Knowledge and practice towards Urinary Schistosomiasis in Paikon-Kore, Gwagwalada, Abuja-FCT, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis continues to pose public health challenge remarkably in rural communities that lack safe source of water. Knowledge and practices of urinary schistosomiasis among risk groups is important for its control. This study was set to determine the knowledge and practices towards urinary schistosomiasis in Paikon-Kore, Gwagwalada Area Council.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 randomly selected participants. Pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices of urinary schistosomiasis from the participants.

Three hundred and fifty (90.9%) participants were aware of urinary schistosomiasis mainly through school (29%) and elders in the community (29%). Two hundred and twenty (57.1%) participants knew that contact with infested stream increase the chances of disease transmission and 200 (51.9%) reported hematuria as the main symptom of urinary schistosomiasis. One hundred and eighty (46.8%) participants knew the causative agent of schistosomiasis and 94.3% believe it is curable. The participants were not willing to avoid fishing / farming to prevent urinary schistosomiasis. One hundred and twenty (31.2%) had experienced haematuria but only half of them sought treatment from health facility. Two hundred and forty six (64%) participants lack safe source of water while 275 (70%) lack appropriate means of faecal disposal.

Despite some level of knowledge of urinary schistosomiasis, poor attitudes and practices that enhanced transmission of the disease were widespread. Thus, there is need to provide alternatives to the stream water if the community is to be kept away from potential source of infection.

Keywords: knowledge, Practices, Urinary Schistosomiasis, Abuja, Nigeria