title: Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Schoolchildren in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania.
abstract: The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 1462, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Julius E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Siza
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 1462, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Godfrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kaatano
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Yil
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University School of Medicine, Cheongju 28644, Korea.
authors.forename: Keeseon S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: Han-Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rim
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.
authors.forename: Tai-Soon
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35233, Korea.
authors.forename: Duk-Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Good Neighbors International, Tanzania Western Chapter, P.O. Box 367, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Su Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Good Neighbors International, Tanzania Western Chapter, P.O. Box 367, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Yunsuk
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 1462, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Changalucha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole
keywords: Lake Victoria basin; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Tanzania; schoolchildren; soil-transmitted helminth (STH)