Schistosomiasis Infection and Nutritional Status of Children in Weija, Sourthern Ghana

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is widespread in the developing world and is one of the most important helminth infection that has attracted public health intervention. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the blood flukes that causes urinary Schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium) and the nutritional status of children. Height and weight measurements were taken, and the body mass indices computed. Also urine samples were collected from each of the subjects and analyzed in the laboratory for the presence or otherwise of Schistosoma hematobium eggs. Our results show that more girls than boys were infected with the blood fluke; probably because contact with water per person per day is greater in girls than in boys. We observed a statistically significant relationship between having red blood cells in urine (a principal symptom of schistosomiasis infection) and lower BMI treated as a dichotomized variable. The knowledge-base of the pupils with respect to the disease did not seem to have a bearing on the incidence of schistosomiasis in school children in the study area. It is therefore advisable to put in place active measures to help curb the disease by ensuring that the people living in the area do not urinate or defecate near/into any water body.