Abstract:
The School-Based De-worming Exercise was introduced to reach communities and targets school going children who are often infected with schistosomiasis. As such the study sought to explore the knowledge about schistosomiasis among residents of the district, to determine perceptions of school-based deworming exercise and to identify challenges and coping strategies in relation to school-based de-worming exercise. This study used a qualitative approach employing phenomenological design to identify the factors that promotes acceptability of the School-Based De-worming Exercise in the Biakoye district. A total of 27 participants were recruited to take part in this study. Out of this number, fourteen caregivers were grouped into two FGD‘s of 6 and 8 members respectively. Then through purposive sampling three (3) IDI‘S with disease control officers, five (5) IDI‘s with teachers and five (5) more IDI‘s with caregivers was also conducted. With the aid of NVivo version 12.0, inductive-deductive analysis was done after recorded interviews were transcribed word for word, coded and analysed for generating themes. These themes and sub-themes have been duly presented in the results and discussion sections of this paper. There is basic knowledge on schistosomiasis and the School-Based De-worming exercise among respondents. Among the people studied, it is accepted that the SBD exercise is beneficial, it has improved school attendance and their performance in school. It is a very good avenue for children from poor homes to get dewormed. Yet despite these widely accepted benefits, some caregivers do not allow their wards to take part in the exercise due to limited knowledge on the consequences of schistosome infections. Other contributing factors misconceptions of praziquantel and the SBD exercise and fear of what may happen to a child who takes the drug. Overall, there exist high acceptability of the school-based de-worming exercise. Based on the findings above, it was recommended that more education should be given to residents of Biakoye district those who have benefitted from the SBD exercise should share their experiences with others to encourage joining in.
