The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.

<h4>Background</h4>Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by S. haematobium has enormous reproductive health consequences including infertility. Reproductive aged individuals are a neglected group and not included in control programs in Cameroon. This study investigated the prevalence a...

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Main Authors: Vicky Daonyle Ndassi, Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi, Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele, Lennin Azaofah Ngufor, Kouemou Nadege, Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021-01-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008978&type=printable
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author Vicky Daonyle Ndassi
Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi
Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele
Lennin Azaofah Ngufor
Kouemou Nadege
Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
author_facet Vicky Daonyle Ndassi
Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi
Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele
Lennin Azaofah Ngufor
Kouemou Nadege
Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
author_sort Vicky Daonyle Ndassi
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by S. haematobium has enormous reproductive health consequences including infertility. Reproductive aged individuals are a neglected group and not included in control programs in Cameroon. This study investigated the prevalence and severity of S. haematobium infection in the context of gender and socio-economic structures that shape behaviour among reproductive aged individuals living in Tiko, a semi-urban setting, Cameroon.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Tiko Health District (THD) between May to September 2019. Consenting individuals were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique and administered a semi-structured questionnaire to document data on socio-demographic and stream contact behaviour. A urine sample was collected and screened for the presence of S. haematobium ova using reagent strips, filtration and microscopy. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 22.8% (95% CL: 19.27-26.73) with geometric mean egg load of 18.74 (range: 1-1600) per 10ml of urine. Younger age group (15 - 20years) (OR: 5.13; 95% CL: 1.35-19.42), male (OR: 2.60 3.07; 95% CL: 1.54-4.40) and awareness of UGS (OR: 1.73; 95% CL: 1.02-2.95) were associated with higher odds of exposure to infection. Significantly higher intensity of infection was seen in males, singles and in the age group 15-30 years. It is worth noting that males carried out more activities which entailed longer duration in streams.<h4>Conclusion/significance</h4>The prevalence obtained shows that Tiko is a moderate-risk area for UGS with underlying morbidity-inducing infection intensity. The severity of the infection is more in males. Awareness of the disease is not enough to protect these communities from infection, but provision of public infrastructures and health education will limit contact with infested water and thus curtail the infection. There is an urgent need to involve all age groups in control programs.
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spelling doaj-art-4e1cbe480cb74366bc35d68d113b6d422025-08-20T02:11:00ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352021-01-01151e000897810.1371/journal.pntd.0008978The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.Vicky Daonyle NdassiJudith Kuoh Anchang-KimbiIrene Ule Ngole SumbeleLennin Azaofah NguforKouemou NadegeHelen Kuokuo Kimbi<h4>Background</h4>Urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) caused by S. haematobium has enormous reproductive health consequences including infertility. Reproductive aged individuals are a neglected group and not included in control programs in Cameroon. This study investigated the prevalence and severity of S. haematobium infection in the context of gender and socio-economic structures that shape behaviour among reproductive aged individuals living in Tiko, a semi-urban setting, Cameroon.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Tiko Health District (THD) between May to September 2019. Consenting individuals were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique and administered a semi-structured questionnaire to document data on socio-demographic and stream contact behaviour. A urine sample was collected and screened for the presence of S. haematobium ova using reagent strips, filtration and microscopy. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 22.8% (95% CL: 19.27-26.73) with geometric mean egg load of 18.74 (range: 1-1600) per 10ml of urine. Younger age group (15 - 20years) (OR: 5.13; 95% CL: 1.35-19.42), male (OR: 2.60 3.07; 95% CL: 1.54-4.40) and awareness of UGS (OR: 1.73; 95% CL: 1.02-2.95) were associated with higher odds of exposure to infection. Significantly higher intensity of infection was seen in males, singles and in the age group 15-30 years. It is worth noting that males carried out more activities which entailed longer duration in streams.<h4>Conclusion/significance</h4>The prevalence obtained shows that Tiko is a moderate-risk area for UGS with underlying morbidity-inducing infection intensity. The severity of the infection is more in males. Awareness of the disease is not enough to protect these communities from infection, but provision of public infrastructures and health education will limit contact with infested water and thus curtail the infection. There is an urgent need to involve all age groups in control programs.https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008978&type=printable
spellingShingle Vicky Daonyle Ndassi
Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi
Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele
Lennin Azaofah Ngufor
Kouemou Nadege
Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
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
title The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.
title_full The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.
title_fullStr The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.
title_full_unstemmed The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.
title_short The epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the Tiko Health Area- a semi-urban setting in the Mount Cameroon area.
title_sort epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis among reproductive aged individuals in the tiko health area a semi urban setting in the mount cameroon area
url https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008978&type=printable
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