02704nas a2200265 4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001400054653002800068653002100096653002700117100001100144700001400155700001300169700001100182700001500193700001400208700001200222245009800234856007400332300001200406490000700418520199900425022001402424 2024 d c07/202410aAwareness10aGenital schistosomiasis10aNorthern Nigeria10aPrimary care providers1 aSada Y1 aOlawumi A1 aTenego M1 aSidi M1 aDan-Inna M1 aCamanor Y1 aOseni T00aAwareness of Primary Care Providers on Genital Schistosomiasis Infection in Northern Nigeria. uhttps://wajmed.com/ojs3.3__wajm/index.php/wajmed/article/view/921/565 a805-8090 v413 a

Background: Genital schistosomiasis (GS) is a debilitating neglected tropical disease caused by Schistosoma haematobium. Despite its significant impact on reproductive health, awareness and knowledge of GS among healthcare providers, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, remain inadequate, leading to underdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess the awareness and knowledge of GS among 139 primary healthcare providers in Northern Nigeria. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was utilized, covering various aspects of GS including its aetiopathogenesis, clinical features, complications, diagnosis, and prevention/treatment. Respondents were scored based on their answers, with an overall score of ≥35 considered indicative of good awareness.

Results: Most respondents were aged 31-50 years (41.0%), male (59.7%), married (84.9%), and working in the public sector (97.8%). Mean scores indicated varying levels of awareness across different aspects of GS, with higher awareness regarding aetiopathogenesis (13.99 ±3.275) and prevention/treatment (11.27±1.592). However, awareness of complications remained comparatively lower. Overall, 43.9% of respondents demonstrated good awareness of GS. Regional disparities in awareness were observed, with the North-western region exhibiting the highest awareness (52.6%) followed by the Northeast (40.6%) and Northcentral regions (36.0%).

Conclusion: The study underscores the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to enhance healthcare providers' knowledge of GS, particularly in regions with lower awareness levels. Improving awareness and knowledge among primary healthcare providers can facilitate early detection, appropriate management, and prevention strategies, thus alleviating the burden of GS on affected communities in Northern Nigeria and beyond.

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