The prevalence and associated risk factors of Intestinal Schistosomiasis in school age children at Dura (May Nigus) irrigational dam, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

A water-borne parasitic disease Schistosomiasis, caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma, continues to be a major public health issue in many regions of sub-Saharan Africa, including Northern Ethiopia's Tigray region. This study investigates the prevalence of S. mansoni and associated risk factors in the irrigational dams in Dura (May Nigus). A school age child-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Debrebrhan secondary and Dura elementary schools in the central Tigray region. Two hundred four schoolchildren aged from seven to twenty-one years were randomly selected to provide stool specimens for Schistosoma infection examination by Kato-Katz techniques. Of the 204 randomly selected students, 190(93.14%) passed the stool collection for stool specimen examination, and 24 (12.6%) were found positive for Schistosoma mansoni. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was significantly associated with (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOD)); for irrigation practice; 13.21, 95% CI (2.35, 74.20); p=0.003, for fetching water 14.52, 95% CI (2.82, 74.7); p=0.001, for washing clothes 6.4, 95% CI, (1.14, 35.4); p=0.035 respectively. Meaning thy are individually associated with S. mansoni presence. According to the retrospective data even-though there is decreasing intestinal case examination in St. Merry Hospital Axum for the past ten years the total prevalence(trend) for Schistosoma mansoni shows increasing from year to year with slight fluctuation in different age groups and genders. The most prevalent were in males among the age 10 to 25 years old. Based on the prevalence result for Schistosoma mansoni, now is the critical time to take controlling measurement and treatment in the community with a full campaign for elimination. A treatment of all school-age children once every two years is recommended with Snail control and non-specific control approaches, including the provision of clean water supply and health education, should also complement to the mass drug administration of praziquantel.