Evaluation of schistosomiasis control programme among school-age children after three years of intervention in Korogwe district

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out between the last week of May to mid June 2002, in Korogwe district. The main objective was to evaluate to what extent the school based deworming project has controlled urinary schistosomiasis three years post-intervention, focusing on the reduction of prevalence and intensity and improvement of haemoglobin status as well as knowledge on disease transmission and prevention in comparison with the data from the baseline survey. A simple random sampling method was used to select five primary schools, whereby all pupils from class V to VII totaling 371 were investigated. Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium eggs were assessed by the urine filtration technique, while haematuria was assessed by Hemastix and haemoglobin estimated by the Hemacue. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding urinary schistosomiasis were explored by semi-structured interviews using questionnaires. The findings of the study are as follows: - The overall prevalence dropped from 57.8% to 52.3%, mean egg count dropped from 200 to 100 eggs/ 10 ml of urine, mean haemoglobin level raised from 107.6 g/L to 124.4 g/L. and improved health knowledge from 46% to 81 %. Therefore it is recommended that the district health authority should organize a health screening programme to schoolchildren; organize training to primary school teachers who can be deployed in screening and providing treatment for schoolchildren; involve various sectors (e.g. government, NGO's and the community) in the control of urinary schistosomiasis in the district. It is also recommended that urinary schistosomiasis should be given high priority when planning preventive health activities in the district. --- ---- --