Identification of factors and groups at risk of infection with schistosoma mansoni in urban Sharkia Governorate

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the biological, socioeconomic and behavioral factors and the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in urban areas. A questionnaire was used to collect information on each individual included in the study and specimens of stool were also collected and examined parasitologically for the detection of S. mansoni eggs. The infected individuals were treated with praziquantel. The overall prevalence was 6.8% ranging from 2.8% in large sized cities to 10.3% in small sized ones. The geometric mean egg count was almost similar in both types of cities. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified several variables that were associated with the occurrence of S. mansoni infection in both large and small sized cities. The groups at risk of being infected were identified