PERCEPTION OF WATER PURIFICATION AS A CONTROL MEASURE OF GUINEA WORM DISEASE AMONG RURAL WOMEN OF OHAOZARA COMMUNITY

Abstract

Thisstudy was aimed at ascertaining level of perception of water purification processes as a control measure of Guinea Worm diseases among rural women in Ohaozara Community of Ebonyi State. In line with the obiectives of the study, four research questions and three corresponding hypotheses were formulated. By purpose based classification scheme, descriptive survey research design was used. The sample for the study consisted of 300 child bearing age women from randomly drawn villages in Ohaozara. The instrument used for collecting data was self-developed, structured, valid and reliable questionnaire, which was administered on face-to-face basis to the respondents. Data collected from the respondents were tallied and analyzed using descriptive statistic of percentage and inferential statistic of chi-square. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the level of perception of water purification as a control measure of guinea worm disease among rural women in Ohaozara community was low. Age, level of education, and religious affiliations were found to be significant factors that influenced the womens perception. Women aged 39-48 years disclosed much more high level of perception than other age brackets. Recommendations were made based on the findings, perlinent among which is that Nigerian Guinea Worm Education Programme (NGWEP) should intensify her Guinea Worm education services at the Guinea worm endemic zones to educate villagers on water purification processes.