Abstract
IntroductionSchistosomiasis (SCH) is an important public health problem in developing countries and school-aged children are the most affected. This study explored health and nutritional status and their correlation with SCH in children attending primary school (3rd to 6th class) living in the area of Kasansa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.MethodsAcross-sectional household survey was carried out in Kasansa health area in February 2011. Children whose parents reported to attend primary school (3rd to 6th class) were included. Socio-demographic characteristics, information on morbidity history and risk factor were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. S. mansoni and malaria infection were assessed using the Kato-katz technique and rapid diagnostic test, respectively. Haemoglobin concentration was also performed using a portable HemoControl device. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to assess risk factors for S. mansoni.ResultsA total of 197 school aged children participated in the study with a median age of 12 years and 53.8% of them were boys. The overall health status of the children was poor with very high prevalences of S. mansoni infection (89.3%), malaria infection (65.1%), anaemia (61.4%) and stunting (61.0%). Regular contact with river water was the most important risk factor (OR: 11.7; p<0.001) related to SCH infection. A low haemoglobin concentration was significantly associated with a SCH infection (OR: 12.3; p=0.003) and egg load was associated with stunting (OR: 12.4; p=0.04). Children from farmers were more at risk for low school performance (OR: 5.3; p=0.03).ConclusionHigh prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and malaria infection was observed in the study population living in Kasansa area. Moreover, they presented a high burden of anaemia, chronic malnutrition and low school performance. An integrated disease control and management of these diseases and their consequences, endorsed by surveillance, is needed.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis (SCH) is an important public health problem in developing countries and school-aged children are the most affected
800 million people may be at risk of infection worldwide and more than 200 million are infected, leading to the loss of up to 4.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), of which 90% are in sub-Saharan Africa [6, 7]
Children who tested positive for S. mansoni were treated with a single dose of praziquantel (40mg/Kg body weight), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines
Summary
Schistosomiasis (SCH) is an important public health problem in developing countries and school-aged children are the most affected. The overall health status of the children was poor with very high prevalences of S. mansoni infection (89.3%), malaria infection (65.1%), anaemia (61.4%) and stunting (61.0%). Conclusion: High prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and malaria infection was observed in the study population living in Kasansa area. They presented a high burden of anaemia, chronic malnutrition and low school performance. Schistosomiasis (SCH) remains a serious public health problem in developing countries with a humid tropical climate [1, 2] It is listed as one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and is poverty related [3, 4]. The overall impact on DALYs lost due to the lower grade pathologies is higher than those lost due to severe, sometimes life threatening pathologies [11]
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