Knowledge, attitude and practice towards intestinal schistosomiasis among school-aged children and adults in Amhara Regional State, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study

Schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal schistosomiasis (SCH) in all regions of Ethiopia. Despite many years of mass treatment, the prevalence has not dropped significantly. The reduction of SCH transmission demands the integration of deworming with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards SCH are critical to practicing those interventions. However, data on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level in school and community settings is limited in Ethiopia. School and community-based cross-sectional studies were conducted from February to June 2023 among 634 school-aged children (SAC) and 558 adults. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and KAP data. Records were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Correct responses for each of the KAP questions were scored as one, while incorrect or ‘I don’t know’ responses were scored as zero. Good knowledge, a positive attitude and good practice were declared if percentage scores were ≥ 80