Perceptions and Experiences of a Population at Risk of Schistosomiasis in Four Villages in Burkina Faso DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.9
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in Burkina Faso, despite decades of efforts to combat the disease. Knowing and considering the opinions of at-risk populations can help to improve the control of this disease. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of an at-risk population in the schistosomiasis control region in four villages from Burkina Faso.
METHODOLOGY: A qualitative study was carried out in March and April 2022 in Bourzem, Pana, Vy, and Zam. In each village, four individual interviews were conducted with community leaders and four focus groups with school-age children, men, women, and patients. The data was analyzed thematically.
RESULTS: The representation of haematuria, the main symptom of the disease, has gone from being a sign of virility and fertility a few decades ago, to a cause of infertility that needs to be combated. The experiences reported have been painful, with difficulties in finding an effective treatment. Although considerable efforts have been made to control the disease, vaccination has been proposed by the population as an additional weapon.
CONCLUSION: The population is apprehensive about schistosomiasis and is open to measures that can improve their quality of life without affecting their need to use the village water point. By requesting an increase in the frequency of mass drug distribution campaigns and greater awareness-raising, this population is showing itself to be receptive to a more inclusive schistosomiasis control policy.
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