The Epidemiology of a Hidden Schistosomiasis Endemic in the Salamat Region of Chad, Africa

Abstract

Background: The Republic of Chad in north-central Africa is ranked in the bottom three of the World Health Organization (WHO) Multidimensional Poverty Index. Though it is a schistosomiasis-endemic country with an estimated two million school-aged children affected, there is currently a severe paucity of local epidemiologic data for this disease, particularly in rural communities dependent on surface water. Because schistosomiasis is known to have large regional variations in prevalence, this knowledge gap hinders attempts at a national control strategy. Objective: Our study seeks to address the knowledge gap …