The present status of Schistosoma mansoni infection and associated risk factors in Harbu Town, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by a parasitic worm belonging to the genus schistosoma. It is a debilitating disease that over a long course infection could also kill some of the infected subjects. S. mansoni is one of the source that is transmitted by Bimophalaria pfeiffer and widely distributed all over Ethiopia. The prevalence of S. mansoni has been studied in Harbu and integrated intervention program were implemented in2002, since that no study has been made. It is to fill this gap the present study was designed to study the present status of S. mansoni infection and associated risk factors among neglected communities of Harbu town northeast Ethiopia. To that effect a semi structured questionnaire was administered to capture the socio-demographic and environmental factors that could influence the transmission of S. mansoni in Harbu and using data of Harbu health center diagnostic laboratory record that surveyed for six months (December2016 to May 2017), present status of S. mansoni infection was determined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used for data analysis. The result of socio-demographic study, for aware about transmission426,(71%) participant say no and only 174(29%) say yes, which showed that the public is still ignorant of the disease, whereas laboratory stool examination of Harbu health center showed that out of 600 subjects that were tested in the laboratory 131 (21.8%) were positive for S. mansoni . When categorized by age, relatively higher frequency of infection was found in age group 12-18 99(30.46%) followed by age group 5-11 years with 29(15.1%) and the rest 3(3.61%) were above 18 years old. Age Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 1.767, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.098-0.564, p= 0.004), other factor including lack of toilet and its improper use with (AOR 2.251, 95% CI 1.351-3.752, p=0.002),Swimming habit (AOR 2.496, 95% CI 0.778-8.003, p=0.049)and residence with AOR 2.251,95%CI 1.355-3.752,p=0.002) were found to be significantly associated with S. mansoni positivity. Over all the result showed that S. mansoni infection is a major health problem of people of Harbu and transmission is still in progress as infection of the new generation (12-18) followed by (5-11) is rating the highest frequency. This mean the earlier S. mansoni control program in Harbu Town were not sufficient to stop the spread of S. mansoni in Harbu. Therefore, it is the writer’s opinion that prompt intervention strategies should be designed and implemented including provision of adequate safe water supply, regular deworming and health education on personal and environmental hygiene must be employed if the problem is to be tackled.
Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Harbu and S. mansoni.
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Schistosomiasis, Harbu and S. mansoni