Effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Preventive chemotherapy by mass drug administration is globally recommended as the primary method of reaching the elimination of schistosomiasis, especially in the high risk-paediatric population. This systematic review provides a summary of the effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programs on eliminating schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EBSCOhost, and other databases to obtain studies regarding the effects of paediatric schistosomiasis control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. 3455 studies were screened for eligibility, included articles reported on both paediatrics control programmes and schistosomiasis, and articles were excluded when they did not report on schistosomiasis control programmes in paediatrics exclusively. 40 selected studies were critically appraised using the JBI critical appraisal tools for relevance and 30 studies were included in the study. An in-depth quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted, and a comprehensive narrative summary explained the results within the scope of the review questions. The results show that despite preventive chemotherapy lowering schistosomiasis prevalence, chances of re-infection are high in endemic areas. Preventive chemotherapy without complementary interventions including safe water provision and proper sanitation, snail control and health education on the aetiology of schistosomiasis, transmission pattern and control practices might not eliminate schistosomiasis.

Impact of an educational intervention on water, sanitation and hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices in early childhood development centres in low-socio-economic areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

Good water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) enhance healthy living and safe environments for child development. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on WASH status, knowledge, attitudes and practices in early child development (ECD) centres in low socio-economic areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay in 2021. This quasi-experimental, one group, pre-post-test study elicited responses from 51 ECD practitioners (1 per ECD centre). Telephonic structured knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) questionnaires were used. KAP was good among participants. The educational intervention significantly improved mean knowledge (p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.58-1.11) attitudes (p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.39-0.67) and practices (p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.20-0.74). WASH knowledge was significantly impacted by toilet facilities ventilation status (p = 0.083) while WASH attitudes scores were significantly impacted by ventilation where the potties are kept (p = 0.041). WASH practice scores were significantly impacted by across the bush/field (no facility) (p = 0.021) and plastic potties usage (p = 0.057). The educational intervention significantly improved WASH-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among ECD practitioners. WASH conditions in the ECD centres in the study area require additional interventions targeted to sustainable strategies to enhance behavioural modifications for acceptability and sustainability of intervention strategies.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Urinary Schistosomiasis among Primary Schoolchildren in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis remains a public health concern in South Africa (SA), with the highest prevalence of infection found among schoolchildren under the age of 15 years. Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) studies on schistosomiasis among schoolchildren under the age of 15 years are lacking in the study area. The study therefore assessed primary schoolchildren in Grades 4-7 to determine their knowledge regarding schistosomiasis in the various ages represented in these grades. METHODS: The study employed a quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional survey research design approach. A structured, close-ended, Likert-scale, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 458 learners in Grades 4 to 7 aged from 9 to 16 years. Data were analysed using Statistica version 13 software. Bivariate and multivariate techniques were further used to analyse and describe the data and significant associations at p = 0.05 were further interrogated using Cohen's d and Cramér's V, to determine the practical significance. RESULTS: Of the 458 learners who completed the questionnaire, 248 (54%) acknowledged having heard of schistosomiasis previously. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (0.779). The KAP scores were calculated as a percentage ranging between 0% and 100%, and this range was split into five equal width intervals 0-19%, 20-39%, 40-60%, 61-80%, and 81-100%. For knowledge, 210 (46%) of the participants obtained a score in the interval 0-19%. For attitudes, 237 (52%) of the participants obtained a score in the interval 0-19%. Therefore, the overall knowledge and attitudes among the study participants towards schistosomiasis were poor. There was a significant difference (p = 0.0005, V = 0.42 medium) between male and female participants relating to their practices. It was observed that a high percentage, 69 (15%) of males reported to swimming in slow-moving water compared to a significantly lower percentage, 9 (5%) of females. Furthermore, 23% of the participants reported that there was a river on the way to school. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that there was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude. The overall knowledge and attitudes on schistosomiasis were poor. Furthermore, a gender-related difference based on practices emerged significant in the study. The findings are thus valuable in designing effective and targeted schistosomiasis control programmes.