Urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium, is a debilitating parasitic disease that disproportionately affects impoverished communities in sub-Saharan Africa [1, 2]. While control strategies, primarily preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel, have been scaled up, their success is often undermined by high rates of reinfection. Sustainable control and eventual elimination of the disease cannot be achieved through mass drug administration (MDA) alone. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH), snail control, and, crucially, behavioral change within at-risk populations [3,4].

There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating a direct link between low knowledge, negative attitudes, and risky WaSH practices and the continued transmission of schistosomiasis [5,6]. The perception of schistosomiasis as a minor illness, rather than a serious threat to health and development, contributes to the persistence of the disease. Therefore, understanding a community’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is a critical prerequisite for designing and implementing effective behavioral change interventions that promote the adoption of protective behaviors and the reduction of risk [7].

Adolescents, particularly girls, are a key demographic in the transmission cycle. They often bear the responsibility for domestic chores like washing clothes and fetching water, which puts them in frequent contact with potentially contaminated water sources [8]. Furthermore, they are at an age where the long-term consequences of infection, such as female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), can have a devastating impact on their reproductive health and social well-being [9,10]. Despite their vulnerability, their knowledge and perceptions of the disease are often poorly understood, as control programs have historically focused on younger, school-aged children.

Studies across sub-Saharan Africa have consistently revealed significant gaps in knowledge. A survey in Mozambique found that while general awareness of schistosomiasis was high (91%), correct knowledge of its transmission and prevention was very low (18% and 13%, respectively) [11]. Similarly, a qualitative study in Ghana found that knowledge of FGS was almost non-existent among women, girls, and even frontline health workers, with symptoms often being misattributed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), leading to stigma and inappropriate treatment [8,12]. This misperception is particularly damaging, as it can deter individuals from seeking timely and appropriate care.

This study was designed to address this gap by specifically assessing the knowledge, awareness, and health-seeking behaviors related to urinary schistosomiasis among female adolescents in riverine communities of Abuja, Nigeria. The aim was to identify the specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions that fuel vulnerability in this group, in order to provide evidence for the development of targeted and effective health education interventions.