MAPPING OF SCHISTOSOMA HEAMATOBIUM IN QENA DISTRICT, QENA GOVERNORATE, UPPER EGYPT; HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Schistosoma haematobium infection is one of the most serious endemic parasites worldwide especially Africa. In Egypt, in spite of the control massive advances in reducing country-wide schistosomiasis prevalence rates; yet, endemic foci still exist. This study determined the percentage of positive urinary schistosomiasis cases among patients who complained from hematuria and or dysuria at Qena General Hospital and to conduct a spatial mapping of S. haematobium infection in Qena Governorate, Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Urology and Nephrology outpatient clinics at Qena General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The subjects were permanent residents in Qena district who complained of either hematuria and/or dysuria (N= 2371). The urine samples were subjected to full parasitological examinations. A detailed personal history was obtained after informed consent from them. The results showed that 568/2371 (24%) cases were positive for Schistosoma haematobium. The largest number of positive cases were recorded in autumn (44%) followed by winter (35.2%). Significantly higher odds ratios were among young male patients (less than 18 years) presented complaint in seasons other than summer, and lived in villages in the western bank of the River Nile. But apparently, higher number of infected cases was detected in eastern villages compared to western ones. Statistical analysis showed that living in the western area in Qena district was a risk factor for S. haematobium infection. It coincides with studying geological criteria of Qena district where western area is concave shape with slow water flow that allow more e and consequently higher susceptibility for infection compared to convex shape of the eastern area.