Mission To Save The Helpless (MITOSATH), Jos, Nigeria.
Neglected Tropical Disease Unit, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria.
PLoS One. 2022 Jan 21;17(1):e0262524. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262524. eCollection 2022.
Mass drug administration for schistosomiasis started in 2014 across Taraba State. Surprisingly in 2020, an outbreak of schistosomiasis was reported in Takum local government area. This epidemiological investigation therefore assessed the current status of infection, analyzed associated risk factors and arrested the outbreak through community sensitization activities and mass treatment of 3,580 persons with praziquantel tablets.
Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples were conducted among 432 consenting participants in five communities. Samples were processed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration techniques. Participants data on demography, water contact behavior and access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were obtained using standardized questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS 20.0 and significance level was set at 95%.
An overall prevalence of 34.7% was observed, with 150 participants infected with both species of Schistosoma parasite. By communities, prevalence was higher in Birama (57.7%), Barkin Lissa (50.5%) and Shibong (33.3%). By species', S. haematobium infection was significantly higher than S. mansoni (28.9% vs 9.5%), with higher proportion of younger males infected (p<0.05). The condition of WASH is deplorable. About 87% had no latrines, 67% had no access to improved source of potable water and 23.6% relied on the river as their main source of water. Infections was significantly associated with water contact behaviors like playing in water (OR:1.50, 95% CI: 1.01-2.25) and swimming (OR:1.55, 95% CI: 1.04-2.31).
It is important to reclassify the treatment needs of Takum LGA based on the findings of this study. Furthermore, efforts targeted at improving access to WASH, reducing snail population, improving health education and strengthening surveillance systems to identify schistosomiasis hotspots will be a step in the right direction.
2014 年，塔拉巴州开始大规模药物治疗血吸虫病。令人惊讶的是，2020 年，塔库姆地方政府区报告了血吸虫病疫情。因此，这项流行病学调查评估了当前的感染状况，分析了相关的危险因素，并通过社区宣传活动和为 3580 人服用吡喹酮片进行大规模治疗来控制疫情。
在五个社区中，对 432 名同意参与的参与者进行了涉及粪便和尿液样本寄生虫学分析的流行病学评估。使用加藤氏和尿液过滤技术处理样本。使用标准化问卷获取参与者的人口统计学、水接触行为和获得水、环境卫生设施的数据。使用 SPSS 20.0 进行数据分析，显著性水平设置为 95%。
总体患病率为 34.7%，有 150 名参与者同时感染了两种血吸虫寄生虫。按社区划分，Birama（57.7%）、Barkin Lissa（50.5%）和 Shibong（33.3%）的患病率较高。按物种划分，S. haematobium 感染率明显高于 S. mansoni（28.9%比 9.5%），感染的年轻男性比例较高（p<0.05）。WASH 状况令人担忧。大约 87%的人没有厕所，67%的人没有获得改善的饮用水源，23.6%的人依赖河流作为主要水源。感染与水接触行为显著相关，如在水中玩耍（OR：1.50，95%CI：1.01-2.25）和游泳（OR：1.55，95%CI：1.04-2.31）。
根据这项研究的结果，重新分类塔库姆地方政府区的治疗需求非常重要。此外，努力改善获得 WASH 的机会、减少钉螺数量、加强健康教育和加强监测系统以识别血吸虫病热点，将是朝着正确方向迈出的一步。
