The community knowledge, attitude and practices in the control of schistosomiasis in sub-counties bordering lake Victoria, Busia District Uganda.
Abstract
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Masters of Medicine in Public Health Degree of Makerere University.
Background: In Uganda schistosomiasis is distributed country wide along the main water bodies especially in lakes. Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of the people concerning the cause/transmission, manifestation, treatment and control of schistosomiasis in Busia District. Methodology: A cross sectional study done using 6 focus group discussions and 6 key informants. Interviews with purposely selected respondents. Results: Most of the community members could not differentiate between cause and transmission of schistosomiasis. Ninety seven percent of respondents said that schistosomiasis was transmitted through drinking dirty or un boiled water. Only (45.6%) of the respondents associate it water snail. A higher percentage (54.8%) of the people associated the symptoms of schistosomiasis with swelling of the abdomen. Only 40.2% of respondents perceived Bilharzia as a threat to the community. Schistosomiasis was universally (97% of respondents) perceived to be treatable. The community methods of control of schistosorniasis were drinking clean water (63.5%), avoid water contacts (41.4%), use latrine (29.8%) and keeping yourself clean 20.3%. Conclusions and recommendations: Many respondents had common knowledge of the presence of schistosomiasis. However, the knowledge on its transmission was found to be generally low and majority of the people still associate the disease with drinking dirty water.
Background: In Uganda schistosomiasis is distributed country wide along the main water bodies especially in lakes. Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of the people concerning the cause/transmission, manifestation, treatment and control of schistosomiasis in Busia District. Methodology: A cross sectional study done using 6 focus group discussions and 6 key informants. Interviews with purposely selected respondents. Results: Most of the community members could not differentiate between cause and transmission of schistosomiasis. Ninety seven percent of respondents said that schistosomiasis was transmitted through drinking dirty or un boiled water. Only (45.6%) of the respondents associate it water snail. A higher percentage (54.8%) of the people associated the symptoms of schistosomiasis with swelling of the abdomen. Only 40.2% of respondents perceived Bilharzia as a threat to the community. Schistosomiasis was universally (97% of respondents) perceived to be treatable. The community methods of control of schistosorniasis were drinking clean water (63.5%), avoid water contacts (41.4%), use latrine (29.8%) and keeping yourself clean 20.3%. Conclusions and recommendations: Many respondents had common knowledge of the presence of schistosomiasis. However, the knowledge on its transmission was found to be generally low and majority of the people still associate the disease with drinking dirty water.
Keywords
Bilharzia, Schistosomiasis, Lake Victoria, Busia District, Parasitic worms