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Awareness and perception of invasive fungal diseases among the Nigerian population

Summary

This study found that very few Nigerians (only about 19%) are aware of serious fungal infections like candidiasis and aspergillosis, and most people don’t understand how dangerous these diseases can be. The researchers surveyed over 1,200 people and discovered that people with more education and higher incomes were more likely to know about these infections. The findings suggest that Nigeria urgently needs public health campaigns and education programs to help people recognize fungal diseases early so they can get proper treatment.

Background

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) cause significant morbidity and mortality globally, yet remain under-recognized by the public and health authorities. Despite being comparable to tuberculosis and malaria in mortality burden, fungal diseases receive relatively little attention and resources, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

Objective

To determine the level of awareness and perception of invasive fungal diseases among the Nigerian population across three states (Lagos, Oyo, and Cross River).

Results

Only 19.3% of participants were aware of IFDs, with invasive candidiasis being the most recognized (9.8%) and mucormycosis the least (4.7%). Two-thirds of participants (66.1%) had poor perception of fungal diseases. Tertiary education and higher household income were significantly associated with better awareness and perception of IFDs.

Conclusion

Awareness and perception of invasive fungal infections among the Nigerian population are low, indicating a critical need for public health awareness campaigns and education initiatives. The study provides baseline data highlighting the importance of targeted educational interventions to improve recognition and early diagnosis of IFDs in Nigeria.
  • Published in:Journal of Public Health in Africa,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional survey,
  • Source: PMID: 41200522, DOI: 10.4102/jphia.v16i1.1323
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