title: Water contact and schistosomiasis infection in Kumba, south-western Cameroon.
abstract: Kumba, a town with a population of mixed background and socio-economic status, is a new and intense focus of schistosomiasis. Although fountains provide clean water, the population still uses the river and streams which cross the town for most of its bathing, laundry and swimming. A multivariate analysis indicated that a local subject's age, ethnic group, knowledge about schistosomiasis and the intensity of his or her contact with the river and/or streams were all significantly associated with schistosome infection. Surprisingly, a high level of knowledge about schistosomiasis was positively associated with the infection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Research and Study of Medicinal Plants (IMPM), Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sama
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ratard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000635:transmission*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014881:Water Supply