title: Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and associated risk factors among Abobo Primary School children in Gambella Regional State, southwestern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Ethiopia, urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium has been known to be endemic in several lowland areas of the country where it causes considerable public health problems, mainly among school-age children. However, information on recent magnitude and risk factors of the disease is lacking, particularly for Gambella area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and associated risk factors among Abobo Primary School children in Gambella, southwestern Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 304 school children was conducted in Abobo Primary School, Gambella Regional State, southwestern Ethiopia, from February to June 2014. Ten ml of urine sample was collected from each study participant and processed for microscopic examination by the urine filtration method; egg load for positive individuals was determined per 10 ml of urine. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected using an interview-based questionnaire. The data were entered into and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Logistic regression and odds ratio were used to measure association and strength between variables, respectively. P-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 35.9% (109/ 304) with a mean egg intensity of 8.76 per 10 ml of urine. Being male [AOR (95%CI) = 2.15(1.31, 3.52)], having father as a farmer [AOR (95%CI) = 1.96(1.19, 3.22)] and children living apart from parents [AOR (95% CI): 3.09 (1.14, 8.4)] were significantly associated with urinary schistosomiasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study area in Gambella Regional State, southwestern Ethiopia, represents moderate-risk community for urinary schistosomiasis. Sex, father's occupation and living apart from parents were found to be associated with infection. Treatment of all school-age children and fishermen is required once every 2 years until the prevalence of infection falls below the level of public health importance. It is also recommended to complement praziquantel treatment with supplementary measures such as provision of sanitation facilities and health education.
authors.affiliation: Gambella Teachers' Education and Health Sciences College, Gambella, Ethiopia. lelokena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shashie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geleta
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. agersewalemu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Agersew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alemu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. sisaygetie@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sisay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Getie
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. Zeleke.mekonnen@ju.edu.et.
authors.forename: Zeleke
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mekonnen
authors.affiliation: Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. berhanue@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Berhanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students