Samweli LG, Sesera AJ, Mushi V, Silvestri V, Palilo H, John W, Yangaza YE, Tarimo D. Intestinal schistosomiasis among secondary school students in Northern Tanzania: prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors.
IJID Reg 2022;
6:125-134. [PMID:
36846075 PMCID:
PMC9945699 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.11.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objective
Our study investigated the prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis among secondary school students in Shinyanga Municipal Council, Northern Tanzania.
Methods
A quantitative school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2022 among 620 secondary students. One stool specimen per participant was collected and screened for Schistosoma mansoni ova by microscopy using the Kato-Katz technique. Ova were counted to estimate infection intensity in all positive stool samples. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for intestinal schistosomiasis were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results
Overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 1.9%. All infected participants had light infection intensity. Overall prevalence of other intestinal parasites was 2.7%, with Hookworm spp (17.6%) and Entamoeba coli (52.9%) the most observed intestinal helminth and protozoa, respectively. Among assessed factors, being in form II or III, visiting water sources and doing activities in water sources were statistically significantly associated with increased risk of S. mansoni transmission.
Conclusions
There is ongoing transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis among secondary students. Hence, the need for extending praziquantel administration in this group, health education provision, and improvement of water supply, sanitation and hygienic practices.
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