Pan African Medical Journal
Journal / Pan African Medical Journal / Vol. 45 No. 1 (2023) / Articles

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Published:

Apr 8, 2024

Keywords:

Schistosoma haematobium Schistosomiasis school children Kawama Ndola

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Articles

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Chileshe Sandema

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Victor Daka

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Paul Syapiila

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Mathias Tembo

Tropical Diseases Research Centre, Biomedical Sciences Department, P.O Box 71769, Ndola, Zambia

Jay Sikalima

Tropical Diseases Research Centre, Biomedical Sciences Department, P.O Box 71769, Ndola, Zambia; Churches Health Association of Zambia, Molecular Laboratory Department, P.O.BOX 34511, Lusaka, Zambia

Shivangi Patel

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Steward Mudenda

University of Zambia, School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, P.O Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia

Ruth Lindizyani Mfune

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Imukusi Mutanekelwa

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya School of Medicine, Public Health Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Cosmas Zyambo

University of Zambia, School of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia

Victor Mwanakasale

Copperbelt University, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Basic Sciences Department, P.O Box 71191, Ndola, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction: schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and remains a disease of public health concern. Despite its relative importance, paucity of information on schistosomiasis in urban settings such as Ndola remains. Here, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections among School-going children in the Kawama in Ndola district in Zambia, an urban area in the Copperbelt Province, Zambia.

Methods: we employed a cross-sectional study design among 354 school going-children between 5 and 17 years of age between November 2020 and February 2021. A Multivariate forward step-wise logistic regression model was used to determine the associations of risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported.

Results: of the 354 school-going children included in the analysis, 13.3% had S. haematobium infection. Children who swam in the stream/dam were more likely to have S. haematobium infection as compared to those who did not (aOR 6.531, 95% CI: 2.90-14.69).

Conclusion: S. haematobium infection is endemic among school-going children in an urban setup of the Kawama area of Ndola City, Zambia. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate infections among this population.

Journal Identifiers

eISSN: 1937-8688