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Geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths among school children in informal settlements in Kisumu City, Western Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2011

MAURICE R. ODIERE ,
SELPHA OPISA ,
GLADYS ODHIAMBO ,
WALTER G. Z. O. JURA ,
JOHN M. AYISI ,
DIANA M. S. KARANJA  and
PAULINE N. MWINZI
MAURICE R. ODIERE*
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
SELPHA OPISA
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya Department of Zoology, Maseno University, P. O. Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya
GLADYS ODHIAMBO
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
WALTER G. Z. O. JURA
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Maseno University, P. O. Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya
JOHN M. AYISI
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
DIANA M. S. KARANJA
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
PAULINE N. MWINZI
Affiliation:
Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
*
*Corresponding author: Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya. Tel: +254 57 2022923. Fax: +254 57 2022881. E-mail: modiere@ke.cdc.gov
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Summary

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence and distribution of schistosome and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among 1,308 children aged 10–18 years in 34 primary schools in 8 informal urban settlements in Kisumu City, western Kenya. Stool samples were collected and examined for eggs of Schistosoma mansoni and STH (Hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) using the Kato-Katz technique. Haematuria was used as a proxy indicator of urinary schistosomiasis. Schools and water bodies were mapped using a geographical information system. Overall, 34% of children were infected with one or more helminth species whereas 16·2% of children were infected with one or more STH species. Schools in closest proximity to Lake Victoria and River Nyamasaria had the highest S. mansoni prevalence while schools with STH were more homogenously distributed. Mean school prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 21% (range=0–69·7%), S. haematobium 3·6% (range=0–12%), hookworms 6·1% (range=0–20%), A. lumbricoides 4·9% (range=0–18·4%), and T. trichiura 7·7% (range=0–18·6%). Helminth-related morbidities were not associated with infection. Our study demonstrates that schistosomiasis and STH are important health priorities among schools in informal settlements of Kisumu City, and highlights the need for routine deworming in similar settings.

Keywords

Anthropometryinformal urban settlementprevalenceschistosomiasissoil transmitted helminthsstunting
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 138 , Special Issue 12: Symposia of the British Society for Parasitology Volume 47 , October 2011 , pp. 1569 - 1577
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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