Prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis and associated risk factors in New Halfa city, Kassala state, Sudan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent parasitic disease in tropical countries after malaria in both rural and agricultural areas. This study aims to determine the prevalence and the associated risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in New Halfa city, Kassala state, Sudan. The study involved 190 participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data related to gender, age, residence, level of education, and source of drinking water. Stool samples were collected from the study participants. It was then examined using three parasitological techniques, and the data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 21 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The results showed that out of 190 study populations only 9 (4.7%) were infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The infection rate in females (5.9%) was slightly higher than the infection rate in males (3.8%). The highest prevalence rate (11.1%) was reported among the age group of 80 to 99 years. The study showed that the prevalence rate of infected individuals in the village was higher relative to the city. People drinking from the channels had higher infection rates compared to those using farm tanks as a source of drinking water. The study also reported a high prevalence rate of infection among primary and secondary school participants. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of Schistosoma mansoni infection in the study area is low and there is no significant association between the risk factors in the study and Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Keywords

• intestinal schistosomiasis
• risk factors
• new halfa
• schistosoma mansoni