Abstract
In this study, the seroprevalence of sparganosis and its relationship with sociodemographic factors in northern Tanzania have been assessed. A total of 216 serum samples from two rural districts, Monduli and Babati, were tested for sparganosis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of anti-sparganum IgG antibodies was 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 56.1–68.9) in all age groups. There were significant associations between district (relative risk [RR] = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.42–2.69), education (RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.15–1.70), and pet ownership with seropositivity (RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.02–2.16) based on univariate analysis. However, only the district was significantly associated with seropositivity (odds ratio = 4.20, 95% CI = 1.89–9.32) in binary logistic regression analysis. Providing health education to people residing in sparganosis-endemic areas is likely to improve the efficacy of preventative measures and reduce human disease burden.
Highlights
There are no comprehensive epidemiological surveys of sparganosis in Tanzania, cases of sparganosis have been reported in pastoralists in the Loliondo District of northern Tanzania.[8]
No serological method has been used to date to diagnose human sparganosis in Tanzania
All risk factors contributed to the seropositivity except for gender and age group (RR = 0.851, 95% CI = 0.669–1.08)
Summary
There are no comprehensive epidemiological surveys of sparganosis in Tanzania, cases of sparganosis have been reported in pastoralists (the Maasai) in the Loliondo District of northern Tanzania.[8]. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the commonly referred as administrative wards in the rural area of two districts (Babati and Monduli) in northern Tanzania.
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