What question did this study set out to answer?

July 16, 2026PLoS neglected tropical diseases0 citationsOpen Access

Community-level prevalence and determinants of Schistosoma mansoni infection in river-crossing Kebeles of Mizan-Aman Town, Southwest Ethiopia, where mass drug administration targets only school-aged children

GTGashaw TemesgenMizan Tepi University ZMZeleke MekonnenJimma University MAMitiku AberaMizan Tepi University

Key Points

The aim was to assess the prevalence and determinants of S. mansoni infection in Mizan-Aman Town following a school-aged children-focused mass drug administration.
Community-based cross-sectional study conducted from October 2021 to February 2022 with 349 participants.
Data collected through questionnaires and stool sample examinations using Kato–Katz thick smears.
Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated risk factors.
The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was found to be 23.2% (95% CI: 18.9–28.0).
Significant risk factors included using river water (AOR = 5.86, 95% CI: 2.90–11.83) and swimming in rivers (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.28–5.34).
Overall intestinal parasitic infection prevalence was 50.7%, with polyparasitism observed in 12.3% of participants.

Abstract

Introduction Schistosomiasis remains a major neglected tropical disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where Schistosoma mansoni ( S. mansoni ) causes intestinal schistosomiasis through contact with cercariae-infested freshwater. In Ethiopia, control relies mainly on school-based mass drug administration (MDA) targeting school-aged children (SAC), while adults and other at-risk groups are often untreated. This study assessed the community-level prevalence and determinants of S. mansoni infection in Mizan-Aman Town following implementation of SAC-focused MDA. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022 in Mizan-Aman Town. A total of 349 participants from selected households were enrolled using systematic sampling. Socio-demographic and risk factor data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Stool samples (~5 g) were collected and examined using duplicate Kato–Katz thick smears (41.7 mg template). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 23.2% (95% CI: 18.9–28.0). Poly parasitism was observed in 12.3% of participants and the overall intestinal parasitic infection prevalence was 50.7%. Moreover, use of river water for domestic purposes (AOR = 5.86, 95% CI: 2.90–11.83), bathing in rivers (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.32–6.73), swimming in rivers (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.28–5.34), and farmland proximity to rivers (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.10–4.75) were statistically significant predictors. Age and sex were not significantly associated with infection. Conclusion The current study revealed a moderate prevalence of S. mansoni , suggesting that untreated community members may serve as reservoirs of infection for SAC and indicating ongoing transmission despite school-based MDA. Therefore, expanding treatment to include adults, together with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions and continuous epidemiological surveillance, is essential for sustainable reduction of transmission.

问 AI

Bookmark

View Full Paper