The prevalence and burden of urogenital schistosomiasis: a case study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

Abstract

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 school-aged children. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and burden of schistosomiasis in the Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts. Five hundred children from both schools aged 6–13 were included in the study. Urinary schistosomiasis was diagnosed using the urinary filtration method and the presence of egg(s) under microscopy in the urine sample indicated an infection, whereas the 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 a higher prevalence rate of 17.72% than Bandanyenje primary with a prevalence of 12%. There is a need for the provision of an adequate supply of safe drinking water, health education campaigns and regular screening, among this age group.