Human water contact patterns in active schistosomiasis endemic areas

Abstract

One major risk factor common to individuals in schistosomiasis endemic areas is water contact patterns. Effort to determine the dynamics in water contact patterns in different regions needs utmost attention in order to suggest better control strategy for schistosome infection. Quantitative observations on human water contact activities were recorded in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State for a period of two years. Frequency and duration of observed water contact activities were recorded. Males had the highest water contact during the rainy season with 51.1% compared to females with 48.9%. Females had the highest water contact with 51.0% while males had 49.0% during the dry season. The age group 10–19 years had the highest water contact with 27.1%, this was followed by 20–29 year and 30–39 year age groups with 23.6% and 22.1%, respectively, during the rainy season. Our results showed that water contact activities differ with respect to different communities, sex and age groups. Previous high prevalence of schistosome infection in the study areas could be attributed to high water contact activities. Therefore, provision of adequate pipe-borne water, good sanitation and improved knowledge on schistosome life cycle among the community members will reduce the high rate of human water contacts.

Assessing Potential Intermediate Host Snails of Urogenital Schistosomiasis, Human Water Contact Behavior and Water Physico-chemical Characteristics in Alwero Dam Reservoir, Ethiopia

“…[37][38][39][40][41][42] A study in Benin showed that males had significantly higher frequency of water contact than females. 46 Hence, it is expected that schistosome infection could be higher in males compared to females in the study areas. Furthermore, prevalence of schistosomiasis had been found to be higher in males than in females.…”

Preliminary Study on Human Host Factors Perpetuating the Transmission of Schistosomiasis in Endemic Community of Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria

“…However, the rate of water contacts declined after the age of 40. Majority of the respondents in Similarly, Oso and Odaibo [18] observed an agerelated water-contact patterns with frequency of exposure to infested water reducing with old age. It could also be due to the development of immunity in the old people who may have contracted the disease in their young age.…”

“…The subjects from which the study participants were drawn were observed for the environmental contamination with faeces or urine close to the perimeter of the water body, for 4 hrs between 11am and 3pm every day for 3 days. This observation period was believed to be the peak period of WCAs in rural endemic settings and, when the risk of schistosomiasis transmission is highest [11,18]. Afterward, the assessment of riverside contamination was confirmed from the respondents during the questionnaire survey.…”

Endemic status of urogenital schistosomiasis and the efficacy of a single-dose praziquantel treatment in unmapped rural farming communities in Oyo East Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

“…There are two major forms of schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium, and intestinal schistosomiasis, caused by S. mansoni, that are commonly reported in Nigeria. Urogenital schistosomiasis is most widely reported in Nigeria, affecting individuals living in most rural, underprivileged urban or peri-urban settings with limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, and hygiene services [3][4][5]. The disease is also commonly found in fishing and agricultural dominant communities where direct interactions with water increase the risk of contracting the disease [6,7].…”