Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Sep 30;7(1):36.
doi: 10.1186/s41256-022-00267-x.

Assessment of awareness and knowledge of schistosomiasis among school-aged children (6-13 years) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Kebabonye P Gabaake  1 , Nthabiseng A Phaladze  2 , Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno Iii  3   4 , Olekae T Thakadu  5
Affiliations

Assessment of awareness and knowledge of schistosomiasis among school-aged children (6-13 years) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Kebabonye P Gabaake et al. Glob Health Res Policy. .

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a global health problem affecting 250 million people, with 90% in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Botswana, the burden is high in the Okavango delta because of the water channels. WHO recommends integrated measures, including access to clean water, sanitation, health education, and drugs to control and eliminate schistosomiasis. Gauging knowledge and awareness of schistosomiasis for School-Aged Children (SAC) is crucial. Our study aimed at assessing knowledge and awareness of schistosomiasis among SAC in the Okavango Delta.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey assessing awareness and knowledge of schistosomiasis in schools was conducted. 480 questionnaires were administered to gather demographic profiles, awareness, and knowledge of risky behaviors. Chi-square and descriptive analysis determined the differences in SAC`s awareness and knowledge levels based on localities, gender, age, and health education.

Results: The results showed a low awareness level, with only (42%) of respondents having heard about the disease and (52%) knowing its local name. Younger children from Sekondomboro (83%) and Samochima lacked awareness, while children from Mohembo (77%) and those who had health education (70%) demonstrated significant awareness levels (P ≤ 0.001). Seventy-two percent (72%) lacked knowledge of the cause and (95%) did not know the disease life-cycle. Children from Xakao (91%), (85%) Sepopa, and (75%) of younger children did not know haematuria is a symptom of the disease. Older and SAC with health education were more likely to know that swimming is a risk factor (P ≤ 0.001) and (P ≤ 0.05) respectively.

Conclusions: Although respondents from four schools demonstrated some level of awareness of the disease, and knowledge of risky behaviors, the study showed a lack of in-depth knowledge on the life-cycle and cause of the diseases. We, therefore, recommend the implementation of an integrated approach to health education and improvement in access to clean water and sanitation in all study areas.

Keywords: Awareness; Knowledge; Schistosomiasis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

DELP is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Global Health Research and Policy. He is not invovled in the review of decision related to the manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Map of the Okavango delta and study sites. ODIS (2019); “okavango delta information system”, University of Botswana, Okavango Research Institute from https://www.odis.ub.bw/portal/home
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Study participant flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Donohue RE, Mashoto KO, Mubyazi GM, Madon S, Malecela MN, Michael E. Biosocial determinants of persistent schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Tanzania despite repeated treatment. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2017;2(4):61. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed2040061. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Maseko TS, Mkhonta NR, Masuku SK, Dlamini SV, Fan C-K. Schistosomiasis knowledge, attitude, practices, and associated factors among primary school children in the Siphofaneni area in the Lowveld of Swaziland. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2018;51(1):103–109. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.12.003. - DOI - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases: number of people treated in 2015. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2016;91(49/50):585–595. - PubMed
    1. Chitsulo L, Engels D, Montresor A, Savioli L. The global status of schistosomiasis and its control. Acta Trop. 2000;77(1):41–51. doi: 10.1016/S0001-706X(00)00122-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. King CH, Galvani AP. Underestimation of the global burden of schistosomiasis. Lancet. 2018;391(10118):307–308. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30098-9. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources