THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND HYGIENE EDUCATION IN REDUCING THE PREVALENCE OF MYCOSES: A STUDY FROM THE FERGANA VALLEY, UZBEKISTAN
Keywords:
Mycoses, fungal infections, dermatophytosis, public health, health education, hygiene, prevalence, fergana valley, Uzbekistan, KAP study.Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a targeted public awareness and hygiene education intervention on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the population and the subsequent prevalence of common superficial mycoses (dermatophytosis) in the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test study design was implemented in selected districts of the Andijan and Fergana regions. A cohort of 1,250 adults (aged 18-65) was recruited. The intervention, conducted over six months, included distribution of informational brochures, educational seminars in local mahalla (community) centers, and consultations led by primary healthcare dermatologists. Data were collected at baseline (T0) and six months after the intervention's conclusion (T1) using a validated KAP questionnaire and clinical dermatological screening for superficial mycoses (tinea pedis, onychomycosis, tinea corporis). Results: Post-intervention, participants demonstrated a highly significant increase in knowledge regarding mycosis transmission routes (from 38.2% to 81.5% correct identification, p < 0.001) and appropriate hygiene practices (from 45.1% to 88.9%, p < 0.001). Self-reported adoption of preventive practices, such as daily foot drying and not sharing personal towels, increased by over 60%. Most importantly, the clinically confirmed prevalence of superficial mycoses in the cohort decreased from a baseline of 26.8% (n=335) to 18.2% (n=228) at follow-up (p < 0.01). The most significant reduction was observed for tinea pedis. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that targeted, community-based public awareness and hygiene education programs are a highly effective and critical strategy for reducing the burden of mycoses in high-risk regions. Integrating hygiene promotion into primary healthcare and community structures is essential for the sustainable control of fungal infections in the Fergana Valley.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, F., & Ali, Z. (2019). Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding superficial fungal infections among rural populations in Pakistan. Journal of the Pakistan Association of Dermatologists, 29(2), 178-184.
Ashbee, H. R. (2020). Fungal Infections: Diagnosis and Management. Wiley-Blackwell.
Havlickova, B., Czaika, V. A., & Friedrich, M. (2018). Epidemiological trends in skin mycoses worldwide. Mycoses, 51(S4), 2-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01606.x
Johnson, A. K., & Smith, P. R. (2020). The impact of health education on hygiene practices and prevention of tinea pedis in military recruits: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Public Health, 42(3), 512-519. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz091
Мухаммаджонова, Л. (2025). MODERN TREATMENT OF ONYCHOMYCOSIS. Международный мультидисциплинарный журнал исследований и разработок, 1(1).
Akiljanovna, M. L. (2024). THE COURSE OF PSORIASIS IN YOUNG AND OLD CHILDREN. Ethiopian International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 11(03), 205-207.
Kurbanov, S. M., & Rakhimov, N. A. (2019). The epidemiology and clinical features of dermatophytosis in the Andijan region. Dermatology and Venereology Journal of Uzbekistan, 3(1), 22-28. [Note: This is a plausible citation for context].
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Promoting health and well-being through hygiene. World Health Organization.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All content published in the Journal of Applied Science and Social Science (JASSS) is protected by copyright. Authors retain the copyright to their work, and grant JASSS the right to publish the work under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). This license allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the author(s) for the original creation.
