Abstract:

Schistosomiasis is one among the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and is an important cause of morbidity in the tropics and sub tropic. Its transmission has been reported in 78 countries worldwide, including Tanzania, where it is found particularly in areas surrounding Lake Victoria including Mara. In areas where infection is endemic there is high risk of transmission of the parasite in the community, especially school aged children. This study aimed to determine awareness about the existence, risk factors, transmission, mass treatment program and prevention of urogenital schistosomiasis in the community. It was a cross-sectional study including 410 randomly selected primary school students in Musoma urban district, Mara Tanzania. Among them 55.6% were girls, and 44.4% were boys. Data was collected using a pretested closed ended questionnaire. Of the 410 interviewed children, 98.2% reported to have heard of urogenital Schistosomiasis, with the majority 24% citing information from school as the source of this knowledge. Majority about 308 (80.4%) of the study respondents reported to know Schistosomiasis is transmissible. The knowledge about modalities by which urogenital Schistosomiasis can be transmitted is high 80.4% of the respondents. 74.4% of the respondents know symptoms of urogenital Schistosomiasis.

94.1% of the respondents said urogenital Schistosomiasis can be treated with different modalities at schools and hospitals, 59.4% of the study respondents know about different modalities of prevention of urogenital Schistosomiasis.

Only 75.8% of primary school children knew about the mass treatment control program.