[Prevalence, risk behavior, and level of information on urinary schistosomiasis in primary school students from the Primeiro de Junho Health District, Maputo, Mozambique].
To assess the prevalence and identify levels of information and risk behavior associated with vesical schistosomiasis, a cross-sectional study was conducted in October-November 1996, involving students from 3 primary schools in the Primeiro de Junho health district in Maputo, Mozambique. Epidemiological interviews and urine samples were taken from 434 male and female students from grades 2 through 5, randomly selected. Estimated prevalence was 11.3% (49/434). Highest prevalence was in the age group ( 15 years old, and the highest intensity of infection among the 10-14-year age group, with 204 eggs/10 ml urine. Approximately 18.9% had heard of schistosomiasis, and of these, only 19.5% (16/82) knew how the disease is manifested. Approximately 50% of the students reported frequent water contacts with potential sources of schistosomiasis. The study shows that vesical schistosomiasis is a public health problem among students in this health district.
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Ministério da Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Saúde de Moçambique, Av. Eduardo Mondlane, Salvador Allende, C. P. 264, Maputo, Moçambique. evisser@cdins.uem.mz
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D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine