Factors Associated with Schistosoma mansoni Infestation in Northeast Brazil: A Need to Revisit Individual and Community Risk Factors

Abstract

In Brazil, schistosomiasis continues to be an important health issue. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with Schistosoma mansoni infestation. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess factors associated with S. mansoni endemicity in a municipality in Northeast Brazil with a history of reporting schistosomiasis. Participants were divided into four groups: 1) new S. mansoni cases (n = 44), 2) past history of S. mansoni treatment (n = 78), 3) immediate neighbors (n = 158), and 4) nearby controls (n = 35). Multiple comparisons analysis was performed. Subjects had a mean of 6.6 ± 3.9 years of education, and no difference was observed regarding family income (one-way ANOVA, P = 0.215). A total of 95.9% of the individuals had rudimentary cesspit as sanitary wastewater. The mean body mass index was 28.3 ± 5.1, with 41.0% and 24.1% overweight and obesity, respectively. Of note, 28.9% of adults had hypertension. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were higher in the recent S. mansoni treated group (Wilks’ lambda, P < 0.001). Male gender was more prevalent in new S. mansoni cases (likelihood ratio, P < 0.001), close proximity to water collections was a risk for S. mansoni infestation (likelihood ratio, P < 0.001), and a better hematological status was observed in individuals recently treated with praziquantel. This study indicates the need to maintain surveillance for S. mansoni in low-transmission areas and the need to establish community-based interventions to control transmission.

Towards an inclusive digital literacy: An experimental intervention study in a rural area of Brazil

“…In the municipality of Pureza (State of Rio Grande do Norte), where this study was conducted, 45.5% of its 2019 population were beneficiaries of a conditional cash transfer programme from the Brazilian Federal Government, called Bolsa Família -a program that provides a maximum of $100 per month per family (Brazilian Ministry of Social Development, 2020) demonstrating the need for income assistance and therefore people are more likely not to have easy access to computers or internet. In this municipality low scores of learning and poor school infrastructure are risks for the local population (Bezerra et al, 2021).…”

The role of environmental enteric dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Schistosoma mansoni-associated morbidity in school-aged children

“…Much of the global burden of disease impacts children, whereby schistosomiasis can cause anemia, undernutrition, linear growth stunting, and impaired neurocognitive development [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. S. mansoni is endemic in Brazil, one of the few nations in the Americas that has not eliminated this NTD [11,12].…”

“…S . mansoni is endemic in Brazil, one of the few nations in the Americas that has not eliminated this NTD [ 11 , 12 ].…”