency Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT). All subjects found to be G6PDd by RDT then underwent enzyme quantification by spectrophotometry. Descriptive statistics and inferences were done using SPSS 22.0 software. A total of 5.062 blood samples were collected, in majority from female patients (78.0%) and in Praia (35.6%). The RDT revealed the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in 2.5% (125/5062) of the general population, being higher in males (5.6%) than in females (1,6%). The highest G6PDd prevalence was recorded in São Filipe, Fogo, (5.4%), while in Boavista no case was detected. The G6PDd activity quantification shown a higher number of partially deficient and deficient males (respectively n = 26 and n = 22) compared to females (respectively n = 18 and n = 7), but more normal females (n = 35) than males (n = 11). According to the WHO classification, most of the G6PDd cases belongs to the class V (34.5%), while the Classes II and I were the less represented with respectively 5.8% and zero cases. This study in Cabo Verde determined the G6PDd prevalence in the population, relatively low compared to other African countries. Further studies are needed to characterize and genotyping the G6PD variants in the country.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about malaria in Cabo Verde: a country in the pre-elimination context.

BACKGROUND: Malaria in Cape Verde is unstable, with a sporadic and seasonal transmission of low endemicity. In this sense, the community perceptions regarding malaria transmission, their attitudes and practices against the disease are very important to understand and to better develop the best strategical policies to achieve malaria elimination goal. This study aim to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Cape Verdean population about malaria, a country in the elimination step of disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional malaria KAP Survey was performed at the household level. A structured open questionnaire was developed and applied to residents of randomly selected households from 5 islands and 15 municipalities in Cape Verde. Correlation analyses were performed using a logistic regression model to determine the factors that are associated with the complete knowledge of the population about malaria. RESULTS: A total of 1953 fully completed questionnaires were analysed, with majority of questionnaires administered in Santiago island (68.3%), mainly in the capital city of Praia, 38.43%. About 88% of the population knew the correct form of transmission, 96% had knowledge that the entire population is at risk of malaria and identified the main symptoms. Regarding the attitudes, 58% seek treatment atthe nearest health structure upon the apparition of the symptoms, 64% in the first 24 h and 88% within the first 48 h. More than 97% have heard about mosquito nets but only 19% used it. In practice, 53% use coils, 45% rely on household sprays and 43% have benefited from IRS. About 90% received information about malaria from media, mainly the TV and the radio (83 and 43%, respectively). In summary, 54% of the population has complete knowledge of the disease. CONCLUSION: The population of Cape Verde has a high level of knowledge about malaria, including its transmission, main symptoms and preventive and control measures. However, some gaps and misunderstandings have been noticed and contribute to the insufficient community involvement in actions against malaria. Therefore, is necessary to increase the knowledge of the population, leading to their full ownership and participation in community actions to contribute to the malaria elimination in the country.