Urinogenital schistosomiasis knowledge, attitude, practices, and its clinical correlates among communities along water bodies in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District, Ghana

Background Adequate knowledge and proper practices coupled with knowledge of the burden of disease are necessary for the eradication of Schistosoma infection. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) as well as health outcomes related to Schistosoma haematobium infection at Kwahu Afram Plains North District (KAPND). Methods A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was carried out among 140 participants from four local communities in KAPND in August 2021. From these participants, 10ml of urine was collected for determination of the presence of S. haematobium and urine routine examination. In addition, 4ml of blood was collected and used for haematological examination. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using IBM SPSS were used to describe and represent the data collected. Results The study reports a gap in knowledge about schistosomiasis in the study area with the majority indicating that they have not heard of schistosomiasis (60.7%), do not know the mode of transmission (49.3%), and do not know how the disease could be spread (51.5%). The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 52.9%. This was associated with age, occupation, perceived mode of Schistosoma transmission, knowledge of Schistosoma prevention, awareness that schistosomiasis can be treated, frequency of visits to water bodies, and water usage patterns. In multivariate analysis, factors that remained significantly associated with S. haematobium infection were age 21–40 (OR  =  0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.76), 41–60 (OR  =  0.01, 95% CI: 0.01–0.52) and ≥ 60 (OR  =  0.02, 95% CI: 0.02–0.87), informal employment (OR  =  0.01, 95% CI: 0.01–0.69) and awareness of transmission by drinking water from river body (OR  =  0.03, 95% CI: 0.03–0.92). In Schistosoma infection, reduced haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, lymphocytes and eosinophils were observed. White blood cells, neutrophils, and monocytes were significantly elevated in infected states. Urine analysis revealed high pus cells and red blood cells counts among Schistosoma-positive participants. Conclusion Schistosoma infection is endemic among inhabitants in KAPND, and is associated with a gap in knowledge, awareness, and practice possibly due to inadequate education in the area. Poor clinical outcomes associated with Schistosoma infection have been demonstrated in the area. A well-structured public education, nutritional intervention, and mass drug administration will be necessary to eradicate this menace. Author summary Schistosomiasis is one of the leading neglected tropical diseases worldwide. Ghana is considered endemic to schistosomiasis and cited to be present throughout the whole country according to the 2015 World Schistosomiasis Risk Chart. Earlier studies have reported that individual and community perceptions of schistosomiasis are key factors that impact transmission rates and could help in planning and implementing control initiatives. In this study, we assessed community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis among inhabitants living along water bodies in the KAPND of Ghana. In addition, this study highlights the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of schistosomiasis in the area. We observed a gap in knowledge, attitude, and practice in the area. Consequently, a prevalence as high as 52.9% which was related to individual characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices was observed. Schistosoma infection was associated with poor clinical outcomes in the area. Infection prevalence observed in the area indicates intense exposure and alarming transmission possibly due to poor knowledge, attitude, and practices. Control interventions targeted at controlling infection in the communities are warranted and should focus on educating inhabitants on Schistosoma prevention strategies and mass drug administration