Urinary schistosomiasis in pregnant women of the njombe-penja health district (littoral, cameroon )
TONGA Calvin; TCHANGA Chanceline Flore ; NGO BAYOI Charlie; ; WEPNJE BUNDA Godlove ;KANGAM Lafortune; LEHMAN Léopold Gustave
CaHReF 20116, Yaoundé Conges hall, 23 – 26 August 2016 , PL085
Faculté des Sciences, Université de Douala
Urinary schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of individuals. Some endemic foci are still found in Cameroon despite national and international efforts through dedicated control programmes. The situation is worsen by concomitant infections with malaria and other diseases especially among the underprivileged. Community-directed treatment with Praziquantel is being implemented but is inappropriate for pregnant women.
Determining the risk factors, prevalence and consequences of urinary schistosomiasis in pregnant women of the Njombe-Penja health district.
A cross sectional study is carried out since April 2016 in the Njombe-Penja health district. Overall 96 consenting pregnant women provided urines and filled a standard questionnaire at first Antenatal Clinic visit. Sediment from urine centrifugation was mixed with lugol iodine solution (20/20 µl) and read under x20 lens of a Leitz® light microscope. Haemoglobin concentration was measured from the analysis of capillary blood with a URIT-12® electronic haemoglobinometer. Data where keyed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analysed with the Epi Info™ 7.1. statistical package.
Schistosoma haematobium prevalence was 8.1% (CI: 3.3%-16.1%). Eggs density was 6 (CI: 3-12) eggs/ml urine. Young age, primigravidity, poverty and study level were some identified risk factors though only the later was statistically significant (p=0.048). Prevalence of anaemia was higher in infected pregnant women (100% vs 78.95%).
Schistosoma haematobium is still infecting pregnant women of the Njombe-Penja foci, Littoral-Cameroon, despite the implementation of control measures for more than a decade. Specific management policies including behavioural change should address this condition in the area.
Schistosoma haematobium, urinary schistosomiasis, Njombe-Penja, Pregnancy