Table 5 Association of knowledge, perceptions and practices of the women regarding schistosomiasis with their education and employment status (n = 426)

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 perceptions^a

 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

Practices^a

 Use unsafe water for domestic purposes^b

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 laundry^b

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 water^b

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