Home Institution
Vanderbilt University
Publication Date
Fall 2019
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis is considered one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most effective strategy for schistosomiasis control is through preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ). In order to successfully control morbidity rates, the WHO recommends mass treatment targeting high risk groups, such as school-age children and adults considered to be at risk.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the effects of the National School-Based Deworming Programme (NSBDP) on knowledge of schistosomiasis and subsequent prevalence rates and intensity. A total of 43 residents in Luanda K’Otieno were interviewed, and 34 of those participants provided stool samples for schistosomiasis diagnosis. Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the stool samples were evaluated using the Kato-Katz technique.
Results and Conclusions: Of the 34 participants who provided stool samples for diagnosis, 13 were positive for S. mansoni infection. The results did not reveal any correlation between the prevalence or intensity of infection and the level of education completed, extent of knowledge on the disease, or occupational risk. The study did determine that the higher of education achieved, the greater the knowledge on schistosomiasis; however, school education was not the primary means of knowledge acquisition. 45.2% of the knowledgeable participants were educated through participation in previous KEMRI studies, and 22.6% were educated through others who were involved in those studies. There were also significant problems discovered based on participants’ personal accounts in particular regarding the unreliability of organizations such as KEMRI.
Disciplines
African Studies | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Infectious Disease | Medical Pathology | Parasitic Diseases | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Pediatrics | Preventive Medicine | Tropical Medicine
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Kathy, "Bridging the gap on schistosomiasis: A cross-sectional study examining the knowledge gap and common attitudes and practices regarding S. mansoni infections among varying education levels in Luanda K’Otieno, western Kenya" (2019). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3129.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3129
Included in
African Studies Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Infectious Disease Commons, Medical Pathology Commons, Parasitic Diseases Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons, Tropical Medicine Commons
Program Name
Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights