The use of reagent strips for detection of urinary schistosomiasis infection in the middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia.

Reagent strip test was carried out to detect haematuria in urinary schistosomiasis infection in ten schools (1114 children) in the middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia. In five schools (557 children), were compared with results of urine filtration technique conducted simultaneously. The prevalence of infection by reagent sticks and urine filtration was 19.5% and 3.1%, respectively. Haematuria, detected by the reagent strip, was highly related with the results of urine filtration at the 2+ limit rather than the 1+ limit. However, the intensity of infection of all children was highly associated with prevalence rate at both haematuria limits. The possible use of reagent strips in Ethiopia to monitor morbidity (haematuria) due to S. haematobium infection is discussed.