Urogenital schistosomiasis Knowledge, Attitude, and health-seeking Practices (KAP) and aspect of its clinical associations in some endemic communities of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State: A school-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Urogenital schistosomiasis is an infectious disease of Public Health importance. Epidemiological studies narrowed down to the indices of knowledge, attitude, and health-seeking practices (KAP) of most vulnerable populations are pivotal to the achievement of global elimination goal. Therefore, this present study aimed at studying the KAP indices among school-age children in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, Katsina State.     

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled about 2534 participants from ten schools in the study area. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit demographic and KAP responses after which urine samples were collected with plastic containers carrying unique codes of participants. Samples were examined for the eggs of S. haematobium after centrifugation. Descriptive statistics, Chi square, and logistic regression analyses gadgets in Epi Info software (version 7.2.5.0) were used to generate results at 95% confidence level. A value was considered statistically significant when p was ≤0.05.     

Results: The mean age ± SD and overall prevalence recorded in this study were 5.8% (4.96─6.78) and 12.3±3.6 years respectively. Approximately 50.8% (1286), and 55.5% (1405) had knowledge about the indigenous names for blood in urine (tsagiyya), and Bulinus (dodonkodi). Meanwhile, 82.9% (2103) could recognize Bulinus. Gaps existed in participants’ attitude towards treatment, Praziquantel usage, and the practice of open dafaecation with 2390 (94.3%), 2382 (94.0%), and 2429 (95.9%) respectively answering “yes” to related questions. Age group 13─20 years and participants who had lived in the study area for 11─15 years recorded the higher prevalence of 9.6%(7.9─11.4) and 7.9%(6.3─9.9) respectively. Gender (χ² =99.766; P=0.0001), age (χ² =85.083; P=0.0001), and duration of Residency (χ² =94.843; P=0.0001) were significantly associated with urogenital schistosomiasis. Self-reported blood in urine [OR (95%CI): 9.6 (6.8─13.6)], indigenous name for blood in urine [OR(95%CI):3.3(2.2─4.9)], painful urination [OR(95%CI):3.6 (2.6─5.1)], knowledge about Bulinus [OR(95%CI):3.7(1.8─7.7)], and deliberate attempt of treatment [OR(95%CI):3.1(1.9─5.0)] recorded strong strength of association with urogenital schistosomiasis.

Conclusion: Urogenital schistosomiasis is hypo-endemic in Dutsin-Ma with existence of gaps in participants’ attitude towards treatment, Praziquantel usage, and the practice of open dafaecation. This underscores the need for school-based health education in the study area.    

Keywords: Urogenital, schistosomiasis, knowledge, attitude, practices, Katsina