The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adults on the uses and relationships with water, which although having a vital character for humans, is sometimes a source of waterborne diseases, including schistosomiasis in endemic areas.
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) carried out among 415 households on uses and relationships with water. The calculated sampling made it possible to survey 415 targeted households. The qualitative data collected is transcribed, analysed through content analysis. The analysis of the quantitative data is carried out using the Student’s and Barlett’s T Test using the STATA software version 2015.
The study showed that 92.54% of respondents know the symptoms of the disease, 62.40% associate it with the consumption of unsanitary water, 86.75% declare as the main symptom the appearance of blood in the urine, 73.01% of households use water from the backwater for domestic purposes, 84.34% of respondents are willing to participate in communication for a change in behaviour.
The municipalities of Aguégués, Sô Ava and N’dali remain areas with endemic potential for schistosomiasis infestation. Attitudes and practices such as bathing, urination in fresh water, fishing and agricultural activities without any sanitary hygiene precautions observed and recorded are unfavourable to the elimination of schistosomiasis.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, Schistosomiasis, Water