Schistosomiasis, helminth infection and health education in Tanzania: achieving behaviour change in primary schools.
Over a period of one school year a study was carried out into the feasibility and effectiveness of introducing active teaching methods into primary schools in Tanzania with a view to enhancing health education. The Lushoto Enhanced Health Education Project had as a focus personal hygiene with reference to the control of schistosomiasis and helminth infections. When a randomly selected group of children were compared with a comparison group there was evidence of changes in both knowledge and health-seeking behaviour. The passing of messages from children to the community met with mixed results. The observed changes were still evident over 1 year after the project had ended.
Centre for International Child Health, Institute of Child Health, University College, London.
R
R
Lansdown
A
A
Ledward
A
A
Hall
W
W
Issae
E
E
Yona
J
J
Matulu
M
M
Mweta
C
C
Kihamia
U
U
Nyandindi
D
D
Bundy
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology