Urinary schistosomiasis scourge among rural school Children in Chitongo area, Southern Zambia

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis infection among school children in Chitongo area. A survey was carried out at three primary schools in different locations in Chitongo area, Southern Zambia. Urine samples were collected from 303 pupils (149 males and 154 females) aged 4 -17 years old to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis among school children in the area. The samples were examined microscopically. Schistosoma haematobium prevalence ranged from 4.4% -49.6% across the schools. The study showed a higher prevalence among the males (40.3%) than females (19.5%). Males were 3.4X more likely to be infected than females (95% CI = 1.9 -6.0, P < 0.001). There was marked school absenteeism in both infected and uninfected children before treatment. School attendance did not improve for most children after treatment with praziquantel (negatives: X: = -0.96, P>0.34 and positives: X2= -0.35, P>0.73). LI Urinary schistosomiasis has a focal prevalence among the school-going children in Chitongo. Chemotherapy, public health education, and mollusciciding are recommended to improve the longterm health of at-risk children.