Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Toward Female Genital Schistosomiasis among Community Women and Healthcare Workers in Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis and is widely distributed in Nigeria. In women, the parasite can cause Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a gynecological manifestation of urogenital schistosomiasis that is highly neglected and overlooked in public health programmes and by policy makers.

Aim of the Study: This study aims to understand the knowledge and practices towards FGS among community women and health workers in some urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas of Anambra State Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between October 2023 and March 2024, in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State. Pretested structured open ended questionnaires was administered to randomly selected community women aged between 16 and 50 years and community health workers working in the PHCs of the study areas who consented, to determine their level of knowledge, attitude and perception for Female Genital Schistosomisis. A total of 530 participants were involved (500 community women, and 30 community health workers).

Results: One hundred and fifty two (30.4%) of the women had knowledge of urogenital schistosomiasis but all of them 500(100%) had not heard of FGS, 500(100%) of them had no idea of what causes FGS or the symptoms of FGS. All the health workers 30(100%) had knowledge of urogenital schistosomiasis but only 5(16.7%) had knowledge of FGS. Thirty (100%) of the health workers treated all vaginal cases with antibiotics, there was no linkage to urogenital schistosomiasis. These community women come in contact with the infected water daily 361(72.2%) and weekly,96(19.2%), and engage in open defecation 86(17.7%) and urination 237(47.4%) into the water bodies. In the case of being infected with vaginal itching, vaginal sores or other symptoms majority 319(63.8%) of them ignore the symptoms, while 96(19.2%) use herbs, only 35(7.0%) seek medical attention. Health workers treat all reproductive cases with antibiotics and could not link those ailments to water contact.

Conclusion: This study illustrates a critical need for the national health control program to integrate public health education about FGS to health workers, and community women during the implementation of school- and community-based mass drug administration (MDA) Programs.