Partiality and Accountability in Patterning Schistosomiasis Transmission in the Gezira Irrigated Scheme in Sudan - Abstract
Background: Although methods of schistosomiasis transmission are well documented, limited evidence exists on transmission patterns across gender and class. This study aims at joining force to the efforts trying to situate water-related behavior relevant to the transmission of schistosomiasis to its socio-cultural context. It does so by targeting gender variations in relation to knowledge and behavior relevant to the transmission.
Methods: Fifty five boys and girls at basic school aged (8-15) at Habiba basic school at Kamleen Locality were chosen purposively in accordance to the written consent they provided. The study implemented ethnographic methods for collecting data.
Results: Knowledge about the pathological causes of schistosomiasis among both boys and girls was lacking but the clinical manifestation is partially recognized (blood in urine and painful passing of urine), yet children’s explanation of these symptoms interfered with cultural elements in the context of the village and how the villagers relate to their social world in general. Considerable variation in relations to water-contact behavior associated with gender and types of activity conducted by each group were recorded.
Conclusion: One point of departure between boys and girls at school age in relations to the schistosomiasis infection was that boys reflected knowledge about the snail ecology in water; however association of such knowledge to health or schistosomiasis transmission was missing in the case of both categories of informants.