Abstract:

Background: Communicable disease are most frequently observed among mothers in the communities and are associated with key health behaviors, outcomes and increased burdens on health care systems.

Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical study which was carried out between September and October 2018 in Ukerewe. 400 clients were recruited through random sampling. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire to obtain information on knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers against communicable diseases. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

Results: The clients were mothers in different households with children under 5 years of age. Majority of the participants had only attained primary level education (n=286, 71.1%) and found to have the lowest income category with crop cultivation being the main economic activity (n=245). The overall knowledge about modes of transmission, symptoms (n=138) and preventive measures (n=143) was still low as most of them unaware about communicable diseases.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Communicable disease in the communities has become a great public health concern especially in mothers and children under 5 since the prevalence’s of it is highly increasing hence definitive preventive and corrective measures should be put forward. Regular screening and treatment of communicable diseases should be part and parcel of community care reduce rapid disease progression and death associated with so comorbidities.