Table 5.
Association of knowledge, perceptions and practices of the women regarding schistosomiasis with their education and employment status (n = 426)
| Variable | Education | Employment | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not educated n (%) |
Educated n (%) |
OR | 95% CI | Not employed n (%) |
Employed n (%) |
OR | 95% CI | |
| Knowledge of bilharzia | ||||||||
| Woman thinks she is currently infected | 52 (31.9) | 70 (29.6) | 0.9 | 0.6–1.4 | 103 (32.3) | 19 (23.8) | 0.7 | 0.4–1.2 |
| What are the signs and symptoms of bilharzia infection?a | ||||||||
| Haematuria | 110 (67.5) | 183 (77.5) | 1.7 | 1.1–2.6* | 231 (72.4) | 62 (77.5) | 1.3 | 0.7–2.3 |
| Weight loss | 54 (33.1) | 44 (18.6) | 0.5 | 0.3–0.7* | 76 (23.8) | 22 (27.5) | 1.2 | 0.7–2.1 |
| Dysuria | 14 (8.6) | 25 (10.6) | 1.3 | 0.6–2.5 | 35 (11.0) | 4 (5.0) | 0.4 | 0.1–1.2 |
| Abdominal pain | 11 (6.8) | 15 (6.4) | 0.9 | 0.4–2.1 | 22 (6.9) | 4 (5.0) | 0.7 | 0.2–2.1 |
| Genital itchiness in women | 5 (3.1) | 3 (1.3) | 0.4 | 0.1–1.7 | 7 (2.2) | 1 (1.3) | 0.6 | 0.1–4.6 |
| I don’t know | 2 (1.2) | 13 (5.5) | 4.7 | 1.0–21.1* | 15 (4.7) | 0 (0) | – | – |
| What are the complications of untreated chronic bilharzia infection?a | ||||||||
| Infertility | 61 (37.4) | 109 (46.2) | 1.4 | 1.0–2.2 | 131 (41.1) | 39 (48.8) | 1.4 | 0.8–2.2 |
| Mental disturbance | 22 (13.5) | 32 (13.6) | 1.0 | 0.6–1.8 | 48 (15.1) | 6 (7.5) | 0.5 | 0.2–1.1 |
| Death | 11 (6.8) | 20 (8.5) | 1.3 | 0.6–2.7 | 27 (8.5) | 4 (5.0) | 0.6 | 0.2–1.7 |
| I don’t know | 5 (3.1) | 11 (4.7) | 1.5 | 0.5–4.5 | 16 (5.0) | 0 (0) | – | – |
| What are the prevention and control methods of bilharzia?a | ||||||||
| Taking anti-schistosomal medicines | 47 (28.8) | 56 (23.7) | 0.8 | 0.5–1.2 | 70 (21.9) | 33 (41.3) | 2.5 | 1.5–4.2* |
| Avoiding use of unprotected water bodies | 73 (44.8) | 104 (44.1) | 1.0 | 0.7–1.5 | 147 (46.1) | 30 (37.5) | 0.7 | 0.4–1.2 |
| Health education | 14 (8.6) | 22 (9.4) | 1.1 | 0.5–2.2 | 34 (10.7) | 2 (2.5) | 0.2 | 0.1–0.9* |
| Provision of WASH facilities | 24 (14.7) | 38 (16.2) | 1.1 | 0.6–1.9 | 54 (16.9) | 8 (10.1) | 0.6 | 0.3–1.2 |
| Risky perceptionsa | ||||||||
| School-aged children most likely infected | 124 (76.1) | 183 (77.5) | 1.1 | 0.7–1.7 | 238 (74.6) | 69 (86.3) | 2.1 | 1.1–4.2* |
| Children aged ≤ 5 years most likely infected | 78 (47.9) | 121 (51.3) | 1.1 | 0.8–1.7 | 152 (47.7) | 47 (58.8) | 1.6 | 1.0–2.6 |
| Adult women most likely infected | 23 (14.1) | 56 (23.7) | 1.9 | 1.1–3.2* | 62 (19.4) | 17 (21.3) | 1.1 | 0.6–2.0 |
| Adult men most likely infected | 13 (8.0) | 41 (17.4) | 2.4 | 1.3–4.7* | 43 (13.5) | 11 (13.8) | 1.0 | 0.5–2.1 |
| Practicesa | ||||||||
| Use unsafe water for domestic purposesb | 32 (18.0) | 27 (10.9) | 0.6 | 0.3–1.0* | 48 (14.0) | 11 (13.1) | 0.9 | 0.5– 1.9 |
| Use unsafe water for laundryb | 151 (84.8) | 202 (81.5) | 1.3 | 0.8–2.1 | 284 (83.0) | 69 (82.1) | 1.1 | 0.6–2.0 |
| Bath in unsafe waterb | 70 (39.3) | 99 (39.9) | 1.0 | 0.7–1.4 | 139 (40.6) | 30 (35.7) | 1.2 | 0.8–2.0 |
| Allow PSAC to play in unsafe water while they are bathing | 99 (55.6) | 146 (58.9) | 0.9 | 0.6–1.3 | 208 (60.8) | 37 (44.1) | 2.0 | 1.2–3.2* |
| Bath PSAC using boiled water | 171 (96.1) | 225 (90.7) | 0.4 | 0.2–1.0* | 315 (92.1) | 81 (96.4) | 2.3 | 0.7–7.8 |
| Allow PSAC to help water the garden | 50 (28.1) | 74 (29.8) | 1.1 | 0.7–1.7 | 101 (29.5) | 23 (27.4) | 0.9 | 0.5–1.5 |
| Have a toilet at home | 142 (79.8) | 201 (81.1) | 1.1 | 0.7–1.8 | 272 (79.5) | 71 (84.5) | 1.4 | 0.7–2.7 |
| Use of a toilet for excreta disposal | 148 (83.2) | 214 (86.3) | 1.3 | 0.7–2.2 | 290 (84.8) | 72 (85.7) | 1.1 | 0.5–2.1 |
| Discussion of bilharzia at home | 154 (94.5) | 220 (93.2) | 0.8 | 0.3–1.9 | 299 (93.7) | 75 (93.8) | 1.0 | 0.4–2.8 |
aMultiple responses were considered
bThose who rely solely on unsafe water for the indicated water contact activities
* Significant association of P < 0.05; ** Borderline significance P = 0.05
Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; PSAC, preschool-aged children; WASH, water, sanitation and hygiene