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Water contact observations in Kenyan communities endemic for schistosomiasis: methodology and patterns of behaviour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

A. J. C. Fulford*
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
J. H. Ouma
Affiliation:
Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry of Health, PO Box 205750, Nairobi, Kenya
H. C. Kariuki
Affiliation:
Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry of Health, PO Box 205750, Nairobi, Kenya
F. W. Thiongo
Affiliation:
Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry of Health, PO Box 205750, Nairobi, Kenya
R. Klumpp
Affiliation:
1192 Cleveland Street, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA
H. Kloos
Affiliation:
2307, N. Backer Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703, USA
R. F. Sturrock
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT
A. E. Butterworth
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
*
* Corresponding author: Department of pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1Qp. Tel: 01223 333338. Fax: 01223 353492. E-mail: aflOl@cam.ac.uk.

Summary

A descriptive analysis of observed water contact activities in seven Kenyan (Akamba) communities is presented. The patterns of contact with time of day, month of year, type of activity, degree of immersion, use of soap, use of ‘kithima’ and day of week are all considered, with particular attention given to how these vary with age and sex. It is noted that (a) patterns of contact vary dramatically between these culturally rather similar communities, (b) contact usually peaks in the second decade of life, (c) generally females, especially young women, spend more time at the water than males and (d) simple (unweighted) total observed duration of contact gives a relatively inflated estimate of exposure in adults, especially young women. The methodology of observation and data handling is described in some detail.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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