title: High prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in two communities in South Darfur: implication for interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few data on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Darfur. We conducted this study in response to reports of 15 laboratory confirmed cases of schistosomiasis and visible haematuria among children from two communities in South Darfur. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the area and to decide on modalities of intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey involving 811 children and adults from schools and health facilities was conducted in two communities of South Darfur in March 2010. Urine samples were collected and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium using a sedimentation technique. A semi-structured format was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight hundred eleven (811) urine samples were collected, 415 from Alsafia and 396 from Abuselala. Of the collected samples in 56.0% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 52.6-59.4) Schistosoma eggs were found. The prevalence was high in both Abuselala 73.3% (95% CI; 68.9-77.6) and Alsafia 39.5% (95% CI; 34.8-44.2). More males (61.7%, 95%CI; 56.5-64.9) were infected than females (52.1%, 95%CI; 48.2-56.0). Children in the age group 10-14 has the highest (73.0%, 95%CI; 68.7-77.2) infection rate. School age children (6-15 years) are more likely to be infected than those >15 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.70, 95% CI; 1.80-4.06). Individuals in Abuselala are more likely to be infected than those who live in Alsafia (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI; 3.2-5.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study indicate that S. hematobium is endemic in Alsafia and Abuselala South Darfur in Sudan with a high prevalence of infection among older children. This signifies the importance of urgent intervention through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to halt the infection cycle and tailored health messages to targeted groups. Based on the findings MDA was conducted in the villages.
authors.affiliation: American Refugee Committee International, Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan. kebededeka@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kebede
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deribe
authors.forename: Abdeljbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eldaw
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadziabduli
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kailie
authors.forename: Mohamed D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Omer
authors.forename: Alam E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Tanole
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jamshed
authors.forename: Elmonshawe A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mergani
authors.forename: Gafar A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Babikir
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adem
authors.forename: Farouq
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hashim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology; D055815:Young Adult