Prevalence and Risk Factors for Schistosomiasis among Schoolchildren in two Settings of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting more than 250 million people, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. In Côte d’Ivoire both Schistosoma haematobium (causing urogenital schistosomiasis) and Schistosoma mansoni (causing intestinal schistosomiasis) co-exist. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium and S. mansoni and to identify risk factors among schoolchildren in the western and southern parts of Côte d’Ivoire. From January to April 2018, a cross-sectional study was carried out including 1187 schoolchildren aged 5–14 years. Urine samples were examined by a filtration method to identify and count S. haematobium eggs, while stool samples were subjected to duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears to quantify eggs of S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths. Data on sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors were obtained using a pretested questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to test for associations between variables. We found a prevalence of S. haematobium of 14.0% (166 of 1187 schoolchildren infected) and a prevalence of S. mansoni of 6.1% (66 of 1089 schoolchildren infected). In the southern part of Côte d’Ivoire, the prevalence of S. haematobium was 16.1% with a particularly high prevalence observed in Sikensi (35.6%), while S. mansoni was most prevalent in Agboville (11.2%). Swimming in open freshwater bodies was the main risk factor for S. haematobium infection (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 127.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 25.0–634.0, p < 0.001). Fishing and washing clothes in open freshwater bodies were positively associated with S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection, respectively. Preventive chemotherapy using praziquantel should be combined with setting-specific information, education, and communication strategies in order to change children’s behavior, thus avoiding contact with unprotected open freshwater.

Prevalence and distribution of livestock schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in Côte d’Ivoire: results from a cross-sectional survey

“…The prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis varies greatly from 1.2% in Nigeria [18] to 21.7% in Ghana [19]. In Côte d'Ivoire, human schistosomiasis has been the subject of numerous epidemiological studies [20][21][22]. In contrast, livestock schistosomiasis, has received little attention [23], despite the economic importance of livestock in the country.…”

Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among students at Al-Agali Islamic complex in Al-Kalakela area, Khartoum State-Sudan

“…8 In Cote d'Ivoire study revealed that swimming and fishing in freshwater by schoolchildren was strongly associated with infection with S. haematobium. 4 The study showed respondents whose working in agriculture were at four-and forty-three folds' higher risk of getting S. haematobium OR 4.43 (95% CI 1.26-15.56, p=0.020). this agreement with that found in Nigeria noted that pupils whose parents were farmers had the highest infection rate and relatively followed by those whose parents were civil servants and traders 21 .…”

“…12 Our finding was lower than finding in some different countries in Africa; In Nigeria 58.7%, in Cote d'Ivoire 14%, in Senegal 57.6% , in Ethiopia 23.5%-37%. 4,9,14,16 The results showed the prevalence of S. hameatobium higher among age greater ten years; 54.9% in age group 11-15 years, 30.4% in age group 16-20 years while 14.7%…”

“…in particular, our finding disagrees with that reported in Sudan an association between the levels of parental education and S. haematobium infection. 20 In Cote d'Ivoire a significant relationship between illiteracy of the parents/guardians and Schistosoma infection was reported 4 . In Yemen a significant association between the high prevalence of schistosomiasis and the age of children, fathers' educational level, household monthly income 19 .…”

“…In Tanzania: the prevalence of S. haematobium among children aged 5 to 17 years 5.7%. 13 In Cote d'Ivoire: the prevalence of S. haematobium among schoolchildren 14% 4 . In Ethiopia: The prevalence of S. haematobium infection among children in Hassoba, Buri and Hanledebe villages in the Middle Awash Valley was 37%, 25%, and 23.5%, respectively.…”