Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis remains an important public health issue among adults and infected individuals not treated serve as a reservoir of the parasite. Despite this fact, evidence on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in adults in Côte d’Ivoire is scanty. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of schistosomiasis among adults in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system in the south-central part of Côte d’Ivoire.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in April and May 2017 in the frame of the “Côte d’Ivoire Dual Burden of Disease Study” (CoDuBu). A total of 901 randomly selected individuals, aged 18-90 years, provided blood, stool and urine samples for the diagnosis of malaria and helminth infections. With an emphasis on schistosomiasis, stool samples were subjected to the Kato-Katz technique for detection of Schistosoma mansoni eggs, while urine samples were examined for eggs of Schistosoma haematobium and circulating cathodic antigen of S. mansoni. Risk factors and morbidity profiles were assessed using health examination and questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regressions were employed to identify independent risk factors and morbidity patterns associated with S. mansoni mono- and co-infections.Results: The prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium was 23.2% and 1.0%, respectively. Most S. mansoni were mono-infections (81.3%). Independent determinants of S. mansoni infection were young age, low socioeconomic status (mono- and co-infection) and poor hygiene practices (co-infection). S. mansoni infection was independently associated with higher pain and symptom scores (mono-infection), poor self-rated health and low healthcare use (co-infection).Conclusions: This study showed that adults represent a substantial reservoir of S. mansoni. To sustain schistosomiasis control and improve people’s wellbeing, it is important to expand preventive chemotherapy from school-aged children to adults, coupled with hygiene and health education.
Health & Demographic Surveillance System Profile: The Nahuche Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Northern Nigeria (Nahuche HDSS)
