Practices Regarding Helminth Infections: The Study at A District in Ghana

Abstract

Soil Transmitted Helminths Infestations (STHIs) harm both the health and wellbeing of adults and children. Worm infestation can be described as the infection of internal organ tract with any of many species of helminths or parasitic worms such as Ascaris (Round worm), Enterobius (Pin worm), Trichinella spiralis and numerous species of Cestodes (Tape worm). The aim of the study was to obtain the knowledge, perception and practices regarding helminth infections amongst the people of Prampram. This study was a cross-sectional study in which a structured questionnaire was administered by the researchers to obtain socio-demographic data and knowledge regarding the subject matter. The study population involved 400 respondents from Prampram. A random sampling technique was used to select the sample and analysed by SPSS software version 14. Results showed that out of the 400 respondents, 230 males (57.5%) and the rest females, 302 respondents were not married and 290 people (72.5 %) had attained tertiary level of education. There was a higher frequency of the use of worm medication between the ages of 15 and 24 as compared to the other age groups and a greater level of education was associated with a higher level of knowledge of worm- infestation and medication use. Out of the 400 respondents, (362)90.6% had used worm medication before whiles the rest have not. All the respondents had a knowledge of at least one sign or symptom of worm infestation. There was a higher frequency of worm medication use and knowledge of the signs and symptoms of worm infestation between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Majority (36.5%) of the respondents who use worm medication resorted to (Albendazole) in treating worm infestation. There was an observed association between the socio-demographic factors of age and level of education and the knowledge of worm infestation and the practices associated with use of worm medication.