PREVALENCE, INTENSITY AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF Schistosoma mansoni INFECTION AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ZEGIE PENINSULA, BAHIR DAR CITY ADMINISTRATION, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

S.mansoni infection is one of the major public health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of S. mansoni infection among primary school children of Zegie Peninsula. A cross-sectional survey was carried out and a total of 403 school children were selected from a total of 1946 students using stratified random sampling technique from three primary schools that are found in Zegie Peninsula. A structured questionnaire was administered to respondents to generate information on socio-demographic characterstics and risk factors. In addition stool samples were collected and processed for microscopic examination using the Direct-Wet Mount and Formol-ether concentration methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20.0. The result of the study showed that the prevalence of S. mansoni infection in both sexes of school children in age group 5-9, 10-14 and 15-18 years old were 60.6%, 46.1% and 56.3%, respectively. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection in males and females school children were 62.7% and 38.1%, respectively. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 50.1%. This finding also indicated that children with age group 5-9 years old were highly affected by S. mansoni infection.The intensity of S. mansoni infection in terms of mean ± SD egg counts per gram of faeces for males and females school children were 190.7±1.359 and 265.8±1.847 EPG, respectively. Accordingly, the results revealed that S. mansoni infection was significantly associated with swimming habit at any time, water source for drinking, water contact while crossing the stream or lake and regular shoe- wearing habits (p<0.05). Hence, community-based intervention, particularly school-based deworming program, water sanitation and hygiene programs are recommended to students of the study area.