6533b873fe1ef96bd12d5afe

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Treating Bilharzia among high school pupils : a study of opportunities and constraints for treating Bilharzia among high school pupils in Ugu district, South Africa

subject

description

Master thesis in development management- University of Agder, 2012 One of the many impediments of development is the poor state of health in developing countries. In order to cope with the challenges of poverty, there is a clear need to address the issue of poor health. WHO (World Health Organization) argues a need for further research and more attention on the group of neglected tropical diseases (NTD), one of which is Bilharzia. Bilharzia is a waterborne parasite that infests open fresh water sources such as rivers and dams. Research indicates that Bilharzia may increase susceptibility to HIV, a disease that was estimated to kill 1.8 million people worldwide in 2010. Ugu district is an area characterized by its many rivers, and is situated northeast in South Africa. As South Africa has the highest HIV prevalence in the world, one might easily argue that Bilharzia treatment should be prioritized. This thesis explores variables that influence participation and non-participation in a mass treatment campaign (MTC) run by the South African Department of Health (DoH). By use of the Health Belief Model (HBM), the variables’ effect on MTC participation rates is examined. Through qualitative data collection using interviews and focus group discussions, local perceptions of Bilharzia as seen by pupils, teachers and selected community helpers are identified. Suggestions are made as to how the challenges of misconceptions and fear of barriers can be addressed in order to increase MTC participation rates, hence decrease Bilharzia prevalence in Ugu. Keywords: Bilharzia, Ugu District, Schistosomiasis, South Africa, KwaZulu Natal