1. Improved Perceptions and Practices Related to Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Worm Infections Following PHAST Intervention on Kome Island, North-Western Tanzania
- Author
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John Changalucha, Godfrey M. Kaatano, Joseph R. Mwanga, Julius E. Siza, Su Young Chang, Keeseon S. Eom, Jackson Nsabo, Han Jong Rim, Jong-Yil Chai, Tai Soon Yong, Duk Young Min, Cyril M. Kullaya, and Yunsuk Ko
- Subjects
Male ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Veterinary medicine ,Endemic Diseases ,Sanitation ,Helminthiasis ,perception ,Tanzania ,Hygiene ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ,media_common ,Aged, 80 and over ,Islands ,biology ,Transmission (medicine) ,Articles from Symposium on Controls of NTDs around Lake Victoria, Tanzania ,Schistosoma mansoni ,intestinal worm ,Middle Aged ,Infectious Diseases ,Female ,participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST) ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Schistosomiasis ,Young Adult ,Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases ,schistosomiasis ,Environmental health ,parasitic diseases ,Disease Transmission, Infectious ,medicine ,Humans ,Helminths ,Aged ,behavior ,business.industry ,Public health ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Lakes ,Communicable Disease Control ,Parasitology ,business ,control - Abstract
Schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections are widespread diseases of public health importance in Tanzania. A study on perceptions and practices related to schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections was undertaken among a community population of Kome Island in Sengerema District, north-western Tanzania, where intestinal schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections are endemic. Schistosomiasis and intestinal worm-related perceptions and practices were assessed before and 3 years after implementation of a participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST) intervention as a control measure. Data were obtained from baseline and post-intervention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire surveys conducted twice in 2009 and 2012 among 82 individuals aged ≥15 years. We found significant increases in respondents' knowledge of the cause, transmission, symptoms, health consequences, and prevention of schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections after PHAST intervention. The increase in respondents' knowledge on almost all aspects of the said infections was translated into actions to control schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections. This has not been achieved by chance, but due to well-designed and locally-adapted PHAST intervention. We conclude that despite criticisms, PHAST approach is still useful in empowering communities to control water, sanitation, and hygiene related infectious diseases such as schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections.
- Published
- 2015