The Prevalence and Burden of Urogenital Schistosomiasis: A Case Study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

• DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7294597
• Publication Date: 2023-01-24
• Authors: Makwikwi Tendai; Sibanda Tatenda
• Keywords: prevalence, burden, schistosomiasis, morbidity, school-aged children; prevalence; school-aged children; 1. No poverty; morbidity; burden; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Life; schistosomiasis; QH501-531; TP248.13-248.65; Biotechnology

Globally, about 779 million people are estimated to be at risk of developing schistosomiasis and around 250 million people are infected. There are 120 million asymptomatic people and 20 million with severe disease. Schistosomiasis causes the highest morbidity and mortality among the school aged children. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and burden of schistosomiasis in Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts. Five hundred children from both schools aged 6 to 13 were included in the study. Urinary schistosomiasis was diagnosed using urinary filtration method and presence of egg(s) under microscopy in the urine sample indicated an infection whereas absence of eggs was ruled as no infection. Boys were more infected than girls in both schools, with Bemberi having 14.88 % males infected and 10.47% females infected and Bandanyenje having 13% males infected and 10.76 % females infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The age group 10-13 years old from Bemberi primary had higher prevalence rate of 17.72% than Bandanyenje primary with a prevalence of 12% respectively. An intervention that covers this group is necessary and should be complemented with regular screening, health education campaigns, and an adequate supply of safe water.