Journal article
Knowledge, attitude and practices towards cryptosporidium among public swimming pool patrons and staff in Western Australia
Acta Parasitologica
2021
Abstract
Purpose
There is a dearth of research conducted on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of swimming pool patrons and staff to determine their understanding of the importance of Cryptosporidium and its transmission in swimming pools.
Methods
We conducted a KAP survey of public swimming pool patrons (n = 380) and staff (n = 40) attending five public swimming pools in Western Australia (WA).
Results
Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Cryptosporidium varied between patrons and staff but were generally limited. Only 26.1% and 25.0% of patrons and staff had heard of Cryptosporidium, while 17.4% and 10.0% knew that it causes diarrhoea, respectively. Thirty-one percent of patrons were aware of their pool policy concerning gastroenteritis and Cryptosporidium, compared to 62.5% of staff. Less than 50% of patrons demonstrated awareness of how features within the pool environment were relevant to the control of Cryptosporidium. Only about a third of patrons (35%) and staff (37.5%) were aware that showering before swimming reduced the risk of gastroenteritis.
Conclusion
Raising awareness about hygiene-related practices through the delivery of targeted health education messages to the general public is essential to reduce the burden of Cryptosporidium infections in aquatic environments.
Details
- Title
- Knowledge, attitude and practices towards cryptosporidium among public swimming pool patrons and staff in Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- K. Braima (Author/Creator)S. Harvie (Author/Creator)I. Trew (Author/Creator)H. Tan (Author/Creator)C. Gore (Author/Creator)A. Zahedi (Author/Creator)C. Oskam (Author/Creator)S. Lawler (Author/Creator)S. Reid (Author/Creator)U. Ryan (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Acta Parasitologica
- Publisher
- Polska Akademia Nauk
- Identifiers
- 991005540296807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases
- 1.246.985 Cryptosporidium
- Web Of Science research areas
- Parasitology
- Veterinary Sciences
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Microbiology