Control of Parasitic Diseases through School-based Health Education and Deworming: A five years activities in Ada-Foah, Ghana. X European Multicolloquium of Parasitology – EMOP 10 Paris

Abstract

KAP and parasitological surveys were conducted (in 2002, 2005 and 2007) among primary school children in the model site of West African Centre for International Parasite Control (WACIPAC) in Ghana. School-based health intervention was used as a means of controlling Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) and Schistosomiasis. Comprehensive health promoting activities, including health education and mass deworming was conducted in all 10 primary schools in communities in the area. The KAP study showed that hygienic and de-worming practices and knowledge about de-worming had improved. Par asitlogical surveys also showed that the prevalence of both STH and schistosomiasis decreased sharply over the 5 years. Interestingly, knowledge related to the causes and transmission of parasitic diseases did not show improvement.