Rajab Salma Khamis, Bakuza Jared Sylivester
Department of Zoology & Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Vikunguni Secondary School, P. O. Box 203, Chake Chake Pemba, Tanzania.
East Afr Health Res J. 2024;8(1):1-12. doi: 10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.742. Epub 2024 Mar 28.
Lack of insight into the community's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding schistosomiasis stands as a significant obstacle in controlling the disease in endemic regions. Understanding communities' KAP is crucial for designing and implementing appropriate disease control measures. The present study was conducted to assess community's KAP on shistosomiasis in Pujini, Pemba.
A total of 328 respondents aged 7 to 79 years were selected from schools and the general community using systematic random sampling method. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to capture communities' KAP and personal experiences and participants' demographic characteristics.
Most participants demonstrated awareness of schistosomiasis, including its transmission, symptoms and preventive measures, although they struggled to distinguish between urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis. The majority displayed positive attitudes toward the disease, yet over half of them (59.1%) believed that the disease could not re-occur after initial treatment. Notably, older people were significantly less knowledgeable than their younger counterparts (ƴ = 41.982, df = 5, ) while farmers were also significantly more knowledgeable than other occupational groups like fishermen, livestock keepers and house wives (ƴ = 36.194, df = 4, ).
Community's knowledge about schistosomiasis decreased with increasing age likely due to low levels of education among adults and their poor attendance to health education meetings and campaigns. Despite positive attitudes and awareness toward schistosomiasis, a significant portion of the population continue to be engaged in risky activities such as water contact and poor sanitation practices. Efforts to enhance knowledge, foster positive attitudes, and encourage good practices remains crucial for the successful control and eventual elimination of schistosomiasis.
对社区关于血吸虫病的知识、态度和行为（KAP）缺乏了解，是流行地区控制该疾病的重大障碍。了解社区的KAP对于设计和实施适当的疾病控制措施至关重要。本研究旨在评估奔巴岛普吉尼社区对血吸虫病的KAP。
采用系统随机抽样方法，从学校和普通社区中选取了328名年龄在7至79岁之间的受访者。通过问卷调查、面对面访谈和焦点小组讨论（FGD）收集数据，以了解社区的KAP、个人经历和参与者的人口统计学特征。
大多数参与者对血吸虫病有一定认识，包括其传播途径、症状和预防措施，尽管他们难以区分泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病和肠道血吸虫病。大多数人对该疾病持积极态度，但超过一半的人（59.1%）认为初次治疗后疾病不会复发。值得注意的是，老年人的知识水平明显低于年轻人（ƴ = 41.982，自由度 = 5， ），而农民的知识水平也明显高于渔民、牲畜饲养员和家庭主妇等其他职业群体（ƴ = 36.194，自由度 = 4， ）。
社区对血吸虫病的了解随着年龄增长而减少，这可能是由于成年人教育水平低以及他们参加健康教育会议和活动的积极性不高。尽管对血吸虫病持积极态度并有所认识，但仍有很大一部分人口继续从事诸如接触水和卫生习惯不良等危险活动。加强知识、培养积极态度和鼓励良好行为对于成功控制并最终消除血吸虫病仍然至关重要。
