Abstract
Mass drug administration for schistosomiasis started in 2014 across Taraba State. Surprisingly in 2020, an outbreak of schistosomiasis was reported in Takum local government area. This epidemiological investigation therefore assessed the current status of infection, analyzed associated risk factors and arrested the outbreak through community sensitization activities and mass treatment of 3,580 persons with praziquantel tablets. Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples were conducted among 432 consenting participants in five communities. Samples were processed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration techniques. Participants data on demography, water contact behavior and access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were obtained using standardized questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS 20.0 and significance level was set at 95%. An overall prevalence of 34.7% was observed, with 150 participants infected with both species of Schistosoma parasite. By communities, prevalence was higher in Birama (57.7%), Barkin Lissa (50.5%) and Shibong (33.3%). By species', S. haematobium infection was significantly higher than S. mansoni (28.9% vs 9.5%), with higher proportion of younger males infected (p<0.05). The condition of WASH is deplorable. About 87% had no latrines, 67% had no access to improved source of potable water and 23.6% relied on the river as their main source of water. Infections was significantly associated with water contact behaviors like playing in water (OR:1.50, 95% CI: 1.01-2.25) and swimming (OR:1.55, 95% CI: 1.04-2.31). It is important to reclassify the treatment needs of Takum LGA based on the findings of this study. Furthermore, efforts targeted at improving access to WASH, reducing snail population, improving health education and strengthening surveillance systems to identify schistosomiasis hotspots will be a step in the right direction.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease, caused by a water-borne trematode of the genus Schistosoma
An overall prevalence of 34.7% was observed, with 150 participants infected with both species of Schistosoma parasite
By species’, S. haematobium infection was significantly higher than S. mansoni (28.9% vs 9.5%), with higher proportion of younger males infected (p
Summary
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease, caused by a water-borne trematode of the genus Schistosoma. It is estimated that at least 90% of those affected and requiring treatment for schistosomiasis live in Africa [4] In this region, there are two major species of Schistosoma; the first is the S. haematobium which inhabits the vesicular and pelvic venous plexus of the bladder and causes urogenital schistosomiasis and the second is S. mansoni which is more often in the inferior mesenteric veins draining the large intestine and causes intestinal schistosomiasis [4,6]. There are two major species of Schistosoma; the first is the S. haematobium which inhabits the vesicular and pelvic venous plexus of the bladder and causes urogenital schistosomiasis and the second is S. mansoni which is more often in the inferior mesenteric veins draining the large intestine and causes intestinal schistosomiasis [4,6] The former has been reported in the Middle East and Corsica, while the latter has a wider distribution in the Middle East, the Caribbean, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname [4]. This epidemiological investigation assessed the current status of infection, analyzed associated risk factors and arrested the outbreak through community sensitization activities and mass treatment of 3,580 persons with praziquantel tablets
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