Prévalence de la Schistosomiase Urinaire et Facteurs de Risque chez les Enfants d’Âge Scolaire à Tiko dans la Région du Sud-Ouest du Cameroun: Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis and Associated Factors Amongst School Aged Children in Tiko (South West Region of Cameroon)

Watching Djakissam; Honore Ndouwe Tissebe Menga; William Baiye Abange; Simeon Akame; Precious Wadkuna Dama; Eleanor Ngeh-Nkeng Alembong; Dickson Shey Nsagha

doi:10.5281/hra.v3i4.6575

Authors

Watching Djakissam 1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon
Honore Ndouwe Tissebe Menga 2. Department of biological Sciences Faculty of Sciences, University of Garoua, North Cameroon
William Baiye Abange 1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon
Simeon Akame 1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon
Precious Wadkuna Dama 1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon
Eleanor Ngeh-Nkeng Alembong 4. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon
Dickson Shey Nsagha 4. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Southwest Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/hra.v3i4.6575

Keywords:

Schistosomiase urinaire, Schistosoma haematobium, facteurs de risque, enfants, Likomba, Cameroun

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background. Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting school-aged children due to environmental exposure and limited access to safe water. Schistosoma haematobium infection, a leading cause of urogenital schistosomiasis, is perpetuated by water-contact behaviors and poor sanitation. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium infection and identify associated risk factors among school-aged children in Tiko, Cameroon. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Primary School Likomba. Participants (n=288; 56% male, 44% female; mean age 11.4 years) provided socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical data via structured questionnaires. Urine samples were analyzed microscopically for S. haematobium eggs. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors, with significance set at p<0.05. Results. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 20.83% (60/288). Key risk factors included frequent bathing in streams (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=18.71;; p<0.001), performing domestic chores in streams (aOR=5.64; p<0.001), drinking untreated stream water (aOR=3.85; p=0.002), open defecation in streams (p<0.001), and limited knowledge of schistosomiasis transmission (p<0.001). Conclusion. High exposure to contaminated water sources and inadequate health literacy significantly drive S. haematobium transmission in this population. Targeted interventions—including community health education, improved access to safe water, and school-based deworming programs—are urgently needed to mitigate infection risks. These findings underscore the critical role of integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives in schistosomiasis control in endemic regions.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. La schistosomiase demeure un problème majeur de santé publique en Afrique subsaharienne, touchant de manière disproportionnée les enfants d’âge scolaire en raison de l'exposition environnementale et de l'accès limité à l'eau potable. L'infection à Schistosoma haematobium, principale cause de schistosomiase urogénitale, est entretenue par les comportements de contact avec l'eau et le manque d'assainissement. Cette étude visait à déterminer la prévalence de l'infection à S. haematobium et à identifier les facteurs de risque associés chez les enfants d’âge scolaire à Tiko, au Cameroun. Méthodes. Une étude transversale communautaire a été menée à l’École primaire publique de Likomba. Les participants (n=288 ; 56 % de garçons, 44 % de filles ; âge moyen 11,4 ans) ont fourni des données sociodémographiques, comportementales et cliniques via des questionnaires structurés. Des échantillons d’urine ont été analysés par microscopie pour détecter les œufs de S. haematobium. Une régression logistique multivariée a été utilisée pour évaluer les facteurs de risque, avec un seuil de significativité fixé à p<0,05. Résultats. La prévalence de l’infection à S. haematobium était de 20,83 % (60/288). Les principaux facteurs de risque incluaient les bains fréquents en rivière (rapport de cotes ajusté [RCa]=18,71 ; IC 95 % : [non fourni] ; p<0,001), la réalisation de tâches domestiques en rivière (RCa=5,64 ; p<0,001), la consommation d’eau non traitée provenant de rivières (RCa=3,85 ; p=0,002), la défécation à l’air libre en rivière (p<0,001), et une connaissance limitée de la transmission de la schistosomiase (p<0,001). Conclusion. Les contacts fréquents avec des eaux contaminées et le manque de sensibilisation sont des déterminants clés de la transmission. Des interventions intégrant l’éducation sanitaire, l’accès à l’eau potable, et le déparasitage scolaire sont urgentes. L’intégration des stratégies EAH (Eau, Assainissement, Hygiène) est essentielle pour contrôler la schistosomiase dans cette région endémique.

References

1. Colley DG, Bustinduy AL, Secor WE, King CH. Human schistosomiasis. The Lancet. 2014 Jun 28; 383(9936):2253-64.

2. World Health Organization. Schistosomiasis fact sheet. 2019; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis. Accessed 2 March 2020.

3. 3. Botelho MC, Alves H, Richter J. Halting Schistosoma haematobium-associated bladder Cancer. International Journal of Cancer Management. 2017; 10 (9).

4. Akinneye JO, Fasidi MM, Afolabi OJ, Adesina FP. Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among secondary school students in Ifedore local government, Ondo state, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Diseases. 2018; 1(004).

5. Ndassi VD, Anchang-Kimbi JK, Sumbele IU, Ngufor LA, Nadege K, Kimbi HK. The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area-A-Semi-Urban Setting In The Mount Cameroon Area. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.2021 Jan 11; 15(1).

6. Iwu, R. U.*, Azoro, A. V. & Onuoha, J. N. (2015). Urinary schistosomiasis: Water contact frequency and infectivity among school aged pupil/students in Umukabia Community of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Parasitology and Vector Biology, 7(3), 53-57.

7. Abdulkareem BO, Habeeb KO, Kazeem A, Adam AO, Samuel UU. Urogenital Schistosomiasis among Schoolchildren and the Associated Risk Factors in Selected Rural Communities of Kwara State, Nigeria. J Trop Med. 2018 May 2; 2018: 6913918. doi: 10.1155/2018/6913918. PMID: 29853921; PMCID: PMC5954937.

8. Babamale OA, Kolawole OH, Abdulganiyu K, Abdulkareem OA, Ugbomoiko US. Urogenital Schistosomiasis among Schoolchildren and the Associated Risk Factors in Selected Rural Communities of Kwara State, Nigeria. J Trop Med. 2018 May 2; 2018: 6913918. doi: 10.1155/2018/6913918.

9. Okeke OC, Ubachukwu PO. Urinary schistosomiasis in urban and semi‑urban communities in South‑Eastern Nigeria. Iran J Parasitol. 2013 ; 8 (3) :467.

10. M’Bra RK, Kone B, Yapi YG, Silué KD, Sy I, Vienneau D, et al. Risk factors for schistosomiasis in an urban area in northern Côte d’Ivoire. Infect Dis Poverty. 2018; 7:47.

11. Hamit Mahamat Alio, Eteme Enama Serge, Koga Mang’Dobara, Boyomo Onana, Ahamat Daba Idriss, Nkengazong Lucia, & Njiki-Bikoi Jacky. (2024). Prévalence et Facteurs de Risque de la Schistosomiase Intestinale à N’Djamena : Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Schistosomiasis in N’Djamena. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 25(6). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v25i6.5794.

12. Adeline Enjema Green, Judith Kuoh Anchang‑Kimbi, Godlove Bunda Wepnje, Vicky Daonyle Ndassi and Helen Kuokuo Kimbi. Distribution and factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis in the Tiko Health District, a semi-urban setting, South West Region, Cameroon. Green et al. Infect Dis Poverty (2021) 10:49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00827-2.

Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis and Associated Factors Amongst School Aged Children in Tiko (South West Region of Cameroon)