Schistosoma mansoni Infection Prevalence and Associated Determinant Factors among School Children in Mana District, Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Human Schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni is among the chronic neglected tropical parasitic disease. Water bodies harboring intermediate host and infested with infective Cercaria is risk factor for getting infection and contact with it for different domestic purposes. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine S. mansoni infections prevalence and associated determinant factors among School Children in Manna District, Southwest, Ethiopia. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among the school children aged between 6-19 years from March to May 2015. For diagnosis of S. mansoni, stool sample was obtained from each child and processed using Kato Katz and examined using light microscope. A questionnaire was used to collect Socio-demographic information of the school children participated and risk factors for S. mansoni infections in the study area. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The prevalence of S. mansoni was found to be 27.6%, which was 28.6% and 26.7% among male and female, respectively. Majority of infection intensity was low with maximum 1968EPG. Bathing in river/ponds (AOR=0.088, 95% CI, 0.002-0.099, P=0.039), washing clothes in open water sources (AOR=0.075, 95% CI, 0.006-0.101, P=0.002) and crossing rivers on bare foots (AOR=0.058, 95% CI, 0.05-0.087, P=0.002) were independent predictors for S. mansoni infection (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: The school children in the study area were at moderate risk of the morbidity caused by S.mansoni (prevalence >10% and <50% according to WHO threshold); hence a biannual MDA with PZQ is required and bathing in open water sources, washing clothes in rivers/ponds and crossing river on bare foot were independent predictors of S.mansoni infections.