A quantitative assessment of the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of farmworkers regarding schistosomiasis in a rural community in South Africa

Background: Schistosomiasis is associated with agriculture and water development schemes, and farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to this disease because of their regular contact with water. Aim: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of farmworkers regarding schistosomiasis. Setting: This study was conducted in Vuvha, a rural community under Makhado municipality, Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Results: The majority were knowledgeable about the cause of schistosomiasis (84.3%), knew the mode of transmission of the disease (90.2%). However, about half of the participants knew the symptoms of schistosomiasis. Sixty-eight (33.4%) believed that schistosomiasis was not a problem in their community. The majority (77.9%) agreed that it was abnormal to pass blood in urine, while 85.8% agreed that medical consultation was the right thing to do when symptoms are observed. Fifty-five participants (27.0%) reported ever passing bloody urine. Among those who passed bloody urine, 43 (78.2%) consulted a doctor. Fifty-two (26.0%) participants reported ever being treated for schistosomiasis. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about the cause of schistosomiasis is high among the participants; similarly, there are positive attitudes and good practices shown in this study, but there are some gaps that need to be addressed. Efforts should be made to continue to educate farmworkers because they are at an increased risk for contracting schistosomiasis

Community perceptions of schistosomiasis transmission, prevalence and control in relation to aquatic habitats in the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya

Background: Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni and urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium are widely distributed parasites in several localities of the Lake Victoria basin of Kenya; the former being more prevalent. In Kenya; transmission of the intestinal form of bilharzia (S. mansoni) tends to be closely confined to narrow zones along the shores of large bodies of water such as Lake Victoria where it is endemic and the intermediate host is found. The prevalence of S. mansoni along the Kenyan Lake Victoria basin ranges between 40. Objective: To assess the community's knowledge and perceptions of schistosomiasis prevalence; transmission and control in relation to aquatic habitats in the Lake Victoria basin of Kenya. Design: Community-based cross-sectional study. Setting: The Kenyan Lake Victoria basin. Subjects: Two hundred and forty three individuals (both women and men residing in the beaches and surrounding areas) were interviewed about their knowledge and perceptions regarding schistosomiasis. Results: The community regarded schistosomiasis as a naturalistic disease not caused by supernatural forces but by an agent of contamination in water. Knowledge on schistosomiasis transmission and control was low; with 42of the respondents having no idea on how schistosomiasis is contracted; while 22 and 18of the respondents mentioned contact with contaminated water and drinking / eating dirty water / food; respectively. Most respondents were familiar with the snails' habitats; but had poor knowledge on aquatic plants harbouring snails; as 57of the respondents did not know about aquatic plants being associated with schistosomiasis snails. Only 3 of the respondents associated snails with schistosomiasis transmission. Sixty percent (60) of the respondents mentioned use of tablets and injections as means of treating schistosomiasis; while 38 had no idea how it is treated and 2 mentioned use of local herbs and services of medicine men. Conclusion: Majority of Kenyan Lake Victoria basin inhabitants had little awareness about schistosomiasis despite high prevalence of the disease in the region. There is need to adapt prevention and control strategies to the people's livelihoods. There is also need to target the less advantaged members of the community such as women; uneducated and subsistence farmers for intense health education strategies aimed at increasing participation in the control of schistosomiasis. Study to elicit divergence between biomedical and local understandings of schistosomiasis/bilharzia is suggested

