@article{103568,
  keywords = {schistosomiasis, South Africa, Community-based intervention, Educational intervention, Health Education, knowledge, attitudes and practices, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene},
  author = {Campbell P and Adams J and Thwala M and Oyedele O and Melariri P},
  title = {Knowledge to action: assessing the impact of schistosomiasis education on community knowledge, attitudes and practices in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa},
  abstract = {<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>S</p>

<p>chistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting nearly 240 million people globally, remains entrenched in communities with poor access to safe water and sanitation. Between 2021 and 2022, the World Health Organisation reported a 5% rise in the global need for preventive treatment, with Africa bearing 90% of the burden.</p>

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong></p>

<p>This study assessed community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding schistosomiasis and evaluated the impact of an educational intervention.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong></p>

<p>A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Structured pre- and post-intervention interviews were conducted with residents aged 18-65 years living within 5 km of selected water bodies. Data were captured in QuestionPro and analysed using Microsoft Excel 365 (2019) and R (version 4.3.1).</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong></p>

<p>Of 380 participants (51.1% male, 48.7% female, 0.3% no response), 91.3% had no prior knowledge of schistosomiasis at baseline. Post-intervention, awareness reached 100%. Pre-intervention analysis revealed a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude ( = 0.23,  &lt; 0.001), with knowledgeable individuals more likely to seek treatment and adopt preventive measures. However, post-intervention data showed a negative correlation between attitudes and practices (r = -0.13,  = 0.013), indicating that some participants persisted in high-risk water contact despite improved attitudes.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong></p>

<p>The intervention markedly improved awareness and attitudes but did not fully eliminate risky behaviours. This gap underscores the need for sustained context-specific behavioural change strategies that move beyond knowledge transfer to address ingrained practices. Embedding long-term community engagement into schistosomiasis control programmes is critical to breaking transmission cycles.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Infectious diseases (London, England)},
  pages = {1 - 14},
  month = {04/2026},
  issn = {2374-4243},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23744235.2026.2650617},
  doi = {10.1080/23744235.2026.2650617},
  language = {ENG},
}