Urban schistosomiasis in Lusaka, Zambia: a preliminary study
Mungomba, L.M.; Michelson, E.H.
Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 98(3): 199-203
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5304 PMID: 7783280 Document Number: 293566
A retrospective survey of 18 urban clinics, a survey for snail hosts, and a parasitological survey of 240 sixth and seventh grade children attending seven schools were conducted to learn the spread of schistosomiasis transmission in Lusaka, Zambia. During January 1988-April 1989, staff at the 18 urban clinics treated 5703 patients for schistosomiasis (0.43% of total case load). The schistosomiasis cases/1000/month ranged from 0 (Makeni clinic) to 137.2 (Chelstone clinic). The stream in Chainama township, the Kalikiliki dam, and the open drainage canals of the George residential area harbored infected snails. The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium ranged from 7.5% (Matero and St. Monica schools) to 37.5% (Tunduya school). Overall prevalence was 20.9%, which is larger than the national prevalence rate reported earlier (16%). Boys were more likely to be infected than girls (p = 0.05). The greatest number of S. haematobium eggs in a urine sample was 3880/10 ml in a boy from the Mtendere School. Many urine samples had only one egg. None of the stool specimens harbored schistosome eggs. One child was infected with S. mansoni. Schools in the poorer townships had higher prevalence rates for schistosomiasis than those in the richer townships. 52% of the children knew what schistosomiasis is. 17% had observed blood in their urine. 10% had been treated for schistosomiasis. These findings indicate that transmission of schistosomiasis is active in metropolitan Lusaka.