03139nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002400086653001700110100001200127700001200139700001400151700001900165700001300184700001200197700001200209700001500221700001300236700001300249700001400262700001700276245012100293856007300414490000700487520234100494022001402835       2022                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aInfectious Diseases10aParasitology1 aSule MN1 aMosha J1 aSoboka TE1 aKinung’hi SM1 aSfynia C1 aRafiq K1 aDower A1 aComparet M1 aBewley E1 aAngelo T1 aBeshah FZ1 aTempleton MR00aA novel theatre-based behaviour change approach for influencing community uptake of schistosomiasis control measures  uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13071-022-05421-5.pdf0 v153 a<p>Background Appropriate behaviour change with regard to safe water contact practices will facilitate the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health concern. Various approaches to effecting this change have been trialled in the field but with limited sustainable outcomes. Our case study assessed the effectiveness of a novel theatre-based behaviour change technique (BCT), in combination with cohort awareness raising and capacity training intervention workshops. Methodology Our study was carried out in four rural communities in the Mwanza region of Tanzania and in the semi-urban town of Kemise, Ethiopia. We adapted the Risk, Attitude, Norms, Ability and Self-regulation (RANAS) framework and four phases using a mixed methods approach. Participatory project phase engagement and qualitative formative data were used to guide the design of an acceptable, holistic intervention. Initial baseline (BL) data were collected using quantitative questionnaire surveys with 804 participants in Tanzania and 617 in Ethiopia, followed by the theatre-based BCT and capacity training intervention workshops. A post-intervention (PI) survey was carried out after 6 months, with a participant return rate of 65% in Tanzania and 60% in Ethiopia. Results The intervention achieved a significant improvement in the knowledge of schistosomiasis transmission being associated with poorly managed sanitation and risky water contact. Participants in Tanzania increased their uptake of preventive chemotherapy (males: BL, 56%; PI, 73%, females: BL, 43%; PI, 50%). There was a significant increase in the selection of sanitation (Tanzania: BL, 13%; PI, 21%, Ethiopia: BL, 63%; PI, 90%), safe water and avoiding/minimising contact with infested waters as prevention methods in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Some of the participants in Tanzania followed on from the study by building their own latrines. Conclusions This study showed that substantial positive behaviour changes in schistosomiasis control can be achieved using theatre-based BCT intervention and disease awareness training. With the appropriate sensitisation, education and stakeholder engagement approaches, community members were more open to minimising risk-associated contact with contaminated water sources and were mobilised to implement preventive measures. Graphical Abstract</p>
  a1756-3305