Schistosoma haematobium infection and associated risk factors among pre-school age children in Gambella, Ethiopia

IF 2.4 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00448

Tigist Mohammed , Abraham Degarege , Mulugeta Aemero , Abebe Animut , Yohannes Negash , Yirgalem Gebrehiwot , Berhanu Erko

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Schistosoma haematobium can infect and cause morbidity in pre-school age children (PSAC) and due to its gradual nature, often goes unnoticed in its early stages and can result in long-term irreversible consequences during their most productive years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of S. haematobium infection among PSAC in Gambella, Ethiopia.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2024 among 390 PSAC in four localities in Gambella, Ethiopia. Urine specimens were examined microscopically and with urinalysis reagent strips. Data on associated factors and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from the PSAC mothers/caregivers using a structured questionnaire.

Result

The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.7 %, of which 20 % (13/65) had heavy-intensity of infection. The prevalence of macro and microhematuria were 7.9 %, and 26.2 %, respectively. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher among PSAC who visited open water sources (90.8 %, P < 0.001), bathed in open water (89.2 %, P = 0.004), and urinated in open water (89.2 %, P = 0.004), as well as among residents of Abaro and Tagni villages (72.3 %, P < 0.001) and who had mothers with no formal education (81.5 %, P = 0.006). The odds of infection were higher among children who played or bathed in infested water (AOR: 2.9, CI: 1.0–8.1) and those living in Abaro village (AOR: 4.3, CI: 1.6–11.9) compared to those who did not engage in these behaviors or lived in other villages, respectively.

Conclusion

The study showed that S. haematobium infection is prevalent among PSAC in Gambella region in Ethiopia, and contact with an open water while playing, bathing or urinating may increase the risk of acquiring infection with the parasite in this population group. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease among PSAC.

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埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉学龄前儿童中血血吸虫感染及相关危险因素

血血吸虫可感染学龄前儿童（PSAC）并引起发病，由于其渐进性，通常在早期阶段不被注意，并可在他们最多产的年龄造成长期不可逆的后果。本研究旨在确定埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉市PSAC中血氧梭菌感染的流行程度、强度和相关危险因素。方法于2024年7月至8月对埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉4个地区的390名PSAC进行横断面研究。尿液标本用显微镜和尿液分析试剂条检查。使用结构化问卷收集PSAC母亲/照顾者的相关因素和社会人口统计学特征数据。结果总感染率为16.7%，其中重度感染占20%（13/65）。宏血尿和微血尿的发生率分别为7.9%和26.2%。访问过开放水源的PSAC感染率明显较高(90.8%,P <；在露天水域洗澡（89.2%,P = 0.004），在露天水域小便（89.2%,P = 0.004），以及在Abaro和Tagni村的居民中(72.3%,P <；0.001)和母亲未受过正规教育（81.5%,P = 0.006）。在受感染的水中玩耍或洗澡的儿童（AOR: 2.9, CI: 1.0-8.1）和生活在Abaro村的儿童（AOR: 4.3, CI: 1.6-11.9）的感染几率分别高于没有从事这些行为或生活在其他村庄的儿童。结论研究表明，埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉地区PSAC感染流行，该人群在玩耍、洗澡或排尿时接触开阔水域可能增加感染该寄生虫的风险。这些发现将有助于更好地了解PSAC患者的流行病学。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

审稿时长

17 weeks

期刊介绍： Parasite Epidemiology and Control is an Open Access journal. There is an increasing amount of research in the parasitology area that analyses the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This epidemiology of parasite infectious diseases is predominantly studied in human populations but also spans other major hosts of parasitic infections and as such this journal will have a broad remit. We will focus on the major areas of epidemiological study including disease etiology, disease surveillance, drug resistance and geographical spread and screening, biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects in clinical trials for both human and other animals. We will also look at the epidemiology and control of vector insects. The journal will also cover the use of geographic information systems (Epi-GIS) for epidemiological surveillance which is a rapidly growing area of research in infectious diseases. Molecular epidemiological approaches are also particularly encouraged.