ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To elicit and understand peoples' perceptions of intestinal schistosomiasis that is a prerequisite for designing appropriate control strategies. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 432 semi-structured interviews (SSIs). SUBJECTS: Community members in Busia district of Uganda. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data was collected on causes, transmission, health seeking behaviour, hygiene behaviour and on prevention/control strategies for schistosomiasis. RESULTS: The symptoms of early intestinal schistosomiasis were poorly understood whereas those of late schistosomiasis were well appreciated. Cause and transmission of schistosomiasis were used interchangeably and schistosomiasis was mainly thought to be caused by drinking dirty or unboiled water. Schistosomiasis was perceived to be a treatable disease and modern medicines were said to be effective. Community members said that it is impossible to avoid contact with possible sources of infection for schistosomiasis as the lake was linked to livelihood of people. The groups that were particularly at increased risk of not participating in schistosomiasis prevention strategies included women, the uneducated and those involved in subsistence agriculture. CONCLUSIONS: In order to effectively control schistosomiasis in this district, there is need to adapt prevention and control strategies to peoples' livelihoods. There is also need to target the less advantaged groups (women, uneducated and subsistence farmers) for intense health education strategies aimed at increasing participation in the control of schistosomiasis.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Residence Characteristics , Schistosomiasis mansoni/psychology , Adult , Animals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Collection , Female , Focus Groups , Health Behavior , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/psychology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/transmission , Male , Risk Factors , Schistosomiasis mansoni/transmission , UgandaABSTRACT
A total of 257 boys (age range 4-55 months), who had acute diarrhoea with moderate to severe dehydration, were randomly assigned to treatment with either the World Health Organisation/United Nations Childrens Fund (WHO/Unicef) recommended oral rehydration solution or cereal based oral rehydration solution made either of maize, millet, sorghum, or rice. After the initial rehydration was achieved patients were offered traditional weaning foods. Treatment with oral rehydration solution continued until diarrhoea stopped. Accurate intake and output was maintained throughout the study period. Efficacy of the treatment was compared between the different treatment groups in terms of intake of the solution, stool output, duration of diarrhoea after admission, and weight gain after 24, 48, and 72 hours, and after resolution of diarrhoea. Results suggest that all the cereal based solutions were as effective as glucose based standard oral rehydration solution in the treatment of diarrhoea.