Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF INTESTINAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN BUSIA DISTRICT OF UGANDA
Abstract
Objective: To elicit and understand peoples’ perceptions of intestinal schistosomiasis that is a
prerequisite for designing appropriate control strategies.
Design: Cross-sectional study using six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 432 semi-structured
interviews (SSIs).
Subjects: Community members in Busia district of Uganda.
Main outcome measures: Data was collected on causes, transmission, health seeking behaviour,
hygiene behaviour and on prevention/control strategies for schistosomiasis.
Results: The symptoms of early intestinal schistosomiasis were poorly understood whereas those
of late schistosomiasis were well appreciated. Cause and transmission of schistosomiasis were used
interchangeably and schistosomiasis was mainly thought to be caused by drinking dirty or unboiled
water. Schistosomiasis was perceived to be a treatable disease and modern medicines were
said to be effective. Community members said that it is impossible to avoid contact with possible
sources of infection for schistosomiasis as the lake was linked to livelihood of people. The groups
that were particularly at increased risk of not participating in schistosomiasis prevention strategies
included women, the uneducated and those involved in subsistence agriculture.
Conclusions: In order to effectively control schistosomiasis in this district, there is need to adapt
prevention and control strategies to peoples’ livelihoods. There is also need to target the less
advantaged groups (women, uneducated and subsistence farmers) for intense health education
strategies aimed at increasing participation in the control of schistosomiasis.
prerequisite for designing appropriate control strategies.
Design: Cross-sectional study using six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 432 semi-structured
interviews (SSIs).
Subjects: Community members in Busia district of Uganda.
Main outcome measures: Data was collected on causes, transmission, health seeking behaviour,
hygiene behaviour and on prevention/control strategies for schistosomiasis.
Results: The symptoms of early intestinal schistosomiasis were poorly understood whereas those
of late schistosomiasis were well appreciated. Cause and transmission of schistosomiasis were used
interchangeably and schistosomiasis was mainly thought to be caused by drinking dirty or unboiled
water. Schistosomiasis was perceived to be a treatable disease and modern medicines were
said to be effective. Community members said that it is impossible to avoid contact with possible
sources of infection for schistosomiasis as the lake was linked to livelihood of people. The groups
that were particularly at increased risk of not participating in schistosomiasis prevention strategies
included women, the uneducated and those involved in subsistence agriculture.
Conclusions: In order to effectively control schistosomiasis in this district, there is need to adapt
prevention and control strategies to peoples’ livelihoods. There is also need to target the less
advantaged groups (women, uneducated and subsistence farmers) for intense health education
strategies aimed at increasing participation in the control of schistosomiasis.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
