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

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

"Identification des communautes cibles en zone de bilharziose urinaire par la methode de ""Lot Quality Assurance Sampling"" a Madagascar"

"Use of lot quality assurance sampling in the identification of Schistosoma haematobium endemic communities in Madagascar"": Reduction of morbidity is the main component in the National Schistosomiasis Control Program in Madagascar. The lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) method has previously been shown as a useful tool in assessment of immunization coverage. A study was carried in the western part of Madagascar aiming to evaluate the applicability of the method in measuring the level of Schistosoma haematobium endemic level in different communities. Parasitological examination of urine samples from 1 124 children aged 5 to 19 years from 12 different schools by use of filtration technique constituted the reference in determining the prevalence. Three schools were found hyper-endemic (prevalence more than 60"

Geographical variation of the potency of the plant molluscicide phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) to two Species of aquatic snails in Uganda

This study is aimed at assessing the geographical variation of the potency of the African soap berry plant Phytolacca Dodecandra; in Uganda and of Endod (its Ethiopian name); to the schistosomiasis -transmitting snail Biomphalaria sp. and Bulinus sp

Schistosomiasis in the Finchaa River Valley, Wellega Region, western Ethiopia

Parasitological and malacological surveys were carried out in the Finchaa Valley; Wallega Region; Western Ethiopia. Stool examination of 960 persons in the 10 communities surveyed showed an average human prevalence of 12.4 per cent for Schistosoma mansoni. Infected individuals were present in 6 communities; but prevalence was greater than 10 per cent in only three of them; reaching 40 per cent among school children in one community. In endemic localities; the intensity of infection in terms of eggs per gram of faeces were 200 and 199 among school children and farm labours respectively. The age specific prevalence and intensity of infection were highest among the 5-14 year age group. The intermediate host of S. mansoni; Biomphalaria pfeifferi were collected from three sites; but transmission was identified at only one site located in the lower portion of the valley. Bulinus truncatus; the potential intermediate host of S. haematobium in Ethiopia; was also present in the area. The occurrence of infected human subjects and snail intermediate host confirm that Schistosoma mansoni is well established in the valley; particularly in the lower portion where a large irrigation development is under way. In this report; the threat posed by the S. mansoni and S. haematobium is discussed and the preventive/control measures to be taken are suggested

Human behaviour and schistosomiasis

This paper critically examines the relationship between human behavior and schistosomiasis transmission and control. It argues that human behavior must be studied not only at the individual but also at the family; community and national levels; and that socioeconomic; cultural; political and environmental factors must be considered in health education programs. The qualitative model developed by Dunn is modified and examples from Ethiopia and other African countries are used to indicate the great variety of human behaviours relevant to schistosomiasis transmission; spread and control

Schistosomiasis control measures for small irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe

A pilot study was initiated in 1984 on the 600 ha Mushandike Irrigation Project near Masvingo; Zimbabwe; with the objective of developing and field-testing practical guidelines to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission foruse by those involved in planning designing; constructing and operating small-holder irrigation projects in Zimbabwe. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease which is particularly prevalent on irrigated land because of high levels of human contact with water and because colonisation by the aquatic snails; which actas its intermediate hosts; is generally favoured by the aquatic environments created within irrigation and drainage systems. A number of important phases of the project are complete. These include formulating citeria for schistosomiasis control; implementing these criteria within the design and construction precesses; establishing regular monitoring of the human and snail populations and introducing micro-computer assisted irringation scheduling to reduce the likelihood of snailcolonisation in parts of the system. [abstract terminated]

Schistosomiasis control measures for small irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe : results from three years of monitoring at Mushandike Irrigation Scheme

A pilot study was initiated in 1984 on the 600 ha Mushandike Irrigation Project near Masvingo; Zimbabwe; with the objective of developing and field-testing practical guidelines to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission for use by those involved in planning; designing; constructing and operating small-holder irrigation projects in Zimbabwe. Schistosomisasis is a parasitic disease which is particularly pravalent on irrigation land because of high levels of human contact with water and because colonisation by the aquatic snails; which act as its intermediate hosts; is generally favoured by the equatic enviornments created within irrigation and drainage systems. A number of important phases of the project are complete. These include formulating criteria for schistosomiasis control; implementing these criteria with the design and construction processes; establishing regular monitoring of the human and snail populations and introducing micro-computer assisted irrigation scheduling to reduce the likelihood of smail colonisation in parts of the system. Interim results form the monitoring exercise are now available which enable comparisons to be drawn between different zones of the project and with irrigated land nearby on which control measures have not been introduced. These results indicate that a combination of concrete lining; irrigation scheduling and using innovative control structures on the infield works has had a major impact on the snail hosts. Some disease transmission is; however; occuring in the pilot areas. This is apparently associated with some unsuitable village lacations; inadequate access to safe domestic water supplies and enhanced flows in some natural drainage channels; This report reviews the monitoring to date and discusses what further studies are needed to establish the effectiveness of the control measures