title: High Schistosoma mansoni disease burden in a rural district of western Zambia.
abstract: Schistosoma mansoni disease is endemic in most parts of rural Zambia, and associated complications are common. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 754 people in rural communities of Kaoma District, western Zambia to determine the burden of S. mansoni infection and associated morbidity. Parasitology and ultrasonography assessments were conducted on consenting participants. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection and geometric mean egg count (GMEC) were 42.4% (304) and 86.6 eggs per gram (95% confidence interval = 75.6-99.6), respectively. Prevalence was highest in the age group of 15-19 years old (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.70, P = 0.017). S. mansoni-related portal fibrosis was detected in 26% of the participants screened. Participants above 39 years old were 2.93 times more likely to have fibrosis than the 7-9 years old age group (P = 0.004). The study highlights the high burden of S. mansoni disease in this area and calls for immediate interventions to avert complications associated with the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Mable M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mutengo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: James C L
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mwansa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Sandie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sianongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia Jameschipeta@smuth-mru.org.zm.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chipeta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology