WATER CONTACT OBSERVATIONS IN KENYAN COMMUNITIES ENDEMIC FOR SCHISTOSOMIASIS - METHODOLOGY AND PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR

A descriptive analysis of observed water contact activities in seven K enyan (Akamba) communities is presented. The patterns of contact with time of day, month of year, type of activity, degree of immersion, use of soap, use of 'kithima' and day of week are all considered, with pa rticular attention given to how these vary with age and sex. It is not ed that (a) patterns of contact vary dramatically between these cultur ally rather similar communities, (b) contact usually peaks in the seco nd decade of life, (c) generally females, especially young women, spen d more time at the water than males and (d) simple (unweighted) total observed duration of contact gives a relatively inflated estimate of e xposure in adults, especially young women. The methodology of observat ion and data handling is described in some detail.