edoc

High prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a desert population: results from an exploratory study around the ounianga lakes in Chad

Moser, W. and Batil, A. A. and Ott, R. and Abderamane, M. and Clements, R. and Wampfler, R. and Poppert, S. and Steinmann, P. and Allan, F. and Greter, H.. (2022) High prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a desert population: results from an exploratory study around the ounianga lakes in Chad. Infect Dis Poverty, 11. p. 5.

[img] PDF - Published Version
Available under License CC0 (Public Domain Dedication).

3221Kb

Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/90692/

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

Background: Researching a water-borne disease in the middle of the Sahara desert might not seem the most relevant concern. However, nomadic Sahelian pastoralist's health concerns regarding their livestock and anecdotal reports about trematode infections of Fasciola spp and Schistosoma spp in desert-raised animals justified an exploratory study focusing on the lakes of Ounianga in Northern Chad. The aim was to test whether trematode parasites such as Schistosoma spp occur in human populations living around the Sahara desert lakes of Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Saker in northern Chad. Methods: The study comprised of three components. First, a cross sectional survey based on a random sample drawn from the population to detect infections with S. haematobium and S. mansoni ; second, focus group discussions exploring disease priorities, access to health and health seeking behaviour; and third, searching water contact sites for intermediate host snails. Samples of trematode parasites and snails were confirmed on species level by molecular genetics methods. Results: Among 258 participants, the overall S. haematobium prevalence using urine filtration was 39.1% (95% CI 33.2% - 45.1%), with 51.5% of the infected suffering from heavy infection. The intermediate host snail of S. haematobium ( Bulinus truncatus ) occurred at water sites near both study villages, revealing the potential for local transmission. Although a positive S. mansoni POC-CCA test result was obtained from 15.2% (10.6%-19.7%) of the samples no intermediate host snails of S. mansoni were found, and the relevance of S. mansoni remains uncertain. Qualitative findings underline the importance of morbidity caused by urinary schistosomiasis, and the lack of access to diagnostics and treatment as a major health concern. Conclusion: This research revealed a high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the population living around the lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara, a UNESCO world heritage site in Chad. Despite the high public health importance of the associated morbidity expressed by the population there is no access to diagnostics and treatment. Further research is needed to develop and test a context adapted intervention.
Faculties and Departments:09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology (MPI) > Helminth Drug Development (Keiser)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Swiss Centre for International Health (SCIH) > Systems Strengthening and Health Promotion (Prytherch)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Medicine (MED) > Diagnostic (Nickel)
UniBasel Contributors:Moser, Wendelin and Wampfler, Rahel and Steinmann, Peter and Poppert, Sven and Greter, Helena
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
Related URLs:
Identification Number:
edoc DOI:
Last Modified:27 Dec 2022 18:21
Deposited On:27 Dec 2022 18:21

Repository Staff Only: item control page