Potential for Transmission of Schistosomiasis in Kayonza District

Introduction: Schistosomiasis; also known as bilharzia or snail fever; is a tropical parasitic disease caused by a trematode platyhelminthes called Schistosoma check for this species in other resources sp. Schistosoma species are transmitted by cercariae penetrating the skin when a person is bathing; washing clothes; fishing or engaged in agricultural activities; involving contact with fresh water that has fecal or urinary contamination; and contains the parasites' snail host. The present study aimed to survey freshwater snails in Kayonza District (Rwanda) especially Lake Muhazi and surrounding water bodies; stream and swamps to assess the potential for transmission of two species of Schistosoma: S. mansoni check for this species in other resources and S. haematobium check for this species in other resources. Methods: Six sites were selected to assess the potential for transmission of schistosomiasis. The intermediate hosts of schistosomes; namely the snails Biomphalaria check for this species in other resources ; Bulinus check for this species in other resources sp. and Lymnaea check for this species in other resources sp.; were collected and brought to the laboratory and investigated to see if trematode cercaria responsible for the disease were present. Results: Snails dissected were not only infected with trematode cercaria but also with annelids and flatworms (Platyhelminths). Cercaria found therein were of two types: furcocercous; probably responsible for schistosomiasis; and gymnocephalous cercaria for fasciolasis: an infection of cattle; goats and sheep. Conclusion: Biomphalaria sp were the major hosts for schistosome cercaria; and most snails collected of this species were infected. Moreover; they were found in large number from all sites. Lymnaea sp; hosts snails for Fasciola cercaria check for this species in other resources ; were also found in a considerable number compared to the low number of Bulinus sp in the region. District and national authorities may wish to further investigate this infestation and identify potential interventions to disrupt the disease transmission

Irrigation Practices and Intestinal Helminth Infections in Southern and Central Zones of Tigray

Background: Irrigation practices have impact on the distribution of schistosomiasis; so; identifying newly established schistosomiasis transmission foci allows for designing prevention and control strategy. Objective: To establish schistosomiasis prevalence and intensity in relation to development of water bodies for irrigation. Methods: A survey of Results: Among the 1012 males and 998 females examined; 29males and 27.5females were found positive for one or more parasite. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 27in longstanding irrigated; 10.8in recently constructed irrigation schemes and 1.8in the non-irrigated rural localities. In the urban setting; its prevalence was 15.5in areas with water body nearby and 0.5in areas with no water body nearby (P0.0001). New S. mansoni infection foci were detected in Tumuga with a prevalence of 87; Dibdibo (41); Mariam Shewito (25); Adiha (23) and Lekia (9). Conclusion: The increasing risk of schistosomiasis mansoni in the irrigation sites is high. Hence; designing preventive and control strategies concurrent with the development of the irrigation projects will be required to reduce prevalence of schistosomiasis

Taux de couverture et satisfaction des populations apres traitement de masse au praziquantel et a l'albendazole au Mali

Au Mali; les schistosomes demeurent toujours un probleme majeur de sante. En 2005; des campagnes de traitement de masse au praziquantel et a l'albendazole ont ete organisees dans toutes les regions endemiques du pays. La presente etude avait pour but d'evaluer les taux de couverture et de satisfaction de ces campagnes de traitement dans deux regions d'endemie (Segou et Mopti). Nous avons procede a une etude transversale a un seul passage qui s'etalait de fevrier a mars 2006. L'enquete a porte sur les responsables politiques (n=142); administratifs (n=70) et sanitaires (n=36); les distributeurs communautaires (n=33); les eleves (n=2480) et les membres de la communaute (n=2170). Nous avons utilise la technique de controle de la qualite des lots (LQAS) pour determiner la couverture de traitement et de satisfaction. Deux types de lots ont ete considere; les villages et les ecoles. La technique d'entretien par questionnaires a permis de mesurer le taux de satisfaction. Dans la region de Segou; les taux de couverture variaient de 100en milieu scolaire et dans la communaute (cercle de Bla) a 97;2a Segou-ville. Dans la region de Mopti; des taux de couverture therapeutique de 100etaient observes a Bankass et a Douentza a la fois en milieu scolaire et dans la communaute. La proportion d'individus satisfaits (se sentir bien) apres traitement etait de 72;3et 76;6respectivement parmi les eleves et dans la communaute. Les resultats de cette etude montrent les taux de couverture eleves au cours de ces campagnes de traitement pourraient etre soutenus par une strategie de traitement annuelle precedee par des programmes d'education pour la sante

Presence of Schistomiasis in Genital Biopsies from Patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka; Zambia

Background: Ectopic localizations of the adult Schistosomes and ova in the genital tract of individuals living in schistosoma endemic areas are common. The infection can affect both male and female reproductive organs; and although it is predominant in adult women; case reports in girls younger than 15 years of age have been documented. Objective: The objective of this review was to determine and document the presence of genital schistosomiasis from biopsy specimens. Methods: Patients' laboratory records at the University Teaching Hospital histopathology laboratory for the period 2001 to 2007 were retrieved and reviewed for reports on the presence of schistosomiasis. Data were analysed by age; sex and biopsy site. Results: Thirty eight (65.5) of the 58 specimens with schistosomiasis were from the genital organs. Female genital tract schistosomiasis was more prevalent (84.2) than male genital schistosomiasis (15.8); p0.001. Schistosomiasis was high in biopsy specimens collected from the cervix

