Risk factors of schistosomiasis and the health effect among patients attending Alkalakla Health Centre - Khartoum State-Sudan (2018)

Abstract

Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is the most prevalent parasitic disease after malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public health importance in the developing world and is listed as a Neglected Tropical disease (NTD). Objectives of the study are to identify the risk factors of schistosomiasis and its health effect among patients attending Algubba Health Center and Algalaa health Center in Al kalakla area (September 2017 to January 2018) to set recommendations according to the results. Methods and Material: - 150 patients were selected for the study by cross-sectional descriptive convenience study. Questionnaire is the main source of obtaining data & information. Data were entered and analyzed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results: - The age group of the participants between (5 to 14) years old 64%, most of them are males 92%, educational level is secondary 80%, live in bricks houses 72. 7%, , the monthly income is medium (1000 to 2000 SD)41.3%, the family head are self-employed represents 54%, respondents have access to the house electricity constitute98%, about 32.7% of the study group live near to the river, regularly swim in the river constitute 93.3%, activities of respondents near the river for the swimming 49.3%. Most of the study population the symptoms appeared before one month 59.3%, suffer from urinary schistosomiasis 86.7%, the proportion of those who have negative health impacts due to schistosomiasis 45.3%, suffer from loss of weight.40% of population study are not agree that schistosomiasis associated with other diseases,96%of respondents have the knowledge about schistosomiasis, and 64% of them received the information from the health education program. In conclusions, it is clear that swimming, house near to the river, age sex (male), and loss of body weight is the most common health effects due to schistosomiasis. The researcher recommended: to the health authority that health education programs should be conducted for the community about sanitation practices (no urination and defecation in water sources), the school health programs should be activated in schools as risk group for adolescent boys, making an especial program for detection and treatment of sick people, and repeating & regular chemotherapy to those at risk of infection, control of the intermediate host snail should be continuing.