A serosurvey of water-borne pathogens amongst canoeists in South Africa

Abstract

Certain health risks have been associated with recreational exposure to faecally polluted water. Canoeing in certain South African waters is considered to be a high risk activity with regard to schistosomiasis. gastroenteritis and possibly hepatitis. In a cross-sectional study, a serosurvey was conducted amongst canoeists to ascertain whether or not they had a higher seroprevalence to hepatitis A virus. Norwalk virus and Schistosoma spp. than non-canoeists. In comparisons between the two groups, a significant association could not be demonstrated between canoeing and antibody response to hepatitis A and Norwalk viruses (P-values for age-adjusted χ2 were 0·083 and 0·219 respectively), but a significant association could be demonstrated between canoeing and the antibody response to Schistosoma spp. (P > 0·001: age-adjusted). © 1995, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.