Urinary schistosomiasis: knowledge, attitude and practices among school children in Mtera dam area, Mpwapwa district By Jane Michael

Abstract

Introduction and background Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of risk groups for urinary schistosomiasis are important aspects for control of the disease. However, knowledge,attitude and practices (KAP) of urinary schistosomiasis are poorly understood among primary school children which in turn increases the prevalence of the disease in endemic areas despite of MDA that takes place regulary. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of school children towards urinary schistosomiasis in Mtera damarea, Mpwapwa District. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in June 2011 among primary school children in Mtera ward in Mpwapwa District Dodoma.A multi stage simple random sampling techniques was conducted to select the names of four villages, four primary schools and 400 names of pupils who participated in the study. Structured questionares were used to collect information on knowledge ,attitude and preventive practices of urinary schistosomiasis. Results:In the study, 360(90%) of the respondents reported to have ever heard about urinary schistosomiasis and the common source of information was School 144(36%). 237(59.5%) of the respondents associated water contact behavior with urinary schistosomiasis transmission and about 200(50%) quotedhaematuria as the major thesymptom of the disease.About 45(11.25%) of the respondents reported to have ever urinated blood in urine (haematuria), and for those with history of haematuria there were no difference between the males and females . The control measures mentioned by 152(38%) pupils were in line with those recommended by WHO urinary schistosomiasis control strategies. Conclusion In conclusion, the study has identified a medium level of knowledge concerning urinary schistosomiasis transmission among primary school children in Mtera ward.This fair level of knowledge about urinary schistosomiasis need tobe addressed through intensive health education that should focus on the cause and means of transmission as well as the risk behaviours associated with the acquisition of the disease. There is a need for improved health education focusing on the transmission, preventive and control strategies of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in an area. Regular Praziquantel uptake coupled with proper health education will help to lower the prevalence of the disease in an area.