Abstract:

Background: Tanzania is one of the countries heavy burden of people with Schistosomiasis. Prevalence is estimated to be at 51.5% and in some regions up to 100%. Most affected group are the school children due to their water contact behavior, some of the reasons for continued Schistosomiasis transmission are low coverage of Praziquantel and limited access to, and poor knowledge of the role of water sanitation and hygiene in Schistosomiasis prevention. Many studies had explored knowledge, attitude on Schistosomiasis but less in known with regard to knowledge, attitude and WASH practice in relation to Schistosomiasis prevention which has shown to be the key in controlling the disease.

General objective: To explore knowledge, attitude and WASH practice in relation to Schistosomiasis prevention in Kamanga village north western Tanzania.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study design. A total number of 200 individuals were interviewed. The research involved two groups, household members 18 years and above (100) and primary school children standard 5, 6, and 7 (100). Both quantitative and qualitative data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion respectively. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics 20 program and qualitative data was analysed manually according the themes.

Results: Among the 100 households interviewed 44% had improved sanitation and none had access to improved water supply, and the lake was found to be the main source of water in the village which is unimproved source as defined by UNICEF/WHO. Majority were fairly knowledgeable on the cause and symptoms of Schistosomiasis thus 58% and 52% of household and primary school children respectively, were knowledgeable on the role of WASH in Schistosomiasis prevention. Among the households visited, about 2% had no toilets and were practicing open defecation, about 93% of households reported to use lake water for different domestic activities. All the students reported to use toilets both at home and school (100%), and about 95% usually goes to the lake. About 69% of household members had an attitude that any water source can cause Schistosomiasis transmission as long as it is water. Some believed the lake water to be safe because it is of large quantity and moving.

Conclusion: There is no access to improved source of water in Kamanga still majority have unimproved sanitation, people lack deep understanding about Schistosomiasis and the role of WASH in Schistosomiasis prevention, there are different attitude and practices towards WASH and some of them are poor and exacerbate Schistosomiasis transmission, and all these needs to be addressed so as to combat Schistosomiasis.