Knowledge and perceptions about schistosomiasis among primary school children and teachers in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

Edmore Mazani,Myra Taylor,Patricia D Ndhlovu,Eyrun F Kjetland

doi:10.4102/sajid.v35i1.126

Abstract

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. In 2014, over 258 million people worldwide required treatment for the disease. Schistosomiasis is known to be prevalent in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, especially among school-going children but less is known about their knowledge of the disease and their attitude towards being treated for the disease at school.MethodsThe study was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey conducted through self-administered questionnaires among grades 5 and 7 learners from 10 randomly selected rural primary schools in iLembe and uThungulu, KwaZulu-Natal. Teachers from the same schools participated during the same period.ResultsA total of 730 learners and 78 teachers took part in the study. Among the learners, 73.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.7% – 76.4%) correctly identified freshwater contact as a risk for schistosomiasis, but only 42.7% (95% CI: 38.8% – 46.8%) knew how to prevent it. Among the teachers, 96.8% (95% CI: 87.8% – 99.4%) knew the risk and 69.0% (95% CI: 55.3%– 80.1%) knew the prevention of schistosomiasis. Almost 70% (95% CI: 65.9% – 72.8%) of the learners and 67.6% (95% CI: 42.1% – 65.6%) of the teachers reported their willingness to receive treatment with praziquantel at school.ConclusionThis study showed that basic knowledge about the risk of schistosomiasis among the participants was high, but the cause and prevention of the disease were less well understood. There is need to include schistosomiasis in health education both at school and through community awareness programmes.

Highlights

IntroductionSchistosomiasis ( called bilharzia) is a disease caused by parasitic trematode worms (schistosomes) of the genus Schistosoma
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma
These findings were similar to the study that was conducted in Lowveld Swaziland in 2014 among grades 5–7.16 That study found that 74% of the learners correctly identified dams and rivers as a risk factor for getting schistosomiasis

Summary

Introduction

Schistosomiasis ( called bilharzia) is a disease caused by parasitic trematode worms (schistosomes) of the genus Schistosoma. More than 258 million people worldwide required treatment for schistosomiasis in 2014.1 Of these, more than 90% live in Africa.[2] In South Africa (SA), it is estimated that 5.2 million people need treatment for schistosomiasis and KwaZuluNatal (KZN) province is one of the worst affected areas with a schistosomiasis prevalence of between 22% and 55% in children.[1,2] Affected children may suffer from poor growth and impaired cognitive development.[3] Urinary schistosomiasis may cause haematuria, pain during urination (dysuria), lesions in the bladder, anaemia, malnutrition, lethargy and longer term kidney failure, leading to an increased risk of bladder cancer and reproductive tract morbidity that may lead to infertility.[4] Women may suffer from female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and be at risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).[4] Schistosomiasis infection disrupts school attendance and classroom attention, along with a range of social, psychological and long-term economic consequences.[4,5,6,7,8] The prevalence and intensity of infection peak in the 10- to 14-year age group.[5]. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is known to be prevalent in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, especially among school-going children but less is known about their knowledge of the disease and their attitude towards being treated for the disease at school

Results

Discussion

Conclusion