Assessment on the level of awareness, perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration with praziquantel for the control of schistosomiasis in urban settlement; a case study of Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria”

ABSTRACT

 The study is aimed at assessing the level of awareness, perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration with praziquantel for the control of schistosomiasis in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in ten Communities schools in Ohafia Local Government Area (two schools from each zone Ebem-oha, Isiama, Ohafor, Okamu and Abiriba). A total of 300 participants were chosen for this study. A structured questionnaire was used in collecting data on socio-demographic information, awareness, perceptions and acceptability of MDA for the control of schistosomiasis by the participants. Majority of the participants were males (53.3%). Majority (92.7%) were aware of the MDA program for schistosomiasis, (90.29%) have participated in the MDA program and the major source of information about the MDA program is public health education program (78.0%). Majority of the respondents said that the drug is highly acceptable 46(47.41%), effective (76.10%) and majority participated only once (66.93%). Majority of the participants (82.30%) are willing to participate in subsequent MDA program. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem and to break transmission, preventive chemotherapy program and snail controls are required.