Comparative Study of the Impact of Climate Variability on Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis: Cases at Sunyani Regional Hospital and among School Children in Atronie, Sunyani
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Date
2011-11-20
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Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
Abstract
A study has been conducted to determine the impact of climate variability on Schistosoma haematobium infection among
patients and school children in Sunyani between 2006 and 2009. Urine samples from the subjects were collected and examined in the
laboratory using the Filteration technique for the detection and quantification of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. The prevalence rate
of urinary schistosomiasis at the Sunyani Regional Hospital for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were found to be 0.24%, 0.55%, 0.55% and
0.75% respectively while that for Methodist Junior High School in 2008 and 2009 were 60.1% and 60.3% respectively. A decrease in
the relative humidity and average annual rainfall were identified as factors contributory to the increase in urinary schistosomiasis
prevalence rate. The temperature values obtained throughout the study period did not have any significant effect on the prevalence rate.
The temperature values, however, were those that enhanced cercarial incubation (15-35 °C) with a resultant increase in shedding of
cercariae leading to more infections among water contacts. The infection rate due to the stream Amama was 20.1%, while that due to
river Tano was 36.6%. The highest risk group was children aged 15-19 years. Praziquantel was administered to treat the infection,
producing a cure rate of 93%. Recognition of urinary schistosomiasis as a public health problem in Ghana is the main challenge to
prevention and control of the disease.
Description
An article published by Journal of Environmental
Science and Engineering
Keywords
Tropical disease, Schistosomiasis haematobium, praziquantel, climate variability
Citation
Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering Volume 5, Number 11, November 2011 (Serial Number 48)