title: Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in the district of Niakhar, region of Fatick, Senegal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urinary schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that exists in all regions of Senegal. It is a major public health issue in this country. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and intensity of this parasitosis in 12 villages of Niakhar (Fatick, Senegal).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 210 schoolchildren, aged 7 to 15 years, were enrolled in this study, and urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using a standard urine filtration technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of these children, 121 (57.6%) were found to be infected with a mean geometric count of 185 eggs per 10 ml of urine. The disease was present in all surveyed villages, and the prevalence ranged from 14.3% to 92.8%. The prevalence of infection was significantly correlated with increasing age and was higher in boys. Infection intensity was significantly higher in boys but did not significantly differ with age. Significant relationships between i) water contact or access to running water and ii) the prevalence or intensity of urinary schistosomiasis were also noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The district of Niakhar is endemic for urinary schistosomiasis, with a high intensity of infection. A control program to decrease the prevalence and intensity should be implemented in this area to improve community health.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Senghor
authors.forename: Aldiouma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Seydou N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sylla
authors.forename: Souleymane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doucouré
authors.forename: Mamadou O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ndiath
authors.forename: Lobna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaayeb
authors.forename: Félicité F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Djuikwo-Teukeng
authors.forename: Cheikh T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bâ
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 198 (URMITE), Campus International de Hann, IRD, BP 1386, CP 18524 Dakar, Senegal. cheikh.sokhna@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Cheikh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sokhna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D062306:Geography, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission