Epidemiological Survey of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Some Primary Schools in a New Focus behind Mount Cameroon, South West Region, Cameroon.

OBJECTIVE To Provide baseline epidemiological data (Prevalence, Intensity of Infection and Knowledge) on Urinary Schistosomiasis in a New Focus behind Mount Cameroon. DESIGN Longitudinal Study. SETTING Eight (8) Primary Schools in Munyenge Health District, Fako Division, South West Cameroon. SUBJECTS Six hundred and thirty six (636) randomly selected primary school children aged between five and sixteen years old of both sexes. RESULTS The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 78% with no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the different sexes. Visible haematuria had a prevalence of 35.1% with the highest prevalence observed in the 9-12-year-age group (87.5%). Response to questionnaires was very poor with only 20.8% of the inhabitants having the knowledge of urinary schistosomiasis. Health--seeking behaviour showed that only 10.4% of infected children had sought treatment of any kind. Prevalence rate and intensity of infection varied significantly with age at P ≤ 0.05. Also mean egg counts varied significantly with schools (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION Munyenge village was identified as a very active focus for Urinary Schistosomiasis with heavy infection rates recorded in the schools closest to the springs. The construction of spring waters has provided suitable habitats for the survival of snails thereby enhancing the effective sustenance of transmission cycle which is capable of leading to further increase and severity of infection. Strengthening of school health programmes related to schistosomiasis in particular is, therefore, advocated.