Abstract:
The study aimed to assess the knowledge level of schistosomiasis
transmission and other associated factors amongst the people of
Mwaluphamba Location of Kwale County. A cross-sectional study design
was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from a
sample size of 338 respondents. Results showed that majority of the
respondents (98%) knew about schistosomiasis but most (71%) had no
knowledge about infection transmission. 359 (94%) respondents knew
of signs of blood in urine as the main symptom of schistosomiasis. A few
(10%) of the respondents had access to safe water for domestic use. Sixty
three percent of schistosomiasis infections occurred during the wet
season and a 69% of the people in the area had contact with domestic
water activities more than four times a week. In conclusion, the level of
knowledge of transmission of schistosomiasis was quite low and there
was a direct link between water-contact activities and transmission of
urinary schistosomiasis. The community needs to be made aware of the
modes of transmission of schistosomiasis infection through health
education and strategies be developed to ensure the community can
access safe water.
