| dc.description.abstract | Malaria still continues to be the most serious environmental communicable disease in Uganda. Malaria causes school absenteeism, which in turn, has a serious impact on the overall academic performance Levels of school children. On the basis of the demographic, hygienic related and environmental factors that cause persistent school absenteeism; the study investigated the extent to which malaria impacts on school attendance. The study which was comparative in nature, was conducted in 20 schools, 10 of which from Kampala, Kawempe Division, and 10 from Kamuli, Bugabula. A comparative assessment of the environmental and sanitation conditions was made in the selected homesteads. All the pupils interviewed were between 9-15 years old. The parents and guardians who were interviewed were between 29 and 69 years. Over half of the households visited, had between 5-10 occupants. This accounted for 58.8% of the households in Kawempe and 72.5% in Bugabula. The major objective of the study was to identify the factors that influence persistent school absenteeism among primary school pupils due to malaria. The other objectives included the assessment of level of knowledge of malaria, studying the state of the environmental conditions of the homesteads as well as identifying the practices of preventive measures of malaria. The study also aimed at establishing the health-seeking behavior of the respondents and to study the effect of the distance of the homesteads to the health centers. To establish the incidence of school absenteeism due to malaria was also another objective. The research instruments used for the study included interviews, questionnaires, observation checklists and Focused Group Discussions. A statistical comparison was made to make a proper assessment of the stated objectives. It was established that the community was well informed about malaria and its transmission mechanisms. This was reflected in the 92.5% and 88.8% level of knowledge of transmission mechanisms among the pupils in Kawempe and Bugabula respectively. There was a high level of knowledge to the effect that mosquitoes transmit malaria. This was reflected in 86.3% and 72.5% of the parents in Kawempe and- Bugabula respectively. However, a small fraction of the respondents thought that drinking un boiled water caused malaria. Malaria was more clearly associated with poor environmental conditions, and this was found to encourage the breeding of mosquitoes in and around the homes. This was observed in 52.2% of the homes visited in Kawempe, (which were surrounded by stagnant water), while 72% of "the homes in Bugabula were surrounded with bushes. The most commonly reported sign and symptom of malaria by 81.3% of the pupils in Kawempe was "fever". Similarly, 78.8% of the pupils in Bugabula also mentioned, "fever". Only 12.5% and 20.0% of the people in Kawempe and Bugabula respectively seek health care from government hospitals. Most of the respondents, 68.8% in Kawempe and 46.6% in Bugabula go to privately owned clinics. Some of respondents, 10% in Kawempe and 27.5% in Bugabula treat themselves at home. The knowledge of breeding places depends on the education level of the parents and guardians. It was discovered that the respondents try to put in place preventive measures. It was also discovered that the level of knowledge determines on the preventive measures was high. The respondents however put in place the measure which they believe suits the situation best. A good number, (40 %) of the respondents in Kawempe mentioned mosquito bed nets, as the most effective way to prevent malaria, while 41.3% of the respondents in Bugabula mentioned clearing of bushes near the home as the most effective method. it was also discovered that 100% of all the pupils in both Kawempe and Bugabula missed at least one during the school term because they were suffering from malaria. The findings from the study recommend that a lot more emphasis be laid on programs aimed at empowering school going children in terms of paying more attention to the improvement of the hygienic conditions in their home. Investing more in health and education programs as well as active participation in environmental activities in the community should also be encouraged. | en_US |
