Why Schistosomiasis mansoni is still highly pervalent in rural ezbas in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt?

ABSTRACT

The present study was performed to determine the possible risk factors for the high prevalence of schistosomiasis in ezbas [satellites and Hamlets] than a mother village [Ebshan], Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. This work included a cross sectional descriptive study. All the inhabitants above 2 years [4780] of 10 ezbas and a systematic random sample from the mother village [5000] were included in the study. Both were subjected to stool analysis by Kato-Katz technique. A case control study was also done, where schistosomal cases from all ezbas [704] as well as age and sex matched controls [705] from the mother village were subjected to a questionnaire compiling the sociodemographic data, housing environment, knowledge, attitudes and practices [KAP] about schistosomiasis as well as water contact behavior. History taking and thorough clinical examination were done and abdominal ultrasonography was performed for a random sample. Malacological studies of the snail Biomphalaria alexandrina were carried out in all water channels. Several social, cultural, behavioral and economic factors and local environmental and ecological factors differ from ezbas and the mother village, which is urbanized nowadays, may explain the high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in ezbas, Kafr El-Sheikh. A modification of the National Schistosomiasis Control Project was recommended for more concern towards the numerous ezbas, which still have a high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis with its typical old rural pattern with a wide spread scattered geographical distribution more than the mother villages that had become urbanized with low prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis nowadays