KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND INTESTINAL WORM INFECTION PREVENTION AMONG THE PEOPLE OF LWANIKA, MAYUGE DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA.

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.