Human intestinal schistosomiasis and associated factors among children aged 5–15 years in Buyende district, eastern Uganda

Abstract

Schistosomiasis infection is one of the neglected tropical diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality in Uganda. A cross-sectional study in Uganda aimed to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis and its associated factors in children aged five to fifteen. Three hundred forty-eight (348) study participants were recruited, and data was collected using a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected for macroscopic and smear microscopy examinations. The data was analyzed using Excel and SPSS. A chi-square test performed to establish factors associated with Schistosomiasis, Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study participants consisted of schoolchildren between 5 and 15 years old; the majority, 71.5% (249/348), were in the 5–10 age group, and most of the respondents were female, 54.3% (189/348), with a mean age of 8.86. Out of 348 specimens examined, 52 had Schistosoma mansoni eggs, giving a prevalence of 15% (52/348). Being at school (P-value 0.03), children whose parents or guardians were farmers (P-value 0.005), a lake as a source of water for home use (P-value 0.01), lack of pit latrines (P-value 0.02), and footwear utilization (P-value 0.001) were the factors that were associated with intestinal human schistosomiasis. Intestinal human schistosomiasis is a non-ending health challenge among school going children, as indicated by its high prevalence. There is a need to enhance the current control and preventive measures through health education and improved sanitation, the provision of reliable and safe water sources, and encouraging the use of footwear for all school-going children in the study area.