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Background: Although praziquantel offers immediate benefits, individuals in endemic areas remain at risk of rapid reinfection if environmental risk factors persist. Regular updates on UGS and its risk factors in endemic areas are essential for effective monitoring and control. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 369 school-age children was conducted to assess the burden and factors associated with Urogenital Schistosomiasis (UGS) transmission. Urine samples from participants were tested for haematuria and S. haematobium ova. This was complemented by a survey of Bulinus spp. snail hosts and their infectivity, along with a structured questionnaire to gather information on individual risk factors for UGS transmission. Results: The overall prevalence and mean intensity of UGS were 6.2% and 1.56±5.68 eggs/10ml, respectively. Individuals unaware of the disease (OR: 3.432, CI: 1.367-9.104, P=0.0098) had a higher infection risk. Misbeliefs about UGS curability (OR: 14.55, CI: 5.025-38.67) or prevention (OR: 45.20, CI: 13.42-130.4), or uncertainty about either, significantly increased infection risk. Participants who did not consider UGS serious (OR: 12.93, CI: 4.392-34.31) also had a higher infection risk (P<0.0001). Additionally, those believing untreated water causes UGS were more likely to be infected (OR: 5.582, CI: 2.326-13.01, P<0.0001). Snail intermediate hosts were Bulinus truncatus and B. globosus, whose infectivity was 14.4% and 13.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Despite the low observed prevalence of UGS, behavioural risk factors could lead to re-infection. Given the presence of infective snail hosts, integrated control interventions, including snail control and behavioural change communication, are essential.
Eleng et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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