Abstract
Background
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea and affects
individuals of all ages. Parents of children who use swimming pools play a crucial
role in minimizing transmission by encouraging and modeling healthy practices
Aim: assess parental awareness about cryptosporidium, related health behaviors,
risks and self -reported morbidities in swimming pools at Assiut city. Methods:
Descriptive study was used in this study, non-probability purposive sampling
technique on 235 parents in 4 swimming pools. Data was collected using a selfadministered
structured questionnaire which included socio-demographic, parental
awareness about cryptosporidium, related health behaviors, risks, self-reported
symptoms and morbidities in swimming pools. Results: the study revealed that
62.6% of parents have unsatisfactory total knowledge level about cryptosporidium,
related health behaviors and risks while 37.4% of them get satisfactory level of
knowledge. Self -reported morbidities was 41.3 % of participants have mild
morbidity during swimming. Positive significant correlation between knowledge
about cryptosporidium and health risks among swimming pool users’ parents.
Conclusion: there was unsatisfactory knowledge about cryptosporidium, related
health behaviors and risks. Recommendation: Educational programs should be
implemented to improve knowledge of swimming pool attendance about
cryptosporidiosis and preventive measures.
Key Words: Cryptosporidium, Health behaviors, Parental awareness, Risks, Self -
reported morbidities, Swimming pools.