Abstract

The study was carried out in the Gezira scheme to measure the impact of water borne diseases, Bilharzias on rural development in Gezira scheme. The study was established on the assumption that water borne diseases have a drastic effect on the farmer income due to his absence from work because of the above mentioned two diseases. A simple random multistage stratified sample was taken from farmers in the villages of the scheme (180) farmers to represent the research community. The study is based on the field information that was gathered by the questionnaire. Other secondary information was collected from scientific research works, books, Ministry of health documents, internet and the relevant institutions. In order to identify the impact of these diseases on rural farmer in Gezira scheme, variables that concern the farmer included age, level of education, annual income, the extent of his awareness of these diseases and the number of infections he has had and the type of treatment uses. Others like concern the farmer's livelihood like of health environment, health centers, drinking water and the role of the responsible authorities control and treatment of the diseases were included. Statistical analyses were conducted to display and interpret the data, chi-square was also used to identify the significant or non-significant relations.The study has established that diseases that spread in the Gezira region sometimes culminate to an epidemic level. Farmers in the Gezira scheme do not get enough health care whereas income from agricultural production is less than medical treatment expenses for most farmers. However, the role of the state in the control of these diseases in the region is weak. Chi-square analysis confirmed that there are significant relations between Bilharziasis infections and income level, its affect on agricultural activities of the farmer, the disease communicators existence, the available places of treatment, the role of state in control and treatment, levels of income from farming work and the cost of treatment of the diseases. There is also non-significant relation between Bilharsziasis infection and mortality rate due to its infection, infection and health care after the year, the cost of health services. The study has proposed a number of recommendations the most important of them are the establishment of cooperative health organization for the farmers in each division of the scheme region to work for the control and treatment of these diseases. Also more attention should be given to the social, economic, cultural and manpower development of the farmer of the Gezira scheme, being the real asset of rural development.

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