Urinary schistosomiasis in Anambra State, Nigeria

The knowledge, altitude and practices (KAP) of people in relation to urinary schistosomiasis in three endemic communities around Agulu Lake of Anambra State were investigated. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for the study. Of the 300 respondents, 67 (22.3%) said they were previously infected while 233 (77.7%) thought otherwise. All the respondents associated the disease with passing of blood in urine. Oya obala (disease with blood), mgbu obala (pain with blood), and mamiri obala (urine with blood) are various names for the disease in these communities. Although urinary schistosomiasis with its symptoms are well known, most did not associate the disease with swimming in infected water but with drinking infected water. Others till associated the disease with eating water snail, while a few linked it to God's wish. The presence of the disease was linked with the Nigeria-Biafra civil War of 1967-1970. The result revealed a general ignorance of the causation and mode of transmission of the disease in the area. The implication of the findings to the efforts of the disease control is discussed. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 25, 2005: 127-131