Hygiene practices and contamination risks of surface waters by schistosome eggs: the case of an infested village in Northern Senegal
Sow, S.; de Vlas, S.J.; Polman, K.; Gryseels, B.
Bulletin de la Societe de Pathologie Exotique 97(1): 12-14
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9085 PMID: 15104150 Document Number: 568499
A pilot study on defaecating behaviour and hygienic practices was conducted in an Schistosoma mansoni endemic focus in northern Senegal. Questionnaires were used to obtain quantitative data on hygienic practices and the use of latrines in 59 children. Although the community was well endowed with pit latrines, most of the children declared that they usually defaecated somewhere else, in particular near the streams where the vegetation offers hideouts. Observations based on mapping of defaecation sites showed that a considerable number of faeces were left just a few metres from the riverbank, thus bearing a high risk of being washed off into the water. All these practices can easily lead to contamination of water bodies with Schistosoma eggs. In order to improve hygienic practices and reduce faecal pollution of the environment, a health education model respecting local beliefs and customs would be indispensable.