Epidemiology; of Bilharzias (schistosomiasis) in Uganda from 1902 until 2005

Background: Schistosoma mansoni was observed and reported in Kuluva hospital Arua District in north western Uganda as early as 1902. S. mansoni is widely distributed in Uganda along permanent water bodies. Objective: To review the litreture on scistosomiasis in Uganda; since 1902. Method: The core literature for this short review was searched from reports and publications by the British colonial Ministry of Health Districts Medical officers and Entomologists. Additional information was obtained from Makerere University Medical School library archives; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine library archives; University of Antrwap; and post independence publications on schistosomiasis in Uganda in various journals. Results: Since it was first detected in 1902 Schistosoma (S) mansoni is more widely distributed in Uganda than S. haematobium. However Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium are of public health importance in Uganda and the importance of migrants and fishermen in disseminating infections into non-infested areas and intensifying infection in areas already infested have been reported. Conclusion: S. mansoni has been on the increase in Uganda whereas S. haematobium is localized in sporadic foci in the north of Uganda. Treatment with praziquantel the drug of choice in Uganda used in schistosomiasis control programme has reduced development of severe schistosomiasis

Pathologic Pattern of Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: Impact of Bilharziasis

Objective: To describe the pathologic pattern of invasive bladder carcinoma in cystectomy specimens in relation to bilharziasis. Patients and Methods: Between April 2002 and October 2006; 148 consecutive patients with invasive bladder cancer were subjected to radical cystectomy and orthotopic sigmoid bladder substitution at Al-Azhar Urology Department; Cairo; Egypt. A retrospective computerized data- base analysis of the pathologic features of the cystectomy specimens was done focusing on the impact of bilharziasis on the pathology of bladder carcinoma. The tumor cell type; stage; grade and gross features in addition to lymph node involvement were particularly noted. Results: Bilharzial bladder pathology (lesions or ova) was present in 105 (70.9) of 148 cystectomy specimens. Tumor histology included transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 84 (56.7); squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 51 (34.5); adenocarcinoma in 9 (6.1) and anaplastic tumor in 4 (2.7) of these specimens. Most tumors associated with bilharziasis were bulky and appeared fungating or ulcerative. The pathologic tumor stage was pT2 in 23; pT3 in 70.9and pT4a involving the prostate or seminal vesicles in 6.1. None of these pT4a tumors were SCC. The tumor grade was described as low grade in 72 (48.6) and high grade in 76 (51.4) specimens. Regional lymph node involvement was detected in 31 (20.9) specimens irrespective of bilharzial infestation. Conclusion: Invasive bladder carcinoma associated with bilharzial pathology is mainly stage pT3; low-grade SCC and commonly appears as an ulcerative; bulky; fungating or verrucous mass. On the other hand; bladder carcinoma not associated with bilharziasis is mainly high-grade TCC and commonly appears as nodular or fungating lesions. Positive surgical margin and lymph node involvement are unrelated to bilharzial infestation

Bilharzioses au Senegal oriental : prevalence chez les enfants de la region de Bandafassi

Une enquete epidemiologique a etemenee au Senegal Oriental - arrondissements de Bandafassi - dans le but d'etablir la prevalence des bilharzioses intestinale et urinaire chez les enfants d'age scolaire de 6 a 14 ans. Les selles et les urines de 505 enfants de 10 villages ont ete examinees; et parallelement les points d'eaux susceptibles de constituer des biotopes pour lesmollusques hotes intermediaires - Biomphalaria sp. et Bulinus sp. - ont ete recenses et explores. L'existence de foyers perennes de bilharziose intestinale dans la region de Bandafassi au coeur de la brousse est etablie. La distribution sporadique de praziquantel se montre efficace mais totalement insuffisante pour eradiquer des foyers de Schistosoma mansoni perennes dans les sites explores