DETERMINING THE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS OF A PROPOSED SCHISTOSOMIASIS HEALTH EDUCATION INTERVENTION IN EGGUA, YEWA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE NIGERIA
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Date
2017-02-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Global Health
Abstract
Background The role of health education in the control of
schistosomiasis cannot be over-emphasised. Central to its utility
is an understanding of the way a community perceives, understands
and can explain how schistosomiasis occurs among them.
Methods In order to study the environmental, social and cultural
determinants of continued schistosomiasis prevalence in
Eggua, we administered a semi-structured questionnaire to 371
adults and 265 children between November 2012 and
December 2015. We asked questions about their occupation,
present and previous water contact pattern, knowledge of schistosomiasis,
sanitation, smoking and alcohol behaviour and
length of residence in the village.
Results The respondents ranged in age from 35 to above 60
years; 45% had no schooling and 30% had a least a primary
education. Most were farmers (48%) and traders (30%) with a
small number (2%) of fisher-folk and had been at this work for
more than 15 years. The majority (93%) were Christian, of a
denomination in which members spend long periods in the river
praying. The rivers are the main source of water for a large
number of respondents (63%). Water contact is frequent: 90%
go at least daily to the rivers. All the respondents worked at
non-itinerant jobs. Despite the research surveys were taking
place in Yewa since 2009, 90% of respondents did not know the
cause of blood in urine and self-reported haematuria was low
(4.6%). Many homes did not have a latrine. Children respondents
also didn’t have knowledge of the cause of schistosomiasis
(60%); those who had heard about it were not well educated on
ways to avoid being infected; and 83% did not know they could
be re-infected after treatment.
Conclusions Formal health education initiatives for the control
of schistosomiasis in Eggua are imperative and these findings
should be taken into account in designing them.
Description
Staff Publication