Reduction of Urogenital Schistosomiasis with an Integrated Control Project in Sudan

Autor: Han Ik Cho, Sung-Tae Hong, Young-Ha Lee, Soon Hyung Lee, Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Ismail, Woo Hyun Kong, Hae-Sung Nam, Hoo Gn Jeong, Gibril Nouman Abd Alla, Chung Hyeon Oh
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 9, Iss 1, p e3423 (2015)
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
ISSN: 1935-2735
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003423
Popis: Purpose Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in Sudan, particularly Schistosoma haematobium infection. This study presents the disease-reduction outcomes of an integrated control program for schistosomiasis in Al Jabalain locality of White Nile State, Sudan from 2009 through 2011. Methods The total population of the project sites was 482,902, and the major target group for intervention among them was 78,615 primary school students. For the cross-sectional study of the prevalence, urine and stool specimens were examined using the urine sedimentation method and the Kato cellophane thick smear method, respectively. To assess the impacts of health education for students and a drinking water supply facility at Al Hidaib village, questionnaire survey was done. Results The overall prevalence for S. haematobium and S. mansoni at baseline was 28.5% and 0.4%, respectively. At follow-up survey after 6–9 months post-treatment, the prevalence of S. haematobium infection was reduced to 13.5% (95% CI = 0.331–0.462). A higher reduction in prevalence was observed among girls, those with moderately infected status (around 20%), and residents in rural areas, than among boys, those with high prevalence (>40%), and residents in urban areas. After health education, increased awareness about schistosomiasis was checked by questionnaire survey. Also, a drinking water facility was constructed at Al Hidaib village, where infection rate was reduced more compared to that in a neighboring village within the same unit. However, we found no significant change in the prevalence of S. mansoni infection between baseline and follow-up survey (95% CI = 0.933–6.891). Conclusions At the end of the project, the prevalence of S. haematobium infection was reduced by more than 50% in comparison with the baseline rate. Approximately 200,000 subjects had received either praziquantel therapy, health education, or supply of clean water. To consolidate the achievements of this project, the integrated intervention should be adapted continuously.
Author Summary Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern and is one of the major causes of morbidity among school-aged children in Sudan. To control schistosomiasis in White Nile State of Sudan, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) implemented an integrated control program including mass chemotherapy with praziquantel and health education to school children and village residents, and construction of a drinking water supply facility at Al Hidaib village from 2009 to 2011. As a result of this project, the overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was reduced by >50% in comparison with the baseline rates (95% CI = 0.331–0.462). The infection reduction rates were higher among girls, those with moderate infection status (around 20%), and residents of rural areas; than for those of boys, subjects with high infection status (>40%) and residents of urban areas. A supply of clean water at Al Hidaib village contributed significantly to the reduction in the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in comparison to Khour Ajwal village, which is similar natural environment and lifestyle of Al Hidaib village. However, the prevalence of S. mansoni infection did not significantly change. Also, the awareness of knowledge about schistosomiasis and health improvement was apparently improved by the results of questionnaires survey. Through this project, approximately 200,000 individuals benefited from either drug treatment, health education, or a clean water supply. To consolidate the achievements of the project, sustainable integrated control activities should be implemented in the near future.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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