Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence and risk factors among school children at matta-barrage in the Tikar Plain of Magba, West Region, Cameroon: A situational analysis in rural area

Abstract

Background: Urinary schistosomiasis (US), caused by Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) has reported very high in Cameroon and children were more infected. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of US and risk factors among school children at Matta-Barrage in Magba sub-division. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during one month period from May to June, 2019 among pupils at Matta-Barrage public school after parental consent. The sample was taken after physical exercise and the urine was collected at the end of micturition in a sterile urine container. Data collected were performed using SPSS version 25.0 and P-value ˂ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 300 pupils enrolled, the overall prevalence of US was 43.0% and among children infested, 82.17% (106/129) had hematuria and 58.13% (75/129) had dysuria. The positivity rate of S. haematobium was higher in boys (69.0%; 89/129) versus (vs.) 31.0% (40/129) for the girls (P=0.03) and the children aged between 8-10 years were more infested (44.78%; 57/129), P=0.38. Regarding the risk factors, the multivariate analysis shows that sources of washing, sources of cooking/drinking water, and ethnic groups such as Arabe, Kotoko, Fulbe and Tikar were statistically associated with S. haematobium infestation (P˂ 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of US remain high among school children at Matta-Barrage in Magba sub-division. Meanwhile, the boys and childen aged 8-10 years were more infested. The risk factors such as sources of washing, sources of cooking/drinking water, and ethnic groups such as Arabe, Kotoko, Fulbe, and Tikar were statistically associated with S. haematobium infestation.