Abstract:
Schistosomiasis mainly affects people in poor rural communities of which Lwanika is among.
Despite interventions that have been made through mass drug administration by the ministry of health
and child days where there is countrywide treatment of intestinal worms with albendazole and
mebendazole, the prevalence of both infections remains relatively high in Lwanika. This study sought to
provide information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding schistosomiasis and intestinal
worm infection prevention which can be useful to implementers to overcome the barriers that are
associated with knowledge, attitude and practices regarding schistosomiasis infection prevention among
the people of Lwanika.
Methodology.
A descriptive survey research design was adopted in this study, the study included 360 participants, the
participants were selected using systematic random sampling. The research instrument that was used in
the study is a questionnaire designed with open ended questions to collect exploratory data and closed
ended questions to acquire quantitative data.
Results.
Knowledge.
On knowledge regarding prevention of schistosomiasis, most individuals suggested drinking boiled
water followed by avoiding contact with infected water and using a latrine. There are even those that
think nothing can be done to prevent these diseases and those that do not know. When it comes to
knowledge regarding transmission of schistosomiasis and intestinal worms, majority are aware of how
schistosomiasis and intestinal worms are transmitted even though there are still members who think
that the disease is transmitted through air, touching dirty things, playing sex and hugging
Attitudes
The majority of the respondents believed that the tablets for treatment of both schistosomiasis and
intestinal worms are useful and this means the majority would willingly seek treatment, it's only a few
individuals who need more health education especially those that thought that the treatment is not
effective as well as those who completely did not know what to do.
Practices.
When it comes to practice, 86% of the respondents mentioned at least one activity which made them
come into contact with water, some of the respondents had confessed not having a latrine and of those
that had, some were not using them at all times
Conclusion.
4
The knowledge attitudes and practices of the people of Lwanika in regards to schistosomiasis and
intestinal worms plays a significant role in the prevention, transmission and treatment of these diseases
and therefore health education to enhance knowledge, attitude and practices should be one of the cores
of fighting these diseases on top of treatment.
