The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area

Abstract

Background Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by S. haematobium has enormous reproductive health consequences including infertility. Reproductive aged individuals are a neglected group and not included in control programs in Cameroon. This study investigated the prevalence and severity of S. haematobium infection in the context of gender and socio-economic structures that shape behaviour among reproductive aged individuals living in Tiko, a semi-urban setting, Cameroon. Methodology/Principal findings A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Tiko Health District (THD) between May to September 2019. Consenting individuals were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique and administered a semi-structured questionnaire to document data on socio-demographic and stream contact behaviour. A urine sample was collected and screened for the presence of S. haematobium ova using reagent strips, filtration and microscopy. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 22.8% (95% CL: 19.27–26.73) with geometric mean egg load of 18.74 (range: 1–1600) per 10ml of urine. Younger age group (15 – 20years) (OR: 5.13; 95% CL: 1.35–19.42), male (OR: 2.60 3.07; 95% CL: 1.54–4.40) and awareness of UGS (OR: 1.73; 95% CL: 1.02–2.95) were associated with higher odds of exposure to infection. Significantly higher intensity of infection was seen in males, singles and in the age group 15–30 years. It is worth noting that males carried out more activities which entailed longer duration in streams. Conclusion/Significance The prevalence obtained shows that Tiko is a moderate-risk area for UGS with underlying morbidity-inducing infection intensity. The severity of the infection is more in males. Awareness of the disease is not enough to protect these communities from infection, but provision of public infrastructures and health education will limit contact with infested water and thus curtail the infection. There is an urgent need to involve all age groups in control programs.

Urogenital schistosomiasis burden in school-aged children in Tiko, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study on prevalence, intensity, knowledge and risk factors

“…Recent report highlights the emergence of urogenital schistosomiasis among SAC and reproductive aged individuals in Likomba, a community in Tiko Health District [16,17]. It is therefore vital to monitor the variation of intensity of infection and associated morbidity in Likomba and another closer neighbourhood like Upper Costen in the same Health District suspected for UGS, due to the migration of individuals from the conflict-hit areas of Muyuka and Ikata-Likoko, endemic with UGS [18,19].…”

Epidemiological burden of persistent co-transmission of malaria, schistosomiasis, and geohelminthiasis among 3-15 years old children during the dry season in Northern Cameroon

“…On the other hand, the epidemiology and transmission of schistosomiasis in the North Region is governed by a nexus of human behavior, cultural factors, socio-economic status, and ecology which cooperate to spur the biological interaction between the human and snail host life cycle stages of the parasite and establishes the relevance for community monitoring and evaluation of prevalence and intensity of infection in order to document the impact of treatment success and to optimize control programme outputs [52]. Schistosomiasis presents a public health challenge in this Region where a majority of the inhabitant population relies on water networks of the Geoges de Kola and Lagdo dam for daily activities that constitutes the source of schistosome infection particularly in the BAK and Gounougou communities [31,37].…”

“…The presence of S. haematobium eggs in urine with the verbal reports of females experiencing hematuria, dysuria and itchy urination may suggest the occurrence of genital schistosomiasis infection that poses a serious yet neglected disease burden in women. Caused by the deposition of eggs in the female reproductive tract, this condition often leads to chronic brosis and scarring with irreversible long term consequence on sexual dysfunction aggravated by genital ulcers and infertility problems [52]. Moreover, a low frequency of mixed schistosome infections (S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. guineensis) were identi ed in infected children owing to the focal distribution of the snail intermediate hosts and substantial human mobility between transmission sites [70].…”

“…On the day of enrolment, all parents/guardians of children who participated in the questionnaire sampling received two separate 50 mL sterile, wide mouthed; screw capped plastic containers carrying their identi cation information for urine and stool collection. Considering the circadian pattern of schistosome egg excretion, participants were requested to collect urine samples between 10 am-2 pm [52]. Upon receipt of urine, hematuria was immediately determined by visual inspection and urine reagent strips (Uric11V, ACCU-ANSWER ® ) following the manufacturers' instruction.…”

Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) and female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in Cameroon: an observational assessment of key reproductive health determinants of girls and women in the Matta Health Area

“…In recent years, FGS-focused research and public health education 31 has gained traction in certain countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria and Mozambique, 8 9 although other countries such as Cameroon, currently lag behind. 32 33 Schistosomiasis exists in several regions of Cameroon, 34 affecting over 10 million people in rural and urban areas. 35 The country has a national coordinated control plan for fairly early interventions during childhood years (from 5 to 14 years old), 36 which take advantage of school based intervention platforms, 37 38 and in certain settings, community based interventions, where their at-risk status (people or communities dependent on schistosomiasis endemic water bodies, for main water source) is high.…”