Impact of Praziquantel Mass Drug Administration Campaign on Prevalence and Intensity of Schistosoma haemamtobium Check for this Species in other Resources among Schoolchildren in Bahi District; Tanzania

As part of the Tanzania National Schistosomiasis Control Programme; Bahi district in central Tanzania; received two annual rounds of praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA) to control urinary schistosomiasis in schoolchildren. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of the two rounds of MDA on prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haemamtobium and the impact of MDA campaigns on knowledge of urinary schistosomiasis; safe water use and contact with potentially unsafe water bodies. A quantitative crosssectional study was carried out among schoolchildren in March and April; 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on MDA uptake; knowledge of schistosomiasis; sources of water for domestic and other uses. Urine samples were collected from each pupil to examine prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium. Transmission of schistosomiasis was assessed by sampling Bulinus spp snails for cercarial shedding. Uptake of MDA was 39.5 in 2011 and 43.6 in 2012. Prevalence of S. haematobium significantly dropped by 50.0 from 26 in 2011 to 15 in 2012 (p = 0.000). Prevalence of S. haematobium was significantly low in MDA participating (3.1) than non-participating (28.5) schoolchildren (p = 0.000). MDA campaigns had significant impact on knowledge of the disease (p = 0.02) and borderline impact on safe water use (p = 0.04) but had no impact on avoidance of contact with unsafe water bodies (p = 0.06). Bulinus spp. snails were found shedding schistosome cercariae indicating environmental contamination with viable S. haematobium eggs. In conclusion; though MDA significantly reduced prevalence of S. haematobium; uptake was below 50.0 and below the World Health Assembly resolution 54.19 target of 75.0 for 2010. Non-participation in MDA was the likely source of S. haematobium eggs in the environment hence the observed 15.0 prevalence of S. haematobium infection; and cercarial shedding Bulinus spp. snails indicating continuity of transmission hence the need for further health promotion campaigns

Urinary Schistosomiasis in the Danjarima Community in Kano; Nigeria

Background: Studies in northern Nigeria have suggested a linear relationship between urinary schistosomiasis and individual water-related activities. Knowledge of the perceptions of the local populace about schistosomoasis and of gender and cultural restrictions could be beneficial to control programmes. We studied the prevalence of urinary schistosomoasis and the socio-demographic factors associated with the disease in Danjarima community of Kano; northern Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey involving 890 subjects was conducted in the community. Urine samples were collected and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium using sedimentation technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the subjects in order to determine their knowledge and perceptions about urinary schistosomiasis in relation to their cultures. Results: Eggs of S. haematobium were demonstrated in 370 (41.6) of the urine sampled examined. The highest prevalence rate of 54.4infection with S. haematobium was recorded in Zaura sub-village while the lowest rate of 6.4was observed in Sabon-Fegi. More males (55.9) were infected than females (3.7) and the difference between the infection rate in males and females was statistically significant (P = 0.01). The age group 10 to 14 years recorded the highest rate of infection (P = 0.05) in both males (80.9) and females (10.3). Conclusion: The lack of adequate perception on the cause of urinary schistosomiasis and exposure to water bodies were responsible for the high prevalence of infection in Danjarima

Prevalence of schistosoma haematobium for 35 villages in six chiefdoms in the Kanema District; Eastern Province of Sierra Leone

The study of the prevalence of schistosoma haematobium was conducted in July; 1990 in the Kenama District; Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. The crude prevalence was 32.6 per cent. The over-all prevalence was signicantly higher in females than in males but the age-specific prevalence was significantly higher in the 1-10 years cohort of males that female counterparts

Relationship between bladder cancer incidence; schistosoma haematobium infection; and geographical region in Zimbabwe

Bladder cancer is common in Zimbabwe; possibly due to the high prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in some areas. We undertook a correlational study based on retrospective medical record review to see whether the number of bladder cancers could be related to geographical region and prevalence of S. haematobium infection. We also determined patient demographic characteristics and tumour histology. Of 483 patients indentified (1984-1987); 69 with available histology had squamous cell carcinomas. The remainder had transitional cell carcinomas. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma were younger than patients with transitional cell carcinomas (50 vs 20 under 50 years old; P less than 0.05) and had a sex ration of one. [abstract terminated]