Abstract
Introductionhelminthic infections caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomes are among the most prevalent afflictions of humans who live in areas of poverty. An operational research was undertaken in 5 villages of Kwale County during a pilot control programme which included both the adults and school going children. Willingness of community members to participate in the treatment as well as in the research is critical. A cross sectional study sought to determine factors influencing community participation in control and related operational research and assess the treatment coverage for urogenital schistosomiasis and hookworms in rural villages of Kwale County.Methodscross-sectional survey utilized quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. A total of 220 households were recruited and household heads interviewed. Bivariate analysis was used to test association between different independent and dependent factors. Multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression to control for confounders and effect modification. Qualitative data was transcribed, coded and analyzed thematically.Resultsreligion and levels of income were significantly (P =0.04 and P = 0.026 respectively) associated with participation in the research and control programme, history of ever suffering from schistosomiasis and intestinal worms was found to be significantly (P = 0.008) associated with participation in the research. The study established that 82% (178) of the respondents received treatment for urogenital schistosomiasis and hookworms and 67% (146) of the respondents had participated in the research.Conclusionthis information will be useful in promoting health, enhancing learning and behaviour changes which will lead to increased community participation in similar disease control.
Highlights
Human helminthic infections exhibit over dispersed distribution so that most individuals harbor just a few worms, with a few hosts harboring large worm burdens
There was a significant relationship between the average monthly income earned by the respondents and their participation in research (χ2= 11.013, df =4, P = 0.026) with those earning higher income being likely to participate in the research compared to those who earned less
Religion was significantly associated with participation in research for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) (P = 0.041), with Muslims being 0.485 times more likely to participate in the research compared to Christians
Summary
Human helminthic infections exhibit over dispersed distribution so that most individuals harbor just a few worms, with a few hosts harboring large worm burdens. About 20% of the host population harbors approximately 80 percent of the worm population [1] This over dispersion has many consequences, because heavily infected individuals are simultaneously at highest risk of disease and the major source of environmental contamination, mainly the intensity of infection that determines the severity of morbidity [2]. Community health-promotion research previously had focused on the outcomes of capacity building interventions and not on barriers of interventions. This lack of attention results in poor understanding of community participation and other factors may affect program implementation and their relationship to program outcomes [6]. Clarifying these factors may help practitioners implement more effective community based interventions
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