Relationship between pure schistosoma haematobium infection in Upper Egypt and irrigation systems. Part III: Host characteristics. The prevalence of S. haematobium in relation to religon, occupation, and habits.

Study of the effect of religion on the prevalence of S. haematobium infection revealed that ablution and other Muslims rituals do not represent an important factor in the prevalence of S. haematobium. Data concerning the effect of education on the prevalence of S. haematobium show that it has no significant role when similar age groups were compared. Farming was shown to be the occupation of leading importance with rest to exposure to S. haematobium infection, as farmers and farm labourer constitute a large sector of our rural population. Finishing, although forming a greater danger in this respect, is not a common occupation in the studied villages with the exception of El-Ghorayeb. The study showed that swimming in canal water is one of the most important activities causing infection with bilharziasis.