Abstract:

Background: Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms. The disease is highly prevalent in Lake Zone regions. This research study was conducted to determine knowledge and awareness about schistosomiasis and urinary bladder cancer regarding symptoms, transmission, risk factors, prevention and relationship between the two, among patients admitted at Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza Tanzania.

Method: It was a cross-sectional study including 384 randomly selected patients admitted at Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza Tanzania. The study aimed at determining knowledge and awareness about schistosomiasis and urinary bladder cancer and associated risk factors. Data was collected using pretested close ended questionnaires.

Results: Among them 212 (55%) were men and 172 (45%) were women. Of the 384 participants, 353 (92%) reported to have heard about schistosomiasis with majority (31%) citing health center as the source of information. Only (84.5%) of the participants had knowledge about symptoms of the disease. Of the 384 participants, 215 (56%) reported to have heard about urinary bladder cancer with majority mentioning health center as the source of information. Of these, only (41%) knew schistosomiasis can cause urinary bladder cancer.

Conclusion: Despite schistosomiasis and urinary bladder cancer being prevalent in the study area, majority of the participants were aware of the existence of the diseases but lack significant knowledge about symptoms, transmission and prevention. This study therefore, stresses the need for education to raise the community’s awareness on schistosomiasis and urinary bladder cancer and the relationship between the two in order to augment prevention, control and elimination efforts.