A qualitative exploration of the misconceptions, knowledge gaps and constructs of leptospirosis among rural and urban communities in Malaysia

作者：Sukeri Surianti^*; Idris Zawaha; Zahiruddin Wan Mohd; Shafei Mohd Nazri; Idris Norazlin; Hamat Rukman Awang; Jamaluddin Tengku Zetty Tengku; Osman Malina; Wahab Zainudin Abdul; Daud Aziah

来源：PLos One, 2018, 13(7): e0200871.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0200871

This qualitative study aimed to explore the misconceptions, knowledge gaps and constructs of leptospirosis among 72 respondents from rural and urban districts in two states of Malaysia. We conducted focus group discussions and data were examined using thematic analyses. The layman term of 'rat urine disease' contributed the most to the misconceptions regarding leptospirosis. There were gaps in the knowledge among urban and rural respondents in the two states, with the majority of subjects demonstrating a poor understanding of the disease. Construction of knowledge about leptospirosis relied mostly on the information provided by mass and social media; reading materials; word-of-mouth publicity; observations; experiences; and knowledge sharing among families, friends, and communities. The study findings may provide the foundation for the development of educational materials that may reduce the gaps in knowledge, and thereby improve health literacy and enhance preventive health behaviours for avoiding leptospirosis.

• 出版日期2018-7-18