Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Schoolchildren in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 515 - 524
• Main Authors: Siza, J.E., National Institute of Medical Research,1462, Mwanza, Tanzania, Kaatano, G.M., National Institute of Medical Research,1462, Mwanza, Tanzania, Chai, J.Y., Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Eom, K.S., Chungbuk National University School of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea, Rim, H.J., Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Yong, T.S., Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Min, D.Y., Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Chang. S.Y., Good Neighbors International, Tanzania Western Chapter, Mwanza, Tanzania, Ko, Y., Good Neighbors International, Tanzania Western Chapter, Mwanza, Tanzania, Changalucha, J.M., National Institute of Medical Research,1462, Mwanza, Tanzania
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한기생충학열대의학회 01-10-2015; The Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
• Subjects: Adolescent; Albendazole - therapeutic use; Animals; Anthelmintics - therapeutic use; Child; Feces - parasitology; Female; from Symposium on Controls of NTDs around Lake Victoria, Tanzania; Helminthiasis - drug therapy; Helminthiasis - epidemiology; Helminthiasis - parasitology; Helminths - classification; Helminths - isolation & purification; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - drug therapy; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - parasitology; Male; Praziquantel - therapeutic use; Prevalence; REPUBLICA UNIDA DE TANZANIA; REPUBLIQUE-UNIE DE TANZANIE; SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM; SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI; Schistosomiasis - drug therapy; Schistosomiasis - epidemiology; Schistosomiasis - parasitology; Schools; soil-transmitted helminth (STH),schoolchildren,Lake Victoria basin; Students; Tanzania - epidemiology; UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA; Urine - parasitology; Tanzania; schoolchildren; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; soil-transmitted helminth (STH); Lake Victoria basin; Tanzania
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.5.515

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.