RETRACTED ARTICLE: The epidemiology and chemotherapeutic approaches to the controlof urinary schistosomiasis in school-age children (SAC): a systematicreview

Abstract

BackgroundHuman schistosomiases are acute and chronic infectious diseases ofpoverty. Currently, epidemiological data of urinary schistosomiasis (US) inschool-age children (SAC) and adults are often reported together making itdifficult to ascertain the true status of the disease. Based on this premise, weset out to carry out this review.MethodTo achieve this aim, we carried out a computer-aided search ofPubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, African Journals OnLine (AJOL) and thedatabase of World Health Organization. However, the information obtained fromthese sources was supplemented with additional literatures from Mendeley,Research Gate, and Google.ResultsThe search yielded 183 literatures of which 93 full text research,review and online articles were deemed fit for inclusion. Our key findingsshowed that: (1) of all World Health Organization (WHO) Regions, Africa is themost endemic zone for US, with Kenya and Senegal recording the highestprevalence and mean intensity respectively; (2) SAC within the range of5–16 years contribute most significantly to the transmission cycle of USglobally; (3) gender is a factor to watch out for, with male often recording thehighest prevalence and intensity of infection; (4) contact with open,potentially infested water sources contribute significantly to transmission; (5)parental factors (occupation and education status) predispose SAC to US; (6)economic vis a vis ecological factors play akey role in infection transmission; and (7) in the last decade, a treatmentcoverage of 45% was never achieved globally for SAC or non-SAC treatmentcategory for urinary schistosomiasis.ConclusionIn view of the WHO strategic plan to eliminate schistosomiasis by2020 and the findings from this review, it is obvious that this goal, in theface of realities, might not be achieved. It is imperative that annual controlprogrammes be scaled up marginally, particularly in the African region of WHO.While US-based researches should be sponsored at the grass-root level to unveilhidden endemic foci, adequate facilities for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene(WASH) should be put in place in all schools globally.