10 research outputs found
Sex Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among School Children in Five Communities in the Lower River Volta Basin of South Eastern Ghana
This study was undertaken among school children in 5 communities in the
lower Volta Basin in South eastern Ghana to assess sex prevalence of
urinary schistosomiasis among the children. Results obtained showed
that the disease prevalence was higher among the female pupils (64%)
than their male counterparts (21.8%). This higher prevalence of
schistomiasis among the females than the males was attributed to the
numerous water contact activities of females as a result of unavoidable
domestic chores that they undertake which compel them to enter the
river to fetch water thereby exposing them to the infection
Climate change/variability and schistosomiasis transmission in Ga district, Ghana
Most studies on climate change and schistosomiasis transmission have mainly been on the development of models to understand the nature of the relationship. Globally, no attempt has been made to understand the relationship from the point of view of community members through public perception studies. In addition, there is no study on the nexus between climate change and schistosomiasis transmission in Ghana, albeit the disease is endemic in some parts of the country. This article attempts to fill both knowledge gaps. It uses four climate variables, hospital reported schistosomiasis cases, and data from focus group discussions undertaken in Ga District. Results show an increasing trend in total annual rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, and a decline in the number of rainy days between 1970 and 2010, during which time there was an increase in reported schistosomiasis cases. A Pearson correlation analysis shows negative and positive significant associations, respectively, between temperature and total rainfall and schistosomiasis cases. However, maximum temperature granger causes reported schistosomiasis cases. Community members perceive that extreme warm temperatures in recent times encourage people to swim in rivers, which increases infection rates. Rainfall is associated with water-based activities including swimming, washing, and bathing. Some control and prevention interventions and treatment-seeking behaviours are discussed, and some recommendations provided