Community’s awareness about intestinal schistosomiasis and the prevalence of infection in two endemic localities of Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROU D:Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni(S. mansoni) infection is a widely distributed disease in several localities of Ethiopia. However, very limited information is available on the level of community's awareness about the disease. The aim of this study was to assess community's awareness about intestinal schistosomiasis as well as the prevalence of the disease in two rural communities of Ethiopia. METHODS:In June 2004, a cross-sectional study on awareness and prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was conducted in rural communities living in Dudicha and Shesha Kekel peasant associations. RESULTS: Among 176 respondents from Dudicha, only 45 (25.6%) individuals heard about Bilharzia. Similarly, among 241 respondents from Shesha Kekel only 78 (32.4%) subjects heard about Bilharzia. The proportion of males who heard about Bilharzia was higher than that of females both in Dudicha (38% vs 7%, p< 0.001) and Shesha Kekel (51.6% vs 20%, p< 0.001). There was no significant difference in level of awareness about schistosomiasis between the two communities (Dudicha, 25. 6% vs Shesha Kekel, 32.4%, p> 0.05). Only 1(0.6%) individual from Dudicha and 6(2.5%) participants from Shesha Kekel had knowledge of the intermediate host. The prevalence of the disease was 43.2% in Dudicha and 31.6% in Shesha Kekel. The prevalence of infection was higher in males than in females in Dudicha community (56.7% vs 21.5%, p< 0.05). CO CLUSIO : Although the disease was prevalent in the two sites, majority of the people had no awareness about schistosomiasis. Therefore, provision of health education could raise community's awareness of schistosomiasis in such endemic areas of the country.

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to schistosomiasis and associated healthcare-seeking behaviours in northern Côte d’Ivoire and southern Mauritania

“…Generally, the results around people’s knowledge in both settings are in line with those from studies conducted in Ethiopia, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire; these focused on perceptions of the general population and found low levels of knowledge about the disease even in endemic areas [ 17 , 21 , 24 ]. However studies in other schistosomiasis-endemic areas have found a general high level of awareness of schistosomiasis.…”

“…Kaédi is located at 6°09′02” N and 13°30′ 20” W at the bank of the Senegal River. It is the main town of the Gorgol region, with a (no census data available) population estimated at 121000 inhabitants in 2013 [ 20 , 21 ]. The Kaédi population is composed of several ethnic groups, namely Halpulaar, Moors, Soninké and Wolof.…”

“…The number of households was selected randomly from each town. The sample size N was calculated using the following formula [ 21 , 23 ]:…”

Low Levels of Awareness Despite High Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Communities in Nyalenda Informal Settlement, Kisumu City, Western Kenya

“…This was similar to findings of a study done in Ethiopia [18]. In our study, drinking contaminated water was perceived to be the major cause of the infection thus avoiding it was considered a powerful prevention tool.…”

Clinico-epidemiology, malacology and community awareness of Schistosoma mansoni in Haradenaba and Dertoramis kebeles in Bedeno district, eastern Ethiopia

“…This finding was comparable with two surveys conducted among rural communities in Shesha Kekel, Wondo Genet district and Sille-Elgo area found in Gofa Zone in the Southern Nations and Nationalities Regional State, which reported a prevalence rate of 31.6%. 19 , 20 This study showed a lower prevalence rate of S. mansoni infection compared with other surveys conducted among communities from different parts of Ethiopia; in Dudicha community found in Ziway Dugda, Bora district (43.2%), Kemise which is found in Oromia Nationality Administrative Zone of the Amhara Regional State (89.6%), Wondo Genet which is found in western Arsi in Oromia Regional State (59.9%), and Waja-Timuga which is found in southern Tigray, northern Ethiopia (73.9%). 19 – 21 But higher prevalence rate of S. mansoni infection compared with other survey conducted among communities in Jimma town (26.3 %).…”