Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis on students at Bochesa Elementary School, around the wetlands of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis in students at Bochesa Elementary School in the wetlands of Lake Ziway.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 384 students was conducted in May 2016. Intestinal schistosomiasis was examined using the Kato-Katz technique. For the association between the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis and categorical variables, the chi-square (χ2) test was used. A binary logistic regression was applied.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%. Males were more infected (17.45%) than women (8.07%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 17.756; P <0.05). Lower grade (1-4) students were more infected (20.83%) than grade 5-8 students (4.69%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 19.558; P <0.05). Age groups of 7-14-year-old students were more infected (24.74%) than >15-year-old students (0.78%), and the difference was significant (χ2 = 4.788; P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The result implied that the wetlands of Lake Ziway are conducive to schistosomiasis. Students should receive health education on the mode of schistosomiasis transmission and its prevention methods, and a buffer zone for the wetlands should be identified. Praziquantel treatment is crucial in reducing intestinal schistosomiasis in students.