title: Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Four Health Areas of Kisantu Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
abstract: Background. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in Democratic Republic of the Congo but estimates of its prevalence vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection and associated risk factors among children in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone. 388 children randomly selected were screened for S. mansoni using Kato Katz technique and the sociodemographic data was collected. Data were entered and encoded using software EpiData version 3.1. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software. Results. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 26.5% (103); almost two-thirds (63) (61.2%) had light infection intensity. A significant association was found between S. mansoni infection and age (p = 0.005), educational level (p = 0.001), and practices of swimming/bathing (p < 0.001) and using water from river/lake/stream for domestic use (p < 0.001). Kipasa health area had high prevalence of schistosomiasis (64.6%) (64/99; 95% CI 54.4-74.0) compared to other health areas. Conclusion. Schistosoma mansoni infection still remains a public health problem in these areas. There is a need to promote health education and promote behavioral changes in children towards schistosomiasis.
authors: Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 747, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, P.O. Box 285, Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors: R
authors: 0000-0002-4055-1160
authors: R
authors: Khonde Kumbu
authors: Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box 747, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mbanzulu Makola
authors: Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors: Lu
authors: 0000-0003-4691-3326
authors: L
authors: Bin