Land use impacts on parasitic infection: a cross-sectional epidemiological study on the role of irrigated agriculture in schistosome infection in a dammed landscape

• DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00816-5
• Publication Date: 2021-03-22T02:02:33Z
• Authors: Andrea J. Lund; David H. Rehkopf; Susanne H. Sokolow; M. Moustapha Sam; Nicolas Jouanard; Anne-Marie Schacht; Simon Senghor; Assane Fall; Gilles Riveau; Giulio A. De Leo; David Lopez-Carr
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Water resources development promotes agricultural expansion and food security. But are these benefits offset by increased infectious disease risk? Dam construction on the Senegal River in 1986 was followed transmission of human schistosomes. Yet mechanisms linking two processes at individual household levels remain unclear. We investigated association between land use schistosome infection children. Methods analyzed cross-sectional survey data ( n = 655) collected 16 rural villages August 2016 across demographic, socio-economic dimensions, which were matched to Schistosoma haematobium 1232) S. mansoni 1222) from school-aged Mixed effects regression determined relationship irrigated area presence intensity. Results Controlling for demographic risk factors, cultivated a associated with an increase (odds ratio [ OR ] 1.14; 95% confidence interval [95% CI ]: 1.03–1.28) but not 1.02; : 0.93–1.11). Associations intensity positive imprecise haematobium: rate RR 1.05; 0.98–1.13, 1.09; 0.89–1.32). Conclusions Household engagement agriculture increases infection. Increased contact landscapes likely drives exposure, greater impacts households relying livelihoods.