Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis on students at Bochesa Elementary School, around the wetlands of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

TL;DR

This study found that 25.52% of students near Lake Ziway in Ethiopia have intestinal schistosomiasis, with higher rates in younger boys.

Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors and prevalence rates of schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in a wetland area of Ethiopia.

Findings

The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis among students was 25.52%.

Male students had a significantly higher infection rate (17.45%) compared to female students (8.07%).

Younger students (grades 1–4) had a higher infection rate (20.83%) than older students (grades 5–8, 4.69%).

Abstract

•People living near wetlands rely on them to search for natural resources.•Wetlands not only deliver resources but also spread diseases to the inhabitants.•Intestinal schistosomiasis spreads through skin contact with contaminated wetland water.•Wetland activities can cause schistosomiasis, particularly in school-aged children.•The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%.

People living near wetlands rely on them to search for natural resources.

Wetlands not only deliver resources but also spread diseases to the inhabitants.

Intestinal schistosomiasis spreads through skin contact with contaminated wetland water.

Wetland activities can cause schistosomiasis, particularly in school-aged children.

The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis in students at Bochesa Elementary School in the wetlands of Lake Ziway.

A cross-sectional study of 384 students was conducted in May 2016. Intestinal schistosomiasis was examined using the Kato-Katz technique. For the association between the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis and categorical variables, the chi-square (χ2) test was used. A binary logistic regression was applied.

The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%. Males were more infected (17.45%) than women (8.07%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 17.756; P <0.05). Lower grade (1–4) students were more infected (20.83%) than grade 5-8 students (4.69%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 19.558; P <0.05). Age groups of 7-14-year-old students were more infected (24.74%) than >15-year-old students (0.78%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 4.788; P <0.05).

The result implied that the wetlands of Lake Ziway are conducive to schistosomiasis. Students should receive health education on the mode of schistosomiasis transmission and its prevention methods, and a buffer zone for the wetlands should be identified. Praziquantel treatment is crucial in reducing intestinal schistosomiasis in students.