Abstract
IntroductionOn march 2, 2016, the principal of Omindamba primary school in Outapi district notified the Outapi hospital of a cluster of students complaining of dysuria and passing bloody urine. We conducted an investigation to identify the agent, source of infection, and to determine factors associated with the outbreak.MethodsAn unmatched 1:1 case-control study was conducted. A case was defined as any student of Omindamba primary school, who passed bloody urine with or without dysuria or lower abdominal pains from 2nd- 4th March 2016, during the time of the investigation. A control was a classmate of a case. We collected demographic, clinical and environmental data.Results125 cases and 125 controls were enrolled into the study. The mean age for cases was 11.3 years and controls was 11.0 years, with standard deviation of 3.2 years in both cases and controls. The most affected age group was 11-15 years with 63 (50.4%) cases, followed by 6-10 years with 51(40.8%) cases. Schistosoma hematobium was isolated in the urine specimens examined. Swimming in the canal (adjusted OR = 3.58; 95% CI = 1.14-11.2; p-value = 0.03), and using Etaka pond as a source of water (adjusted OR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.09-3.50, p-value = 0.02) were independent factors associated with contracting schistosomiasis.ConclusionThe Schistosomiasis outbreak among the school children was caused by Schistosoma hematobium. Swimming in the canal and using Etaka pond as a source of drinking water were the predictive factors for the infection. A community-based health education on the prevention of Schistosomiasis was implemented.
Highlights
On march 2, 2016, the principal of Omindamba primary school in Outapi district notified the Outapi hospital of a cluster of students complaining of dysuria and passing bloody urine
Urinary schistosomiasis is caused by S. haematobium, while intestinal schistosomiasis is caused by either S. mansoni, S. japonicas, S. intercalantum or S. mekongi [6]
We found that the cause of dysuria and haematuria among students of Omindamba primary school was Schistosoma hematobium infection
Summary
On march 2, 2016, the principal of Omindamba primary school in Outapi district notified the Outapi hospital of a cluster of students complaining of dysuria and passing bloody urine. We conducted an investigation to identify the agent, source of infection, and to determine factors associated with the outbreak. Conclusion: The Schistosomiasis outbreak among the school children was caused by Schistosoma hematobium. Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic neglected ancient human disease caused by parasitic worms, affecting people worldwide, in the poorest communities [1]. Lack of hygiene and certain play habits of school-aged children such as swimming or fishing in infested water make them especially vulnerable to infection [1]. A total of 258 million people was estimated to require treatment for Schistosomiasis in 2014; of whom 123 million (47.6%) were school-age children (5-14 years of age). The investigation aimed to identify the agent, source of infection, and to determine factors associated with the outbreak at Omindamba primary school
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