Factors related to transmission of and infection with Schistosoma mansoni in a village in the South-eastern Region of Brazil.
In this transversal study, factors related to infection with and transmission of Schistosoma mansoni were explored. Based on stool examinations of two Kato-Katz smears of a single sample, the prevalences of schistosomiasis and geohelminths were established. In a multivariable analysis, sets of demographic, socio-economic and water contact pattern variables were tested for strength of relation with infection. Males presented a 3.39-times higher risk for infection than females. The age groups between 10-19 years and 20-30 years showed risks of infection 7.1- and 7.5-times higher, respectively, than the control age group between 0-10 years. Individuals practicing leisure activities had a 1.96-times higher risk than those without these activities. The malacological survey identified snails of the species Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria straminea and Biomphalaria tenagophila. Two exemplars of B. glabrata (0.53%) proved positive for S. mansoni. The socio-economic improvements observed in the locality suggest a protective and preventive effect towards infection with schistosomiasis, which requires further investigation with a longitudinal and more detailed study design. Considering our findings, a proposal for an integrated control program should be based on two pillars: one horizontal, which involves social empowerment and health education, and another more vertical, which delivers treatment and infrastructure improvements.
Enk
Martin Johannes
MJ
Laboratório de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. marenk@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Lima
Anna Carolina Lustosa
AC
Barros
Heliton da Silva
Hda S
Massara
Cristiano Lara
CL
Coelho
Paulo Marcos Zech
PM
Schall
Virginia Torres
VT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole