Abstract:
Background
Urinary schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that has received a lot of attention in school-aged children. A number of studies have revealed that the disease is common in women of reproductive age (15 - 49 years), although this population has not been studied widely in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of urinary schistosomiasis, its associated factors and its reproductive health outcomes in women of reproductive age in rural Tanzania.
Methods
A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Manyoni district in two villages practicing irrigation farming among women of reproductive age. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors known to be associated with urinary schistosomiasis, and female genital schistosomiasis infection. Urine samples were collected and evaluated for Schistosoma haematobium ova. Univariate and bivariate analysis were run using SPSS to identify important risk factors.
Results
The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 4% based on microscopic examination of eggs in urine. There was no significant difference in prevalence between the two studied villages. The median egg intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among infected individuals was 12 (interquatile range 20) eggs per 10 milliliters of urine. Low level of education was significantly associated with urinary schistosomiasis infection (% vs. %; p= 0.025) in univariate analysis. This association remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders (AOR = 6.5, 95%CI: 1.2, 32), indicating that having primary education increases the risk for urinary schistosomiasis. Female genital schistosomiasis was found to be probable in 1.3 % of the study participants.
Conclusion
The magnitude of urinary schistosomiasis in women of reproductive age in the two villages that practice irrigation farming is low. Low education is a predictor of urinary infection. The schistosomiasis control program in the district should develop strategies to address this group as they make act as reservoir for the infection. More studies should look into female genital schistosomiasis in this population.
