North-West University, Water Research Group and the University of Limpopo observe Snail Day
The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) and the University of Limpopo (UL) recently hosted a Snail Day community workshop, sponsored by the Water Research Commission (WRC).
According to Dr Lizaan de Necker, principal investigator from the NWU, this formed part of their project that focuses on the distribution of schistosomiasis in South Africa, how it may have changed over the past 40 years, and to model how the distribution may change in the future because of climate change.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode worms from the genus Schistosoma and it is transmitted to humans and livestock by specific aquatic snail species. This disease affects approximately 5 million people in South Africa each year and mostly occurs in warm, rural areas where there is a lack of appropriate access to sanitation facilities and piped water.
“Humans get the disease from bodies of water where snails infected with the parasites are also present. The parasites live inside the human and animal intestinal systems and lay eggs that are transmitted from the human or animal back into the water through faeces and/or urine,” says Dr de Necker.
“Part of the project was to conduct surveys with local communities in the Vhembe district in Limpopo where this disease occurs. These surveys aimed to determine people’s knowledge about schistosomiasis, whether they know how it is transmitted, what harm it can cause and how they perceive this disease.”
The aim of the community workshop was to teach children – aged 10 to 13 – about schistosomiasis (locally known as mutambotambo) and river health. The focus was specifically on this age group since it has been reported that they are some of the most at-risk of getting infected with schistosomiasis, and are also some of the least knowledgeable about the disease.
A total of 68 children from Mpheni Primary, Tshino Primary, Tshivhazwaulu Primary and Rasivhetshele Primary took part in the workshop at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Tshino.
During the workshop children were first given an insight on science as a subject. They were given a gift packet which also contained an information sheet about what schistosomiasis is, what the risks are, and what to do if they become ill.
They were also taught more about river and ecosystem health and schistosomiasis through a variety of activities.
They looked at the snails and parasites that cause schistosomiasis through microscopes, examined macroinvertebrates from rivers in their region, and completed snail, schistosomiasis life cycle and fish predator puzzles. Ring toss, balancing ball, a maze, magnet fishing and flag painting were also added to the mix.
Eight teachers – two from each school – also attended the workshop, as well as local tribal leaders and community members and members from the Well of Hope non-profit organisation in the region.
A total of 29 researchers, 18 from the NWU and 11 from the University of Limpopo, assisted with the workshop. The games were sponsored by Nature-I-am, a company from Potchefstroom that offers games for various activities for adults and children.
The children were also given the opportunity to ask questions to any of the researchers, followed by a final debriefing about the day.