Schistosomiasis and related transmission factors in the lower moshi rice irrigation scheme

Abstract

A baseline survey was conducted in the Lower Moshi Rice Irrigation Scheme from mid-March to June 1990, aiming at finding out the prevalence for schistosomiasis and related transmission factors for the disease. The findings revealed prevalences of 3.8% and 30.9% for schistosomiasis haematobia and mansoni respectively. Among the study population, 0.5% of the individuals were infected with both S.haematobium and S.mansoni. Biomphalaria snail species were predominant compared to Bulinus species in the water bodies surveyed. Poor sanitation was a problem in the study area. The April 1990 flood disaster reduced the previously observed latrine-coverage of households from 84.5% to 24.3%. Before t?e floods, about 10.5% of latrines were good and clean, 59.7% were satisfactory and 29.8% were . unfit for use. After the floods, only 4.8% of latrines remained in the satisfactory category whereas the rest became unfit for use. On the other hand, no single latrine was sighted throughout the rice fields. Such absence of latrines transmission encourages of schistosomiasis and other excreta-borne parasites such as intestinal helminths through indiscriminate excreta disposal. with respect to schistosomiasis symptoms although less than 50% of respondents were aware of haematuria - - -~~--.----- - ~----~--- -

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(9.9%) and the passing of bloody stools (41.6%), more than 50% of respondents perceived the two symptoms to be due to schistosomiasis. Whereas the majority of respondents (67.2%) knew at least one source of schistosomiasis infection, only 41.4% of respondents knew at least one self-protective measure although partial, and only 18.3% of respondents claimed to apply such partial self-protective measures. There was no significant difference in infection prevalences found between the various groups of respondents based on occupation, working time schedules and self-protective measures. Most of the respondents would seek attention at a modern health facility when they develop symptoms of schistosomiasis. This study has established that schistosomiasis lS endemic in the Lower Moshi Rice Irrigation Scheme. It also established that people have little awareness of the disease symptoms and lack adequate knowledge about source of infection, mode of transmission and proper self-protective measures. Increasing people's awareness and knowledge on schistosomiasis is therefore recommended in order to achieve control of this disease in the Lower Moshi Rice Irrigation Scheme.

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