A Study Of Schistosomiasis Among School Children Between The Ages Of 6 - 17 Years In The Outapi Health District In Namibia

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by flukes. This infection creates a

reaction in the human tissue that manifests as scarring of the bladder, urethra, or

colon. Schistosomiasis is closely associated with water, as snails carry the parasite.

The purpose of this study was to describe and explore any factors (variables) that

could be associated with the persistence of the high infection rate of schistosomiasis

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in school children between the ages 6 – 17 years in the Outapi health district, in order

to implement appropriate prevention strategies.

In this study, two specific objectives have been formulated. They are firstly, to

describe the incidence and magnitude of schistosomiasis in school children in the

Outapi health district and secondly, to identify the possible factors that may be

associated with the high persistence rate of schistosomiasis in that district.

Two study groups were used in this study. The first was a case population (from

which a case group was selected), which consisted of all the school children infected

with schistosomiasis for the period 2006/2007 in the Outapi district. The second

population (from which a control group was selected) was the control group and

comprised of all the school children in the Outapi district not infected with

schistosomiasis for the same period.

In this study, 31% of the schoolchildren tested positive for schistosomiasis.

Significant correlations were found with regard to four independent variables

namely, age, water contact, lack of toilets at household and health education as a

subject at school. It was found that water contacts, lack of latrines and lack of health

education and promotion in schools are factors that contribute to the transmission

and persistence of this disease. In this study the researcher also found that the

schistosomiasis peak between 9 and 13 years of age in the district.