Prevalence and correlates of urogenital schistosomiasis in school-going children at Maramba Primary School in Livingstone District, Zambia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the presence and correlates of S. haematobium in urine specimens of school-going children at Maramba Primary School in Livingstone, Zambia.

Methods and subjects: A structured questionnaire was administered to children with signed consent from their guardians/parents, and spot urine specimens were collected in sterile containers for macroscopic/microscopic examination by an experienced laboratory technologist.

Results: A total of 173 school-going children participated in the study. Parasitic eggs were detected in six specimens with prevalence of 3.47 %, which was strongly associated with presence of microscopic red blood cells (p < 0.01) and washing clothes in a stream (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Low prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis among school-going children was noted with correlates such as washing in a stream, while an older age group showed much stronger disease association.

Keywords: Bilharzia; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis; Urine; Zambia.