title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Schistosomiasis Among Children in Northern Senegal.
abstract: Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease in Senegal. The early symptoms are hematuria and dysuria. Children's comprehension of the disease is fundamental to preventing the infection.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in 2 rural villages in Northern Senegal and to evaluate their impact on the disease.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data about children's knowledge of schistosomiasis, behavior, and preventive measures were collected through a questionnaire.
  
  
  
  Questionnaire responses from 575 schoolchildren were analyzed. Correct answers about risky behavior for schistosomiasis were associated with early symptoms (P = 0.010). Wearing shoes and washing hands with soap were associated with not having hematuria and dysuria (P = 0.007 and 0.049, respectively). Playing in rivers was associated with the aforementioned symptoms (P < 0.001). Children who had good knowledge of schistosomiasis reportedly did not have symptoms (P = 0.002). A logistic regression model showed that female sex (odds ratio = 0.35; P = 0.01) and attending a primary school (odds ratio = 0.13; P < 0.001) were significant predictors of a lower risk of the early symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis.
  
  
  
  This study revealed that the level of knowledge among children in North Senegal about the causes, transmission, prevention, and treatment of schistosomiasis warrants implementing educational intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy. Electronic address: simona.frigerio@unito.it.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frigerio
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clari
authors.affiliation: ASL TO4, Chivasso, Torino.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Fine
authors.affiliation: ASL TO4, Chivasso, Torino.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Emergency, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bergese
authors.affiliation: École Primaire, Kassack North, Senegal.
authors.forename: Samba Gueye
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Diouf
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ersilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buonomo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D012424:Rural Population; D012547:Schistosoma; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012574:Schools; D012675:Senegal; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Senegal; attitude; children; knowledge; practices; schistosomiasis