Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review

Background: Human fascioliasis, caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a neglected tropical disease that impacts approximately 17 million people worldwide. It’s prevalent in areas with significant livestock farming where animals consume contaminated freshwat...

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Main Authors: Moses Adriko, Edridah M. Tukahebwa, Miph B. Musoke, Martin Odoki, David Muwanguzi, Stellah Nambuya, Patrick Vudriko, Kalinda Chester, Samson Mukaratirwa, Moses J. Chimbari, Anna-Sofie Stensgaard, Birgitte Vennervald, Lawrence Mugisha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia.edu Journals 2025-02-01
Series:Academia Medicine
Online Access:https://www.academia.edu/127931967/Epidemiology_of_human_fascioliasis_across_Africa_for_the_period_2000_2022_a_systematic_review
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author Moses Adriko
Edridah M. Tukahebwa
Miph B. Musoke
Martin Odoki
David Muwanguzi
Stellah Nambuya
Patrick Vudriko
Kalinda Chester
Samson Mukaratirwa
Moses J. Chimbari
Anna-Sofie Stensgaard
Birgitte Vennervald
Lawrence Mugisha
author_facet Moses Adriko
Edridah M. Tukahebwa
Miph B. Musoke
Martin Odoki
David Muwanguzi
Stellah Nambuya
Patrick Vudriko
Kalinda Chester
Samson Mukaratirwa
Moses J. Chimbari
Anna-Sofie Stensgaard
Birgitte Vennervald
Lawrence Mugisha
author_sort Moses Adriko
collection DOAJ
description Background: Human fascioliasis, caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a neglected tropical disease that impacts approximately 17 million people worldwide. It’s prevalent in areas with significant livestock farming where animals consume contaminated freshwater plants. The disease poses a substantial health burden for over 90,000 disability-adjusted life years due to abdominal complications. This systematic review aims to synthesize data on the prevalence of human fascioliasis in Africa during 2000–2022. Methods: We systematically searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and CAB Direct, identifying 126 publications on human fascioliasis. Following a thorough screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 33 articles were selected for meta-analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel to calculate prevalence rates and evaluate variance through bimodal distribution and heterogeneity using the I2 index. Results: Among 271 articles, only 33 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, representing 12.17% of the literature in Africa. The pooled prevalence estimate was 0.032% (IVhet PPE: 0.032% [95% CI 1.4–6.53]), with Egypt exhibiting the highest prevalence rate. These findings highlight significant gaps in diagnostic capabilities and reporting, complicating management efforts for human fascioliasis in Africa. Conclusions: This review reveals a high prevalence of human fascioliasis in specific sub-Saharan countries, largely attributable to inadequate diagnostic practices. The inconsistent spatial distribution of available data underscores the overall neglect of this disease. The authors advocate for enhanced epidemiological studies to better understand the distribution and risk factors linked to fascioliasis in Africa, emphasizing the need for rigorous research addressing these critical knowledge gaps.
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spelling doaj-art-2b7d967917df43618f15c8c1aaabdceb2025-08-20T02:09:25ZengAcademia.edu JournalsAcademia Medicine2994-435X2025-02-012110.20935/AcadMed7527Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic reviewMoses Adriko0Edridah M. Tukahebwa1Miph B. Musoke2Martin Odoki3David Muwanguzi4Stellah Nambuya5Patrick Vudriko6Kalinda Chester7Samson Mukaratirwa8Moses J. Chimbari9Anna-Sofie Stensgaard10Birgitte Vennervald11Lawrence Mugisha12National Malaria Elimination Division, Department of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.Vector Borne & NTD Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.School of Sciences, Nkumba University (NU), Entebbe, Uganda.School of Sciences, Nkumba University (NU), Entebbe, Uganda.One Health Division, Department for National Disease Control & Prevention, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda.Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Clinic and Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Research Centre for Tropical Diseases and Vector Control (RTC), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Kigali Heights, Kigali, Rwanda.School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1172 København, Denmark.Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1172 København, Denmark.Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Background: Human fascioliasis, caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a neglected tropical disease that impacts approximately 17 million people worldwide. It’s prevalent in areas with significant livestock farming where animals consume contaminated freshwater plants. The disease poses a substantial health burden for over 90,000 disability-adjusted life years due to abdominal complications. This systematic review aims to synthesize data on the prevalence of human fascioliasis in Africa during 2000–2022. Methods: We systematically searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and CAB Direct, identifying 126 publications on human fascioliasis. Following a thorough screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 33 articles were selected for meta-analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel to calculate prevalence rates and evaluate variance through bimodal distribution and heterogeneity using the I2 index. Results: Among 271 articles, only 33 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, representing 12.17% of the literature in Africa. The pooled prevalence estimate was 0.032% (IVhet PPE: 0.032% [95% CI 1.4–6.53]), with Egypt exhibiting the highest prevalence rate. These findings highlight significant gaps in diagnostic capabilities and reporting, complicating management efforts for human fascioliasis in Africa. Conclusions: This review reveals a high prevalence of human fascioliasis in specific sub-Saharan countries, largely attributable to inadequate diagnostic practices. The inconsistent spatial distribution of available data underscores the overall neglect of this disease. The authors advocate for enhanced epidemiological studies to better understand the distribution and risk factors linked to fascioliasis in Africa, emphasizing the need for rigorous research addressing these critical knowledge gaps.https://www.academia.edu/127931967/Epidemiology_of_human_fascioliasis_across_Africa_for_the_period_2000_2022_a_systematic_review
spellingShingle Moses Adriko
Edridah M. Tukahebwa
Miph B. Musoke
Martin Odoki
David Muwanguzi
Stellah Nambuya
Patrick Vudriko
Kalinda Chester
Samson Mukaratirwa
Moses J. Chimbari
Anna-Sofie Stensgaard
Birgitte Vennervald
Lawrence Mugisha
Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
Academia Medicine
title Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
title_full Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
title_fullStr Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
title_short Epidemiology of human fascioliasis across Africa for the period 2000–2022: a systematic review
title_sort epidemiology of human fascioliasis across africa for the period 2000 2022 a systematic review
url https://www.academia.edu/127931967/Epidemiology_of_human_fascioliasis_across_Africa_for_the_period_2000_2022_a_systematic_review
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