Original Research Article
Year: 2014 | Month: 12 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 20-25
Awareness and Knowledge of Konzo and Tropical Ataxic Neuropathy (TAN) Among Women in Andom Village - East Region, Cameroon
Esther Etengeneng Agbor 1, J Howard Bradbury2, Jean Pierre Banea3, Mbu Daniel Tambi4, A Desire Mintop5, Koulbout David6, R Mendounento7
1Senior Lecturer/researcher, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang – Cameroon
2Evolution, Ecology and Genetics Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia
3Programme National de Nutrition (PRONANUT), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
4Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Dschang, Cameroon
5Medical Doctor, Regional delegation of Ministry of Public health – Bertoua, East region - Cameroon
6Administrator/researcher, Regional delegation of Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation - Cameroon
7Medical personnel, Government health Centre – Andom, East Region – Cameroon.
ABSTRACT
Background: Konzo and Tropical Ataxic Neuropathy (TAN) are toxico – nutritional neurological diseases associated with sub-lethal and moderate dietary cyanide exposure respectively, resulting from the consumption of insufficiently processed cassava products. In Cameroon, the cassava growing and consuming rural communities appear to have little awareness and knowledge of these nutritional diseases.
Objective: To provide a preliminary insight into the awareness and knowledge of Konzo and TAN among rural women specifically in Andom village located in the East Region of Cameroon.
Methodology: A convenient sample of 57 women between the ages of 20 - 70 years from a cassava growing/consuming local community was surveyed about Konzo and TAN. In this survey, we used face to face interviewer - administered questionnaires to determine the type of cassava products/other carbohydrate-rich foods consumed, frequency of consumption, source of information on Konzo/TAN and level of understanding concerning the existence of cyanide in cassava products. Having heard of Konzo and TAN was defined as “awareness”. Abstinence from consuming raw cassava tubers, low frequency of consumption per week and knowing the importance of processing cassava tubers before consumption were defined as “knowledge”.
Results: The survey findings showed that all the interviewed women consumed cooked cassava tubers (100%), cassava leaves (100%) and cassava flour (100%). 15.79% of the women consumed miondo/bobolo while none (0%) consumed garri and wet fufu. 88% women consumed raw cassava tubers with 2%, 4%, 10% and 84% consuming it 1day, 2 days, 3 days and more than 3 days per week respectively. All the women (100%) never heard of Konzo/TAN and were all (100%) ignorant of the importance of processing cassava tubers before consumption. The findings also revealed moderate consumption of other carbohydrate-rich foods; yams (56%), cocoyams (49%), plantains (46%) and sweet potatoes (26%).
Conclusion: It is clear from our findings that the women were unaware of Konzo/TAN and had no knowledge of Konzo/TAN etiology and prevention. There is an urgent need for Cameroon government to put in place sensitization campaign activities about Konzo/TAN, symptoms, etiology and prevention especially for the cassava producing/consuming rural communities.
Key words: Cassava products; Konzo; TAN; Awareness; Knowledge; Women