The relationship between urinary schistosomiasis and the prevailing socio-economic factors of a rural community in Cameroon

Abstract

The relationship between the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis and the prevailing socio-economic factors was investigated in some villages in Lagdo District of the Republic of Cameroon in 2005. Urine samples obtained from participants in the study were examined microscopically for the presence of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium. Questionnaires were administered to school children to study their perception of the disease, and local socio-economic factors that may stabilize the infection in the community. Schistosoma haematobium was confirmed amongst 39.2% of the study-population. Mixed
infecfions of S. mansoni and S. haematobium occurred in only 4.5% of the pupils. Subjects aged 5-9 years were most infected (45.7%). Male subjects (23.5%) were significantly (p < 0.05) more infected than females (15.7%). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of urinary schistosomasis from villages studied (p < 0.05). Infection occurred most in Boule Village (70%). The type of water and the location of the village from the lake significantly influenced the rate of acquisition of schistosomiasis (p < 0.05). Children of farmers and fishermen were more infected (82.3%) and (95.2%) respectively than children of civil servants (50%). Children out-of-school were significantly more infected than those in school (p < 0.05). The study support the immediate treatment of subjects in these villages and the investigation of the endemicity of S. mansoni infection in the area.

Keywords: urinary schistosomiasis, socio-economic factors, rural community, Cameroon.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 5-10