Prevalence and intensity of schistosoma mansoni infection among school children in selected primary schools nearby rivers in jimma town, southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In Ethiopia, Schistosoma mansoni is widespread and its presence has been recorded in all administrative regions. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection among purposively selected primary school children nearby rivers and other water sources in Jimma town, from March to April 2017. Three hundrede twenty-eight schoolchildren were participated in this study. Structured questionnaires used to collect information on socio-demographic characterstics and risk factors for S.mansoni infection. Stool sample was processed using double Kato- Katz thick smear technique for the quantification of S.mansoni and STH eggs. Results: The overall prevalence rate for S. mansoni infection was 28.65 %( 94/328). The prevalence for males and females were 39.28 %( 77/196) and 12.87 %( 17/132), respectively.Out of 94 positives, 53 %( 50) had light (1-99 EPG), 35 %( 33) moderate (100-399 EPG) and 11.7 %( 11) (> 400 EPG) had heavy infection intensity with minmum of 24 eggs per gram and maximum 1728 eggs per gram of stool sample. The geometric mean infection intensity of S.mansoni was 102.27EPG. Distance of school from river (AOR=4.305, p=0.001, 95% CI: 1.704-10.878), swimming habit nearby rivers (AOR=5.069, p=0.001, 95%CI: 2.718-9.453) and water body contact while crossing in the river (AOR=4.132, p=0.001, 95%CI: 2.466-6.923) had statistical significant association with S.mansoni infection. The prevalence of STH and other intestinal parasite infections were, T.trichuira 66(20.12%), A.lumbricodes 16(4.5%), Hookworm 1(0.30%), H.nana 10(3.04%), Taenia species 1(0.30 %,), Giardia lamblia 15(4.57%) and E.histolytica/dispar 10(3.04%). Conclusion and Recommendations: The prevalence of S.mansoni infection among school children was moderate with low infection intensity. There is a need to promote health education on S. mansoni and other intestinal parasite infections. Mass screening is necessary for all school children nearby rivers in Jimma town. The prevalence found to be moderate hence, Praziquantel is required for all school age children once every two years in this area