Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Female Adolescents in Oti Sub-District of Krachi East in the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis is the second most important parasitic disease after malaria. It is caused by different species of trematode parasites of the genus Schistosoma, which leads to chronic ill health with serious consequences on the socioeconomic development of tropical and sub-tropical countries. Schistosomiasis in females could have long term consequences. There is very little targeted with access the burden of schistosomiasis among young females in Ghana. This study sets out to investigate the prevalence of urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis among young female adolescents in the Oti sub-district of the Krachi East District. METHODS The study used the simple random sampling technique to draw 400 female pupils between the ages of 11 and 15 from Primary 6 to JHS 3. A Probability proportional to size sampling approach was used to select the number of pupils per class. A mixed approach which combined the use of semi-structured interview and a collection of urine and stool samples of respondents for laboratory investigations were used. RESULTS It was revealed that young female adolescents possessed adequate knowledge about the disease. These help explain why the prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis among young female adolescents was found to be as low 7.58%. It was also found that the association between the urine strip and urine microscopic examinations is statistically significant. It was also found that 5.87% of young female adolescents who took praziquantel for the past three months tested positive of haematobium ova. Sanitary practices of households is not the best, 76.28% of the respondents do not have toilet facilities. Many therefore use public toilets and the bush if they want to defecate. CONCLUSION It is concluded that, Schistosomiasis is still a public health problem in Oti Sub-District (communities) in the Krachi East District of the Volta Region, despite respondents’ knowledge about the disease was high. Mass Drug Administration, Community Mobilization and Health Education regarding the cause, transmission and prevention of the disease, education about good personal and sanitary hygiene practices could be considered in order to significantly reduce the prevalence of infection to the barest minimum within these communities.