Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis is among the neglected tropical diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality among the vulnerable population including school-aged children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and risk factors for transmission among primary school children in an endemic urban area of Kinondoni municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2020. A total of 250 urine samples were collected from primary school children, examined for haematuria using urinalysis test strips, and Schistosoma haematobium (S.haematobium) infection and intensity using the urine filtration technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on water, sanitation, and hygiene risk factors that could influence the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. Results: Out of 250 primary school children recruited, 13(5.2%) had haematuria, 3(1.2%) had S.haematobium ova, and all were light-intensity infections. Among the assessed risk factors, the following were significantly associated with the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis; type of latrine used at home (p=0.044), frequency of swimming (p=0.030), the children who never swallowed praziquantel (p < 0.00), experienced side effects (p < 0.00), type of side effects experienced (p=0.037), and reasons for not taking praziquantel in the last round of mass drug administration (p=0.007). Conclusion: The low prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis indicates the ongoing transmission of the disease among primary school children. Frequency of swimming, type of latrines used at home, and non-uptake of praziquantel are the risk factors for the infection among primary school children.
Highlights
Urogenital schistosomiasis is a disease of public health concern
It's estimated that 436 million people are at risk of acquiring urogenital schistosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 112 million people are already infected with Schistosoma haematobium (S.haematobium) [1]
The observed low prevalence of S.haematobium infection compared to the prevalence of microhaematuria is possible in low endemic settings where the shedding of eggs is low and challenging to detect eggs by the single filtration of a urine sample
Summary
Urogenital schistosomiasis is a disease of public health concern. The majority of urogenital schistosomiasis cases occurred to people living in Sub-Saharan Africa. It's estimated that 436 million people are at risk of acquiring urogenital schistosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 112 million people are already infected with Schistosoma haematobium (S.haematobium) [1]. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and risk factors for transmission among primary school children in an endemic urban area of Kinondoni municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on water, sanitation, and hygiene risk factors that could influence the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. Conclusion: The low prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis indicates the ongoing transmission of the disease among primary school children. Type of latrines used at home, and non-uptake of praziquantel are the risk factors for the infection among primary school children
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
