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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Low Levels of Awareness Despite High Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Communities in Nyalenda Informal Settlement, Kisumu City, Western Kenya
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 8, No. 4, Article e2784, Year 2014
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Description
Introduction:Intestinal schistosomiasis is widely distributed around Lake Victoria in Kenya where about 16 million people in 56 districts are at risk of the infection with over 9.1 million infected. Its existence in rural settings has been extensively studied compared to urban settings where there is limited information about the disease coupled with low level of awareness. This study therefore assessed community awareness on existence, signs and symptoms, causes, transmission, control and risk factors for contracting schistosomiasis as well as attitudes, health seeking behaviour and environmental antecedents that affect its control so as to identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to strengthen schistosomiasis control interventions in informal urban settings.Methods:The study was carried out in an informal urban settlement where the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was previously reported to be the highest (36%) among the eight informal settlements of Kisumu city. The study adopted cross-sectional design and purposive sampling technique. Eight focus group discussions were conducted with adult community members and eight key informant interviews with opinion leaders. Data was audio recorded transcribed, coded and thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti version 6 software.Results:Most respondents stated having heard about schistosomiasis but very few had the correct knowledge of signs and symptoms, causes, transmission and control of schistosomiasis. However, there was moderate knowledge of risk factors and at high risk groups. Their attitudes towards schistosomiasis and its control were generally indifferent with a general belief that they had no control over their environmental circumstances to reduce transmission.Discussion/Conclusion:Although schistosomiasis was prevalent in the study area, majority of the people in the community had low awareness. This study, therefore, stresses the need for health education to raise community's awareness on schistosomiasis in such settings in order to augment prevention, control and elimination efforts. © 2014 Odhiambo et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3974654/bin/pntd.0002784.s001.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3974654/bin/pntd.0002784.s002.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3974654/bin/pntd.0002784.s003.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3974654/bin/pntd.0002784.s004.doc
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3974654/bin/pntd.0002784.s005.doc
Authors & Co-Authors
Odhiambo, Gladys D.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Kenya, Maseno
Maseno University
Musuva, Rosemary M.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Atuncha, Vincent O.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Mutete, Elizabeth T.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Odiere, Maurice R.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Onyango, Rosebella Ongutu
Kenya, Maseno
Maseno University
Alaii, Jane A.
Kenya, Nairobi
Context Factor Solutions
Mwinzi, Pauline Ngina M.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Statistics
Citations: 60
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002784
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Study Locations
Kenya