Schistosomiasis messaging in endemic communities: Lessons and implications for interventions from rural Uganda, a rapid ethnographic assessment study

This study used a rapid ethnographic assessment to investigate sources, nature and perception of schistosomiasis-related health information in three lake-shore communities in Eastern Uganda. Through transect walks, observations, interviews and focus groups, the authors found that although the main source of schistosomiasis information included government health workers, village health teams and radio programmes, most residents were unsure of the main cause and method of transmission of the disease. Translation of schistosomiasis into the local language seemed to have increased rather than reduced confusion around the disease’s cause.