The Awareness, Beliefs and Practices regarding Schistosomiasis among Indigenes of Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 424 indigenes of Ile-Oluji, an endemic area in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. A high level of ignorance of what schistosomiasis is all about was demonstrated by 30.2% of the studied population. Out of the percentage of respondents claiming awareness, 40.2%, 38.2%, 8.4%, 8.1% and 5.1% were students, traders, civil servants, the unemployed and farmers respectively. Although 8.25% of the studied population had been infected with schistosomiasis, 38.9% were unsure if touching infected persons could transmit the disease whilst a great number (43.9%) of them did not also know whether infected snails in streams/rivers could transmit the disease. The abysmally low knowledge of the clinical manifestations of the disease was also apparent. The high number of completely inaccurate and/or contentious responses on how schistosomiasis could be prevented is a also a major cause of worry. This study serves as a preliminary investigation for more detailed epidemiological study of both infections in this locality. Following the validation of the questionnaire, public awareness campaigns are strongly recommended as a first step for community-based morbidity control programmes in the country.


Key WordS:Schistosomiasis, awareness, beliefs, practices, Ondo State, Nigeria.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.2(1) 2003: 21-26]