Abstract:
This study sought to assess the level of understanding of
schistosomiasis among second year senior secondary school
biology students in endemic and non-endemic areas, of Anambra
State. A sample of four-hundred and forty-nine students from six schools, of which three each from endemic and non-endemic
areas of schistosomiasis were used. The students were
subjected to a test on schistoaomiasis developed by the
researcher. This was based on the biology concept under the
unit "Micro-organisms man and Health" in the senior secondary
biology core curriculum. The answers were scored' and the
scores were analyzed to determine the level of understanding
of schistosomiasis. The result of this test showed that SSII biology students possessed a moderate level . ( 5 2 . 4 % ) of knowledge of schistosomiasis.Further analysis 'of performance between students from the endemic areas and those from the non-endemic areas, revealed a higher mean score by students from the endemic areas. The t-test confirmed that students from the endemic areas
perf ormed significantly at [p<O. 051 level better than those
from the non-endemic areas. This could be attributed to a considered influence of the environment and the social
experiences of the people in dealing and being victims of the
, disease. Finally, the educational implications of the findings and suggestion for further research were discussed.
