Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium urinary schistosomiasis in the Port St Johns district.

A urinary schistosomiasis survey undertaken in the Port St Johns district of the former Transkei showed the parasite to be endemic and noted an increase in overall infection rates in the region compared with previous studies. There was a general stability in infection over the sampling period 1987-1989. Prevalence rates were low to moderate with an overall prevalence of 42%. These ranged from approximately 10% in the low-prevalence settlement to 89.9% in the settlement with the highest prevalence. Infection rates were found to decrease nearer the coast, and settlements closest to the sea had the lowest prevalence rates. The intensity of infection was low, with the majority of patients having fewer than 200 eggs per 10 ml urine. Very few sufferers were treated with Ambilhar at clinics and hospitals.