A STUDY OF SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN 2 RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE ASUOGYAMAN DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

This study was intended to find the social and environmental factors that affect

the prevalence o f schistosomiasis in two rural communities in the Asuogyaman

District.

The study was conducted in response to a felt need by the District Health

Administration.

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, using both quantitative and

qualitative methods. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to

interview young people aged 10-20 years on their knowledge, attitude and

practice concerning schistosomiasis, a focus group discussion among a selected

group o f adults and a non-participant observation.

The study revealed the lack o f water and sanitation facilities in Dzidzokope as

compared to South Senchi where such facilities exist, to have contributed to the

relatively higher prevalence in Dzidzokope. Also, the study showed that the

community with a higher prevalence (Dzidzokope) is located just near the

source o f infection while that with a lower prevalence is further away from the

river source.

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Analysis showed that knowledge was high among respondents, with 80% in

Dzidzokope and 86% in South Senchi associating schistosomiasis with the Lake

but such knowledge is not consistent with their practices especially in the

Dzidzokope community where the prevalence is higher.

In this study, members o f both communities poorly rated education on

schistosomiasis as a preventive and control measure, even though they receive

health education on schistosomiasis from the school and the Volta River

Authority.

Based on the findings o f the study, the following key recommendations have

been made to the relevant authorities:

• New settlements should be located fairly distant from the shores o f the Lake

and provided with water and sanitation facilities to reduce frequency o f entry

of the people into the water.

• Health education should stress on the mode o f transmission of

schistosomiasis.

• Treatment should be given to all members o f the community at the same

time.