Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya?
Despite provision of preventive measures against schistosomiasis such as mass drug administration (MDA), the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni remains high in communities living near Lake Victoria. This study aimed to analyse the status of schistosomiasis, including its prevalence, health education,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2019-08-01
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| Series: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007572 |
| _version_ | 1819027187210125312 |
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| author | Rie Takeuchi Sammy M Njenga Yoshio Ichinose Satoshi Kaneko Crystal A Estrada Jun Kobayashi |
| author_facet | Rie Takeuchi Sammy M Njenga Yoshio Ichinose Satoshi Kaneko Crystal A Estrada Jun Kobayashi |
| author_sort | Rie Takeuchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite provision of preventive measures against schistosomiasis such as mass drug administration (MDA), the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni remains high in communities living near Lake Victoria. This study aimed to analyse the status of schistosomiasis, including its prevalence, health education, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among pupils, and water use in schools in Mbita situated along the shores of Lake Victoria. Four primary schools were selected as target schools and pupils in classes six and seven were recruited as study participants. The prevalence of S. mansoni was examined by Kato-Katz method. Simultaneously, a KAP survey toward schistosomiasis was conducted among the pupils. Health education contents were extracted from textbooks. All primary schools in the study site were surveyed regarding how each secured water used for daily school life. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 56% and 36% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 60-70% of pupils chose a correct answer for the mode of transmission. More than 70% of pupils answered that bathing in Lake Victoria causes Schistosoma infection; however, more than 70% of pupils bathed in Lake Victoria sometimes or every day. According to the science textbook, "avoiding contact with contaminated water" is the way to prevent schistosomiasis; however, 66% of schools asked pupils to bring water from Lake Victoria. The prevalence of S. mansoni among pupils remains high. Schoolchildren are taught to avoid contact with contaminated water but are often asked to fetch water from the lake. From the school health viewpoint, health education that reflects the social and cultural context of the community in the contents and teaching methods are needed. In addition to this, provision of sanitation infrastructure is needed. A comprehensive and innovative approach which harmonises central and local governments and other stakeholders, as well as community is important to prevent schistosomiasis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:38:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-14590899753c4aff8fb42d46127541a3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1935-2727 1935-2735 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:38:29Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-14590899753c4aff8fb42d46127541a32022-12-21T19:14:19ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352019-08-01138e000757210.1371/journal.pntd.0007572Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya?Rie TakeuchiSammy M NjengaYoshio IchinoseSatoshi KanekoCrystal A EstradaJun KobayashiDespite provision of preventive measures against schistosomiasis such as mass drug administration (MDA), the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni remains high in communities living near Lake Victoria. This study aimed to analyse the status of schistosomiasis, including its prevalence, health education, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among pupils, and water use in schools in Mbita situated along the shores of Lake Victoria. Four primary schools were selected as target schools and pupils in classes six and seven were recruited as study participants. The prevalence of S. mansoni was examined by Kato-Katz method. Simultaneously, a KAP survey toward schistosomiasis was conducted among the pupils. Health education contents were extracted from textbooks. All primary schools in the study site were surveyed regarding how each secured water used for daily school life. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 56% and 36% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 60-70% of pupils chose a correct answer for the mode of transmission. More than 70% of pupils answered that bathing in Lake Victoria causes Schistosoma infection; however, more than 70% of pupils bathed in Lake Victoria sometimes or every day. According to the science textbook, "avoiding contact with contaminated water" is the way to prevent schistosomiasis; however, 66% of schools asked pupils to bring water from Lake Victoria. The prevalence of S. mansoni among pupils remains high. Schoolchildren are taught to avoid contact with contaminated water but are often asked to fetch water from the lake. From the school health viewpoint, health education that reflects the social and cultural context of the community in the contents and teaching methods are needed. In addition to this, provision of sanitation infrastructure is needed. A comprehensive and innovative approach which harmonises central and local governments and other stakeholders, as well as community is important to prevent schistosomiasis.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007572 |
| spellingShingle | Rie Takeuchi Sammy M Njenga Yoshio Ichinose Satoshi Kaneko Crystal A Estrada Jun Kobayashi Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| title | Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? |
| title_full | Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? |
| title_fullStr | Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? |
| title_short | Is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? |
| title_sort | is there a gap between health education content and practice toward schistosomiasis prevention among schoolchildren along the shores of lake victoria in kenya |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007572 |
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