Table 2 Women’s knowledge about schistosomiasis symptoms, transmission and prevention

Knowledge of schistosomiasis infection and treatment

Women who knew that bilharzia is a disease

399

93.7

Women who had bilharzia infection before

205

51.4

Women who thought they were currently infected

127

29.8

Those who knew praziquantel as a drug for bilharzia treatment

395

99.0

Those who stated health centre as a place of bilharzia treatment

395

99.0

What are the modes of bilharzia transmission?^a

Those who stated at least one transmission mode^b

390

97.7

Contact with contaminated water

370

92.7

Drinking dirty water

5

1.3

Contact with contaminated water and entering toilets barefooted

7

1.8

Contact with contaminated water and drinking dirty water

15

3.8

Don’t know

2

0.5

What are the signs and symptoms of bilharzia infection?^a

Those who stated at least one symptom

367

92.0

Haematuria

293

73.4

Weight loss

98

24.6

General body weakness

51

12.8

Headache

4

1.0

Dysuria

39

9.8

Poor school performance

5

1.3

Abdominal pain

26

76.5

Genital itchiness in women

8

2.0

Nausea

35

8.8

Infertility

4

1.0

Recurrent illness

7

1.8

I don’t know

15

3.8

What are the complications of untreated chronic bilharzia infection?^a

Those who stated at least one complication

228

57.1

Infertility

170

42.6

Mental disturbance

54

13.5

Death

31

7.8

I don’t know

16

4.0

What are the prevention and control methods of bilharzia?^a

Those who stated at least one prevention and control method

349

87.5

Taking anti-schistosomal medicines

103

25.8

Avoiding use of unprotected water bodies

177

44.4

Health education

36

9.1

Provision of WASH facilities

62

15.6

Are you aware of the current annual national mass drug administration programme?

Yes

392

98.3