Schistosomiasis knowledge, attitudes, practices and associated risk factors among school-going children aged 5-14 in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
1
Department of Environmental Health, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
2
Department of Nursing, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
3
Kenyan Institute of Primate research, Kenyan Institute of Primate research, Nairobi, Kenya
4
Department of Computing, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, School of Science, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic waterborne infection common in low socio‑economic settings, where socio‑demographic, environmental, and behavioural factors influence transmission. Children are particularly vulnerable due to frequent contact with infested water during recreational activities. This study examined risk factors including knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) associated with schistosomiasis transmission among school‑going children aged 5–14 years in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB).
METHODS:
A quantitative descriptive cross‑sectional design was used. Data were collected from 759 learners in grades 0–7 through a structured, interviewer‑administered questionnaire assessing socio‑demographic characteristics, clinical history, exposure risks, and KAP related to schistosomiasis. Data were analysed using R (version 4.3.1) with bivariate and multivariate methods.
RESULTS:
Participants reported engaging in behaviours that increase schistosomiasis risk, including urinating in rivers while swimming (44%), living near water bodies (21.1%), swimming (11.3%), using bush toilets (5.1%), lacking household tap water (4.3%), and fishing (0.3%). Only 11% (n=81) had prior knowledge of schistosomiasis, mainly acquired at school (62%) or at home (35%). Overall, children demonstrated poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices, with a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.33, p<0.001). Gender and grade level significantly influenced KAP outcomes. Males and learners in grades 4–7 generally scored higher. Knowledge varied by gender (p=0.015) and grade (p=0.045), while attitude (p=0.023) and practice (p=0.001) scores improved in higher grades. Females had lower knowledge scores (β = –0.15; p=0.018). Learners in grades 4–7 showed fewer positive attitudes (β = 0.07; p=0.038) and practices (β = 0.11; p=0.001). Key risk factors included lack of awareness of disease aetiology and transmission, which resulted in poor knowledge (β = –0.24; p=0.091) and attitude scores (β = –0.22; p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Significant knowledge gaps, poor attitudes, and inadequate hygiene practices highlight the need for targeted health education interventions in NMB.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic waterborne infection common in low socio‑economic settings, where socio‑demographic, environmental, and behavioural factors influence transmission. Children are particularly vulnerable due to frequent contact with infested water during recreational activities. This study examined risk factors including knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) associated with schistosomiasis transmission among school‑going children aged 5–14 years in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB).
METHODS:
A quantitative descriptive cross‑sectional design was used. Data were collected from 759 learners in grades 0–7 through a structured, interviewer‑administered questionnaire assessing socio‑demographic characteristics, clinical history, exposure risks, and KAP related to schistosomiasis. Data were analysed using R (version 4.3.1) with bivariate and multivariate methods.
RESULTS:
Participants reported engaging in behaviours that increase schistosomiasis risk, including urinating in rivers while swimming (44%), living near water bodies (21.1%), swimming (11.3%), using bush toilets (5.1%), lacking household tap water (4.3%), and fishing (0.3%). Only 11% (n=81) had prior knowledge of schistosomiasis, mainly acquired at school (62%) or at home (35%). Overall, children demonstrated poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices, with a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.33, p<0.001). Gender and grade level significantly influenced KAP outcomes. Males and learners in grades 4–7 generally scored higher. Knowledge varied by gender (p=0.015) and grade (p=0.045), while attitude (p=0.023) and practice (p=0.001) scores improved in higher grades. Females had lower knowledge scores (β = –0.15; p=0.018). Learners in grades 4–7 showed fewer positive attitudes (β = 0.07; p=0.038) and practices (β = 0.11; p=0.001). Key risk factors included lack of awareness of disease aetiology and transmission, which resulted in poor knowledge (β = –0.24; p=0.091) and attitude scores (β = –0.22; p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Significant knowledge gaps, poor attitudes, and inadequate hygiene practices highlight the need for targeted health education interventions in NMB.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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