| dc.description.abstract | Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are prevalent infections in
Sub-Saharan Africa especially in low-income setting. School aged children have been
the main target of preventive chemotherapy in the national school-based deworming
program. This study investigated the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis and soiltransmitted helminthiasis among women of reproductive age in Mwaluphamba, Kwale
County, Kenya. A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed with
a systematic random sampling to recruit 422 women of reproductive age (15-49 years)
from four villages in Mwaluphamba location. Stool specimens were collected and
examined using the Kato Katz method, while filtration technique was used to analyze
urine specimens. Participants’ sociodemographic details were obtained using a
standardized questionnaire. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version
25, with a significance level set at p≤0.05. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis
was 4.7% (95% CI 2.8%-6.9%), while the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis
infection was 4.5% (95% CI 2.6%-6.7%). There were no significant differences in the
prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among different age groups (F=4.454, p=0.196),
as well as for hookworms (p=0.235) and Trichuris trichiura (p=0.099). Urinary
schistosomiasis showed a statistically significant association with haematuria,
proteinuria, and leukocyturia. In terms of infection intensities, urinary schistosomiasis
ranged from 1 to 120 eggs/10 mL of urine, with a median egg count of 18.45 eggs/10
mL. Patients were diagnosed with light infections of 56.16 eggs/gram and 48.48
eggs/gram for Trichuris trichiura and hookworms, respectively. The study revealed
that women without latrines had a 15.70 times higher risk of urinary schistosomiasis
compared to those with access to latrines. Additionally, the use of surface water
(aOR=1.032, 95% CI 1.023-1.432, p=0.010) and crossing rivers (aOR=1.13, 95% CI
0.290-1.611, p=0.009) were identified as statistically significant risk factors for
urinary schistosomiasis. In univariable regression analysis, defecating around water
sources (OR=4.34, CI 1.466-12.883) was significantly associated with the prevalence
of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (p=0.008). This study provides valuable insights into
the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and geohelminths in
Mwaluphamba location, which can inform the strengthening of control and elimination
programs for these neglected tropical diseases. Based on these findings, it is
recommended that comprehensive and sustained intervention strategies be
implemented, focusing on improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
practices, enhancing health education, and ensuring regular mass drug administration
(MDA) programs | en_US |
