The Menace of Schistosomiasis in Nigeria: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Schistosomiasis among Rural Communities in Kano State

Abstract

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is one of the most common neglected tropical diseases, especially in the developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America, with Nigeria having the greatest number of cases of schistosomiasis worldwide. This community-based study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding schistosomiasis among rural Hausa communities in Kano State, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 551 participants from Hausa communities in five local government areas in Kano State, North Central Nigeria. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information as well as KAP data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Moreover, faecal and urine samples were collected and examined for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium eggs respectively.ResultsThe overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 17.8%, with 8.9% and 8.3% infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium respectively, and 0.5% had co-infection of both species. Moreover, 74.5% of the participants had prior knowledge about schistosomiasis with 67.0% of them how it is transmitted and 63.8% having no idea about the preventive measures. Three-quarters of the respondents considered schistosomiasis a serious disease while their practices to prevent infections were still inadequate, with only 34.7% of them seeking treatment from clinics/hospitals. Significant associations between the KAP and age, gender, education and employment status were reported. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, history of infection and educational level of the respondents were the most important factors significantly associated with the KAP on schistosomiasis among this population.ConclusionsSchistosomiasis is still prevalent among Hausa communities in Nigeria and participants’ knowledge about the disease was poor. Mass drug administration, community mobilization and health education regarding the cause, transmission and prevention of schistosomiasis and education about good personal and sanitary hygiene practices should be considered in order to significantly reduce the prevalence and morbidity of infection within these communities.

Urinary Schistosomiasis among Children in Murbai and Surbai Communities of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

“…The present finding contrasts report of the Federal Ministry of Health which found low endemicity of schistosomiasis (5.6%) in nine LGAs of Taraba State [21]. Schistosomiasis infection level in the present study was significantly higher than findings in other parts of the state, 10.1% and 15.5% in Gashaka and Bali LGAs, respectively [6, 22], as well as 15.3% in a rural community of southwestern Ebonyi State [23] and 8.3% among Hausa communities of five LGAs in Kano State [24]. The infection level found in this study is also higher than 49.0% and 44.3% reported in Biase, Cross-River State [25], and Toto LGA, Nasarawa State [26], respectively, which are both neighbouring states to Taraba State.…”

Risk factors, symptoms and effects of urinary schistosomiasis on anthropometric indices of school children in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria

“…Some locations in Nigeria are highly endemic for urinary schistosomiasis with prevalence of about 50-80%; [15][16][17][18][19] a few other locations have 0-10% of the population infected. [20][21][22] The high number of light infection cases that occurred among the children was an indication of low intensity of the disease in the region. Heavy infections can only result from repeated exposures to schistosome cercariae in infested water.…”

“…However, schistosomiasis can affect the health condition of children; especially in the form of growth stunting and poor academic performance in school. [21][22][23] Some will miss school in the course of diagnosis and treatment.…”

Toward Health Management of Major Labour Force Generation by Using Infection Control Countermeasures for Haematobium Schistosomiasis –assumed to be related to occupational risk- in the Republic of Malawi

“…It should be noted that in a very-low egg positive prevalence settings, microhaematuria is an unstable manifestation for haematobium schistosomiasis and the treatment decision should not be based on the urine reagent strips results alone [44]; different kinds of examinations for differential diagnoses should be performed according to each disease condition. Despite the reported high rate of infection noted in the previous study, the tendency to seek medication from a medical facility is not substantial, with only 34.7% of the respondents seeking treatment for haematuria at the nearest medical facility [45]. If someone has symptoms but leaves the facility, the chain of chronic/repetitive schistosome infection can not be broken.…”