title: Epidemiological studies on intestinal schistosomiasis in Wondo Genet, southern Ethiopia.
abstract: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was made on intestinal schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni in Wondo Genet, southern Ethiopia, in 1999 to generate preintervention parasitological and malacological baseline data to be used as a reference in evaluation of community-based pilot control trial to be launched using wild-growing Endod. A total of 3000 stool specimens were collected from schoolchildren enrolled in 14 schools and microscopically examined using Kato method. The overall prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis mansoni was 34.6% and 184 eggs per gram of stool (EPG), respectively. Children excreting Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in all of the 14 schools surveyed with a prevalence of infection ranging from 1.9% in Abaye School to 80.6% in Shesha Kekele School. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection among males and females was 38.4% and 27.3%, respectively (P = 0.0001, 95% C.I = 7.5%-14.7%) where as the intensity of infection was 186 EPG and 181 EPG, respectively (P = 0.8045, 95% C.I = 1.17%-1.23%). Malacological surveys of 27 water contact sites revealed the occurrence of Biomphalaria pfeifferi in 8 sites out of which 3 harbored infected snails shedding schistosome cercariae. The necessity for initiating community-based sustainable control programme is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Berhanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erko
authors.forename: Girmay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Medhin
authors.forename: Nega
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berhe
authors.forename: Fekadu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abebe
authors.forename: Teshome
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gebre-Michael
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gundersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control