Browsing by Author "Masquillier, Caroline"

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    Empowering communities through citizen science and participatory action research: implementation of a schistosomiasis communication campaign in Uganda
    (Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2024) Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Huyse, Tine; Masquillier, Caroline; Nyakato, Viola Nilah; Poels, Karolien
    Schistosomiasis is a water-related disease strongly linked with high-risk water and sanitation practices perpetuating disease transmission. In Uganda, despite health education and sensitisation efforts through communication campaigns by the Ministry of Health to reduce schistosomiasis prevalence, common risky practices still pose a challenge, especially among endemic communities. Here, we steered away from the conventional top-down approach to communication campaigns and explored alternative methods. We employed citizen science (CS) and other participatory action research (PAR) techniques as a bottom-up approach to co-design and implement a communication campaign among communities of western Uganda, to achieve a more tangible outcome of behaviour change for preventing schistosomiasis. We collected qualitative data using data party, world café, prioritisation and ranking, focus group discussion, and key informant interviews from 378 purposively selected individuals and analysed it using a thematic analysis model. Community volunteers, community radios and local leaders were the most preferred channels for passing schistosomiasis information identified by participants. Lack of access to safe water and healthcare services, open defecation, and inadequate knowledge of schistosomiasis are some of the most pressing problems prioritised. Door-to-door visits by citizen scientists (CSs), community meetings, drama, and tournaments were the channels proposed by CSs and community groups during the co-design workshops. Over 1000 households and about 9000 community members were directly reached using the channels. Endemic communities prefer receiving schistosomiasis information using local channels instead of conventional ones. Combining citizen science with other PAR approaches empowers communities to interpret research findings in their contexts and take charge of the interventions. As such, clear and simple message coverage and a high audience turn-up can be achieved. A follow-up study is needed to evaluate the process and impact of the communication intervention on the citizen scientists and the community’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding preventive measures.
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    Health-seeking behaviour regarding schistosomiasis treatment in the absence of a mass drug administration (MDA) program: the case of endemic communities along Lake Albert in Western Uganda
    (BMC Public Health, 2023) Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Nyakato, Viola Nilah; Huyse, Tine; Poels, Karolien; Masquillier, Caroline
    Introduction Schistosomiasis poses a serious public health problem and a social challenge affecting over 240 million people, the majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends praziquantel (PZQ) drug treatment through regular mass drug administration (MDA) accompanied by social mobilisation and health education and sensitisation. With social mobilisation and health education and sensitisation, there is bound to be increased demand for the PZQ, especially in the case of endemic communities. However, it is not clear where communities go for PZQ treatment in the absence of PZQ MDA. We explored the health-seeking behaviours regarding schistosomiasis treatment among communities along Lake Albert in Western Uganda when MDA had delayed, to inform a review of the implementation policy for the achievement of the WHO’s 2030 target of 75% coverage and uptake. Methods and materials We conducted a community-based qualitative study in Kagadi and Ntoroko, an endemic community in January and February 2020. We interviewed 12 individuals: local leaders, village health teams, and health workers, and conducted 28 focus group discussion sessions with 251 purposively selected community members. The audio recordings of the data were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis model. Results Generally, participants seldom seek medication for schistosomiasis-related signs and symptoms from government hospitals and health centres II, III and IV. Instead, they rely on community volunteers such as VHTs, private facilities, such as clinics and drug shops nearby, or traditional sources (e.g. witch doctors and herbalists). Results show that factors influencing people to seek treatment from sources other than the government are: the absence of PZQ drugs in the government health facility; health workers’ negative attitude towards patients; long distances to the government hospitals and health facilities; poor and inaccessible roads; medication-related costs; and negative perceptions of the PZQ drug. Conclusions Availability and accessibility of PZQ seem to be a big challenge. PZQ uptake is further hampered by health systems and community-related and socio-cultural factors. Thus there is a need to bring schistosomiasis drug treatment and services closer to endemic communities, stock nearby facilities with PZQ and encourage endemic communities to take the drug. Contextualised awareness-raising campaigns are needed to debunk myths and misconceptions surrounding the drug. Keywords Health-seeking behaviour, Mass drug administration, Endemic, Communities, Lake Albert, Praziquantel, Schistosomiasis, Uganda
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    Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding schistosomiasis infection and prevention: A mixed-methods study among endemic communities of western Uganda
    (PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, 2022) Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Poels, Karolien; Huyse, Tine; Tumusiime, Julius; Mugabi, Faith; Tolo, Casim Umba; Masquillier, Caroline; Nyakato, Viola Nilah
    Schistosomiasis is one of the leading neglected tropical diseases, second to malaria in prevalence. In Uganda, more than 10 million people (25.6%) are currently infected, with prevalence in some areas as high as 90%, and more than 55% of the population is at risk. The most at-risk populations are the fishing communities and school-aged children. Despite the government’s prevention and control programs such as mass drug administration (MDA) and sensitization, infections and re-infections have continued to occur, even in areas where MDA has been implemented. Previous studies have linked this with risky behavior. However, information from western Uganda is inadequate. We conducted a mixed-methods study to assess community knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and to understand their opinions and perspectives regarding the disease. The study found that, whereas there is adequate knowledge of schistosomiasis and although there is a positive attitude toward avoiding water contact and the use of latrines, it is difficult to do so, something that could explain the persistent risky practices. The risky practices could also be compounded by myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease. These findings shall form the basis for the design and implementation of contextualized, community-based, participatory communication tools for behavior change. Community involvement in schistosomiasis prevention programs could lead to increased awareness about disease prevention and could debunk existing myths and misconceptions, thereby improving behaviors, practices, and habits, ultimately lowering infection.