Abstract:
Climate change is projected to have an impact on disease abundance and a geographic shift in the
prevalence of many vector borne diseases like schistosomiasis and malaria. Schistosomiasis is one
of the 13 diseases that the WHO has classified as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) which
currently affects some 200 million people and another 600 million people are at risk globally.
Despite the high prevalence and its associated effects like anaemia and bladder cancer, it receives
less attention and little is currently known about the pattern of spread and the potential links to
climate change. This study examined the influence of climate variability/change on schistosomiasis
prevalence in endemic communities.
Also, community knowledge and perceptions of
schistosomiasis infection, as well as coping strategies were examined. The study employed a mixed
method involving qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Schistosomiasis epidemiological data
from the Centre for Health Information Management (CHIM) and climatic data the Ghana
Meteorological Agency were used. The primary data collection involved focus group discussion, in-
depth interviews and participant observation in two communities. The results of the quantitative
data analysis showed a significant positive correlation between total rainfall and schistosomiasis
(r=0.410, p<0.05). The correlation between rainy days and schistosomiasis is not significant
(r=0.263, p>0.138).
Minimum and maximum temperatures correlated negatively with
schistosomiasis (r=-0.717, p<0.05) and (r=-0.631, p<0.05) respectively.
Moreover, there was no
significant difference between the effect of moderate rainfall and high rainfall on schistosomiasis
prevalence (X 2 =2.098, df=3, p>0.5). It was also found that the maximum temperature Granger-
causes a reduction in schistosomiasis. Also, the knowledge and perceptions of climate change was
consistent with the empirical data and that for schistosomiasis was similar to biomedical
explanations. There had been control and prevention interventions such as school-based education,
screening and treatment which were mainly targeted towards school children to the neglect of the
other vulnerable groups.
The study recommends that community members be involved in
prevention and control programmes, so that their knowledge and perceptions can be integrated into
the implementation strategies.
