Prevalence of Urogenital Schistosomiasis and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Risk factors for transmission among Primary School Children in an urban endemic area of Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract Objectives: To determine the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and water, sanitation, and hygiene risk factors for transmission among primary school children in an urban endemic area of Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2020 to determine the prevalence of S.haematobium. A total of 250 urine samples were collected from primary school children, examined for haematuria using urinalysis test strips, and S.haematobium infection and intensity using the urine filtration technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on water, sanitation, and hygiene risk factors that could influence the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: Out of 250 primary school children recruited, 13(5.2%) had haematuria, 3(1.2%) had S.haematobium ova, and all were light-intensity infections. Among the risk factor assessed the following were significantly associated with the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis; type of latrine used at home (p=0.044), frequency of swimming (p=0.030), the children who never swallowed praziquantel (p<0.00), experienced side effects (p<0.00), type of side effects experienced (p=0.037), and reasons for not taking praziquantel in the last round of mass drug administration (p=0.007).Conclusions: The low prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis indicates the ongoing transmission of the disease among primary school children. Frequency of swimming, type of latrines used at home, and non-uptake of praziquantel are the risk factors for the infection among primary school children. Therefore there is a need to provide health education to promote the uptake of praziquantel.