Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe

Abstract Schistosomiasis is earmarked for elimination as a public health problem, while morbidity control is a priority for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) by 2030. To develop targeted interventions for the two diseases, micro-mapping and an understanding of disease transmission dynamics across...

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Main Authors: Nicholas Midzi, Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza, Shan Lv, Qin-Zhi Qiang, Hong-Mei Li, Ling Tang, Xin-lin Yu, Chang-Lian Li, Tonderai Manengureni, White Soko, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Ying-Jun Qian, Shi-Zhu Li
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13202-0
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author Nicholas Midzi
Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza
Shan Lv
Qin-Zhi Qiang
Hong-Mei Li
Ling Tang
Xin-lin Yu
Chang-Lian Li
Tonderai Manengureni
White Soko
Xiao-Nong Zhou
Ying-Jun Qian
Shi-Zhu Li
author_facet Nicholas Midzi
Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza
Shan Lv
Qin-Zhi Qiang
Hong-Mei Li
Ling Tang
Xin-lin Yu
Chang-Lian Li
Tonderai Manengureni
White Soko
Xiao-Nong Zhou
Ying-Jun Qian
Shi-Zhu Li
author_sort Nicholas Midzi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Schistosomiasis is earmarked for elimination as a public health problem, while morbidity control is a priority for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) by 2030. To develop targeted interventions for the two diseases, micro-mapping and an understanding of disease transmission dynamics across different age groups are necessary. This study determined the age-stratified and ward-level prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH in Chevakadzi ward, Shamva district, Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. A community-wide cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in June and July 2023 in all the 14 villages in Chevakadzi ward, targeting 1680 participants aged ≥ 1 year. Thirty households per village were selected using simple random selection method. Urine and stool samples were collected to diagnose urinary, intestinal schistosomiasis and STH using the urine filtration and Kato Katz techniques respectively. Snail surveys were conducted at identified water contact sites in each village. Intermediate host snails were assessed for human schistosome cercaria. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, spatial autocorrelation and logistic regression. The overall ward-level prevalence of combined schistosomiasis and STH was 15.6% (95%CI 13.7–17.7) and 2.5%, (95% CI 1.7–3.7) respectively. Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was 13.3% (95% CI 11.4–15.6) while S. haematobium was 6.8% (95% CI 5.5–8.3). Adults had the highest prevalence of both forms of schistosomiasis with an overall of, 20.4% (95%CI 17.6–23.5) compared to school-aged children (SAC) [10.5%, 95%CI 7.7–14.0] and preschool-aged children (PSAC) [4.7%, 95%CI 2.1–10.1], p < 0.001. Combined schistosomiasis and single species prevalence significantly differed among villages and age groups (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the intensity of infections. The risk of infection was highest in adults (AOR: 5.1, 95%CI 2.5–14.1) and 2.5 times higher in SAC (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.0–6.1) compared to PSAC. Odds of infections were high in Gonyora (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.2) and Peter (AOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.3–5.2) villages. Schistosomiasis infection was clustered at the household level (Moran’s I = 0.0573, p < 0.001). None of the snails collected in the water contact sites were infected. The study has shown that schistosomiasis is focalised at a micro-geographical scale with spatial clustering among households in the study ward. Heterogenous infection rates were noted among age groups, with adults being at high risk, emphasising the need for universal coverage of interventions as opposed to the current school-based mass drug administrations (MDA). Targeted, inclusive, and micro-level-centred approaches to effectively combat schistosomiasis are necessary. Despite the low level of STH infections in the ward, interventions are necessary to interrupt their transmission.
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spelling doaj-art-f529e4e22f8b4806853ef4e70880ae542025-08-20T03:46:08ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-13202-0Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in ZimbabweNicholas Midzi0Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza1Shan Lv2Qin-Zhi Qiang3Hong-Mei Li4Ling Tang5Xin-lin Yu6Chang-Lian Li7Tonderai Manengureni8White Soko9Xiao-Nong Zhou10Ying-Jun Qian11Shi-Zhu Li12Ministry of Health and Child Care, National Institute of Health ResearchMinistry of Health and Child Care, National Institute of Health ResearchChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesHunan Institute of Schistosomiasis ControlHunan Institute of Schistosomiasis ControlHunan Institute of Schistosomiasis ControlMinistry of Health and Child Care, National Institute of Health ResearchMinistry of Health and Child Care, National Institute of Health ResearchChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; HC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic DiseasesAbstract Schistosomiasis is earmarked for elimination as a public health problem, while morbidity control is a priority for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) by 2030. To develop targeted interventions for the two diseases, micro-mapping and an understanding of disease transmission dynamics across different age groups are necessary. This study determined the age-stratified and ward-level prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH in Chevakadzi ward, Shamva district, Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. A community-wide cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in June and July 2023 in all the 14 villages in Chevakadzi ward, targeting 1680 participants aged ≥ 1 year. Thirty households per village were selected using simple random selection method. Urine and stool samples were collected to diagnose urinary, intestinal schistosomiasis and STH using the urine filtration and Kato Katz techniques respectively. Snail surveys were conducted at identified water contact sites in each village. Intermediate host snails were assessed for human schistosome cercaria. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, spatial autocorrelation and logistic regression. The overall ward-level prevalence of combined schistosomiasis and STH was 15.6% (95%CI 13.7–17.7) and 2.5%, (95% CI 1.7–3.7) respectively. Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was 13.3% (95% CI 11.4–15.6) while S. haematobium was 6.8% (95% CI 5.5–8.3). Adults had the highest prevalence of both forms of schistosomiasis with an overall of, 20.4% (95%CI 17.6–23.5) compared to school-aged children (SAC) [10.5%, 95%CI 7.7–14.0] and preschool-aged children (PSAC) [4.7%, 95%CI 2.1–10.1], p < 0.001. Combined schistosomiasis and single species prevalence significantly differed among villages and age groups (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the intensity of infections. The risk of infection was highest in adults (AOR: 5.1, 95%CI 2.5–14.1) and 2.5 times higher in SAC (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.0–6.1) compared to PSAC. Odds of infections were high in Gonyora (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.2) and Peter (AOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.3–5.2) villages. Schistosomiasis infection was clustered at the household level (Moran’s I = 0.0573, p < 0.001). None of the snails collected in the water contact sites were infected. The study has shown that schistosomiasis is focalised at a micro-geographical scale with spatial clustering among households in the study ward. Heterogenous infection rates were noted among age groups, with adults being at high risk, emphasising the need for universal coverage of interventions as opposed to the current school-based mass drug administrations (MDA). Targeted, inclusive, and micro-level-centred approaches to effectively combat schistosomiasis are necessary. Despite the low level of STH infections in the ward, interventions are necessary to interrupt their transmission.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13202-0SchistosomiasisSoil-transmitted helminthiasisWardAgeStratifiedVillage
spellingShingle Nicholas Midzi
Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza
Shan Lv
Qin-Zhi Qiang
Hong-Mei Li
Ling Tang
Xin-lin Yu
Chang-Lian Li
Tonderai Manengureni
White Soko
Xiao-Nong Zhou
Ying-Jun Qian
Shi-Zhu Li
Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
Scientific Reports
Schistosomiasis
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis
Ward
Age
Stratified
Village
title Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
title_full Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
title_short Village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Chevakadzi ward of Shamva district in Zimbabwe
title_sort village and age based precision mapping of schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths in chevakadzi ward of shamva district in zimbabwe
topic Schistosomiasis
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis
Ward
Age
Stratified
Village
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13202-0
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