Evaluation of a school-based health education model in schistosomiasis: a randomized community trial

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop a schistosomiasis health education model and to evaluate its effectiveness in changing knowledge, attitudes and schistosomal infection rate among Egyptian primary school children. A randomized community trial of three pairs of comparable schools in rural areas was implemented. The study revealed a significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes as well as a reduction of schistosomal infection 1 year post-intervention in the intervention schools of pairs I and II. However, the improvements in knowledge in the intervention school of pair III were not accompanied by significant changes in attitude or schistosomal infection