Assessment of knowledge of transmission of Schistosomiasis and associated factors among the people of Mwaluphamba Location, Kwale County-Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the knowledge level of schistosomiasis transmission and other associated factors amongst the people of Mwaluphamba Location of Kwale County. A cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample size of 338 respondents. Results showed that majority of the respondents (98%) knew about schistosomiasis but most (71%) had no knowledge about infection transmission. 359 (94%) respondents knew of signs of blood in urine as the main symptom of schistosomiasis. A few (10%) of the respondents had access to safe water for domestic use. Sixty three percent of schistosomiasis infections occurred during the wet season and a 69% of the people in the area had contact with domestic water activities more than four times a week. In conclusion, the level of knowledge of transmission of schistosomiasis was quite low and there was a direct link between water-contact activities and transmission of urinary schistosomiasis. The community needs to be made aware of the modes of transmission of schistosomiasis infection through health education and strategies be developed to ensure the community can access safe water.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis, knowledge, transmission, Kwale County