An Epidemiological Trend of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Currently, the prevalence of the disease can possibly be heightened due to man-made ecological transformations particularly related to the recent development programs involving irrigation and construction of dams. The expansion of some of the water resource development projects has been cited enhancing the upsurge of urogenital schistosomiasis mainly in the lower altitude areas of the country. In connection to the extensive initiation of development projects in low altitude areas of the country, simultaneous and adequate attentions have never been given to address a pre-assessment of health impacts of the development programs prior to launching the projects. Helpful appraisals focusing on evaluation of epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Ethiopia have not been explored. Therefore, the current review attempts to trace an overall picture of the epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis in the country; the past and existing trends of urogenital schistosomiasis surveys and control programs of the country are reviewed. Essential recommendations are highlighted for possible inputs in future control design strategies of national control program of schistosomiasis.

Environmental Predictors of Schistosomiasis Persistent Hotspots following Mass Treatment with Praziquantel

“…As areas where humans may frequently come into contact with high-quality snail habitat for extended periods of time, irrigated and flooded agricultural land has been identified as highly conducive to schistosomiasis transmission. [38][39][40] The negative relationship we observed between cropland cover and PHS risk at some study sites may be weakened or reversed in settings where agricultural irrigation and flooding is more common. 41,42 Going forward, the use of higher resolution and more up-to-date remote sensing data could further refine our understanding of how land cover influences PHS: the GlobCover dataset we used is based on the 300-m resolution imagery from 2009, 3 years before the start of the study period.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Provincial Dwellers on Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis: Evidence from a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Gambia

“…Worldwide, there are six species of schistosomes that have an effect on people [4]. In SSA, S. haematobium and S. mansoni are the most popular species that cause urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively [5].…”

Neglected Tropical Diseases with an Impact on Kidney Function

“…Schistosomiasis is the parasitic disease caused by organisms of the genus Schistosoma, which affects more than 200 million people in the world and is endemic in some tropical areas of the globe [79,80]. It is the second most frequent parasitic disease, after malaria, and is still an important infection-associated cause of death [81].…”

“…Patients with poor immune regulation develop severe fibrosis and hepatosplenic disease with periportal fibrosis [80]. The species S. haematobium, which occurs in some parts of Africa, affects the urogenital system, manifesting mainly by hematuria [80][81][82]. Other symptoms described in the infection by S. haematobium include hematospermia and inflammation in other structures in men-epididymis, testicles, spermatic cord and prostate, and women-hypertrophic/ulcerative lesions of the vulva, vagina, and cervix [82].…”