Abstract
BackgroundUrinary schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that exists in all regions of Senegal. It is a major public health issue in this country. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and intensity of this parasitosis in 12 villages of Niakhar (Fatick, Senegal).MethodsA total of 210 schoolchildren, aged 7 to 15 years, were enrolled in this study, and urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using a standard urine filtration technique.ResultsOf these children, 121 (57.6%) were found to be infected with a mean geometric count of 185 eggs per 10 ml of urine. The disease was present in all surveyed villages, and the prevalence ranged from 14.3% to 92.8%. The prevalence of infection was significantly correlated with increasing age and was higher in boys. Infection intensity was significantly higher in boys but did not significantly differ with age. Significant relationships between i) water contact or access to running water and ii) the prevalence or intensity of urinary schistosomiasis were also noted.ConclusionsThe district of Niakhar is endemic for urinary schistosomiasis, with a high intensity of infection. A control program to decrease the prevalence and intensity should be implemented in this area to improve community health.
Highlights
Urinary schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that exists in all regions of Senegal
A question on travel outside the Niakhar area showed that only 12% of children traveled to other regions during vacations
Prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection Of the 210 urine samples examined for S. haematobium, 121 (57.6%) were infected, with a mean geometric count (EMGC) of 185 [95% Confidence intervals (CI), 130–264] eggs/10 ml of urine, and 72.8% of the infected urine samples exceeded 49 eggs/10 ml of urine
Summary
Urinary schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that exists in all regions of Senegal It is a major public health issue in this country. Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating disease caused by digenetic trematode flatworms (flukes) of the genus Schistosoma. This water-dependent disease is endemic in rural areas where there is a lack of drinking water [1]. In Senegal, urinary schistosomiasis has been widespread and poses a public health problem, in children [7,8] It is present in all regions of the country [9], with a mean estimated prevalence of 25% in 2003 [10]. As no mass treatment against this helminthiasis has been carried out in this area, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among school children
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