The Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among School Children in Abougoudam and Chokoyan in Ouaddaï, Chad

Mahamat Hassan  Abdel-Aziz; Djamalladine Mahamat  Doungous; Ahmota Romain  Daiba; Abdel-Mahamoud  Adam; Hamit  Mahamat Alio

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i4.20462

Mahamat Hassan Abdel-Aziz Department of Science and Technology, National Institute of Science and Technology of Abeche, Abeche, Chad
Djamalladine Mahamat Doungous Department of Science and Technology, National Institute of Science and Technology of Abeche, Abeche, Chad
Ahmota Romain Daiba Department of Livestock Science and Technology, National Higher Institute of Science and Techniques of Abeche, Abeche, Chad
Abdel-Mahamoud Adam Department of Science and Technology, National Institute of Science and Technology of Abeche, Abeche, Chad
Hamit Mahamat Alio Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology of the Health and Human Sciences, University of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i4.20462

Keywords: Prevalence; Bilharzia; Schoolchildren; Chad

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent global parasitic endemic, following malaria. It is caused by trematodes of the Schistosoma genus. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of urinary schistosomiasis and the associated risk factors in educational institutions.

Methods: The investigation was conducted in two primary schools in Abougoudam and Chokoyan City, Chad from December 2021 to February 2022. Parasitological analyses were performed at the laboratory of Abeche Provincial Hospital and Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory of National Higher Institute of Science and Techniques of Abeche (INSTA) in Chad. In the study 273 scholars, namely 136 males (49.82%) and 137 girls (50.18%), from two primary schools in two localities, were enrolled.

Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium was 42.86%. Boys had a prevalence of 44.85%, while females had a prevalence of 40.88% (P>0.05). The prevalence in the Chokoyan locality was 53.38%, while it was 32.86% in the Abougoudam locality (P<0.05). The prevalence of pupils in the [5-10] age group was 29.73%, while that of the [11-15] age group was 51.85% (P<0.05). 100% of the pupils who were afflicted were administered 40 mg/kg praziquentel.

Conclusion: S. haematobium is present in both localities; therefore, health education campaigns should be implemented to prevent the onset of this parasitosis and to facilitate the establishment of a national program to combat helminthiasis. S. haematobium bilharziasis continues to be a significant public health issue in Chad.