Perception of a schistosomiasis control project in rural Kenya by the beneficiaries.

ABSTRACT

PIP: In December, 1988, a medical student and field workers interviewed 203 household heads (61% females and 39% males) in Thiba, a village in the Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga District in central Kenya, as part of an evaluation of the schistosomiasis (bilharzia) control project implemented between late 1983 and December, 1988. Specifically, researchers wanted to know the perceptions of the people that the project served. The project consisted of health education and a water and health committee, which managed the construction of pit latrines, handpump shallow wells, and laundry and bath units. Most everyone (92% and 96%) understood that the project aimed to treat, control, and prevent bilharzia from spreading and to reduce bilharzia morbidity, respectively. Only 53% thought that the project belonged to the community. The remaining heads believed the project belonged to the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Ministry of Health, or a combination of the community, supervisor, and field workers. 74% reported that they saved time because the facilities were nearby. 80% believed that they were saving money because they did not need to buy drugs, since they felt healthier than they did before project implementation. 82% thought that their children appeared healthier, mainly due to the provision of potable water and bathrooms near the well sites. Almost everyone (99%) believed that the control project controlled schistosomiasis. 70% considered their workload to be easier because of the reduced distances to water sources and easy-to-operate pumps that their children could use. More than 90% thought that the project could survive in the long term, if the entire community were trained to maintain the facilities and provided spare parts. This suggested that the project was self sustaining. More than 90% knew the cause of bilharzia, how it is transmitted, its treatment, and how to prevent and control it. In conclusion, the community recognized the socioeconomic and health benefits of the control project.