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Table 7 Association of knowledge, perceptions and practices of women regarding schistosomiasis with their history of schistosomiasis infection

From: Knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding schistosomiasis among women living in a highly endemic rural district in Zimbabwe: implications on infections among preschool-aged children

Variable

Have been infected before

Yes

n (%)

No

n (%)

OR

95% CI

Knowledge of bilharzia

 Woman thinks she is currently infected

89 (43.4)

33 (17.0)

3.7

2.4–6.0*

What are the signs and symptoms of bilharzia infection?a

 Haematuria

155 (75.6)

138 (71.1)

1.3

0.8–2.0

 Weight loss

56 (27.3)

42 (21.7)

1.4

0.9–2.2

 Dysuria

22 (10.7)

17 (8.8)

1.3

0.6–2.4

 Abdominal pain

13 (6.3)

13 (6.7)

0.9

0.4–2.1

 Genital itchiness in women

6 (2.9)

2 (1.0)

2.9

0.6–14.6

 I don’t know

6 (2.9)

9 (4.6)

0.6

0.2–1.8

What are the complications of untreated chronic bilharzia infection?a

 Infertility

89 (43.4)

81 (41.8)

1.1

0.8–1.6

 Mental disturbance

36 (17.6)

18 (9.3)

2.1

1.1–3.8*

 Death

10 (4.9)

21 (10.8)

0.4

0.2–0.9*

 I don’t know

7 (3.4)

9 (4.6)

0.7

0.3–2.0

What are the prevention and control methods of bilharzia?a

 Taking anti-schistosomal medicines

58 (28.3)

45 (23.2)

1.3

0.8–2.1

 Avoiding use of unprotected water bodies

93 (45.3)

84 (43.3)

1.1

0.7–1.6

 Health education

15 (7.3)

21 (10.9)

0.6

0.3–1.3

 Provision of WASH facilities

26 (12.7)

36 (18.7)

0.6

0.4–1.1

Risky perceptionsa

 School-aged children most likely infected

148 (72.2)

159 (82.0)

0.6

0.4–0.9*

 Children aged ≤ 5 years most likely infected

100 (48.8)

99 (51.0)

0.9

0.6–1.4

 Adult women most likely infected

43 (21.0)

36 (18.6)

1.2

0.7–1.9

 Adult men most likely infected

33 (16.1)

21 (10.8)

1.6

0.9–2.8

Practicesa

 Use unsafe water for domestic purposesb

35 (17.1)

21 (10.8)

1.7

1.0–3.0

 Use unsafe water for laundryb

178 (86.8)

154 (79.4)

0.6

0.3–1.0*

 Bath in unsafe waterb

94 (45.9)

68 (35.1)

0.6

0.4–1.0*

 Allow PSAC to play in unsafe water while they are bathing

133 (64.9)

98 (50.5)

0.6

0.4–0.8*

 Bath PSAC using boiled water

189 (92.0)

181 (93.3)

0.8

0.4–1.8

 Allow PSAC to help water the garden

75 (36.6)

45 (23.2)

1.9

1.2–3.0*

 Have a toilet at home

164 (80.0)

159 (82.0)

0.9

0.5–1.5

 Use of a toilet for excreta disposal

170 (82.9)

170 (87.6)

0.7

0.4–1.2

 Discussion of bilharzia at home

196 (95.6)

178 (91.8)

2.0

0.8–4.5

  1. aMultiple responses were considered
  2. bThose who rely solely on unsafe water for the indicated water contact activities
  3. * Significant association of P < 0.05
  4. Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; PSAC, preschool-aged children; WASH, water, sanitation and hygiene