Fatores sócio-demográficos e comportamentais relacionados à esquistossomose em uma agrovila da zona canavieira de Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

Failure of intensive chemotherapy to control schistosomiasis in a highly endemic area of Northeast Brazil led to the hypothesis that sociodemographic and/or behavioral variables could be involved in the persistent transmission. A univariate analysis of such variables in relation to infection by Schistosoma mansoni showed that water contact patterns for recreation and personal hygiene are important risk factors in the area. However, sociodemographic variables were not related to infection, probably because the local population lives under evenly precarious socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. We thus recommend that chemotherapy be combined with other measures like snail control, health education, and improved sanitation and water supply.

Factors related to transmission of and infection with Schistosoma mansoni in a village in the South-eastern Region of Brazil

“…105(4): 570-577, July 2010 There is much scientific evidence that socio-demographic variables and contact with unsafe water are associated with infection with schistosomiasis. Studies in different settings have been carried out describing vulnerable parts of the population, such as school children, types of behaviour related to a higher risk of acquiring the infection, as is the case with household, occupational and leisure activities, or involving socio-economical status and its correlation to the disease (Lima e Costa 1983, Guimarães et al 1985, Cairncross et al 1996, da Silva et al 1997, Moza et al 1998, Watts et al 1998, Bethony et al 2001, Massara et al 2004, Gazzinelli et al 2006. Studies carried out in Africa investigating infections with Schistosoma haematobium present similar associations, demonstrating the importance of studies involving snail hosts, water contacts and micro-spatial distribution for an integrated epidemiological approach (Stothard et al 2002).…”

Factors associated with schistosomiasis mansoni in a population from the municipality of Jaboticatubas, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Several studies have been carried out in order to evaluate such association in endemic areas (Lima e Costa 1983, Silva et al 1997, Moza et al 1998, Bethony et al 2001. In Brazil, Lima e Costa (1983) have reported that the water used for agricultural purposes showed to be a factor closely associated with S. mansoni infection in schoolchildren, while Guimarães et al (1985) have shown that water contact in household activities were associated with the infection in people aged less than 15 years old.…”

Spatial pattern, water use and risk levels associated with the transmission of schistosomiasis on the north coast of Pernambuco, Brazil

“…It is known that different patterns of contact with collections of natural waters will lead to distinct epidemiological patterns, since it can be reasonably expected that people who have more contact with snail breeding sites have a greater chance of becoming infected 7 .…”

“…The pattern of human contact with water is complex and highly variable, but it serves to provide an important explanation for the epidemiological differences between infected population groups. Nevertheless, factors such as socio-economic circumstances, water supply and the provision of sewerage services also have a strong influence on the occurrence of the disease 6,7 .…”