Fight the parasite - Presentazione risultati preliminari a SoIPa 2022, Napoli

Fight the parasite, an edutainment project for cystic echinococcosis (CE) awareness campaign in primary schools

Varcasia A, Porcu F, Tamponi C, Dessì G, Cavallo L, Sini MF, Mencke N*, Scala A, Cantacessi C**
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, *Vetoquinol, France, **Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Keywords: cistic echinococcosis, Echinococcus granulosus, health communication, public engagement

Introduction Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the species complex Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.); CE represents a public health challenge and a socio–economic issue worldwide. Despite the long-term application of prevention and control measures that are primarily targeted to dog deworming, health education (He) and meat inspection, human CE remains a serious neglected zoonotic disease in many resource-poor pastoral regions (Craig et al., 2017, Adv Parasitol. 96:55-158). Successful CE eradication campaigns in other regions of the world have included He as a core component. Additional public engagement (PE) measures, including novel health educational tools, are required for more sustained integrated control of CE. Fight the parasite is a One Health PE pilot project, carried out by research groups from Cambridge, UK, and Sassari, Italy, involving primary schools of Sardinia (Italy), considered endemic region for CE. The aims of this project are to develop edutainment engaging resources explaining the cause of CE, routes of transmission and best control practices, assess current understanding of Sardinian schoolchildren regarding CE; deliver an interactive parasite awareness program using the developed interactive resources and evaluate the understanding of children involved. Materials and methods The study was conducted from March 2022 and May 2022, in Grade 6-10 schoolchildren (tot. 1,032) of 13 primary schools of the Municipalities of Sassari, Alghero, Bono, Benetutti, Nule, Bitti, Orune, Lula, Sorgono, Tortolì, Lotzorai, Girasole, Cagliari. The program involved the design, implementation and evaluation of a participatory awareness program on CE and PE activities. The schoolchildren’s previous knowledge regarding CE risks factors, were assessed in questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. The educational digital tool to prevent CE included a comic multilingual booklet with activities and games, a cartoon video (https://youtu.be/XTf3fTtmfA8), a teacher’s guidebook, participatory lessons and PE hands on activities. Results and conclusions The Fight the parasite project represents a tool of health communication that can readily be applied to a range of He activities. Authors assert that this strategy represents a solid complementary approach to existing CE control measures in Sardinia considering that was carried out in one of the areas with the highest incidence of CE (AIh11.9/105 inhabitants) (Brundu et al.,2014, Acta Trop.;140:91-6). In the seminar, more detailed results will be delivered from the ongoing campaign.

Acknowledgements: the project was partially supported by Vetoquinol

Live performace: Antonio Varcasia at XXXII Congress of the Italian Society of Parasitology (SoIPa), Naples, Italy - 27-30 June 2022