Spatial distribution and co-infection with urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Migori County, Kenya
Date
2016-10Author
Ng’ang’a, M
Matendechero, S
Kariuki, L
Omondi, W
Makworo, N
Owiti, PO
Kizito, W
Tweya, H
Edwards, JK
Takarinda, KC
Ogutu, Omondi
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent helminthic infection in sub-Saharan Africa. School age children have the highest burden. Chronic schistosome infections in children can have irreversible effects lasting throughout adulthood.
Objective: To determine the prevalence, intensity and distribution of urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Migori County, Kenya.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Primary schools in Migori County, Kenya.
Subjects: Children aged seven to fourteen years.
Results: We enrolled 1,784 children with the ratio of female to males being 1:1. Their mean age was 11.4 years (standard deviation ± 1.6). The overall prevalence of infection was 26%, with urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis being found in 9% and 20% of children, respectively. A trend of increasing prevalence with increasing age of children was observed. Boys had a 50% higher risk of being infected with schistosomiasis when compared to girls (adjusted odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2-1.9). Intensities of schistosome infections did not vary significantly across gender and age. Nyatike Constituency had the highest prevalence of schistosomiasis (54%).Prevalence in schools ranged from 1.7 to 89%. Seven schools (23%) had a schistosomiasis prevalence of at least 50% while 12 (39%) schools had schistosomiasis prevalence of between 10 and 50%.
Conclusion: Our study showed that schistosomiasis is endemic in the study area and represents a significant public health problem among school children. The area should be prioritised for interventions including mass deworming, public health education and sanitation improvement.
Citation
East African Medical Journal, Vol 93, No 10 (2016)Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10387]
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