Disease Trends and Reassessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Stakeholders in Trypanosomiasis-Prone Areas of Malawi: A One Health Perspective

Background: Trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosomaparasites, transmitted primarily by the tests f ly vector and, in some instances, by other biting insects. In Sub-Saharan Af rica, both the human and animal f orms of the disease pose serious challenges, as they hinder agricultural productivity, af fect humanhealth, and impede national development. In Malawi, the three pillars of Vision 2063—agricultural productivity and commercialization, industrialization, and urbanization—may be signif icantly af f ected by the continued presence of trypanosomiasis, compromising the nation’s long-term developmentalgoals. Objective: To review disease trends by comparing prevalence data and assessing stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in trypanosomiasis-prone areas of Malawi, in order to inf orm prevention and control ef f orts.Methods: Peer-reviewed articles written in English were retrieved f rom various databases using targeted search phrases related to trypanosomiasis, disease prevalence, and KAP in Malawi. Retrieved studies were examined to map disease hotspots and characterize each f ocus area based on stakeholders’ KAP.Results: Thisreviewhas revealedthat knowledge gaps regarding trypanosomiasis significantly influence stakeholders’ attitudes and practices toward its prevention and control. These gaps contribute to sustained disease prevalence across trypanosomiasis-prone areas of Malawi.Conclusion: Strengthening community awareness and education campaigns could reduce knowledge gaps, improve attitudes and practices, and ultimately enhance the ef f ectiveness of trypanosomiasis prevention and control ef f orts in Malawi and other endemic regions.